Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Highline vs DHR handling characteristics...

Jump to Latest
1 - 17 of 17 Posts

jubilee

· ride your bike
Joined
·
8,984 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
For those that may have ridden both...

I noticed both med size frames have the same wheelbase. Assuming a HL built with the 2.75" stroke shock and 888 fork, what would be different (or the same) as riding a DHR?
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Dusty Bottoms said:
Different?

Weight, head angle, seat angle, SUSPENSION DESIGN, standover, center to front, bb height, intended purpose.
Click to expand...
Thanks, captain douchebag, for your sage-like insight.

DHR weight and HL center-to-front isn't stated on the website. Stated bb height is the SAME.

For everyone but the resident mouth breather, I currently ride a '06 HL set up as stated above. Just curious what would feel different about a DH race bike that, on paper, seems close to the HL. FWIW, I've ridden several "freeride" bikes but never a race bike.

This past weekend at Whistler the HL felt better than ever...super solid and stable no matter what we were doing. I have seen some DHRs up there, and just curious what would be better/worse/different...
 
#4 ·
the best people to answer this question are DT and 1soulrider. 1soul has made some comments before so check his posts.

The big difference is the suspension. The pivot location, axle path and suspension rate on the DHR is optimized for fast and faster.

And of course the Highline climbs better.:p
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
airwreck said:
the best people to answer this question are DT and 1soulrider. 1soul has made some comments before so check his posts.

The big difference is the suspension. The pivot location, axle path and suspension rate on the DHR is optimized for fast and faster.

And of course the Highline climbs better.:p
Click to expand...
Thanks airwreck...I'll check 1soul's posts.

Met Shaheeb and Moose yesterday....cool dudes! EBx was shredding with em, but FM and I had to drive home so didn't get to rail trails together.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
scepticshock said:
Hey Jubilee,
Dig up a couple of my old posts. 1soulrider has some good comments in there.

According to DT the HL suspension is still designed with pedaling in mind, opposed to the DHR.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Good info in there.

Sounds like the HL is exactly what I need. But I would LOVE to hit some steep tech on a DHR some day...

This past weekend was the first quality ride on my '06 HL to date. Last year I was scared sh*tless most of the time riding with EBx, FM, and the rest of the crew. This year the skills/confidence have increased but I was without a shock for the HL all season.

Aside from the moderate PITA of swapping chainstays twice (which has nothing to do with the ride), I think the HL will be my dream FR/DH bike for quite a while. Air manners are SOLID and it's a sherman tank in the techy gnar. I'm sure a big ass-saving feature is the 888 up front...the trail just never got too steep for this bike. It takes drops like a champ and likes to go fast. Kudos to Turner on this super fun-to-ride bike.
 
#8 ·
jubilee said:
I'm sure a big ass-saving feature is the 888 up front...the trail just never got too steep for this bike. It takes drops like a champ and likes to go fast. Kudos to Turner on this super fun-to-ride bike.
Click to expand...
Quick Q: what's the stroke of the shock you're running on there? If you're running the shorter (now standard) shock I'd be curious to hear how it handles with the bigger fork up front, as most here seem to be running an ~7" fork with the 7" rear. TIA.
 
#9 · (Edited)
PCinSC said:
Quick Q: what's the stroke of the shock you're running on there? If you're running the shorter (now standard) shock I'd be curious to hear how it handles with the bigger fork up front, as most here seem to be running an ~7" fork with the 7" rear. TIA.
Click to expand...
I was gonna say the same thing. He's running a 8.75x2.75" on there.

Jub, in the short time we traded bikes, about the only conclusion I came to was that I do like the lower BB of the shorter shock better. I don't think the extra inch of travel is very noticeable since the leverage ratio is the same, so you need a big hit to get that last inch. Of course your spring was a bit firmer (#500 or #550?) so that was a factor too.

I'm very curious about combining the 888 with a zero-stack headset and the 8.5" rear shock. You've got all the bits so I think you need to try it!
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
FM said:
I was gonna say the same thing. He's running a 8.75x2.75" on there.

Jub, in the short time we traded bikes I about the only conclusion I cam to was that I do like the lower BB of the shorter shock better. I don't think the extra inch of travel is very noticeable since the leverage ratio is the same, so you need a big hit to get that last inch. Of course your spring was a bit firmer (#500 or #550?) so that was a factor too.

I'm very curious about combining the 888 with a zero-stack headset and the 8.5" rear shock. You've got all the bits so I think you need to try it!
Click to expand...
Both shocks are 875x275. I wish I would have bought the 8.5 as a spare now...

We'll try it out sooner or later...:D
 
#11 ·
Jube.....I know exactly where you are right now.

.....and my advice is to keep the Highline for another season before you consider a DHR. I've been chomping at the bit to get a full blown DH bike and I just can't justify it to myself for the amount of pure DH riding I do.

If we lived in Whistler or you were planning to race, there's no doubt that the DHR would be the right Turner for ya. The Highline is awfully versatile (when your shocks aren't blowing up or other issues arise ;) ) and it's ultimately the better bike for local trails and the shore. Hell, FM rode his half the winter in "xc" mode on our stuff.

Of course, if you've got the BR which can handle burly stuff too (just not as squishy), so........ ;) :D :D

Cheers,
EB
 
#12 ·
ebxtreme said:
.....and my advice is to keep the Highline for another season before you consider a DHR. I've been chomping at the bit to get a full blown DH bike and I just can't justify it to myself for the amount of pure DH riding I do.
Click to expand...
Good call, also it comes down to the front der. issue. DHR would be so fun at whistler, but then you'd have to ride the bottle rocket on all the FR trails we climb for (i.e. the shore) not that it woudn't be fun too, but the highline is so much more versatile with the front der.

Not to mention the ability to swap shocks and forks. I will definitely throw the fox 36 and 7.875" shock on the highline this winter and end up with a 37lb short travel FR bike, similar to the bottlerocket, but then it can also be built as a 7" or 8" bike too.

changing parts can be a PIA but then, as the seasons change it does make sense.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
ebxtreme said:
.....and my advice is to keep the Highline for another season before you consider a DHR. I've been chomping at the bit to get a full blown DH bike and I just can't justify it to myself for the amount of pure DH riding I do.

If we lived in Whistler or you were planning to race, there's no doubt that the DHR would be the right Turner for ya. The Highline is awfully versatile (when your shocks aren't blowing up or other issues arise ;) ) and it's ultimately the better bike for local trails and the shore. Hell, FM rode his half the winter in "xc" mode on our stuff.

Of course, if you've got the BR which can handle burly stuff too (just not as squishy), so........ ;) :D :D

Cheers,
EB
Click to expand...
Ha ha! You read my mind. I'll be talking with Zeb soon about the ins and outs of some DH racing...looks like fun!
 
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
About this Discussion
16 Replies
8 Participants
Last post:
FM
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion