[RedDwarf]

Like I really need, need, need another bike . . .

I gots some stuff sitting around that will work good for it, like some singletracks with Ringle' hubs, 02 Fox Van R, and some cool bars and pedals . . .

So, can I use it as a dirtjumper with an 02 VanillaR 125mm? and will the geo allow simple trail riding?

Also what size? I'm 6 ft or so with a 34/36 inseam ?

never ridden a hardtail before . . .

 

[dogonfr]

Like I really need, need, need another bike . . .
I gots some stuff sitting around that will work good for it, like some singletracks with Ringle' hubs, 02 Fox Van R, and some cool bars and pedals . . .So, can I use it as a dirtjumper with an 02 VanillaR 125mm? and will the geo allow simple trail riding? Also what size? I'm 6 ft or so with a 34/36 inseam ?
never ridden a hardtail before . . .

They are nice, they teach you how to flow. FS are great for really gnarly sections or us old farts that need the cushion.

 

[JBsoxB]

go for the ht!!!! the kona cowan is aight.

 

[Evil Con-fecal]

Whats up Doug

I haven't riddin with you in along time Doug, but i would have to say no, too. A hardtail will dramaticly decrease your self confidence, as there is little margin for error. Also DJ frames are not the best for trailriding as they are short and will cramp your back up something wicked. I say buy a shorter travel FS and ride and jump the piss out of it. It will increase your skill and confidence and when you get on the Demo you will feel like you can do no wrong. My $.02

 

[Nick.]

Sure, go for it. If you stick with it, the hardtail could completely change your riding.
I believe that everyone should own and ride a hardtail, at least some of the time.

 

[RedDwarf]

Really, can you "splain lucy"

A hardtail will dramaticly decrease your self confidence, as there is little margin for error. Also DJ frames are not the best for trailriding as they are short and will cramp your back up something wicked. I say buy a shorter travel FS and ride and jump the piss out of it.

I would think that a hardtail would allow good "basic skill-building practice riding" without all the weight and suspension to deal with, but . . .

what the hell do I know, I've never riden a hardtail (that is why I asked the question)

I am less interested in trailriding on a hardtail ('cause I have an XCish trailbike for that) and am more interested in jumping (learning to jump on the demo is an "interesting" experience) in some cases the suspension will "soak-up" the jump and you land short or front-wheel first or if you stiffen the SPV in the rear shock the bike feels "unbalanced" and the rear is kicked-up and you land weird???

I'm not getting the "steep-faced" jumps like . . . do you preload and sort-of bunny hop it, or do you just let the jump create the lift? when jumps are more "lippie" how do you keep the bikes suspension from soaking up the jump?

Drops you pull up and sort of "push" the bike out in front of you (stick your butt out) but on curved shaped jumps that doesn't work???

I didn't come from a BMX background and am trying to learn this stuff in my early 40's so it's not like I can aford to make mistakes (hurts and I get broke)

 

[FM]

A hardtail will dramaticly decrease your self confidence, as there is little margin for error. Also DJ frames are not the best for trailriding as they are short and will cramp your back up something wicked.

I gotta disagree with ya.
I used a steel hardtail for trail riding and light free-ride for the last 2 years. (I also have a 6" FR bike for "heavier flow days") It did everything including a 40 mile XC enduro on it that ended in whistler bike park. It worked great for technical XC and the best part was, how much confidence I gained from riding that bike. Hitting jumps & drops on it really taught me that it's technique, not suspension, that makes for smooth landings.

The bike is a dekerf implant and I usually had it built up with a 5" marzocchi Z1, bashguard, DH bars and 70mm stem, 8" rotor in front and 2.5 tires. Weighed about 30lbs, climbed pretty good for a bike with a DH fit. It has a 23" TT and with the Z1, a nice slack 67d head angle. Most dirt jump bikes have real short chainstays which makes it easier to get the front end up on drops.

I'm actually craving a FS XC bike now, but thats more for local epic XC rides that don't feature any jumps or drops. Then the FR bike can get burlier.

Don't rule out the hardtail, as a second bike it rocks. XC bikes give hardtails a bad name.

 

[sittingduck]

wow, to think we all (us old farts, i guess) rode fully rigid bikes at one time.... dunno how we managed.

 

[RaindogT]

Go Fer It!!!

Hey, I ride an 06 Kona Shred (my only bike) dressed up in Cowan Specs-- Had the parts "laying around" so opted for the low end model... I'm biasd as a hardtail (p)rider, but i say go for it. The Kona DJ frames have avg. chainstays not too short to feel unstable at speed, but not so long that they are not flickable. This frame is perfect for trails with plenty of stunts built up. The seat can be raised to commute from one stunt to the next comfortably, and then drop it back down to hit the DJ's and drops and whatnot. And I agree that everyone should have a hardtail... Good for building up "basic" skills-- and there is nothing like cleaning a section on a HT that all of your buddies wouldn't consider without their fullies...

Good luck with your decision.
Raindog

 

[namaSSte]

I would think that a hardtail would allow good "basic skill-building practice riding" without all the weight and suspension to deal with, but . . .

I'm not getting the "steep-faced" jumps like . . . do you preload and sort-of bunny hop it, or do you just let the jump create the lift? when jumps are more "lippie" how do you keep the bikes suspension from soaking up the jump?

First, you are very correct . HT's make you better since they do not allow for much sloppiness. I love my new Heckler but I can definitely see why I need to keep on the jumper as well.

As for "liipies", they are a good bit different than drops but not necessarily more difficult. You actually hit the nail on the head, let the lip do the work. Most folks that struggle with steep jumps fight the lip and its natural tendency to throw you skyward. Its a bit unnatural (feeling wise) at first but once you trust the lip, you start killing it. The other piece of advice Id give is to be patient at the lip. By that I mean, you want your bunnyhop to start just as your back wheel is at the lip. Jumping too early or too late can result in bad stuff happening. I think the natural tendnecy is to go too early so just be patient, wait on the lip and trust it. Keep your weight totally neutral and relaxed as well. Lots to think of but you'll get it. Just start small and work up to bigger stuff.

A great place to practice (and get great use of a ht) is at skateparks.

Drop a line back if any of that wasn't clear. Have fun! BTW, Im 38 so dont think you're ever too old to get on it!

 

[Techfreak]

I still ride a fully rigid bike and love it. (I'm 36) I think everybody should own at least one HT, preferably fully rigid. It forces you to refine your riding.

 

[Fillmoe Slim]

I've got a Cowan and it does pretty good on the trails especially after ditching the DJIII's that came on it and installing a set of 36RC2's. The most fun though is when you get a fast and flowy single track, but it can handle everything. This summer my Cowan handled Northstar, Downeiville, and all the local trails including Annadel, Mt. Tam, and Oat Hill Mine. Sure it ain't plush but it'll do downhill freeride one day, then the next hit up the dirt jumps and a nightime urban sessions. One other thing is you can change the wheelbase depending on what kinda riding you do by sliding the dropouts forward or aft.

 

[Nagaredama]

I am thinking of getting one of those too. I intend to race 4X and hit the local dirt jumps on it.

Anyone use it for 4X racing? The BB height is a tad high at 12.8" which seems to be a major strike against it.

Maybe I'll wait for the Howler frame.