Size Question........

Where are you buying it from. I know most LBS (around here at least) dont stock DH stuff. If you could sit on different sizes that be the best, otherwise wait for some people who own them to post on here

the question comes up again...large or medium....

most people say get the large for xc but the medium for dh...medium so you can turn better and flick it around....honestly I would get the large...I like the stability of the longer wheelbase at high speeds....on a large you just feel like you are going same speed as the medium but in reality you are faster....I don't think (personally for me) that the large hurts my turning or flick-ability.....personally I would get a large and I am just a tick over 6 foot

Damn it, I was hoping for a easy more straight-foward answer, now I'm going to have to do some of the thinking for myself. The only thing that makes me think to get a medium is how much easier it might be to handle. (I do some dirtjumping also, I know the value of a smaller frame) What you said about the larger frame going faster really makes since though, and damn, with 38,000 posts you must really know what you are talking about. Thanks for the input! Anyone else want to try to talk me into one size or another?

RamRider said:

Damn it, I was hoping for a easy more straight-foward answer, now I'm going to have to do some of the thinking for myself. The only thing that makes me think to get a medium is how much easier it might be to handle. (I do some dirtjumping also, I know the value of a smaller frame) What you said about the larger frame going faster really makes since though, and damn, with 38,000 posts you must really know what you are talking about. Thanks for the input! Anyone else want to try to talk me into one size or another?

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get another bike for dirtjumping(adequate ones for 500)...I wouldn't jump the session 88.....I know they have structual engineers and all, but those frames are light and flying rocks put dents in down tube....I wonder if you came up a little short what would happen....and 38,000 post means I am on the computer too much

That's my problem also except I'm short. I plan on buying my first DH bike and don't know if I should get a medium or a small. I'm only 5'5" and for AM biking, I prefer a medium/16 cus small just feels too small. I think I'm border line medium/small. Guess I'll have to demo both sizes some how.

SHIVER ME TIMBERS said:

get another bike for dirtjumping(adequate ones for 500)...I wouldn't jump the session 88.....I know they have structual engineers and all, but those frames are light and flying rocks put dents in down tube....I wonder if you came up a little short what would happen....and 38,000 post means I am on the computer too much

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Haha well I would think you would learn a thing or two having read 38,000 threads.
But anyway, you seem like a reputable source, That's all I'm trying to say.

Anyway, I did not word that well, I'm not going to be dirt jumping on the Session, I already have a Haro Steel Reserve 1.3 (Long frame) for that. My apologies, bringing up dirt jumping was completely irrelevant.

But back to the issue at hand, will having a larger frame, therefore having a longer wheelbase, provide more stability for drops? I don't mean to be cocky but generally when I step on a bike I can get the riding style down pretty quickly. I will probably be racing (I'm sure not too competitively) by the end of my first or second season riding. You are saying the larger frame will be better for racing? I know that I am probably contradicting myself here, but I would like to be able to do a bit of freeride here and there also, so.......

Which frame will be better for racing?
For freeride?

Thanks!

Bob said he prefers his large frame over a medium frame because he has experience on both. He has concluded through experience what frame, suspension, set-up, geo, etc works best for HIM and compliments his style.

10-100 different people can offer you generalizations and 10-100 different suggestions. You say you have limited experience and will wait 6 months before investing on a rig. The amount of time and effort you invest in the next 6 months trying, demo'ing, borrowing, renting as many different bikes as possible, paying attention to riding characteristics, geo, etc. will payoff when the time comes to open your wallet.

Don't get hung up on brands, suspension design, what pro's ride, what your friends ride. You're not buying a bike for a pro or your friends.

You should just get a GT Avalanche 3.0 instead and take it off 10 foot drops.

get the large. this whole 'flickable' small bike theory is garbage. i don't know about you but i don't do tailwhips and 360s (but im sure i totally could righ?) on my local DH trails, i go fast through rough steep terrain. A longer bike will be better for that, period. If the bike feels really weird and sluggish in the parking lot, then its probably the right size!