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Been doing a fair bit of research on bikes and was originally going to buy a DJ bike for riding around danbury, but im starting to wonder about other types as most dj's are SS and id rather have sometihng with gears already on it as Ill be starting out with more basic riding to get the hang of things, I found a thread where people where talking about good hardtails that can take a beating (I cant afford a full susser) Im limited to 500 pounds preferably less to leave spare cash for gear, and Im primarily looking at second hand

Ive heard Norco Maniks (saw this) http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1041893/ can take a beating, anyone got any advice on this or any other bikes that would make a good cross between XC and riding pretty hard downhill/freeride?

Ive not ruled out DJ's bikes as they have a good light frame its just I dont specifically want to do dirt jumping, I want to be riding rough terrain pretty fast, but if possible without commiting to an expensive full susser as a first bike,

Thanks in advance

My advice for a hardtail that can take a beating both DH/DJ get a 4x bike.

I ride mine near enough everywhere!! Danbury, BMX tracks, even some XC if you have a long enough seat post!

The basic 4x set up is a HT frame, single crown 100mm travel forks, single ring up front and gears on the back.

If your new to riding i would say that's your best bet!!! They look cool too!! Here is a pic of mine:



http://www.essexhertsmtb.co.uk/mountain-bike-kit-equipment/2012-bike-identiti-krisis-t2131.html

Nice bike, this looks very similar to a DJ bike but with gears, which I was originally contimplating its just not so easy to find one with gears already on it, and Id rather not have to worry about fitting some myself as Ill just want to get out and ride straight away rather then worrying about fitting a gear system myself!

Is this the identiti document? reasonable price but it doesnt specifiy what it costs if you add sus forks...?

Then fit gears to a single speed
it's very easy

as is easy for someone who hasnt owned a push bike for 5 years?

Reasonably easy, if you really cant do it i'm sure someone will assist you or a shop will charge, not sure how much though, £30 maybe ??

mine....a little more xc than DJ compared to Matts above ^^ but still more than capable....



Its really hard to choose, the best advice is to just sit on as many bikes as you possibly can and try to work out which size of frame feels most comfortable to you and make a note of its size and use that as your start point as it will eliminate loads of 'maybes' with the size sorted you can start looking more at geometry a jump bike will have a lower top tube and different head tube angle compared to a XC bike for example but that brings with it different characteristics, like how it behaves riding up hills for example how long the seat post will need to be to make it comfortable for you etc

then you can start looking at brands/models and reading reviews looking at what hardware they come with, no good getting a great frame thats your size but has cheap nasty forks you'll break ! you'll have to compromise somewhere, thats why i built my own bike so i could compromise where i was happy too rather than where a manufacturer thought i should !

I would also say don't expect to get it right first time

i have owned:
townsend
kuhii
merlin
specialized stump jumper
club roost stinger
GT backwoods
Mongoose tyax
Giant STP
Giant Trance
Commencal Absolut maxmax
Specialized Pitch

takes a while to get a bike perfectly tailored.

Yea i guess, you have been a big help dude its much appreciated The scott is still on pinkbike, which he is selling with a 9 speed, so would like to have a little ride on some jump frames, as Ive ridden many XC style bikes (being honest Im not good at telling much difference between them, a bike just feels like a bike, as Ive only been riding again a few weeks) I notice more the difference in gearing ratios then balance, and sitting position works as much as my fitness for uphill biking= none!

Meh we all push them up at danbury anyway

if you are in chelmsford or have transport i will happily fit the gears if need be

I have transport, thats kind of you dude, Ill have ago myself 1st, youtube vids n such, and If i feck it up Ill call on your wisdom, Ill keep looking for rides, Ive taken the plunge and texted the owner of the add, as Im very good at sitting back and just being undecided, Id like to get something relatively soon and do some basic riding, so I can just get my riding finesse and fitness back before I invest in a full face helm n some pads etc!! Seen a few other style jump frames though not as good as condition as the scott, I think the hardest learning curve is knowing what parts are good and which ones are not.

I still want to come down danbury and scope out the terrain and meet a few of your riders at somepoint, though this will be tough as Im moving to chelmsford this weekend .

This is a custom built Identiti Krisis SL. There are a few floating about 2nd hand (check out pinkbike etc)and are really fantastic bikes to ride. I used to have a Yeti DJ and Orange MsIsle before that but the Krisis SL rides the best out of the lot!

The document comes standard with rigid forks which you would then have to buy suspension forks separately to fit and is also a single speed only as it has horizontal drop outs.

there are people riding there most weeknds so it will be no stress.

i don't mind going through the procedure with you one night, i have a decent work space and i can inspect other aspects if you like.

there are reviews on everything online, i researched every component before buying (i had a strict budget) and weighed up review ratings, price and desire to choose all my components you'll be suprised how often cheaper older brands are better value than newer 'fashionable' brands !

Once the bike is up and running and your bank account has had time to recover you can then start treating yourself to new upgrade parts as required, but buying the bike is only half the story helmet, pads, tools, spares etc etc all add up too I was keen to buy the bike but forgot about all this extra expense LOL

Yea i have free time sunday to go down there maybe, its the north east corner where it all happens right? I got lost last time lol, that would be cool dude! hoping to here back from this guy, hopefully hasnt sold..

I should be down there sunday hopefully.

this explains it