From dirt jumps in the woods to slicing the concert jungle, the versatile and competent 2012 Jackal DJ packs the parts, durability, and geometry to fly high. When you toss a leg over the Jackal, the junk-saving stand-over clearance, super-short chainstays, and stout frame will beg you to explore the outer limits of your riding.
Submitted by
lukas cartwright
a Weekend Warrior
from The Dalles, Oregon
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2010
Strengths: i riding bikes faster.
Weaknesses: i can't jump high.
Bottom Line:
i grew up with bmx. when i was 15, i joined mtb. i am 6'2' and bmx is too small for me. my dad brought me a 2007 K2 attack 2.0 x-large for my 15th birthday. it has few problems now. i need get new good bikes. so i will get more enjoy riding it wild. i have no money. i really want new hardtail and downhill bikes
Bike Setup: my dream bikes are santa cruz jackal and v-10.
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Submitted by
marshalleames
a Racer
from lafayette CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2009
Strengths: Jumping!!! very low, stiff, bomb prof dropouts, short chain stays. good looks
Weaknesses: nothing,
Bottom Line:
I grew up riding hard tails and have never been so stoked on a frame like this. I am barley 6'1" and ride a long(L). It fits me better than any other hard tail. I have only been riding it for three months and have already come to a conclusion. Nothing can beat it. Before this bike I owned the older jackal and was convinced that this was the one. The weight of it wasn't to bad when set up with a single, but it still didn't feel perfect. Santacruz really nailed with the 09. The weight was cut and the length was shortened, enabling it to flick around easier. Plus the look is awesome. This isn't just a pros bike. It will be perfect for anybody to build up, especially those who want to gain more skill in jumping and pump tracks. This bike will be my go to bike for slalom and 4x this season.
Similar Products Used: Its too unique to be similar.
Bike Setup: fox f series 100mm, formula k24, wtb trail wheels vulpine tires devo seat, thomson, xt cranks, mrp g2 36 ring, xo drivetrain, funn bars,
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Submitted by
jacobosapien
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2009
Strengths: One of the lightest in it's category, the dropouts are very useful, very stable and strong enough (210lbs rider), super short chainstay, classic design (new jackal), I'm stopping to suck thanks to the frame.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I bouth the frame to practice trials riding, so i will change to rigid fork and longer stem, but i'm amazed how easy it is to manouver with the bike, before this bike i couldn't perform track stands or or going over park benches. Jumping, this is incredible too, the first time i lifted it i got scared cause i didn't expect to as high as i did. No flaws design.
Bike Setup: Single speed, thomson stem and post, ir tires, cheep-o wheels and handlebar, raceface cranks, dk pedals, hayes brakes, zocchi fork.
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Submitted by
Mathew Moore
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2009
Strengths: This thing is super strong and super fast. I bought it as a frame only, resprayed it and built it custom. I'm in love with the drop outs, the bulge at the front and also how beefed up it is.
Weaknesses: Maybe a bit heavy compared to other frames but its not supposed to be for girls
Bottom Line:
When i was looking for a frame, all others seemed to be skinny little flimsy frames and they were all looked the same. Now this has character, and tons of it, no other dj frame is so overbuilt like this one with such a lush shape. I love this bike, shame they changed it for 2009.
Bike Setup: Fox Vanillas, King headset, x4 stem, pro2s on ex721, diablous cranks w/e13, xo, formula 1 brakes
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Submitted by
kurtis (SKABS)
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2008
Strengths: the frame!!!! so super uber strong. anything i hit and land sketchie it takes it like a dream.
Weaknesses: no chain guide out of factory but got a bottom bracket chain guide put on
Bottom Line:
kick a$$ bike with a few upgrades right off the bat but over all a real awesome bike that can be transformed from just a dirt jumper to a free ride hadtail
Strengths: superbly balanced and strong, also It's true the Jackal looks very nice in the flesh, way better than photos,
Weaknesses: not sure- perhaps more expensive than alternatives, some of these are obvious but here goes ,quite heavy(necessary), you cant fit a front derailleur - not that many would want to( check the seat tube out)
Bottom Line:
the frame is strong and hence fairly weighty, but sc have balanced this weight superbly - it flys and is very nimble in the air, you can push the frame around easily, reasuringly strong for landings, lively handling yet stable enough to forgive some mistakes - easy to manual, and wheely, I felt comfortable on this frame straight away
Similar Products Used: cannondale chase, spooky bandwagon, diamond back something
Bike Setup: the long 2008 (with the crossbar hump) jackal (im 6 ft 1 and I think the size is perfect for me - but i prefer a slightly larger frame due to long legs!),cheap forks stance static but they are springed for me and they are light- fine for the money, sram drive, funn hubs and rims, e13
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Submitted by
Huckfinn
a Downhiller
from Los Angeles, CA 90025
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2008
Strengths: geometry, looks, and solid build/feel
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great!!! I would recommend this bike for anybody doing DJs. The frame has perfect geometry, and I was very happy with the components...which was a pleasant suprise after reading all the reviews about the Dirt Jumper 3 fork. It may be a little heavy, but don't be a wuss. This isn't supposed to be a xc bike, it's for DJs. Now go out and buy one!
Weaknesses: dropouts loosened up a bunch at first but once it was set it hasn't loosened again.
Bottom Line:
Super low standover height. Easy to get your feet over for no footed cans and tailwhips. Short chainstay. Extremely easy to manual. The wheelbase is just right. You can do barspins and Xups without having to take your front foot off. I've wrecked it a bunch and other than the scratches you'd never know. No dents, no cracks. Just bruised ribs, sprains and concussions. With the right components you can have a bike that is indestructible
Similar Products Used: Kona Shred, Black Market Mob/Riot, Specialized P2
Bike Setup: Jackal frame, pike 426 coil forks, AtomLab Pimp wheels, Saint cranks and some other stuff that doesn't need to be too strong.
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Submitted by
mild beast
a Downhiller
from Donkeycrest, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2008
Strengths: IT'S STRONG. That's it's first strength. The geometry is very good. Great standover. The bike leaps off jumps (I still get the back tire on my ass). This thing handles like a razor sharp stilleto; just slices through any turns, dirt singletrack or city streets. It has a very short wheel base, so it is NOT so good on rough DH courses. But if it smooths out, very nice.
Weaknesses: HEAVY. I recommend buying the frame and building yourself. Comes with really really stupid tires (some WTB knobby deals.. horrid). Mine is set up as a single speed now, which is how this bike s/b setup, imo. It comes with E13 crap, so I had to get an E13 chain guide. What a P.O.S. The chain popped off relentlessly and at the worst times. Of course, you can't stuff it back on there without tools. HORRID.
Bottom Line:
Set this up as a single speed. It's too much of a pig to even think about taking this UP a hill or XC. Get rid of the knobbies. Great on DJ's. I like it on the street, but I'd prefer a lighter rig.
Strengths: the fork is one of the most bad ass part on the hole bike the head set is amazing and the two bolts in the back are pritty beefy and the bump in the top of the frame looks really cool.
Weaknesses: the seat ond seat post arint the best but hay whet can you do.
Bottom Line:
this is the strongest bike in the world ita a great bike and beats eney p.3
Strengths: Bomb proof! very sturdy and brillianly engineerd!
Weaknesses: hardly anyfing but most probably the mech brakes but ther not bad.
Bottom Line:
This bike is an exelent ride and performer this is an all round bike and it is a brilliant at everything i think sanat cruz have made the bike to perfection very very very impresed. you definatly get your moneys worth!the person should be into freestyle. the person that shouldnt buy it is someone that cant acsess a gud biking place.
Strengths: Very stiif frame super solid. The frame weighs 4.8 pounds even go 2 the santa cruz site and check. Comes with good components.
Weaknesses: When I bought it had mechanical discs but I upgraded to advid juicy 3s
Bottom Line:
Buy the bike if you want the money... you most likely will never break the headtube..the frame is bomb proof and it comes with good components.Its easy to wheekly and manual. god for bunny hops.Smooth landing onm jumps.. very stiff even on hard landings. good for tricks. cool low frame.
Strengths: Frame is extremely strong, orange paint job looks cool, and does not chip very easily. Bottle cap opener built into the disc side drop out, replaceable drop outs. Solid feel to it.
Weaknesses: Heavy frame around 6.5 or 7 lbs.
Bottom Line:
Great frame, if your not worried about weight this frame is the way to go.
Strengths: Awesome geometry, indestructable frame, whole bike looks sick, from the best company in the whole world, I could go on forever.....
Weaknesses: I had to put a chainguide on it, Santa Cruz should stock it with one. Also the bike is pretty heavy, and the seat post is pretty short.
Bottom Line:
This is by far the best hardtail I have ever ridden! Santa Cruz really did the geometry right, the bike is super easy to manual, jump, j-hop, etc and yet is insanely stable on downhills. The parts spec is really good (except the lack of chainguide) although I did get a new fork because I wanted more travel and adjustments, however the DJ 3 fork is definately a good choice for dirt jumping. I ride this bike at local dirt jumps, off drops, down trails, at skateparks and am thoroughly pleased at how well it takes it all. Although it is made for DJ it takes freeride really well, and I also race downhill (also a little dual slalom/4X) and it is perfect! I have had this bike well over a year now, I ride back and forth to school and work and put on countless hours of riding and have not had to replace any thing. The Pike I put on is a perfect match for the bike, I would definately recommend one. Santa Cruz is by far the best bike company, they are all about quality. Overall one heck of an awesome ride, really works for any kind of riding! Totally recommended to anyone who can't afford full suspension but like to ride like they have one! This bike takes anything you can throw at it!
