Freeriding/jumping Bike

mxrcr

Hey, thanks for reading!

My story: I used to ride about 5 years ago, mostly doing jumps and freeriding.

Now I’m looking into getting a new bike... I'm still going to be doing the same kind of riding: jumps, mostly freeriding.

One of my friends told me I should go for a 24” wheel mountain bike and that it would be easy to handle but not so small as to make me feel uncomfortable. What do you guys think?

I've read your sticky on testing the bike to determine the best size, but I just don't see how I could talk the salesperson into letting me take it for some jumps on a trail!

I'm 19 years old, 140lbs and 6'2".

It’s been so long I can consider myself a noob, so I appreciate your feedback.

Thanks!

-mxrcr

dave_hill

There's not many off-the-peg bikes that come with 24" wheels, and those that do are generally specific jump bikes, very often single speed. They're little more than a big BMX.

The thing is with 24" wheels, whilst they're stronger (the smaller a wheel gets the stronger it is, usually), they're also heavier, wider and have increased rollign resistance.

I'd be having a look at Kona's jump/freeride hardtail range - the current ones are the Cowan and Shred. Both have design input from veteran dirt jumper/freerider John Cowan. He prefer's his frame slightly longer and more relaxed than what might be thought of as a "conventional" jump bike which give them a slightly more all-round-use feel - I've actually seen someone riding a Cowan as an XC bike!

They're plenty bombproof too. Even with 26" wheels.

mxrcr

Thanks alot Dave! I'll definitely take a look at those.

Regarding:

dave_hill wrote:

There's not many off-the-peg bikes that come with 24" wheels, and those that do are generally specific jump bikes, very often single speed. They're little more than a big BMX.

What about a youth hardtail?

Turrican

U dont need 24 inche wheels just normal 26 will do and number of tough HT bikes out there that will do for jumps and bit freeriding etc too many to name but for me i would get a frame and build it up my self like have done custom all way

dave_hill

I think that given the fact that you're 6 foot 2 you'd look like a tool on a kids bike...

Turrican

dave_hill wrote:

I think that given the fact that you're 6 foot 2 you'd look like a tool on a kids bike...

yeah i agree i wouldnt either but if do put some pics up, old mate mine used ride bmx and hes 6ft 2 look tool on it too, too big