Jumping - How much abuse can you give a trail frame?

slimboyjim

Hi all,

I've been looking at a new frame for a while and wanted to buy British, so had a look at the Whyte website. I found the '19' which looked perfect and is described as a hardtail trailbike designed for 120mm forks. http://www.whytebikes.com/2009/19frameset.html for those of you interested in having a look... Within the warrantee it states it is not designed for jumping. Whilst I have used this frame as an example I am sure it will apply to others too...

I am not the most extreme rider out there but I do take on small jumps and drop offs at trail centres and I do not want to buy a frame that is not suitable for this purpose (for information I ride mainly xc/trail so would prefer a slightly lighter frame rather than a full on hardcore hardtail such as a SC Chameleon or Cove Stiffee FR, but still want the freedom and peace of mind that if I do jump it or ride it off small drops it won't break). I cannot believe the frame is not able to cope with this kind of trail feature (since it is described as a trail bike) so can only assume it is not to be used for dirt jumping/big AM stuff but surely there's a grey area here - when does a jump or drop off become unsuitable for the bike? Assuming the decision is made by the rider (or I'd hope they wouldn't be attempting the jump/drop!) this becomes a civil dispute between them and the manufacturer but with the 'no jumping' clause I cannot see many decisions going in favour of the rider... I cannot afford to replace a frame if it is damaged 'jumping' and a replacement under warrantee refused...

Has anyone had experience of issues replacing a jump damaged frame due to the above grey area?

Is there any common minimum standards that a 'trail' bike has to be able to cope with or is it just a name?

All help is appreciated - Thanks!


James

supersonic

There is a lot of overlap between frame types, and of course what 'jumping' actually involves. Any bike will take a smooth landing into a transition, but the jump bikes are built for the mistakes... Landing onto flat is a better judgement and on an XC bike I wouldn't really want to drop more than two or three foot onto a hard landing.

Frames like the Saracen mantra are a good example of a 'hardcore hardtail' that is designed to be thrashed harder.

The Whyte doesn't really strike me as that - and seems very expensive for what it actually is.

elPedro666

I've thrashed, abused, jumped (small to small/medium dirt) and dropped (3-4foot tops) a bunch of lightweight (3 - 3 1/2lb) ali frames for the past 20 years, mostly rigid with no problems at all, and I'm not light

Doesn't help you with warranty issues, but might set your mind at ease a little! That's a cracking looking frame, would be right near the top of my list...

*wood was touched

supersonic

Think I'd be shortlisting this:

http://www.chevincycles.com/products.ph ... b0s27p5753

No bones about what it is made for...

slimboyjim

Supersonic - Out of interest, why do you feel the Whyte is overpriced? It seems to have received good reviews? I've checked out the Mantra and it seems a bit heavy and possibly too strong (if there can be such a thing!) for my use. Any other suggestions for a frame? I want a xc bike that can handle a bit of abuse (as I'm learning to jump and there is no way I'll be landing all my attempts cleanly even given a few months!). As the majority of my riding is xc, I don't feel a dedicated dj bike would suit... As stated I'm looking to buy british if possible (even if the SC Chameleon is proving very tempting). I've so far found the Whyte 19 and Pace 305 - any others I should be looking at? Budget around £550, my weight is 11 stone...

elPedro - I've never had any problems abusing my Avalanche 1 but was looking to upgrade. The idea of breaking my investment with no support scares me to death! I suppose I'm just a bit nervous about my investment (before anyone comments I'm prepared for some damage resulting from use as you have to, just not a complete faliure!).

Thanks again!

supersonic

Compared to the mmmBop I posted - half the price, very light (for a bike like that) and seems more capable. i think 550 is really top end for alu and I only paid 50 quid more for my carbon Zaskar which is also designed to be ridden hard yet weighs just 3lbs.

xtreem

The Genesis Alpitude is designed for 140mm forks and more harder riding than the Core or Altitude series.
Frame: http://www.southwatercycles.com/product ... 4s189p2833
There is no picture there but here is what it looks like:
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/series/alpitude

It should be fine with 120mm forks.

Whytepeak

Whilst the whyte frame ain't no freerider, I've jumped mine (I have the 905) Its got a tough frame and a good wheelset, so why not. I wouldn't take it to a jump spot, but for the types of jumps you'd find on a trail it's plenty tough enough.

slimboyjim

I am sure that it would be fine Whytepeak, it's just that I can't afford it if it's not! For that reason alone I'm not sure that this is the bike for me despite how good it looks!

Xtreem - nice suggestion! I'd not considered Genesis and the Alpitude looks pretty interesting... May look to sort a demo at the end of summer when stuff gets cheaper!

slimboyjim

Oh, and I'll look at the Ragley too supersonic, though I'll wait for a couple of reviews if possible...

elPedro666

That mmmbop's the first (non-ti hardtail) that's got me tempted, after 12&1/2 years on my beloved Ibis Alibi :shock:

Plus I have a second pair of wheels & forks & quite a lot of other bits at the moment...
<worried>