[Dingus McGee]

Can you wheelie them for days? Can you ride them on epics? How do they jump? -better than the earth-bound V-10? I previously rode
a single ring 40t, 42lb Bullit everywhere, is it stupid to try the same with a more race-oriented sled like the DHR? I will never use more than 1 front ring
on any bike I get and will run a lightish fork -Boxxer or Dorado.

Thanks- I'm trying to decide what to do for my next bike - a DH racer I can
wheelie for days on the streets of S.F. too.

 

[brake_and_bleed]

ive got an old dhr,
its pretty easy to wheelie, if that makes a good bike?
i dont like the way that it jumps, it feels wierd,
but it corners amazing!!
mines got monsters on, but i think maybe a dorado would match it better and look beautiful!

why doesnt the link work?

 

[leprechaun]

I suppose if you can ride a 42 lb bike w/ a 42t ring everywhere then a DHR would be fine...
They wheelie great since they have a low pivot and reletively short stays.
Also with the lower pivot you could run a smaller ring to ease climbing.
they are 12 lbs-the Bullit is like 9.5 or so.
The seat angle is much slacker so if you raise the seat you will have a poor climbing position.
I would look elsewhere for a pedalable big travel bike.(Fly,VP Free)

 

[T0mo]

The seat angle is much slacker so if you raise the seat you will have a poor climbing position.

could you use a backwards set-back post to fix that? It would put the seat really far forward when it was down(easy to turn around before a long dh or something), but I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't work for climbing(as long as the post had enough adjustment to get the angle you wanted).

 

[kidwoo]

An 02 or older DHR would suit you more than a newer 03 or 04 one. I don't know the chainstay measurements on the older ones but my 03 rear triangle is 17.5 which I wouldn't consider short. I can manual fine on mine but climbing on it sucks. What's wrong with the 7-8 inch freeride realm? (norco, fly, yeti asx, 7point etc).......

 

[narlus]

ive got an old dhr,
its pretty easy to wheelie, if that makes a good bike?
i dont like the way that it jumps, it feels wierd,
but it corners amazing!!
mines got monsters on, but i think maybe a dorado would match it better and look beautiful!

why doesnt the link work?

you forgot a G at the 56th position

 

[oly]

try hosting your pics on www.imageshack.us . free and easy. it gives you the code to share however you need.....

 

[buildyourown]

They are freakishly easy to manual and wheelie. I could never manual. I built an '02 dhr for my gf this summer. When I went to test ride it, I could immediatly manual. I think it has to do with the low pivot which causes the CS to shorten as compared to my BB7 which has lengthening CSs.

As far as geometry, the '01-'02 has 17.5 CS and a 67 deg HA.
the '03-'05 has 17.5 CD and a 66 deg HA.

The CS don't feel that long though. I have always lover short CS bikes but the DHR feels good. Maybe its just me becoming a better rider.

 

[toodles]

Yeah they are damn easy to wheelie and manual - I could straight away do both better than with my previous DH bike. Also, mine built up to be <41lbs (with Mojo'ed Boxxers, XT crankset, Azonic Outlaws) so it'd be lighter than your Bullit. Plus, they pedal awesomely.

 

[MikeD]

The older ones are really, really low, though...165mm cranks are kind of a necessity.

I don't think they'd make a particularly good all-around bike, especially when there are bikes designed to be all-around bikes available. If I already had one, and it was all I could have to ride, I'd do it...but if I was shopping, I'd avoid it in favor of, say, an RFX or something similar. And there are PLENTY of bikes like that around these days.

If you're strong enough and stubborn enough, you can do anything. But it doesn't mean it's smart...

MD

 

[Dingus McGee]

Thanks for the info guys- to clarify, I'm not really looking for an all-arounder, more for a DH racer that (silly as this sounds-wheelies well -you have to know where I live, etc) jumps and can be muscled uphill if needed. I always stand when climbing anyway - I'm not a sit and spinner type, so a slack saddle is OK. I'm a smooth racer and will build it light. Do you think an 02 would be better than a, say 04 (I may well but a used one)? I want to take my racing to the next level (I have gone from 97 Heckler to 02.5 Bullit and want to get a real DH ride this time since the bastards stole my Bullit)
I basically race a couple of Nats, Sea Otter, Mammoth and any little race I can find as well as Northstar and of course wheelies down S.F. hills. I love DH wheelies!!!! splitting traffic really greases my butt! Thanx again!

 

[W4S]

what are you getting at?

I think he means that he voted for Bush. Way to go, Diamond!!!

 

[Cave Dweller]

I ride my 04 DHR with rear avy and 02 Monsters on cross country rides no problems. It is setup with a 40 tooth ring and i never have any problems.

So i guess you can say i am strong enough and stubborn enough to do it, altough i wouldn't have voted for GB

 

[Jeremy R]

You said that you were gonna race a couple of nationals.
Well, you are gonna need a full on DH rig for that for sure.
So, yeah get a DHR. It makes a killer race bike.
As far as pedaling it around in the streets of San Fran.,
well, whatever does not kill you will make you stronger,
but that might really kill you. I pedaled mine all around UT's campus this year, with a 40t and and a tiny road cassette.
Smaller bikes are way better suited for that stuff, but what can you do, bikes are expensive.
Oh yeah, and the front wheel practically comes off the ground on its own with the DHR. Its super easy to lift, and really stable in the air.
If only I could get my 05 built up now. :mumble:
Just writing this made me want to ride.

 

[Alloy]

I got a 02 DHR, I used to ride a Fly. So far the DHRs been awesome. I use it for everything, downhill, dirt jumps and occasionally cross county. It does them all pretty well.

I doubt you'll feel like you got the wrong bike if you get an 02. It looks cool, its very flick able and you can pick up used ones real cheap.

 

[kidwoo]

I ride my 04 DHR with rear avy and 02 Monsters on cross country rides no problems. It is setup with a 40 tooth ring and i never have any problems.

Now xc needs to be redefined just like we accomplished with freeriding.



Ok so we're really on wheelies now. I'm going to tell you this as someone who has a pretty good amount of time on both a demo9 and a DHR. I can manual any time I want on my dhr. When riding a demo9 however, I farted once and manualed about half a mile by accident. It also happened when I shrugged my shoulders sitting down on the thing in the parking lot at northstar. No kidding, the bike just stuck there for about 20 minutes by itself in full catwalk position just from me answering a question about my hair styling products so some ladies walking by. As a matter of fact it happened shifting too. The force from a rapidfire click sent me front wheel up all the way down butcher ranch. I actually have to lift up a bit on my turner.


The only downside of the demo is that I got two flat tires on my truck when I put the bike on my hitch rack.......it even made my truck do a wheelie.

 

[Dingus McGee]

Now xc needs to be redefined just like we accomplished with freeriding.



Ok so we're really on wheelies now. I'm going to tell you this as someone who has a pretty good amount of time on both a demo9 and a DHR. I can manual any time I want on my dhr. When riding a demo9 however, I farted once and manualed about half a mile by accident. It also happened when I shrugged my shoulders sitting down on the thing in the parking lot at northstar. No kidding, the bike just stuck there for about 20 minutes by itself in full catwalk position just from me answering a question about my hair styling products so some ladies walking by. As a matter of fact it happened shifting too. The force from a rapidfire click sent me front wheel up all the way down butcher ranch. I actually have to lift up a bit on my turner.


The only downside of the demo is that I got two flat tires on my truck when I put the bike on my hitch rack.......it even made my truck do a wheelie.

That crackled me up...thx!

 

[Criminal]

Well...manualing kind of depends on your hubs and cassette I think....On my big hit I had a Shimano rear hub which engaged not too fast and also a super climbing gear. It was easy to pedal and get it up forever...On my DHR I have a Hadley rear hub to a cassette made to go one way down. The gears are not the easiest to push and you can't slam the pedals down because the hub will engage faster. Bottom line. I crashed on cement because when I cornered my pedal hit the ground (going like 25 and it felt like nothing), nothing I have been on corners better. Can you be super l33t on one? THe answer is yes look at Steve Wentz. Uphills are easy with the right cassette on them...Jumping well I don't jump it much just drop and its butter!

 

[Cant Climb]

Currently i am riding a 2003 DHR and before that the 2002. I have ridden them both extensively xc. What i do is switch out the front chainring and the rear cassette when i want to go climb to some freeride or downhill stuff. Usually run 12-32 and a 34 or 36 toothe in the front. The 2002 climbs much better than the 2003...but the 2003 is a much much better DH rig but the 2002 could be considered a better all-arounder if you are only going to be doing light duty DH. As for the seat angle.....when i am climbing i am standing 90% of the time. Usually i try to hit fireroads when i have to do extensive climbing to a trailhead. But there times when you gonna have to get off and hoof it..... The only negative to the 2003 is the weight. It is kind of hefty in the woods.......but it is incredibly durable and strong.

CC.

 

[MikeD]

Well...manualing kind of depends on your hubs and cassette I think....

I'm certainly no Jeff Lenosky, but I seem to recall the essence of 'manualing' your bike having nothing at all to do with the drivetrain, no? Wheelies are done via rear-wheel torque, manuals via simple weight distribution, correct?

MD

 

[oly]

I'm certainly no Jeff Lenosky, but I seem to recall the essence of 'manualing' your bike having nothing at all to do with the drivetrain, no? Wheelies are done via rear-wheel torque, manuals via simple weight distribution, correct?

MD

Wheelie = pedaling to keep front end up
Manual = pulling on bar and balancing in a coasting fashion.

 

[oly]

Ok so we're really on wheelies now. I'm going to tell you this as someone who has a pretty good amount of time on both a demo9 and a DHR. I can manual any time I want on my dhr. When riding a demo9 however, I farted once and manualed about half a mile by accident. It also happened when I shrugged my shoulders sitting down on the thing in the parking lot at northstar. No kidding, the bike just stuck there for about 20 minutes by itself in full catwalk position just from me answering a question about my hair styling products so some ladies walking by. As a matter of fact it happened shifting too. The force from a rapidfire click sent me front wheel up all the way down butcher ranch. I actually have to lift up a bit on my turner.

Man, are you a specialized rep? That description almost sold me a Demo9... even more than the collective ever did.......

PS, i have those spacers for you, but since its some holliday the PO is closed. Will try to get em in the mail tomorrow.... any followup with that issue?? PM me details.

 

[Dingus McGee]

Wheelie = pedaling to keep front end up
Manual = pulling on bar and balancing in a coasting fashion.

I guess I meant manual (although I call a manual a coaster-wheelie with ass off saddle thru whoops like Minaar in Alpha Project just pumping legs to keep it up) I'm not talking about pedalling unless in trouble, but that's been covered...sounds like the DHR rolls around on the rear wheel well. I see a 2002 DHR "ridden 15x/no HC DH frame/Thomp post/King HS/MRP for $650" on Craigslist locally....sounds good although it's a large. I don't see a fit chart on the Turner site, tho.... I am almost 6' 2" but have a short inseam of around 31"/32" what size? Thx again

 

[MikeD]

With a torso that long, I'd get a large, unless you want a really BMX-y feeling bike.

I think there's a large for sale in the frames forum...been keeping an eye out for old Turners, but it's too big for me.

MD

 

[Dingus McGee]

Yeah, that white one looks delicious...working on some $$ but this is a bad time of year for me. I saw the specs on turner's site- effective TT is not too long on the L...might just work. My L Bullit was a tiny bit too long and a Medium was way too cramped. I don't want a too big bike.

 

[Jeremy R]

I'm certainly no Jeff Lenosky, but I seem to recall the essence of 'manualing' your bike having nothing at all to do with the drivetrain, no? Wheelies are done via rear-wheel torque, manuals via simple weight distribution, correct?

MD

No no you got it all wrong.
Shimano cassettes manual really crappy, but Sram cassettes manual like a champ. Jeez Mike, everybody knows that.

 

[MikeD]

No no you got it all wrong.
Shimano cassettes manual really crappy, but Sram cassettes manual like a champ. Jeez Mike, everybody knows that.

Oh yeah? I heard Ryan Leech was riding a Suntour...but Chase was on one of those black coated IRC ones...

 

[Cant Climb]

You guys are talking about Med vs. Large. I am 6 feet and my 2002 was large.
The thing about the bike is it felt super tall......great for pedalling around for freeride but a bit tall for super steep technical DH. It still cornered well. The wheel base on my 2002 large with a boxxer was actually shorter than my 2003 with a shiver, the 2003 have a more relaxed headangle. In 2003 i went to the medium.......was much better for me. I wouldnt want it any smaller though......a smaller bike is nice when things get spicey out there, but i do miss being able to stretch my legs out on long backcountry freerides.

CC.

 

[Jeremy R]

Oh yeah? I heard Ryan Leech was riding a Suntour...but Chase was on one of those black coated IRC ones...

Well, my Campy road cassette allows me to manual a Monster-T with sandbags tied to the lowers, all the way down to the corner store, and
all the way back home while sipping on my "single."

Ha, we could do this all day.

Yo Dingus, My buddy Matt is selling a 03 Large DHR frame in the buy and sell for $1100. He will also sell it complete if ya need that. I can vouch that it is great shape. Its white with a red Turner sticker, and red rear, like a baboon.

 

[Dingus McGee]

Well, my Campy road cassette allows me to manual a Monster-T with sandbags tied to the lowers, all the way down to the corner store, and
all the way back home while sipping on my "single."

Ha, we could do this all day.

Yo Dingus, My buddy Matt is selling a 03 Large DHR frame in the buy and sell for $1100. He will also sell it complete if ya need that. I can vouch that it is great shape. Its white with a red Turner sticker, and red rear, like a baboon.

Damn...I didn't see that one...$200 more for an 03 -vs- 02...hmmm.....Ass Baboons.....I need to get together some $$, I definately can't afford a complete rig right now, but I need to start with a frame soon.

 

[kidwoo]

Man, are you a specialized rep? That description almost sold me a Demo9... even more than the collective ever did.......

PS, i have those spacers for you, but since its some holliday the PO is closed. Will try to get em in the mail tomorrow.... any followup with that issue?? PM me details.

No excuse. Hop in the car and drive them down. Next time you see bibs introduce him to that uncommon cosmic rarity found in once in a lifetime opportunities called ........."grease".

Thanks man. I'm always curious to check out other folks handiwork ideas. Certainly no hurry though. No need to feel rushed.

I really like the demo9 bikes. Right now that is the only frame that I've even remotely considered replacing my turner with. They're neato. I do have a mental block with having a DH bike with shorter chainstays than my jump bike and xc bike.......gotta get over that at some point. Plus the frames weigh more than I do.

Hey Dingus: You probably already know this but the 02 and 03 frames are pretty different. 02 has 7.5" travel, a little shorter front end and a little steeper headangle. When I rode one at northstar, all I could think was how nice of a freeride bike it would be. I thought it felt a little twitchy but you could easily get away from that with a raised front end on your fork and the large size.

03 bikes had some issues with cracking. I wouldn't buy one used because you are in no way entitled to warranty help. I got mine replaced but I'd be stuck with it if I hadn't bought it new.

linky

I took my picture off buy Rdurbin's is still there. From what casey told me, they're kind of inevitable to break right there if you ride a lot. I'd reccomend getting the 02 or an 04.

 

[Dingus McGee]

Thanks for the info!

 

[oly]

I have noticed that the new DHR frame has been changed even more where those cracks happen. I have a new front tri and the welded cap is gone (i had an 04 with the welded in reinforcment), Its now replaced by a fully machined area, no welds.

 

[oly]

No excuse. Hop in the car and drive them down. Next time you see bibs introduce him to that uncommon cosmic rarity found in once in a lifetime opportunities called ........."grease".

Thanks man. I'm always curious to check out other folks handiwork ideas. Certainly no hurry though. No need to feel rushed.

HAHA... i wish i could just hop down there. Sounds like the area to be for snowfall, plus my Grandma and Aunt live in the Colfax/Grass Valley area. (free room and board )

So did you get a good look at the frame? Can you PM me your findings? Im curious whats the update on that was.

Im headed to the PO today.