Ex-BMXer, getting into street. Another 'which bike' post!

[slip]

Hey guys, I've had a browse, and done a search, but my question is slightly different.

I see all these STP vs Norco vs Spec etc threads, everyone I speak to says I need an STP1, might go a 0 just to be cool. BUT - is this even the right bike to be looking at?

Raced BMX back in the day, 25 now, been playing on my Mongoose LED 04 I think - XC Hardtail with Alivio and mech disc brakes, but it can't keep up.

My riding - street, tech shit, bunnyhopping, love playing around on the front wheel, maybe some jumps when I find some, bit of park. Been on moto's for the past many years. The question is, do I need a DJ bike for street action, or is that just what you have to use? Must have hydraulic brakes.

Rode the STP1 today, nice bike, but is it heavy or just me? Concerned about the bunny hopping - Is there a better bike/type of bike for me and my intended use?

Does the short chainstay length harm or improve the stoppie trick capability of a bike relative to my current XC?

Can get STP1 for $1270 and STP0 for $1600. If there is something else I should look at in those price ranges then I'd love to know, but literally every single person I have spoken to says STP1, but they are all trying to sell me something....

Thanks.

[leitch]

i'd go the stp0 - the pikes are a significantly lighter fork than the marzocchi forks on the stp1. apart from being lighter, you'll find they have way better adjustments, too...

in terms of chainstay length, im unsure of the effect on stoppie-type tricks, but shorter chainstays make manualling easier.

another bike i would look at is the norco 250. coming from a BMX background, im sure you will appreciate the cromo frame, and single speed is far more suited to riding street and skateparks than gears are.

[bmx]

i'd say go a big bmx, but if youre set on a mountain bike, i'd go the STP zero.

when i rode mountain bike, i rode street and park, and pretty much that. i traded in my stp frame for a norco two50. big mistake. my stp was sooo much better for riding park and street. just went single speed with light forks and it was great. ended up going bmx, cos its better for what i ride

[fair_enough69]

you might even wanna have a quick browes through the forums and see whats going 2nd hand.... when i was selling my ns complete i was aiming for around $1500....and for around that there should be some vey nice bikes

sum good ones:

http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=80072
http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=69884
http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=77808 <----- really good street bike
http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=80952
http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=69956

[slip]

Yeah I am set on the MTB over BMX, cant do the same front end tricks on a BMX. Rode one in a park recenctly and it freaked me out how small it was, couldnt ride it. Thought I truly sucked at wheelies, 1st ride on STP wenth further than I ever have on my current XC.....

Would I even sell the forks off whatever I get and go solid (im assuming lighter) ?

Is this http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=77808 a 'street' setup?

Gears - why keep them / why ditch?

Frames - Cromo vs alloy - whats heavier, why choose 1 over the other?

Man, motorbikes are easier than this shit!

Thanks for the helpful replies guys, much appreciated, have the right bike/specs/setup/feel is so important.

[fair_enough69]

cromo and ss tend to be the more popular trends atm... very simple nice and strong...

ditch gears ... esipcally if ur used to bmx... also that build u had is pretty much perfect for you , as its rigids... very simlar to bmx.. but in a 26' mtb

[slip]

cromo and ss tend to be the more popular trends atm... very simple nice and strong...

ditch gears ... esipcally if ur used to bmx... also that build u had is pretty much perfect for you , as its rigids... very simlar to bmx.. but in a 26' mtb

Well I was riding BMX with Chris Vermulen, so that was a while ago. Its been all MTB since then.

What would the strengths and weaknesses of a SS rigid vs STP be?

I'll do some research into cromo vs alloy frame weights.

This right>>>>?
SS Pros - light, easy.
SS Cons - not enough speed to dirt jump? limited wheelie speed range, crawl ability compromised?

Will a solid front end handle stair drops? Significant weight saving over STP0 forks?

I ask a lot of little questions, but I'm picky with my bikes, this is a big decision.

[Blonde kid on Morphine]

This right>>>>?
SS Pros - light, easy.
SS Cons - not enough speed to dirt jump? limited wheelie speed range, crawl ability compromised?
.


Yes its easier than gears and also if your doing lots of techy street stuff and grinds its simpler having the SS because you won't run the risk of smashing off your rear mech because you don't have one!

The con you listed for SS depends entirely in the ratio you have your SS set up much like a BMX I have a SS STP and I ride both street and DJ on it :)
well the speed that you can wheelie will be limited but the length will depend on your own balance and pedaling ability...
Not sure what you mean by crawl ability tho.

Hope that helps a bit mate.

[s73v30]

The best thing about single speed is it doesnt break as often as gears. With the speed problem I have never felt that I dont have speed. Worst thing you will have to learn how to manual cause it hard to whellie i find in a fairly hard gear.

[big rozy]

stp 0 or maybe a p2
is my thought

[slip]

thanks guys.

stp0 is looking the goods.