Can't decide which DH frame

[Ruckus_Lord]

Hey, i'm looking for a Downhill racing frame, I'm a fairly smooth rider...if the track doesnt appeal to me i might be a bit less smooth, but i have thought about these 5 frames:
05 intense M3
05 santacruz v10
05 orange 223
05 gt dhi
05 DH comp/team

I only want the frame because i am "Custom Building" it, like im buying parts seperate to my liking.

Cheers.

[steve dave]

ummmm M3 for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M3M3M3M3M3M3M3!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cave Dweller]

You should put a turner DHR on that list. The bikes really do ride nice, and you pick one from DH direct for a least $1000 cheaper (because he cuts out the middle man) then any of those other frames, which means you can have a better build kit.

[bolzy]

223 for sure best frame ive ridden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[mike&nat]

mmmmmmmmmm 223 mmmmmmmmmmmmm 222, since they are like the same and i have a 222 and they are sweet go the 222. or the 223 is better which is better

[b there soon]

Ride as many as u can, if people with let have a roll around at a race. Thats best to see what u like

[No Skid Marks]

M3 for speed/plushness,
Santacruz for plushness(no need to pick smooth lines)and more strength?
223 if your real fast/good and know how to pick lines
GT for lightness
Giant for budget.

[No Skid Marks]

Obviously what I said doesn't mean others are not the same, that is just the charicteristics I see in each. ans a 222 and 223 are different(slightly).

[No Skid Marks]

Oh yeah I love my BB7, sorry to clog the thread. But I would love an M3 although I suspect they're not any stronger than an M1 so I would take the V10 outta the choices you offered.

[Carl]

omgz mmmm get a 223 or 222 cos they lookm so kewl. lolz kewl.




mmmmmmmmmm 223 mmmmmmmmmmmmm 222, since they are like the same and i have a 222 and they are sweet go the 222. or the 223 is better which is better

Sorry?

[Cave Dweller]

Oh yeah I love my BB7, sorry to clog the thread. But I would love an M3 although I suspect they're not any stronger than an M1 so I would take the V10 outta the choices you offered.

So if an m3 is no stronger then an m1 then we are going to have lots of bikes with cracks around the headtube and broken chainstays :D

I would go the 05 V10 over the M3.

[intense jonoooo]

u'd be stupid not to go an m3! i road one and they are soo good...
-the new santa cruz look crap
- oranges are tin cans...so you'll have to buy some ear plugs
- giant = budget but awesome..but to popular
- gt = unprogressive travel.. (i heard from x-gt rider) but nice..

so go the M3

[j5ive]

Just remember building a bike from scratch is stupidly expensive. Buy abike off the shelf that you at least like some of the parts off. Thenorco shore for example is amzing value and it would cost you more theretail price of the complete bike to buy the partset. Then just chopand change the parts you like. Works out much cheaper.

[bazza]

get a bb7 for sure!!!!!!! failing that get an m3. but the new bb7's arrive in the country soon and should be freakin awesome! but yeah ride as many bikes as you can and figure out which one suits you best.

[Daver]

You've picked a random group of frames their mate. Super weenie frames like the GT and Orange have a totally different feel to the bigger burlier ride of the V10, M3 and Giant. Not to mention a budget ranging from $2k to $6k, just on frames. i'd suggest riding them (at the races) and then choosing what feels best for you.

u'd be stupid not to go an m3! i road one and they are soo good...
-the new santa cruz look crap
- oranges are tin cans...so you'll have to buy some ear plugs
- giant = budget but awesome..but to popular
- gt = unprogressive travel.. (i heard from x-gt rider) but nice..

so go the M3

Agreed, but they will be flimsyier than the V10 and the one you "rode" wasn't exactly in working order. It had nice geometry though.

[Ruckus_Lord]

Just remember building a bike from scratch is stupidly expensive. Buy abike off the shelf that you at least like some of the parts off. Thenorco shore for example is amzing value and it would cost you more theretail price of the complete bike to buy the partset. Then just chopand change the parts you like. Works out much cheaper.

Yeh man, i know it expensive, but all my parts are half price, i can afford it :P....
hm, i don't want a bb7, because they are redicualsy heavy.....I'm headin' towards 223-M3. not sure....
i gotta sell my Ruckus I-drive 2.0 1st.....so if you wanna buy it contact me ;-)

and DH_MTB cheers for that info bro it helped heaps..

[No Skid Marks]

My BB7 aint heavy, hes my brother(woops sorry I got carried away).

[Inoue]

Intense M3

[lotec]

bb7s arn't THAT heavy and the ride is worth it, they just have to set up right, i wasnt toooo happy with mine and considered selling it but then set it up a lot harder, changed some bits around etc and now its makes it sooooooooooooo much better, comparativly, it used to feel like SHIT, so nice now and the importer is an AWESOME bloke, best customer service EVER [end blatant plug/]

[ajay]

mate, they are all top frames, couldnt say a bad thing about any of em, however, I'd go with CaveDweller and go a Turner, but it aint on your list, so my 2nd choice would be the M3...

Look forward to seeing the complete build!

[Ruckus_Lord]

Yeh, well i've been put off by bb7's...all the ones i've ridden feel like Sh#t!....

what do you guys think of this setup on a 223 or M3:

Forks: 05 Boxxer world cups
Rear D: Sram X-0
Chain: Sram pc-99 hollowpin
Cassette: Sram pg-990
Shifters: Sram X9 paddle shifters.
Bars: Pro Tapers
Stem: Raceface Evolve DH
Brakes: Avid juicy front, XT 4pot back.
Wheels: Mavic 721 seramic with DT swiss comp spokes on a Ringle rear hub and Deemax front hub with Minion DH R 2.5 tires.
Seatpost: Thomson elite
Pedals: Time clips and Easton cully flats.
Cranks: Saint
Chainguide: E-13 SRS
chain rings: Race face DH
Bottom bracket: Race face signature DH
Grips: Oury lock ons
Headset: Chris king.

All that equals just a little bit over 2grand for me....So what you think?

Also i was wondering if anyone knew who the hell sells Intense?

[jungle]

the Gap cycles is an Intense dealer and speaking to darcy at gap cycles this week
have a m3 and a spider in store now



cheers

[Cave Dweller]

Yeh, well i've been put off by bb7's...all the ones i've ridden feel like Sh#t!....

what do you guys think of this setup on a 223 or M3:

Forks: 05 Boxxer world cups
Rear D: Sram X-0
Chain: Sram pc-99 hollowpin
Cassette: Sram pg-990
Shifters: Sram X9 paddle shifters.
Bars: Pro Tapers
Stem: Raceface Evolve DH
Brakes: Avid juicy front, XT 4pot back.
Wheels: Mavic 721 seramic with DT swiss comp spokes on a Ringle rear hub and Deemax front hub with Minion DH R 2.5 tires.
Seatpost: Thomson elite
Pedals: Time clips and Easton cully flats.
Cranks: Saint
Chainguide: E-13 SRS
chain rings: Race face DH
Bottom bracket: Race face signature DH
Grips: Oury lock ons
Headset: Chris king.

All that equals just a little bit over 2grand for me....So what you think?

Also i was wondering if anyone knew who the hell sells Intense?


Few problems.

1. Saint cranks come with there own BB
2. Get the same brakes front and rear
3. I don't reckon easton pedals are worth the cost, and the Aussie distributer is crap. I waited 6 months for parts for my eastons and they just blew me off. I run azonics now, cheaper and better IMO

Rest of the spec looks fine. Out of a 223 or an M3 i would go the orange. I don't like intense bikes. Look pretty but durability has always been an issue.

[donthucktoflat]

can anyone say dream bike? i believe, however, that of most of these brand new frames (M3, 223, 05 V10 etc), most people will have formed what i like to call 'armchair opinions' and won't really have anything to back up their choice. i wouldn't be surprised if you weren't happy with any of the frames in your selection as they are all top-of-the-line race rigs.

anyway, in keeping with the tone of the rest of the thread:

OMGZOR!!!1!!shiftone!! INTENSE M3zor!!!!!111!!!!11!!1!!ONE!

[Ruckus_Lord]

donthucktoflat, you have no idea how long i have been saving for my new bike do you? So how about you stop and think, that it is possable to get that much money over 5 or so years and that i do get all parts half price, so instead of basically saying "You're lying"...why don't you try and say something usefull instead of being a nazi?....seriously man, people just piss me off when they tell poeple they wont get the bike...even thought they have no idea of the efforts put into trying to get it.

[ajay]

donthucktoflat, you have no idea how long i have been saving for my new bike do you? So how about you stop and think, that it is possable to get that much money over 5 or so years and that i do get all parts half price, so instead of basically saying "You're lying"...why don't you try and say something usefull instead of being a nazi?....seriously man, people just piss me off when they tell poeple they wont get the bike...even thought they have no idea of the efforts put into trying to get it.

Yeah! lay it down flat out dude!

[Ruckus_Lord]

Hm, soz i don't understand what you're saying?...are you like trying to say i'm going to hard?

[ajay]

Hm, soz i don't understand what you're saying?...are you like trying to say i'm going to hard?

Um, Good on you for telling it how it is.... (its a good thing ;) )

[Ruckus_Lord]

Oh right...soz im not the smartest type:S.....cheers

[donthucktoflat]

donthucktoflat, you have no idea how long i have been saving for my new bike do you? So how about you stop and think, that it is possable to get that much money over 5 or so years and that i do get all parts half price, so instead of basically saying "You're lying"...why don't you try and say something usefull instead of being a nazi?....seriously man, people just piss me off when they tell poeple they wont get the bike...even thought they have no idea of the efforts put into trying to get it.

dude, wtf? i didn't say that you wouldn't get the bike, i said that most people's opinions are based purely on what they have read or opinions they have already formed so read the friggin post properly before you flame. i said "can anyone say dream bike" because it is a purely spoonterrific setup that you will be getting. so shut up, buy the damn bike and post it up so i cream myself over another beautiful bike.

[ajay]

dude, wtf? i didn't say that you wouldn't get the bike, i said that most people's opinions are based purely on what they have read or opinions they have already formed so read the friggin post properly before you flame. i said "can anyone say dream bike" because it is a purely spoonterrific setup that you will be getting. so shut up, buy the damn bike and post it up so i cream myself over another beautiful bike.


Hahahahahahahah......



sorry, i found it funny...

[Ruckus_Lord]

Yeh well dude, maybe you should read your own sentences and phrases more carefully, Dream bike usually meens Bike that someone would LOVE to get but cant, also the way you put it came through to me as "Hes lying"....So dont go pointing fingers at me for getin' pissed at you, because if you knew how much effort and how many hours i put in to get this much money, i think you would be a tad pissed off too.....If you did not intentionally meen to make me feel like a lier then i'm sorry, but as i said it came through to me like that....

[jungle]

how's about everyone chill out
and get back to the original thread
of which dh frame ruckus lord should get

cheers

[bradh]

M3. no question...

[S.]

So what do YOU want in a bike, other than other people's opinions? To me it doesn't seem like you've really thought your choices through... you've got bikes that are polar opposites of each other (223 vs V10 etc) and everything in between. Decide what YOU want your bike to ride like, then pick the bike that's closest to that (or ask what bike will ride like that if you *have* to buy blind).

[toodles]

Taking them all for a spin is the only way to decide when it comes to dropping that kind of coin on a bike. I'd go the M3 personally as it's my fav, but both the M3 and V10 will work blindingly well under any rider. If you're not a complete hack, the Orange and GT will run just as fast and reward you with lighter weights. I'd highly recommend you consider the Turner DHRs and IronHorse Sunday (particularly the US-made framekit) as well.

[Ruckus_Lord]

Aye S. i have already thought about it all man, I've ridden them all and sussed them all out, I am just re-enforcing my decision, making sure i'm making the right choice ect, I do know what they're all like, and i found the one i liked, but i want to hear what people have to say about them.....

[Cave Dweller]

If you have been saving for 5 years (so are obviously strapped for cash) to get this bike i would not get an intense. I am being serious, the thing is a race bike. You will be lucky if you get 2 years out of an intense. Go to ridemonkey and do a search and read about all the problems people had with m1's.

Do you know they are not even making spare parts for m1's anymore, not even derailler hangers or chainstays. The bike was only superceeded last year, fairly lame?

I would take the v10 over the M3, and the 223 over the GT.

Like i said, M3's look nice but thats it. If you get one and bust it next year i will be laughing at you.

[udi]

The M1's sure did break, but it was mostly on the horst link, and the M3's VPP setup has a much more solid TRIANGLE there now, so in essence it is a complete different design, and shouldn't break anywhere near as easy - that is, unless Intense managed to completely mess it up (again?)

As for what i'd get, i'd go get a gander at the Ironhorse sunday framekit as toodles said, looks a fine bike.

[SNYKE]

223 definitely, they're more for smooth riders and I'm pretty sure they are also lighter. BTW which one have you chosen?

[oleitch]

A reason to try....

Having never ridden any of those bikes I would say M3 simply becase i think it looks sweet. Hence a reason to get out and ride the bikes rather than trust opinions of OMGZOR1111!!!M3!!!111ZOROMG lol. I would do that before i get a new frame, as when i get money like you have done. [ages away :-( ] i want to buy a VP free (dreamin i know). Anyway point is if you have narrowed it down to those to, go haggle for a ride on others bikes instead of listening to mine and others useless opinions.... Some of the posts have summarised they key points well and some people in this forum have ridden them!! listen to them!!!

i am sorry for the post i am tired :-p

[jungle]

Hey

Ruckus Lord
Just Curious

which frame did you decide on
that you are trying to get an opinion on ?

[FR Drew]

Ruckus Lord,
This won't help you much on frame choice as I'm a gumby hardtail rider but I noticed in your spec that you've picked a SRAM PC99 Hollowpin chain.

When I first got my Molotov I had a Hollowpin chain on it. I was riding up my street within 2 hours of getting the new bike in 32 tooth front and probably around 18 or 20 tooth rear (road is about 1:30 uphill gradient, nothing severe) and the chain snapped, dumping me off the bike. This was a brand new chain that wasn't stetched or worn at all and I wasn't cranking hard, just going for a casual 2 minute tootle before putting the bike away.

Basically, since then I haven't trusted it. Didn't even bother repairing it or getting another goldlink, just went straight to the LBS for a PC69.

No hassles ever since.

If I wanted a top bike where I could trust *all* of of the parts, I wouldn't get a PC99 Hollowpin.

Drew

[DGLee]

hey,just purchased a mongoose black diamond double,and i am totally stoked.
maybe consider a black diamond triple,you pretty well get the build you want,just change cranks,handlebars and stem,and get the boxxers custom tuned.

[Ruckus_Lord]

Hey, i had decided on a 223, but i also kept in mind the hucking side of things, and as a 223 is more purely made for racing it would be a little rough off the big hucks...but the other bikes didnt really appeal to me that much, V10 i think is way to heavy and is hard to pedal, M3 would be great, but as people have said, getting new parts for them is a BITCH....So a 223 would be great for racing and good for hucking, so all i gotta' do now is go out and find a place to buy one for the best price.

[frenchie]

v10's may be heevy but they aint hard to pedal, vpp equals basically no bob but still fully active. I've ridden and raced a v10 for the past year and think they're great bikes. The best I've ridden so far, and I've ridden a 223 and a bunch of other stuff. I'm selling my v10 at the moment as I"ve just got an M3 which will hopefully be built up in a week or so. In my opinion for general DH and racing VPP is a huge step ahead of everything else as its active all the time, but wont bob when pedaling. The slight weight penalty isnt much of an issue when you're actually riding the thing. I personally think a 223 would be a very average huck bike, but I guess their weight is attractive. As everyone else says it really comes down to just riding everything...

[Regan]

Go the M3 in ball burnished!

They are the sweetest looking frame ever & work so well!

[S.]

The M1's sure did break, but it was mostly on the horst link, and the M3's VPP setup has a much more solid TRIANGLE there now, so in essence it is a complete different design, and shouldn't break anywhere near as easy - that is, unless Intense managed to completely mess it up (again?)

Intenses are fairly well known for breaking, and not just the chainstays (and not just M1s either - Tazers seem to be very Rice Bubblish). Seatstays I've seen too, and a fair few headtubes have let go as well. They ride really nicely, but they do seem to (IMO) compromise strength in favour of light weight.

[treggs]

Santa Cruz V10 or Intense M3...but I'm biased ;) Seriously the Virtual pivot works very well...doesn't matter who makes it

[darren]

223 for sure

[mike&nat]

Hey, i had decided on a 223, but i also kept in mind the hucking side of things, and as a 223 is more purely made for racing it would be a little rough off the big hucks

yeh good choice they are sweet, you could still huck on them they are bloody strong but its bad.

[H8SV8S]

The V10 frame is far better value now. I got the 2nd frame into Australia (after the demo they had at Thredbo that year... 2002 maybe?) and even at cost price it was pretty exy. I've had NO problems with it whatsoever, though and despite its weight, I can throw it around fairly well and I'm not very big. The quality of the pivots is excellent and geometry pretty good too.

I have found the bike to understeer on tighter corners a bit though - kind of like a FWD car!! - maybe cos of the long wheel base. I've talked to a few people who've found this aswell. I'm building an M3 at the moment, so I hope it'll be as reliable as the V10 has been :o

P.S. I wouldn't touch an Orange, land steeply on the rear wheel and the back end basically locks out; it's not very well isolated for pedalling either, so luckily they're lightweight. My 2c anyway

[Spence]

Just looking through ur post mate, and seein your spec sheet made wonder why you would want a ceramic rim if u are using discs??? as the whole point of a ceramic rim is the increase braking friction between rim and pads ... for V brakes. Why not run just a standard ex721 SUP???

Forks: 05 Boxxer world cups
Rear D: Sram X-0
Chain: Sram pc-99 hollowpin
Cassette: Sram pg-990
Shifters: Sram X9 paddle shifters.
Bars: Pro Tapers
Stem: Raceface Evolve DH
Brakes: Avid juicy front, XT 4pot back.
Wheels: ****Mavic 721 seramic**** with DT swiss comp spokes on a Ringle rear hub and Deemax front hub with Minion DH R 2.5 tires.
Seatpost: Thomson elite
Pedals: Time clips and Easton cully flats.
Cranks: Saint
Chainguide: E-13 SRS
chain rings: Race face DH
Bottom bracket: Race face signature DH
Grips: Oury lock ons
Headset: Chris king.

And just to add my two bob to the thread, i would go the v10, they ride awesome, and the weight isn't a big concern, the ride well enough to make up for it.

[dazz]

If your still trying to find an Intense dealer, follow this link to Monza Imports (importer for Intense Cycles), & give them a ring for a recommended dealer in your area.

http://www.monzaimports.com.au/bicycle.html

Good luck with your build, hope ya end up with an awesome ride at the end of all this research!!

One other thing... A mate of mine has Saint cranks, & he has trouble getting his bike on some of the transport trailers at races.

[kona_boy]

Intense M3

[Daver]

One other thing... A mate of mine has Saint cranks, & he has trouble getting his bike on some of the transport trailers at races.


Weird yo, my saints fit fine in shuttle trailers. Hmmm...?

Intense M3- snap, crackle and pop in one run!

[scblack]

Weird yo, my saints fit fine in shuttle trailers. Hmmm...?


I think it depends on the type of crank grabber material/steel used.

At Dargle on the weekend, one guy with Saints was saying his would go fine in some, because the grabber material would flex/stretch, allowing the crank to squeeze down.

But if it is harder steel, there will be no flex, and he had no chance getting the Saint in.

[rimas]

Bugger 'em all. Get a Foes...

http://forums.farkin.net/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Allonby]

Get the new Yeti 303 even though you'll have to wait quite a while it should be worth it.

[Ruckus_Lord]

Hm, yeh i was talking to Graves about the 303, i dunno, I'm still favoring 223 and MAYBE a v10 so i can huck some stuff better....i hope jess sutton don't read this or im gonna die:D

[kona_boy]

Intense M3- snap, crackle and pop in one run!

on what basis ?

[Cave Dweller]

on what basis ?

Based on the quality of previous bikes like the tazer and the M1. Did you read all of the posts in the thread?

[bazza]

Based on the quality of previous bikes like the tazer and the M1. Did you read all of the posts in the thread?


ba bang. shoot down in a flaming inferno right there. so whats wrong with the bb7's damnit! yeti 303 would be fairly orgasmo though. come on get something a bit different!

[No Skid Marks]

Yeah I would only get off my BB7 to ahve a go on a V10 or M3. I would maybee sell her for a V10 and if the M3s are not cracking afyter a year maybee one of them. I've ridden most bikes and I love my BB7 but I am just a smashing gumby without much skill or strength.

[Ruckus_Lord]

Yo, can someone point me in a direction of what i'd be paying for an '05 v10 frame?

[frenchie]

pm me if your interested in an 04 v10 frame or complete bike....

[Ruckus_Lord]

Ey v10 rider, thanks for the offer man but i want an '05 v10....I want it because its ligter and stronger. And for DH i prefer a light bike to pedal it easier, and a '05 v10 is still heavy, but lighter than previouse models.

But if i ever do want an 04' v10 ill let you know man.

And again, if anyone knows prices of '05 v10 frame let me know.

Cheers.

[One-Nut]

ruckus,
don't listen to all the crap.
go and test ride a few and then decide.
carso has a v10 and he'll let you have a ride.
gap sold a few m3's so they can line one up.
as for the other just check around.

[ajay]

Yo, can someone point me in a direction of what i'd be paying for an '05 v10 frame?

About $4000 ish.