 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Looking for something that would be ok for the local xc loop but also used to huck some small jumps in the dirt park and urban park. Being 5'6" with 29" inside leg, I'm thinking 14" 456 with firmly sprung 100mm forks. Or should I go 16"?
Personally I'd be looking at most things [b]apart[/b] from a 456. If I remember rightly they were designed with quite long chainstays (not good for chuckability) to be decent climbing bikes. I've no idea if/how much they've been redesigned since Brant left (some time ago now)
I'm 5'7" and ride a 16" 456SS. Fit some 100mm forks and stop worrying. Only you can tell if you like it. I like mine but can't compare to a regular 456. For more downhill fun 14" should be better but a 16" frame will probably suit more types of riding.
I'm about 5'9" ish (29" inside leg) and riding a DMR Trailstar 16" for a bit of everything. Got 110-140mm Pikes on it at the minute. Probably doesn't climb as well as a 456 but it jumps so nicely, really effortless.
I've got a 14 inch 456, great bike, I use 140mm vans and it climbs great.
I'm selling the 14 inch frame (email in profile) as my wife has just bought me a Bfe because she knows I like gunmetal grey....