Pump track bike

I have just bought one of the PLanet=x jack flash (disc) frames…. it works well for me @ 5’11″… would easily suit someone up to 6-3″/4″ .

It’s running a 120mm fork, with 26″ wheels. It’s a great bike for the pump track @ £100

and also not to get too upset if a bike doesn’t feel like your trail bike, you’ll get accustomed quickly

Not expecting it to feel like my trail bike. I just want to feel comfortable on it.not sticking to much out the back and over the front and not to cramped

as a slight hijack. I currently have a beddo tabu, which is a steel framed jump bike with various parts bin stuff on it. Frame weighs in at about 2.6kg (steel), would i notice much difference in re-building it with one of the Chain reaction octane-one-zircus frames (alu)?

26inch pump track bikes will be pretty light anyway, wouldn’t bother. Grippier pedals and faster rolling tyres will make the most difference (larsen, dtr’s, billy bobs, etc)

I’m just shy of the magical 6′ mark where all men become attractive, but my DMR Sect is a cracker on all our local pump tracks and skate parks (and the odd trail adventure, hence the front brake), my 6’2″ riding buddy occasionally gets to borrow it and he loves it. Take the plunge (and maybe lets have some pump track love in the mag, we know many of the ST crew have kids and ought to be dragged down their local on a regular basis)!

I’m not saying go for a BMX but that a jump bike for someone who is not “into pump tracks / trails” will be fine as its quite a bit bigger than a BMX even if you’re really tall. i.e. if I can mange on a BMX anyone a fair bit bigger and not accustomed will be fine on a 26″ jump bike. Some higher rise bars might be useful but length will be fine. IT was more aimed at someone a bit up talking about some long ridged trail bike

This forum has a general over excitement over geometry that “modern” mtb geo is best for everything (seen people asking about LLS road bikes FFS!), that more my point, you can do a lot with something vaguely right on a dirt jumps

and also not to get too upset if a bike doesn’t feel like your trail bike, you’ll get accustomed quickly.

It’s all doable … I haven’t even measured the Jack Flash… all I’m basing it on is feel.
If I wanted to pull some ‘serious tricks’ I’d persist on smaller bikes but the pump track/DJ are more of a distraction and the “familiar feel” makes it a fairly casual swap.

The Jack Flash to me feels pretty familiar at my 5’10″… I’m happy on the DJ… (and too lazy to spend lots of time on the actual pump track but happy when I spend some)

I did swap bikes with someone else my age-group just happy clearing jumps who had a Canyon something.. and he preferred the “feel” as well, even though he had better tyres on.

Obviously not everyone will so all I’m really saying is if its a bit of a sideline like for me that familiarity is quite comforting.

Not expecting it to feel like my trail bike. I just want to feel comfortable on it.not sticking to much out the back and over the front and not to cramped

That’s kinda my point I think … my jack flash is ace on the pumptrack/jumps but its not really comfy on longer seated rides even with a monster seatpost. Of course that feeling might change if I persisted.

Where are you? Obviously no substitute for just trying one

Where are you? Obviously no substitute for just trying one

I’m down in worthing. Have spoken to a friend of a friend and we are going to meet up at the local pump track for me to try his.

What about a 26″ wheel BMX? Would be perfect low maintenance bike for that kind of usage

@blakec Angmering?

@v7fmp that is my local but his local is Horsham.

I’m down in worthing. Have spoken to a friend of a friend and we are going to meet up at the local pump track for me to try his.

You’re welcome to try my jack flash and trailstar (S) back to back if you can make fleet.
I could do Horsham outside of lockdown … don’t think I can at the moment though.

I wouldn’t obsess about geometry on a bike like this. Young kids have been absolutely sending it on any old junk for decades. Just visit any track or skatepark and prepare to be out performed by a 12 year old on a BSO. The two best dirt riders I know are well over 6 foot and ride crappy old bikes with 24″ wheels.

Still though, nice bikes are nice.

I’m 6’2″ and my normal bike is a Geometron. I bought a Transition PBJ because I like clean, simple steel frames and it had the longest reach I could find on that kind of bike. It still feels tiny and takes some getting used to after a break. They do an XL now which is 25mm longer. 26″ wheels mean it’s a much smoother ride than a BMX and your chin isn’t way over the front axle.

I always tell people to look here and see what’s close to home…
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?category=3

And let’s not skip over this!

Where is that, and what’s that in the background? Looks like a right spot.

Sharkattack – that’s the pump track in Fleet (Hampshire). They recently opened a couple of jump lines too (in the background). Been fun for a ground based middle aged under skilled rider like me to play on!

Where is that, and what’s that in the background? Looks like a right spot.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CId5ZuUDPi5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

also got a pic with Ben holding our Trailstar next to his that day… I’m probably in the back on the DJ because I’m lazy.

that fleet track looks nice.

@blakec if you can get up to burgess hill you can have a play on my kiez there (whilst I let the kid ride around). The pumptrack isn’t nearly as nice as horsham (or newhaven which is the nicest one I know around here), and tends to have puddles when its wet though..

The level of pump track construction in the last few years has gone through the roof! There’s loads of them popping up but they’re all hours away from me. One of my first plans for spring, hopefully post Covid, is to get in the van and visit some of the best ones. Southampton bike park is on the list along with The Track in Cornwall.

@5lab

Thanks I will see how I go with my friend of a friends. Then take it from their

I’ve got an old Giant STP with rigid forks that I’ve had kicking around for donkey’s years. No idea on the reach but it’s pretty short. Used to run 100mm Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1s (still got them and they still ride as good as new (they’re not the rubbish OEM Dirt Jams). I’m 5’11 and prefer it to a BMX (as I’m getting old and fat now). Jump/pump track bikes will always feel small. Last few times I’ve just ridden my 130mm 29er at the pump track as that’s the one I actually want to get better on. Still had fun.

Jim Davage was about 11 foot tall and he used to ride tiny Curtis bikes back in the day.

blakec – cool. I live in Durrington, so Angmering is just up the road for me. I have been to Horsham once. Quite a different track to Angmering.

I just built up my first DJ bike, its a nice alternative to trail/endure riding.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CItNaZWAtMD/

@v7fmp that Saracen is a tidy build, nice.

I’m surprised how many of us are Sussex based.

The track at Fleet looks amazing. It’s put Hampshire on my daytrip hit list, whenever we’re allowed outside again.

I don’t even have a trail bike at the moment so that’s no problem!
So conclusion in my head is go for a 26 or 24 inch old cheap jump bike, build it single speed, use the bits I have in the garage and get riding.
Compared to my carbon cross bike it’ll feel nuts but that’s ok!

@ChipkoAndolan some sort of STW sussex meet when the world is in better shape?!

and cheers, im pleased with the build for a first attempt. Some local youths said it was ‘sick’. no bad thing!

Those who’ve recently bought the Planet X Jack Flash 25th frames, what headset and seatpost diameter is needed?

I’ve got a set of straight steerer Revs I’m earmarking for a spares build using one, but keen to see what else from my spares heap will fit.