Submitted by
Lovedaride
a Downhiller
from Victoria, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2009
Strengths: Very strong, Awesome Geometry, Tons of tire clearance on newer models (like mine). Integrated Headset so wont get ripped off paying extra 20 bucks to get headset cups for sealed bearing headsets. Awesome deal for quality and super light for a chro-mo
Weaknesses: dents pretty easy, mine tipped over while building and put small dent in it... :.( , maybe chain stay a bit long but im riding 24"s so like that for everything. Try the Transition 24" if you plan on 24"s aswell. Extras kinda rare too
Bottom Line:
Awesome frame. Super sweet for Dirt Jumping and urban street etc... sure more pricy frames out there but mine is rare here and rides amazing so not even comparable to RM Flow DJ or SC Jackal.
Similar Products Used: Norco 1 hun 4hun 125 250, almost all djs.
Bike Setup: White SideKick, Rockshox Pike, Juicy 7 and s-types
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Submitted by
Rip
a Downhiller
from Annandale, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2009
Strengths: Snappy, yet very confident response when cornering.
Very tough frame, in the 2 years that I have owned this frame, it's seen just about everything.
Very controllable in the air, the whole time I have used this bike, unless I was doing something really stupid for the moment, it felt like I was in complete control of the bike.
The geometry of the bike is good.
Good frame for the price.
Frame weight is good considering it's a 4130 tubed frame.
Weaknesses: Only real weakness I have found with the frame is the paint. It's not exactly the toughest of paint, wound up repainting it this past August.
Bottom Line:
Overall, I am very pleased with the DMR sidekick. Got a lot of miles on the bike and will be building up another sidekick in the spring that will be geared and used for racing purposes. When to hit some switchbacks with it when I originally built the bike up and when cornering in a berm, nearly fell off due to the quick steering that the sidekick has with 100mm of travel. Actually was a pleasant surprise. If you are looking for a bike that can be raced on a 4x or Dual Slalom Course, yet very capable dirt jumping this is a definitely a bike to consider. For cross country you are barking up the wrong tree with this bike.
Similar Products Used: Giant STP, Kona Stuff, Kona Cowan, Cannondale Chase.
Bike Setup: DMR Sidekick, 2005 NOS Manitou Black set at 100mm, Chris King nothreadset in the blue. Thomson seatpsot, wtb laser v saddle, Gravity Light OS Stem 50mmx 0 degree rise. Truvativ Hussefelt DH riser Bars, ODI Rogue Lock Ons, Avid Juicy Sevens. Dun MTX rim laced to an XT disc hub up front, Mavic XM517 rim laced to an XT disc hub on the back, singlespeed. Saint crankset 170mm arms, 32x14 gearing, E13 32 special bash ring in Trans Blue. 26x2.2 Continental Mountain Kings.
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Submitted by
tbowdle
a Downhiller
from park city ut
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2008
Strengths: very light and stiff frame
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
this bike is smooth in the transtion and very solid
Bike Setup: sidekick with dt swiss fr2350 wheels with the maxxis holly roller 26x2.4 tires, dj 1 dmr single speed kit, fsa gravity 4130 crankset
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Submitted by
jim
a Weekend Warrior
from massachusetts, new england
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2008
Strengths: wicked stiff and a ball to dirt jump or huck
Weaknesses: wicked stiff if your a trail rider youll feel every bump
Bottom Line:
really solid bike give props to the seat frame which mimics the old GT performers yee haa sweet bike for the smooth dirt or big drops prob steer away from for all around riding including good amount of miles but its a sweet ride great value to i havent yet dropped seriouse deniro for a hardtail but F*** spendin 600+ dollars on a hardtail frame
Bike Setup: Smack Daddy Crankset. Rear 24" trailpimp front 26" Ryno lite Cheapy Rigid fork (for now)
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Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2004
Strengths: Strong, looks ace, rides ace.
Weaknesses: Rear tyre clearence
Bottom Line:
This frame would be perfect if it wasnt for the limited rear tyre clearence. Tried putting on a Tioga factory DH 2.1 which didnt fit. I now run DMR Moto RT tyres as these fit nicely
Strengths: geometry, the fact that its english, a full line of components by dmr to which you can mate the frame, its stiff, cromo, looks wicked, and around here its rare. i love the way it rides, its very huckable, great stickers, and horizontal dropouts.
Weaknesses: only one size
Bottom Line:
this bike is a beautiful and rare bike. the only downsides are that dmr parts arent too readily available in montreal, so i gotta really look hard for parts.if you are considering it or have the means, get one, and ride it fast, high and hard. thats what its made for!
Similar Products Used: azonic ds-1. anyone notice you cant make new topics for review? like rare frames and hubs, etc? i cant find .243 frames or parts here, and much more stuff like that!. the options suck. not everyone is either a dher or xcer. freeride!!
Bike Setup: kona rigid fork, (soon to be a dmr fork) raceface cranks and bb (both ns) hti/dx/wellgo/kona pedals( i switch periodically) raceface headset, underworld stem, specialized bar, profile brace, nokian 3.0 front tire, irc tube, 521/xt front wheel, rhynolite/xt rear wheel ( looking for dmr revolver rear hub, if you have one contact me) titec post, sdg seat (if you have a dmr seat, email me) deore rear breake, will be a maggie soon , , tioga rear tire, will soon switch to whatever i can fit in a.s.a.p. full rigid singlespeed and rear brake only. the way a dmr should be ridden
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Submitted by
Pete
a Downhiller
from shropshire, england
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003
Strengths: Geometry is spot on for trails and blasting about in the woods. Its light and flickable and the steel frame give a really nice ride feel.
Weaknesses: Limeted tyre clearance on the early models
Bottom Line:
This frame is wicked, its taken well over 3 years of punishment and still comes back for more. I streched the headtube about two years ago but shimmed it and its been fine since. These frames just keep going and going. Oh yea and if it snaps you can get it welded cos its steel.
Similar Products Used: Kona roast, saracen x-ile (custom build), Burner, Trek bruiser.
Bike Setup: Z3 flylight 100's, hope xc on 521 front and lx on 521 rear wheels,
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Submitted by
Matt Evans
a Weekend Warrior
from Highburton, Huddersfield, England
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002
Strengths: Very rigid rear end, ideal for pulling up and doesnt flex with the maguras like ive found with other frames. Strong as hell and the bottom bracket is nice and high so obstacles are easy to get over.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Superb budget all rounder for both trials and dirt jumping. Definately worth every penny!
Submitted by
erik
a Weekend Warrior
from Stockholm
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002
Strengths: 4130 - strong, tolerant, weldable. Great geometry. Much bike for a low price.
Weaknesses: The paint won't stand up for very much abuse. It's so cool you just can't leave it alone for more than 24 hrs or until the latest bruises healed enough.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike if you're into street and playaround and want to be able to try out different riding styles with the same bike. Set it up for trials, dirt or urban attack. Or XC, if you are really short. :)
It really lifted my riding enormously already within the first days on this bike. Plus, the steel frame gives confidence - it won't break and if it does it probably can be fixed decently.
I have had it since this spring and have constantly a little pain or bruise somewhere, as I just have to ride it every free moment I can find. And it tricks me into doing stuff I never mastered before, thus the pain...
Bike Setup: rims: mavic d321 and planet x 24 inch rear hubs big'un front and rear hope c2 brakes dmr cheiftain cranks xtr derailleur roox commander stem roox torque bar odi ruffian lock on grips gazzaloddi 2.6 tires fsa pig dh headset
