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My current options are an XL Enduro, which just feels like a bit of a boat on a pump track or a Singular Swift, with high saddle, short wheelbase, 29er wheels, 100mm setup.
Would a more modern hardtail, like a Norco Fluid HT or Nukeproof Scout suit pump track silliness more, or would the huge wheelbase and slack forks make the older Swift frame more appropriate? Pondering the idea of some 650b+ tyres, 2.8" sort of size on the Swift.
I'd rather not go full on jump bike, as I'd quite like to commute on it.
Any bike works on a pump track. How well depends how good a rider you are. A 4x bike is generally short. 400 - 420 reach. 400 stays and 69deg ish with a mid to lowish BB.
A nuke proof scout would work fine. Pump up its tyres to 60 and stiffen the fork.
Made for different things. I'd say no.
2.0-2.2 tyres work better. The smoother tread the better
I bought an old NS Core 2 (2012)... its really slack (160mm) and only cost me £160
It's not ideal for anything but being silly :D but its got a long seat post stuck in for short commutes ... fine on the pump track and played with it down the 4x at 417 as well as Blue/Red's.. (Though not new red yet)
I stuck some decent hydraulics on (SLX callipers and a spare SLX lever and spare Zee lever... and its got a Zee shifter and mech and roadish cassette ...
Only issue is I worry when I stick it on the back of the car that the car won't pull a manual.... 😀 (Its pretty heavy)
the great thing about pump tracks is no matter how bling, or on stw trend your geometry table numbers are, you're going to get totally outridden by teenagers on £50 bikes with no brakes
29ers suck a bit on them though. Small wheels and dj tyres ftw
FS bike on a pump track is hard going particularly if you have aggressive off road tyres. The difference between the suppressor and my hornet is huge.
Gen 1 Switchback with 26" FTW. Oh, and +1 to bigjim's comment. I managed to get round the track at Stubbylee Park ok without pedaling, a kid then proceeded to send everything with style on a brakeless BMX...
Damn kids, mutter, mumble, gripe... Pull your bloody trousers up.
FS bike on a pump track is hard going particularly if you have aggressive off road tyres. The difference between the suppressor and my hornet is huge.
My 26" HT with fast rolling tyres makes it fun .... my Trail bike I can do it to prove a point to Jnr
Yeah, maybe I should just ebay an old 26er of some sort. We live really close to a 4x course (which has had a bit of a revamp recently) and there's a few pump tracks around. I've had a go, but it always feels awkward.
Do jumpy bikes still work when you're 6'6" sort of size or should I look for a medium sized tandem?
A Dartmoor 26 player in long should be okay. There was a decent Dartmoor 4x bike in the classifieds recently that would be okay as well.
Yeah, maybe I should just ebay an old 26er of some sort. We live really close to a 4x course (which has had a bit of a revamp recently) and there’s a few pump tracks around. I’ve had a go, but it always feels awkward.
It worked for me ... though obviously the bike isn't perfect for anything its way nicer on the pump tracks and DJ's...
I'd never even tried DJ's before I got the bike btw.... and it makes the pump track go from surviving getting round to even someone old and crap like me getting a bit of air....
<div>I'm 5'10" though....</div>
Do jumpy bikes still work when you’re 6’6″ sort of size or should I look for a medium sized tandem?
Only 6'5" but rode a BMX for 20+ years and more recently had a 26" jump bike for 3 or 4. so size isn't a problem (though you'd not get me on a BMX these days).
Some bikes take less effort to pump about on. Your hardtail will be easier and less tiring than the Enduro - a dirt jump bike with rock hard tyres will be easier still. Proper DJ bikes don't have gears but you get the odd one with them which would be better for your commute (Kona Stuff came with 7sp i think).
Do jumpy bikes still work when you’re 6’6″ sort of size or should I look for a medium sized tandem?
Short bikes generally work because you don't have to move so far to move your COG from one end to another, and the radius of the transitions is designed with 20" wheels and short wheelbases in mind,
6'5" and I ride a little jump bike every day, it does mess my knees up a bit though.
Basically any hardtail will do, hard forks and hard dj tyres, but 26" dj frames can be picked up dead cheap, I found an old yeti dj for £75 or something. Forget the usual stw geometry/brand nonsense
Proper DJ bikes don’t have gears but you get the odd one with them which would be better for your commute (Kona Stuff came with 7sp i think).
There are also a few with convertible dropouts.... I know NS do one now... but I've seen others.
Short bikes generally work because you don’t have to move so far to move your COG from one end to another, and the radius of the transitions is designed with 20″ wheels and short wheelbases in mind,
Yep but too short and won't it feel twitchier???
I'm assuming the OP is a bit like I was 6mo ago and looking to play with some other cool things...improve some stuff etc. I found the shorter but not too short OK for me (but I'm only 5'10"...) but my skill isn't at a level where I want it too reactive... if I can point the nose down to match a landing I'm happy 😀 even happier when its a nice landing.
Yeah, that sort of thing, there's bugger all mountain biking around here, so if I go out on an evening it's for a big road bike ride. The 4X course is literally about a 5 minute walk from us, I just feel like I should be cashing in on it a bit. Due to being tall I've always gone for huge frames, I think I try and over compensate a bit and it's hard purposefully hunting down a tiny bike.
Cheers all, I've got a big list of about 20 open tabs. I've definitely ditched my original pondering of a modern long/slack/low hardtail, I'd rather get a cheap jumpy bike.
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Oops. sent it to someone called "Toast" instead.
Have re-sent it now.