I am thinking of building a cheap (which means second hand bits) 7" rig, hunting for bits on ebay / here. I want it to turn out something like the Lapierre 318 Froggy. Thinking of Santa Cruz Bullit or Specialised SX Trail as both 7" travel. Will search for single crown 180mm forks. Any thoughts? Please dont say buy a second hand Lapierre Froggy cause they are too new at the moment.

i have bullit & heckler (both 2005 frames) but prefer the heckler (lyrik forks)for general/am duties and the bullit (boxxer forks)for d/h so i guess it depends somewhat on what you want it for

heckler;

bullit;

Recently ridden an sx trail as a first foray into big(ger) bikes, and was most impressed. Had me hitting jumps, doubles etc much quicker than I normally would. Have also recently ridden an Intense Slopestyle which is also cracking.

Look out for Intense SS's on Chainlove.com. Cheap-o-rama.

hi,

just thought i'd say, i have a marin quake frame, and marzochi 66 forks, that i would sell for 450, including a seatpost, headset, and MRP chain device… It has just had the shock serviced… These are great little bikes, have a search for reviews… They are all positive.

It is sort of inbetween a dh bike, and an sx trail, as in more stable and confidence inspiring on the big steep stuff than the sx, but not as point and go as a dh bike.

Very good bikes, even if mine didnt interest you…

Andy

why would you even consider a single pivot if you want it to ride like the Lapierre? 😕

I'd choose performance/geometry over amount of travel everytime.

Ps I dunno what it is you actually want (do you?), but if you're interested, I have an 8" (horst link) DH bike (with 170mm 888s) capable of taking a double chainset n f/mech I'd sell you

Might have a little used 16" Orange Big-T up for grabs with DHX 5.0.

Also have some 180mm 2008 Totems 1.5" steerer used once since a TF service.

I would consider where you are going to use the bike and also the target weight you are aiming for, if it's nearer 37 – 40lbs it isn't going to be very nice on anything but uplift days.

That said it's a heap of fun on the down the Big-T eat's up the CwnCarn down hill track.

Not sure about a bullit to be honest. Never ridden one but they look pretty short and steep, which is pretty much the opposite of what you want.

An SX Trail is usually a good bet

Dude

Sweet

I love mine!

Built up with 2006 66RCs and a 38t ring.

Now with Avid Codes and a PUSHed shock.

thanks chaps
ferrit – Love the Intense – probably out of my price range.
forge197 – thanks for advice – I saw some Totems on ebay and did consider Orange (Patriot).
GW – you're right I dont know what I want thats why I have asked the STW audience for any thoughts – I am thinking of a bike I can thrash more than my Meta 5 in its current XC/trail set up. Not interested in being lablelled as down hill.

Toombsy

I dont know what I want thats why I have asked the STW audience for any thoughts – I am thinking of a bike I can thrash more than my Meta 5 in its current XC/trail set up. Not interested in being lablelled as down hill.

What type of stuff are you planning to ride on this bike? Mostly dh trails? Big drops and jumps? Is this frame to give you extra confidence to tackle this stuff or can you do it already and just need an approriate bike?

If its to give extra confidence where do you see your riding in two years?

First things first forget about the number 7. The amount of travel is pretty much irrelevant. You need to decide what geometry you want as opposed to simply wanting X amount of travel. A bottlerocket with 5 inches of travel will do everything most 7 inch bikes will do.

2nd what mistergnarsays

a bottlerocket would be ideal even if its a little heavy

2nd what mistergnarsays

a bottlerocket would be ideal even if its a little heavy

Holy BB height Ferrit 😯

Giant Reign X might be worth a look?

There's a new, much lighter, model for 2010 – so you might pick up a complete new 2009 bike for a good price.

They're even cheaper secondhand.

I have Rocky Mountain RM7 i am looking to sell

Needs a longer travel fork and better DH brakes, but can take a triple chainset and pedals ok with the DHX 5 pro-pedal.

Would split if you are interested in any parts or £300 the lot

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22074891@N07/3785746911/

170 Pushed on the back, 180 on the front, just done 2 weeks in Verbier rides like a dream

Tracey

SX for the win.

GW – yeah, I know! It actually feels pretty good though – it's the forks – they're long for the travel – the 06 ones were 40mm shorter!!

Thanks for advice.
I recently came back from the Alps and my Meta 5 needed alot of TLC (buckled rear (DT4.1), bent shock linkage bolts)
In my mind I have a 'free ride' bike that will get used probably once a month by me (my kids will ride more probably – I recently built a DMR Trailstar for £36 off ebay with old bits in the garage – kids love it).
I weigh 16 stone so am really looking for a bike & components to suit.
Not heard of bottlerocket – I'll have a google

*cough*

http://tinyurl.com/macz2r

http://tinyurl.com/lckmuz

I was about to say that coogan has a Bullit and a pair of Totems that he's selling, but the wee fella beat me to it.

Thanks Coogan
I have seen them on ebay, nice kit – exactly what I have been thinking of – sorry, will probably only view these items to see what they go for!

Bullits are great, pedal OK and older ones can be picked up cheap (mine was £300) but they are quite tall and short, more "freeride" than DH.

Bid on it anyway to help get the price up 😀