Submitted by
bilbobaggins
a Downhiller
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2009
Strengths: Steel! Versatile Geometry.
Weaknesses: Weight.
Bottom Line:
Awesome street/commuter machine which is what I mainly use it for. Also goes well on the trails and occasional DJ's. DMR forever! So, so much fun to ride on anything. You'll be tempted to throw your other bikes away. Good price.
Strengths: 2006 DMR Trailstar with horizontal dropouts. Inexpensive. Super stable geometry for DJ and trail riding: an apparent oxymoron, but the truth. 4130 chromo is strong enough for jumping yet the 14.25" chainstays seem to offer some spring for takeoffs. They certainly help take the sting off of short landings. The riding feel of this frame, with 80mm DJ fork, reminds me of an old favorite XC bike (that's a good thing) but is relaxed enough for confident jumping. And, the standover is much better than any XC bike I've seen.
Weaknesses: A wee bit heavy and tire clearance is lacking. Fits a 2.2" Maxxis Larsen TT, but barely. I can sometimes hear a little rub when pumping or during a tweaked landing. I weigh 188#. Could use a lower seat tube collar to allow the seat to slam a bit lower.
Bottom Line:
Spot on geometry for dirt jumping. Just feels right from takeoff to landing. Steel frame inspires confidence that the thing won't let you down. Plus, it is somewhat forgiving on square impacts. Not super easy to manual and standover could be lower. However, with a proper seat and post, you could ride this thing all day on singletrack AND go big on the DJs. That, sir, is rare.
Bike Setup: 80mm Manitou Gold Label Dirt Jump Series 2 20mm thru axle fork, Avid rear rim brake and lever, Haro bmx grips, 32x16 singlespeed, 26" Singletrack up front, 26" DitchWitch out back on noname hubs, Demolition seat, other parts off a P.2
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Submitted by
mike blosser
a Racer
from New braunfels, Tx, U.S.A
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2007
Strengths: frame size
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This bike is the best wellrounded bike I have ever owned. I like trail ride, but I also do alot of urban assualt, and north shore style. That wa=hat I like about this bike is that I dont have to have 3 different bikes. I can do it all on this bike.
Bike Setup: am3 fork, raceface cranks, x7 drivetrain.
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Submitted by
kyle veal
a Downhiller
from wausau, wisconsn, U.S.
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2006
Strengths: this frame is amazing. The fram sings when you tap it with your finger so you know the steel tubing is nice, and the geometry is right on. this fram is a simple frame that works.
Weaknesses: none, but just to say something, It is 3 pounds heaver than my last frame. (maby thats why all the tube were not round)
Bottom Line:
buy this frame...becasue it works and it works well(it is also soo simple a monkey could figure it out). It is also tough as nails. plus it looks good.
Bike Setup: My Ride. 2005 Dmr TrailStar LT 2004 dirtjumper 1 20mm double wide rear rim w/ formula sealed hub big mamouth fat rimon axiom 20mm sealed hub race face evolve dh cranks race face diabolus stem chris king headset connex whipperman chain sram x7 derailer sram x9 shifter sram cassette michelin mountain xtream tires dmr dirtjumper seat dmr v8 peddles dmr handle bar hayes nine hydrolic disks 243 bar end caps ruffian lock on grips
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Submitted by
mark simpson
a
from oxford,UK,the world
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2005
Strengths: this frame is 1998 and has seen it all FREERIDE,DOWNHILL,DIRT JUMP,STREET,PARK has no disc mounts so is queit old but is the best hardtail ive ever ridden its got a flex crack in the paint from landing short on a dirt jump, bent dropouts,lil rusty, the paint is half gone (being sprayed as we speak :-D)and seat post seized in but i still love it and it will stay with me til i die it is also resonably light
Weaknesses: no disk mounts (1998) disks were unheard of stickers are crap but who cares, not me too strong
Bottom Line:
if u need some thing cheap but bombproof then buy this it will last longer than u will and still run strong its great with any components EVEN MONSTER T'S its also great for street,dirt jump and even a BUDGET downhill bike this thing will just keep running and running and running 5/5 \\m//
Similar Products Used: CBR,clubroost,specialized,haro,
Bike Setup: dmr trailstar in white 1998, halo combat 48 spoke,FSA, and atom aircorp, mono mini, azonix,dmr parts, forks ive ran on it :marzocchi JNR t,marzocchi MONSTER t, Z1 dropoff,phsylos,manitou black super air,manitou X vert E,insync elixer 582,
Strengths: well i ride track everyday, and so far its been a treat to ride.. well, looksgreat, US BB so can be run with 3pc cranks, and horizontal dropouts for SS(and with the dmr chain tugs you can run gears aswell). the aps brake mounts are a marvel, often change it from 26" to 24". not run a disk but ive heard they're well placed with the horizontal dropouts. rides well with 130mm, just as it rides nice with 110mms, so versitile on the suspension front. can be built up to look great. easy to ride and quite flickable even with 26".
Weaknesses: some find it a bit on the short side, other dont.. flexs quite a bit. not the lightest of frames, but then again not the heaviest.
Bottom Line:
great bike for beginners and advanced riders alike. can be built up in many ways, and feels different with every setup. takes 24s just aswell as it takes 26, so a great frame for the DJer and 4Xer alike.
Similar Products Used: Le Toy III Specialized P1 GT Moto
Bike Setup: 2004 trailstar frame 03 DJ3s 130mm 24 bikes stem with easton EA50 bars Profile cranks XT hubs on DV Rims 24", or XT on mavic 521 on the rear, 219 on outland hub on the front single speed setup Avid Ti V-brake
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Submitted by
Neb
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2005
Strengths: This is for the Trailstar LT 2004 model - Geometry; spot on - Steal; bloody strong and good feelin - Looks fully sick indeed
Weaknesses: The paint is a little crappy, but who really gives a toss?
Bottom Line:
This frame is just too good:
Steal is much more springy than aluminium, and this is particularly noticable when boosting off the lip of a jump; u can realy load the thing up and sort a 'spring' into the air.
The geometry is spot on; super short chainstay length means thight handling but in general, the geometry means u can DJ the thing or ride great distances.
Overall, buy this frame! Its inexpensive and a top performer. Yes, i love it..
Similar Products Used: - Cruz Cameleon - Giant STP - Specialized P2 and P3 etc, etc...
Bike Setup: DMR Trailstar LT Frame - Rock Shocks Phylos; not bad, but not real good too - XT drivetrain; Hollowtech cranks etc - White Industries hubs (frickin nice hubs; i love em) - Sun Rhino Light XL rims - Hayes HFX Carbon discs - Rock guard - I used IRC XC tyres for DJ; super grippy, easy rollin. I use Maxxis Mobsters for trailriding.
-> Its set up to be a trailbike and a dirt jumper. Think the frame is heavy? Think again: my bike weighs less than 26 pounds!! Frickin light people!
Strengths: weight to strength ratio is good. excellent build quality never had a single problem with the frame build quality at all.
Weaknesses: stickers come off incredibly easy
Bottom Line:
this is a killer frame set, i know that they have updated it now but shurely that just makes the damn thing better. steel frames rule!!if you can go for horizontal dropouts, they are a bit fidly when removing the wheel but it allows for perfect tension if you are going to go singlespeed.
Bike Setup: bombers, race face prodogy dh, dmrchaincage, dice smo 24" back wheel and mx22 26" fronteaston stuff, deore rear, and other stuff oh and can't forget the dice wiplash hydro disc's
Strengths: Good solid jump frame. Lt version allows for wide choice of forks
Weaknesses: N/A
Bottom Line:
Great value for money jump frame, but can also be used for other aspects of mountain biking. Better value for money and more worthwhile buying the Lt version. Can withstand hard and regular punishment.
Similar Products Used: Diamondback jumpsport, Orange Airo (plus many crappy Y-frames)
Bike Setup: Trailstar Lt with - 04 Marzocchi drop offs (ETA) Front (200mm) and rear (185mm) Hope mono M4's Alex downhill rims 2.1 front and rear factory tyres DMR V8 Pedals Shimano Deore rear mech Downhill/Dual slalom MRP Raceface Cranks
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Submitted by
Nick B
a Weekend Warrior
from Stamford/UK
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004
Strengths: The Trailstars the original jump/trail frame thats super strong, looks great and in my opinion is the best hardtail frame thats a al-rounder. The frame can take 24" or 26" wheels, has huge overly built rear drop-outs that look great and best of all is 100% cromo tubing. 4130 cromo always lasts longer than aluminiom frames. excellant geometry
Weaknesses: Why have cable guides for a front mech when its meant to be a hardcore trail/bsx/4x/street machine??, And the Laquer isnt that hard wearing unlike the rest of the frame.
Bottom Line:
One hell of a frame. It looks good, is very versitile, very strong and will last a life time. My first trailstar was second hand, i liked it so much i have just ordered a new one in a different colour! now i have two trailsrars!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: saracen x-ray, x-ess, cannondale chase, azonic ds-1, Orange msile, kona scrap, DMR side kick
Bike Setup: Dmr trailstar frame/seat clamp and seat post Dmr 24 inch Dee Vee rims on Dmr revolver hubs, and Dmr motos Dmr v12 pedals Dmr speed guide (when running gears) Gusset single speed converter/ XT rear mech Raceface DH 36t chain ring/ DH riser bars/Diabolos stem FSA pig Hope mini front(185 rotor) Shimano hydro deore rear disc (160 rotor) Marzocchi 04 DJ 3 Koski seat Truvativ Hussefelt cranks Sram pc-69 chain
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Submitted by
Chris Price
a Weekend Warrior
from Halifax
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2004
Strengths: 4130, steel is real. Out of all the DJ or street bikes that I have ridin, this is by far the best. Adjustable frake bosses for 24" or 26" rear wheel, tough as hell, awsome geometry, and its even quite hard to scratch the paint.
Weaknesses: It would be a nice change is if on the frames with horizontal drop outs is that if it had a built on der hanger. Otherwise you need the chain tenioners with the built in one which retails in canada for $80.
I don't know about the newer frames, mine is fron 2001, but you can't seem to fit anything larger the a 26X2.1 in the frame, or 24X2.3
Bottom Line:
Awsome, just simply awsome. I ride it street, dj's, agressive xc, drops, stunts, 18km commute everyday. At a price of $420 canadian new you can't go wrong.
Similar Products Used: Kona - Scrap, Stuff, Roast, Chute. Norco - 125, 250, ryde, 4hun. Cannondale - Chase Balfa - Minite man Specialized - P1, P2, P3
Bike Setup: Trailstar, EXR PRO 4", Funn bar+stem, Race Face cranks, 8 speed, xtr der and xtr shifter, rhyno lites, tioga 2.1dh tire, xt v-brakes
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Submitted by
Hugh
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2004
Strengths: This review is for the 1998 model, with MTB BB and Horizontal drop-outs. I've only had the frame for about 3 months, but it is around 5 years old now. The guy before is an unreal rider and rode this bike hard, so there are no doubt in my mind that this frame (The older ones anyway, hand made in the UK) is damn tough. I've used this bike for just about eveything (DH/XC/Street/DJ/drops)and have found it to work well in all situations. Deffinatly a great frame if you want something you can have a dabble in everything with..
Weaknesses: No derailleur hanger (need a chain-tug one) Chainstays are a bit long (16.5") Top-tube is a tad short (22")
Bottom Line:
I bought the bike complete, but put all the stuff off my old ride on it and sold some stuff, which basically meant I got the frame for free.. The smaller diametre chainstays do a good job of taking the sting out of hard edges and landings. The steep head angle give quick, precise steering. Umm, It looks downright sexy.. I love it, and I think it'll be with me for a long time to come..
