[vibiker]

I am in the market for a DH rig. Something with more that 7.5" of rear travel that I can use for the North Shore and for Whistler.

At the moment, my budget is in the $4k (USD) range for a new bike.

Right now, my list includes

Banshee Scream
Turner DHR
Kona Stinky Nine

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John

 

[Tully]

Do you race? Also, could you post some specifics about yourself, i.e. smooth rider or not, syour ize, shock preference, how you like the suspension to feel, etc.?

 

[MikeD]

Yep. It's mandatory that "what bike should I buy" posts include geometry desires and general preferences/pricing, especially when you reference bikes that are as wildly disparate as a Scream, a DHR, and a Stinky Nine. It looks like you just considered three bikes that look cool to you without much concern for what they're actually optimized for.

 

[Eyesquad]

Better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool.

 

[binary visions]

That's a pretty bizarre combo there. You've got the Banshee Scream, one of the heaviest FR bikes you can find, the Kona Stinky Nine, another weighty FR bike, and the Turner DHR, arguably one of the quickest DH race machines available...

I think you may need to define what you need/want out of it a little more.

 

[jon-boy]

Put it this way... for riding the North Shore I doubt that the DHR will be your best choice, it's got a low BB and that'll give you issues up there.

The Scream and Stinky are very similar. The suspension deisgn is very similar and it'll most likely be down to which on you'll like the feel of. However for adaptability the Scream can't be beat, you can change a lot on that bike till you're happy with the way it feels.

 

[vibiker]

Okay, sorry for being vague.

The reason I have thrown in the DHR is because it is (so far) the only rig that I have actually ridden. It felt nice and plush, but excellent point regarding the BB height.

I am new to DH. Currently, I have 6/6" 4-bar trail bike (Ells Id), that is quite capable for light(er) FR and DH. I do not race, but am finding myself spending more time at Whistler and would like something that would be smoother than the Id for bigger stuff. I am sort of smooth, but still learning.

I would like the rear suspension to feel more progressive than what I have been using. Also, I realize that (being 4-bar systems) the Kona and the Scream would be an easier transition to my other bike.
I hope that give a better idea of what I need/want.

Thanks again.

 

[aussiedude]

Go for the Banshee Scream. It is superior to Kona's Stinky nine. I used to have a Scream. They are amazing DH rigs! You won't be dissapointed.

 

[cali4niabiker]

Right now, my list includes

Banshee Scream
Turner DHR
Kona Stinky Nine

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

It seems like you are into the four bar system (I personally love them) probably due to their plushness as well as climbing ability. Even though I ride an older Dare ('01 model), I absolutely love it because of its ability to climb and how she handles when she is let loose from the top. I've test ridden single pivot bikes at local bike expos in the likes of SC Bullit, Weyless 6-7, and I've noticed that they have, IMO, a quite a bit of pedal bobbing when cranking the motor hard. In that respects, the DHR does indeed have a design very similar to a single pivot (Turner makes hellva good bikes, I'd probably be riding on one if Turner made DHR as a 4-bar). You might even want to consider the Ells Dare and it is lighter than the Kona and Banshee, but in terms of hard core DHing (likes of NShore, nailing 10 footer drops every time), IMO I don't think it is quite built strong enough for that type of riding... but if you are a light rider, give it a try. If you want to do some climbing to the top then let 'er loose (like I do), you might want to look into the Dare (lightest) followed by the Stinky - 9 (close to Scream in w8), Scream (heaviest), and DHR (will have a 'lil bit more bobbing when climbing). If the NS riding is more appealing to you, then look into the Scream, DHR, and the S-9.

My $0.02 Let us all know how it goes!

 

[RD3]

Consider santa cruz vp free?

 

[vibiker]

You might even want to consider the Ells Dare ...

The Dare would definitely be on my list, but it kind of blows away the budge. I will still keep my eyes open for a used one, but I would rather not set my heart on one, only to go wanting.

Thanks,
John

 

[Kornphlake]

If you can handle a 24" rear wheel specialized big hits are quite affordable and they seem to be tough enough for most riders.

 

[Tarpon]

Although is is only ~7.5" of travel (high quality travel) you should look at the Knolly V-Tach (www.knollybikes.com). The bike is designed primarily for the Shore but does well at Whistler too. You get a modified Horst style linkage (really good braking performance) along with an ajustable head tube angle and dropouts. The design and build quality is top notch as well. If you can wait for the regular production to start it would be a good choice.

 

[MikeD]

If you can handle a 24" rear wheel specialized big hits are quite affordable and they seem to be tough enough for most riders.

Then there's the Norco bikes, 26" and 26"...

 

[Tully]

I second the VP-Free. Also, my Yeti AS-X is awesome at Whistler, and I'm sure it would be really fun on the Shore too. It has a 5th Element along with progressive linkage, so it doesn't bottom very often, plus the bottom bracket was fine for the smaller stunts I've ridden, and that was in the lower of the two settings. Besides, the Yeti, or a good ol' Bullit, are lighter and cheaper than any of those three bikes. I know that you didn't want a single pivot, and I've never ridden a Bullit, but the AS-X has a lower pivot, which means very little pedal feedback in my 38 tooth ring, and brake jack hasn't been an issue, or at least it hasn't bothered me. I also like the snappy feel of single pivots, but some people would disagree.

 

[Tully]

And if you want a complete bike, the Yeti is about $2700 Amreican, the Bullit has options starting around there, and the VP-Free starts at around a thousand more. You might also look at a Norco; there's got to be a reason that they're so popular on the Shore.

 

[kidwoo]

The banshee, stinky, and dhr are all single pivot systems with nothing more than shock actuation linkages. The suspensions will all behave as such with the only variations being due to pivot location on the front triangle and the progression rate dictated by thier respective linkages (walking beam on the stinky and banshee, moto-style swing link on the turner). Construction wise, turners will be better than both, kona probably better than the banshee. I know everyone thinks banshees are the end all be all of stout bikes because of the monterously sized machined pieces but I've seen one weld failure on those things where the welds didn't even have full penetration between the joined pieces. This was bender's bike mind you but it still showed the quality of the fabrication.

My turner BB sits at about 15 and some change unsagged which is really not that low. It does have a very race oriented geometry however which does make it low on the list for low speed wheelie drop type riding. The 04 dhrs also have limited shock options which is annoying.

I haven't ridden a newer stinky 9 but the one I rode around bend oregon a few years ago felt like a noodle around corners. Although I rode them in different places, I was much more impressed with the stab primo. It's also cheaper than the turner and has a geometry more geared towards what you're looking for.

Ellsworth dares have a big piece of metal that shoots right towards your nutsack. Something to consider there. I was set to buy one of those at one point and then rode one at northstar. That changed my mind real quick.

edit: my turner is 14.75" BB

 

[biker3]

If I were you id def look into the new SC VP-Free. The availability might be an issue but if your going to be riding the shore and your still learning I would think youd want a lighter more flickable bike. If your still learning then stay away from the scream there is no need for that much beef in a bike unless your taking HUGE drops all the time. Its just overly heavy. But if your destined for a big bike like that also look into the demo 9 pro. You get an 888 swinger 4 way and "real 4 bar" linkage with the horst link. Banshee and kona's 4 bar is going to act more like a single pivot then a true 4 bar. But back to the vp-free its got like 8.5in of travel, super high quality frame, plenty of strength. Also if your on a budget DEF! look into the Ironhorse SGS freeride series. I think right now you can get the freeride team one for like 3k with dee max, breakout plus, sram x.0, thompson post.. etc.. Those bikes are super decked out and you get the real FSR 4 bar linkage which feels very supple and is active under braking. Id def look into the Ironhorse line if i were you.

 

[kidwoo]

I've also got a norco shore (7 inch horst link) and am happy with it. It doesn't have the quality construction, nor the beef of my turner but the frame was also half the price. I use it as a freeride bike with a triple chainring up front and it climbs and descends pretty well but has a bit of the same flex issues as all fsr bikes. Not a dh race rig but I've ridden it on almost everything I've had my turner on........just not as fast.

 

[jon-boy]

There's a lot of great comments and suggestions above...
Also if you're local to Whistler remember that there are fleets of rental bikes there including Kona's and Screams. Might be worth investing some coin in taking one of them onto the mountain for an hour or so.
I've just gone to a 'true' 4-bar machine and the differences in the way it rides are huge, great on fast trails and so smooth in the corners. It's definitely different to haul and pedal that bike on skinny's.

So... basically try some out, try friends bikes, see what you like. I like the 4-bar because I like going fast, you can brake deeper into corners as the suspension is still working on the brakes and it's a different style of bike to extract the best from. But that works for my style of riding.....

 

[vibiker]

Okay,
So the DHR gets dropped from the list.

Added is the VP-free

Anyone have experience with the Cove Playmate or Devinci Ollie/8-flat-8??

Thanks

 

[vibiker]

I know that they are a good bike and all, but I was hoping for something a little more unique than a BH.

 

[jon-boy]

The Devinci looks like a good ride. It has a great parts spec and the frame seems well thought out. The whole deraillier hanger and drop-out area is replaceable, has good mud clearance etc. etc. Definitely worth a look.
Cove..... hmmmm not my personal taste. However... single pivot simpleness, comes with a 5th Element, tight geometry for shore style stuff.

 

[DIRTWRKS]

Hi,

Not sure that the Stinky Nine is still officialy available in 2004, I know two riders locally that have had to return their's last year due to on going issues with bearing and linkage plate failures, Kona finally fipped them brand new Stab Primos as replacement and those have been trouble free for them.

Regarding the Banshee Scream, I got to ride one as a rental out in Kicking Horse resort last year and was pretty impresed, it's a heavy bike but handled well and felt lighter than it's actual weight, only draw back was the crappy Boxxer Race that was on the front end of that particular bike.

 

[vibiker]

The Sinister R9 just got put on the short list. Anyone with first hand experience?

 

[Li'l Dave]

What about something like the Giant DH Team? I think it rides kinda like a race bike, but is easy to maneuver, easy to jump, light, strong, and is pretty inexpensive.

 

[vibiker]

What about something like the Giant DH Team? I.

I'm sure that it is strong, but checked one out at the LBS. It just does not feel particularly stout. Besides, I'm not a Boxxer fan.

 

[dan-o]

The Sinister R9 just got put on the short list. Anyone with first hand experience?

I have three close friends who ride R9s and love them. The build quality is excellent and the Sinister guys (Bill and FTW) are good people.

 

[ChrisKring]

What about something like the Giant DH Team? I think it rides kinda like a race bike, but is easy to maneuver, easy to jump, light, strong, and is pretty inexpensive.

I would second the VP Free. I have been on mine for a few weeks now and like it. I also demo'd a vp free at Interbike and it worked great on the drops/steeps at Boulder City. Mine is built up with big tires at 39 pounds.

For 2002 and 2003 my race bike was a Giant DH. They are super stable at 40 mph bombing down fireroads or ski slopes but the head tube is way too slack for north shore riding. Think semi truck. Mine was a large and the wheel base was 46.5" with a boxxer running at the steepest head tube angle.

Another plus to the VP Free is that you can put a front derailuer on it if your riding anything uphill. I have ridden my Giant DH's uphill with a 36T on them but it's not fun. The only reason I did it is I could only fit one bike in the airline bike bag and still bring the wife's bike.