TimmyG said:Im looking to get into dirt jumping and would like a bike to start me off. I am on a very tight budget of under £250 and so far I have been recommended:
Saracen Xile 2004 - £270
Saracen Xcell 2004 - £200
Saracen Xray Pro 2005 - £165
Specialized Hardrock XC - £200
Specialized Hardrock F/S or Sport - £240
and the Giant STD - £225
I have found a Kona Scab on ebay for £150 but I am not sure wether to buy a second hand bike because, being a beginner, I don't really know what to look for and how to see its in working order. I was wondering what bike that you think is best and if there were any others I should look at. At the moment it looks like the Hardrock or the Kona for me but I'm not sure.
Thanks for any advice in advance!
Well, first of all, if you are doing dirt jumping, DON'T GET AN XC FRAME! Geometry is personal preference, the main thing that sets apart dedicated jump frames is they are designed to take hits that would quickly destroy a cross country frame. Having a tough bike does wonders for rider confidence as well. Specialized have the P. series of bikes designed for jumping, I'm not sure how much they are though.
As for the second hand route, that Kona sounds like a good deal as they make excellent jump frames, although I'd check and see what materials were used: I'd be VERY wary about buying aluminium second hand as it has a limited lifespan and it's hard to tell how long it has left. It's stiff and doesn't rust but it will eventually snap. Steel is stronger and heavier, so a steel frame will be made with a lot less metal, and may be slightly flexible. A steel frame will in theory last a lifetime if properly taken care of, and when you finally damage it beyond repair it will probably be by you bending the tubes rather than surprise snapping, which is invaluable for dirt jumping IMHO! Also, with any frame, the strength will be reflected by the quality of the welding: Make sure the beads on the welds are closely packed with no pinholes. To check that the frame isn't bent, make sure the tubes line up when viewed from in front and above and that there is equal tire clearance on both sides of the wheel. If you are unsure about this just pop into a bike shop: They will be able to tell you in seconds if you have a dodgy frame.
