Specialized bighit comp opinions?

[udi]

I've been looking at getting a good freeride machine for around the $3500 mark, and after looking at many brands, the Specialized stood out as the machine with the best frame and component package for the price.

I'll be doing a mix of everything on the bike (freeride, bit of dh, maybe dj as well as commuting) as my skill improves, and I want a frame I can use (and build on) for a long long time. The bighit stood out as something I could do that with, that came with some decent gear as well.

http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6746
(you gotta pick a location to see it)

The 2004 model has 7.5" out back and 6" up front through the new 150mm DJ2. Anyone know anything about it? The only complaint i've heard is that small bump sensitivity sucks, and its only good for the big hits.

Tell me what you think of it, and if theres anything else that might be better in that pricerange. I've already looked at Kona, Norco, Giant etc... The only other thing that looked alright was the '04 Norco Atomik, but that seems a lot less multipurpose than the bighit, and componentry seems a bit poor (other than the jrT)

any opinions appreciated by this mtb noob :D

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04BigHitComp_l.jpg

[Jordy]

sik its gr8 value

[dickyknee]

hey uDi
if i had the cash that is what i would be buying ,
good for everything ,and looks shit hot aswell.

[Raging Bender]

Do you know what that frame would sell for new?

[CHEWY]

u cant buy bighit frames seperate, u can however, buy a Demo 9 frame for a absolute shitload.

good choice on the comp, if i ever bought a dually thats what id get... a 6" 'dirtjump' fork is absolute bollocks tho

[Fritta]

very very sleek and sexy bike. good choice. i know if i had the money id certainly look at that bike :D

[Bender is CRAZY]

very very sleek and sexy bike. good choice. i know if i had the money id certainly look at that bike :D

i agree, they are the sickest bikes

[udi]

Nice to see everyone likes it, guess I made the right choice; but err digging a little deeper (copyright kona)...

I'm wondering about the fork. It's not on the Marzocchi site under 2004, same case as the Drop-Off comp and triple used on the '04 Kona Coiler and Stinky respectively. Now both of these forks happen to be made in taiwan, and I believe sport inferior damping (and probably inferior build...).

Am I to assume that this new DJ2 is in the same boat, or is it a good old italian beast like the regular DJ's, just with more travel? Does anyone know where I can find some more info on it? I can't find anything about it anywhere.

One day a Super, Jr, or Sherman will find its way onto the bike, but that won't be for a long long time. I want the fork on the bike I get to be at least half decent.

Thanks guys.
All I need now really is the money to buy it.. reckon I could get it for 3500 like last years model, or will I be looking more at something 3700ish?

[udi]

Some aussie cycle shop, pro-am sent me an email today saying they want $4499 for the comp when it comes in. Would I be kidding myself if I told myself I could get it for around the 3700 mark shopping around? 3500 for me is almost dreaming, 4500 is just a nice way of teasing myself...

I guess the saying "if its too good to be true, it probably is" has some truth in it.

If anyone can help me with prices on that bike, i'd be awfully grateful!

[Turley]

Head into NRG Ipwich and you can see/ride one in the flesh.

[udi]

That's like a poor man test drivin a bmw. I don't want to bother looking into the bike closer if I can't afford it.... :cry:

Got an email addy for NRG so i can get a price?

[CHEWY]

no way 4499..... isnt that wat the experts retailed for last year?

[Turley]

www.nrgcycles.com.au

[dunk]

To find details of these forks look for OEM Specs on the Marzocchi website.

[udi]

Thanks dunk, im on my way now.

Turley - thanks. NRG lists it for $3799. I'm sure that will pull down to around the 3500 mark by the time i've got the money for it.

Chewy - right, and it also had about 0.5" more rear travel and a Jr.T up front. In my book, Pro-Am cycles officially sucks.

-edit--
Nope.... Marzocchi's OEM section doesn't display the 150mm DJ2. I checked the list of Taiwanese made forks though, and the DJ isn't one of them. I guess the 150 is just a big travel version of the regular 110/130.

[Jade]

i wish i had the money for the 03 bike, if you can get all that in the 04 and you've got the money, what are you waiting for, buy it now!

[RaID]

well that bike is pretty much perfect for what youre after
youll be able to upgrade over time the components but you wont need a new frame

[udi]

Well the bike is all good, I just need the money now. Hopefully i'll be able to save up 3600 or so before all the bikes in the country are gone... :(

oh well thats my problem.

[wombat]

I wouldn't worry about the build quality of Taiwanese stuff if I was you, they're a lot further ahead than people give them credit for.

[Daver]

They are cool bikes let down by the design flaw that is a 24" wheel- great until the ground gets rough when the rear wheel gets hung up (bogged down?) in the rocks...

[trobb]

It's soooo cool, the way all speacialized have such a good price on them

[udi]

Wombat - i bet theres a good difference in damping quality between say one of this years taiwanese drop offs, and any italian marz. The DJ2-150 is like a Z150+DJ2 inbred, so its all good.

Daver - I believe they wanted to keep the wheelbase short, because the wheelbase was a bit long for whatever reason. I believe the solution was to throw a 24" on the back with shorter chainstays. (therefore shorter WB)

I'm not terribly worried about it, i've heard it isn't as big a deal as some people make it out to be. Everyone i've talked to owning one has been happy so far.

[Commander Dilsnikk]

Wombat - i bet theres a good difference in damping quality between say one of this years taiwanese drop offs, and any italian marz. The DJ2-150 is like a Z150+DJ2 inbred, so its all good.

Daver - I believe they wanted to keep the wheelbase short, because the wheelbase was a bit long for whatever reason. I believe the solution was to throw a 24" on the back with shorter chainstays. (therefore shorter WB)

I'm not terribly worried about it, i've heard it isn't as big a deal as some people make it out to be. Everyone i've talked to owning one has been happy so far.

yeah...the 24" was put on there to aid with the wheelbase length as the particular frame design creates a LONG bike (look at shock angle difference between and specialized and say an iron horse).....there are other reasons as well but it's my bet that this was the main one

as for taiwanese workmanship... one thing people don't realise is that technologically taiwan is very advanced. This comes from US influence but more importantly need to create a robust post-industrial economy in a region where technological competition was becoming important to the economic development of all nations. There was also a real need to compete technologically with the ever economically strengthening China who had (and still have to a lesser extent) visions of a unified China with Taiwan as a province; Taiwan was therefore obliged to present itself as an indispensable member of the growing Asian economic community.

.........anyway....enough history lesson...i thought it was a good idea to make sure i could write out what i have been learning this year in international studies as the exam is coming up (studying on farkin?!?!?)

so taiwan has an technologically advanced manufacturing sector which is being used by Marz because, whilst the quality will not be exactly the same as Marz made in Italy, Taiwan can produce the forks more cheaply because labour is much more inexpensive.

So i'm saying that Taiwanese Marz forks will be cheaper but that this shouldn't mean much drop in quality because Taiwan actually makes good stuff and the "arches, valving and lowers will come from Italy" (NSMB).
Marz has stuck the same warranty on them as well so they mustn't be too concerned.

-dilsnikk

[Jade]

i thought the 24" wheel was for jumping and steep drop offs so you don't get butted when going over steep lips, more like bmx wheels, am i wrong?

[Commander Dilsnikk]

i thought the 24" wheel was for jumping and steep drop offs so you don't get butted when going over steep lips, more like bmx wheels, am i wrong?

your right about the general usage of 24" wheels...ie usually on a hardtail built for urban, park, dj and the like....
i'm pretty sure, though, that this isn't the case on the bighits coz it's a dewlie and it's not built for the same sorts of uses.... that doesn't mean it can't be used for these things (don't get me wrong) but it's not the bike's primary aim...
so i still believe that it is an attempt to compensate for the length of the particular FSR design in use on the bighits

[Jade]

cool coz i want to get 1 too

[shan75]

Speak to Raymond at Strathpine Bicycle centre. Tell him Shannon sent you in he might be able to do the $4500 expert for around the $3800 mark. I am sure he would do you a good deal on the comp as well.

[Turley]

Or your could check out my decked out 03 big hit pro in the forsale sections..

[kranked]

i think the bighits are mad for 04, i'm thinking of a expert, (how much r experts), not sure, have to check it out NRG, but the comp looks like a sweet, entry freeride bike, dirtjumping, and some downhill, its got it all, might change that rear shock though to something just a bit more special,

[udi]

Shan - are you serious? did he say he could do an expert for 3800??? hook me up with some more info partner!

Thats amazing, even for 4000 I think its good. I'd like an expert, but I think 4500 is a little much for the specs on the expert.

kranked - ^^ retail on an expert is $4499. There is no big difference between the shocks, they both have rebound and compression which is what counts. But the 4-way has the piggyback, and a 2.75" stroke, giving the expert an 8.1" rearend over the comps 7.5". Not as big as it sounds, thats less than 2cm difference.

[kranked]

i tested a comp today, doesnt ride aswell as the expert, the expert is wat i'm buying and would reccomend to anyone,

[Dan]

im not sure if its just me, but i have never liked the marz SC forks for the small bumps. my psylos soaked up small bumps well....sometimes a little too well haha

[peachy]

going into nrg to check out the big hits today, so if u see me say hi... i'm fat, u should know me.

[jakestein]

what is the weight like on the comp
around 17kg 38lb ? if so i might think about one i dont want any heavyier give a few pounds maybe.

[BenM]

what is the weight like on the comp
around 17kg 38lb ? if so i might think about one i dont want any heavyier give a few pounds maybe.

I think it is probably about 38-40lbs. Judging by the weight of my Big Hit DH which only has a SC Marzocchi bomber on it at the moment. I will weigh it when I get the chance and let you know.

[BenM]

Weighed it - exactly 40lbs. I think I might fit some ligher components before I replace the forks with triples.

[dylma]

nice, gr8 value. i like the 150mm dj2, i also like the price of it, not expensive at all compared to other bikes of that range

[dillon]

RE: Taiwan.
That is not an issue Udi, you guys wouldn't believe how many things are actually made in Taiwan.
They even make the 'made in xxxx' labels for their products, haha.
Quality Control is not an issue, this is a MAJOR manufacturing nation.
Yes, I have been there.

[Rik]

Whilst the DJ's have inferior damping compared to the Z1's, for example, this is a product of the damping circuits (SSV vs HSCV), not of the place of manufacture.

[Winx]

I am riding the 04 Stinky now and the Drop off's r awsome, a good ride all round

[acidupgrade]

The bike would look heaps better if it had a 24 inch wheel at the back

[Commander Dilsnikk]

The bike would look heaps better if it had a 24 inch wheel at the back

:?

[Mr Van]

Hey man, my mate has an 04 bighit comp and i have been riding it it a fari bit, i love it so much that i m buying one myself, I am getting it next saturday. The feel of it is awesome handling is exceptionaly sharp and it will take everything you throw at it within reason. It also goes awesome over dirt jumps.
Darren

[Dee-Lux04]

big hits are sweet arsed bikes, you can have a lot of fun on one, they eat alot of bumps on dh, take big hits, and are really responsive. dont' be worried about the 24" rear wheel it's awsome!!

[bazza]

ladies and gents, has anyone seen there lbs about upgrading parts before buying it outright, remember the bike shop can still sell these products as new if they are taken off the bike there and then. either that or my lbs is dodgy. a great example is a friend upgraded his 03 stinky with jnr ts, 321-xt wheelset, vanilla rc rear shock straight up before he baught the bike and it only cost him an extra 600 bucks!!!! so see your lbs about doing this!

[brettly]

Just got myself a 04' Big Hit comp the other day.....rrp was $3799,i managed to get him to 3500.Went for a test-ride on it ..was a bit suspect on the size,it was a L ..and im 6' over 200lbs,seemed ok.
Any way ...i cant wait to pay the thing off!...any other laddys have a 04 Bighit comp??...just want to know what size/height u r compared to the bike?...and yeah he is replacing the rear spring with a 650lb...would that be sufficient?

CHEERS.

[Sparkman]

I bought a 04 Big Hit expert last month without the front fork/wheel/brake for $3000. I fitted the fork/wheel/brake from the bike I'd been riding (03 Shiver DC, Hugi 36h hub, 521 rim, XT disc with 8" rotor). Hey-zuess.... it rides well. The Shiver sits pretty low, so the geometry was changed at all with the different fork

Mark at Nerang MTB centre did the deal for me and even threw in the Marz direct mount stem. I'm pretty happy with the deal. The front and rear response match up pretty well now. I thought the Jr T fork didn't perform as well as the Swinger 4-way rear when I did numerous test rides at lots of different shops.

[Kammy]

i love it have you got it yet

/awaits abuse.

[dickyknee]

/awaits abuse.

it's been 30mins and no one has shot him to bits yet :shock:

[roffle]

Sparkman Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 3:01 pm
mtb dirt Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 11:17 am

Dude.. Seriously.
It was like 4 months ago, you could've just pm'ed him if you wanted to know that badly rather than digging up old threads.