[pntballpunk51]

hey guys im going to be building my first freeride bike. I do stuff like drops (biggest one 10 feet) and jumps and northshore type stuff and some downhill. I am on a budget so keep that in mind. I am starting with a Soul Cycles Titan frame and I am thinking about putting a Z1 Drop off 2 on it. Can you guys help me come up with what componets, wheels, etc. to put on my bike? Thanks alot. remember: the cheaper the better thanks

 

[Gramatica]

The green stuff.

Do you have any particular budget in mind?

 

[pntballpunk51]

around 800 preferably

and can you recommend where to buy componets, etc.?
thank you

 

[pntballpunk51]

bump!

 

[ajw8899]

around 800 preferably

and can you recommend where to buy componets, etc.?
thank you

Drop-off sounds good, buy it here for 289 and get some ryhno lite wheels. The rest is up to your riding style and preferences.

 

[pntballpunk51]

ive decided for the rims on the trail pimps by atomic labs

now i just need some suggestions for a hub and where to get these wheels built!!! thx

 

[mtnbiker662]

dude just order a wheelset instead of having them built. Its alot easier in the end.

 

[robsetsfire]

dude just order a wheelset instead of having them built. Its alot easier in the end.

A large portion of the strength of a wheel is in the build. I would recommend using a good wheel builder who knows how to build strong wheels for free riding, especially if this is going on a hardtail.

You may want to talk to Ben at unreal cycles (www.unrealcycles.com). He has them built by a guy he knows who builds some of the finest wheels for hardtails/urban/free ride. At least give Ben a call, he will be glad to talk all about his ideas on wheelbuilding, and I'm sure he can try to work the stuff into a budget. He also has good prices on forks and other free ride stuff.

 

[pntballpunk51]

Hey robsetsfire do you recommend any forks for freeriding and maybe a little djing? I'd like it to be around 300 dollars but that probably won't happen. I also have heard bad things about SSV damping on ridemonkey.com forums. Do you have any input on this and does it really affect certain types of riding that much (ie. fr, dj, or dh)? Thanks

 

[robsetsfire]

Hey robsetsfire do you recommend any forks for freeriding and maybe a little djing? I'd like it to be around 300 dollars but that probably won't happen. I also have heard bad things about SSV damping on ridemonkey.com forums. Do you have any input on this and does it really affect certain types of riding that much (ie. fr, dj, or dh)? Thanks

Well... your best bet other than cost would probably be a Z1 FR with it's HCSV damping. I use a DJ3 for jumping and urban on a hardtail, but it would never make a good trail fork (hence I have a Z1 for that). You may be able to pick one up that isn't too used or possible some prices will come down with the new model year comming out. Check universalcycles and larry at mt. high, as they seem to have some good fork prices. [email protected] may be able to work something out if you go to him for wheels, and he will probably help you out with shipping too.
http://www.universalcycles.com/
http://www.mtnhighcyclery.com/
http://www.unrealcycles.com/

Look for used Z1s, 03 or 04 would be great. The older 01/02s are good forks, just not as burly as the new models. I would really try to get a HCSV fork rather than the SSV/F forks from marzocchi... although those are solid forks, the damping is just sub par. Also look at the upcomming Stance line from Manitou. Do not go with the 04 DJ forks from Marzocchi. They have steel stanctions, are 4in travel and have steel steerers. They are great, just not what you want.

For drops and jumping the SSV/F will work fine... for trail ridding/dh look for the HCSV. Where are you? Southern California (where I am) has lots of fast DH with rock gardens and high speed stutter bumps... these really show the downside of SSV/F forks...

Consider used stuff... make sure you know what you are buying though... but that is how I got into freeriding, and did just fine with the used stuff I got.

 

[pntballpunk51]

Well... your best bet other than cost would probably be a Z1 FR with it's HCSV damping. I use a DJ3 for jumping and urban on a hardtail, but it would never make a good trail fork (hence I have a Z1 for that). You may be able to pick one up that isn't too used or possible some prices will come down with the new model year comming out. Check universalcycles and larry at mt. high, as they seem to have some good fork prices. [email protected] may be able to work something out if you go to him for wheels, and he will probably help you out with shipping too.
http://www.universalcycles.com/
http://www.mtnhighcyclery.com/
http://www.unrealcycles.com/

Look for used Z1s, 03 or 04 would be great. The older 01/02s are good forks, just not as burly as the new models. I would really try to get a HCSV fork rather than the SSV/F forks from marzocchi... although those are solid forks, the damping is just sub par. Also look at the upcomming Stance line from Manitou. Do not go with the 04 DJ forks from Marzocchi. They have steel stanctions, are 4in travel and have steel steerers. They are great, just not what you want.

For drops and jumping the SSV/F will work fine... for trail ridding/dh look for the HCSV. Where are you? Southern California (where I am) has lots of fast DH with rock gardens and high speed stutter bumps... these really show the downside of SSV/F forks...

Consider used stuff... make sure you know what you are buying though... but that is how I got into freeriding, and did just fine with the used stuff I got.

rbsetsfire I am in Northern Virginia and I mostly ride at Wintergreen and Snowshoe but with my current bike (Giant NRS 3) I bottom out the fork on almost everything I do and I have warrantied 4 frames already so I desperately need a new bike for my type of riding . Thanks a lot for your help and I will check out those website and I will certainly wait till maybe around Christmas to purchase an 03 or 04 fork at a lower cost. thanks