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Kind of. I like building random bikes and fancy a bike like this or something else that I could do similar with. See rational be below.
Its not about it being rigid, its not about it being single speed (although for this it doesn't matter if it is) its not about tricks (so more than a dirt jump bike) manoeuvrability. The trails very close to me a re very short little twisty runs. A couple of small tables and drops. I never ride them as a big bike is too cumbersome and at the same time the XC rigid single speed isn't really playful but I took my bmx down there this weekend and they were fun as it was loose as hell and a little out of control, a little too out of control even in the dry, in the wet I would have no brakes due to well rubbish brakes in the wet and any level of bumps was a real kicking.
So options, try to build something like the fingerscrossed bikes, but this involves source hard to find tyres, forks and getting frame mods or ???? suggestions? Small 26" ht? Dirt jumper with some grippy tyre?. A lot of the old 26" hardtails seem to have disappeared or make silly money or is just the covid effect?
Much as I love the fingerscrossed movement, I can't help feeling that a 26" DJ bike probably makes most sense and is least compromised in terms of suitable fork and tyre availability.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRPXJF25DRAW/planet-x-jack-flash-25-year-anniversary-disc-frame-raw
Frame problem solved, cheap, right geometry and now with a disc mount so you can actually stop.
Surly Lowside could be good for a laugh. I'd love to have a decent enough excuse for one...
Much as I love the fingerscrossed movement, I can’t help feeling that a 26″ DJ bike probably makes most sense and is least compromised in terms of suitable fork and tyre availability.
I know what you mean that's what puts me off, it the appreciation of something truly checkable. I do like my mtb but its a beast on anything small.
@isitafox Now that looks doable, I thought they had only produced some sort of 27.5 trail bike. Now I have a ss 26" rear wheel, maybe some cranks. So fork, bars stem brakes are the major bits, will have to see what fork I can get hold of.
Surly Lowside
Love the look of it but really its an expensive pub bike, would love one though.
I would just get a 24" BMX cruiser. And for me that would be a race cruiser with a rear disc brake.
Rode one for a while with a VERY long seatpost so I could actually ride it a bit like an MTB but it was more fun, lighter and nimbler. Whereas my adventures in riding a 20" BMX off road are that they are horrible as the wheels roll very badly.
Various bmx companies make large wheeled “bmx”’s
Fairdale Taj
S&M Covid cruiser
Sunday have just released a colab with Baker skateboards
Volume used to do one
There’s a 29er PK Ripper with disc brakes
only thing about that jack flash is it looks like they haven't lengthened the tt to be like modern dirt jump bikes
Various bmx companies make large wheeled “bmx”’s
Nope that's not what I'm looking for, they tick neither of the boxes, they tend to still be calliper brakes and don't feel right. a 29er one for sure will never be right! that's one for the bike life boys and girls.
I would have bet cash money this thread was going to be about this new vid:
Doesn't really help you, but this doees it for me. Far from a BMX, but much more like one than anything else I've got. Whippy 1999 XT hardtail. 3" front tyre, big bars, cutdown from 820 to 785.
^That's not dissimilar as to how my inbred is set up, great fun but not very nice on jumps.
I think it maybe some sort of dirt jump bike with some more trail orientated tyres might be the answer. Will have a hunt on pink bike but local picks up kills the best.
Just look for an old Charge Blender if you like building highly specific bikes. Useless as an MTB but I had loads of fun on one for a few years. I used to use love burning around on it, hitting jumps and riding the local DH trails. Pump tracks didn't really exist at the time but I'm sure it would be perfect given how tiny it was. 9 gears meant I could go anywhere even if it was hard work.
Looking back, it's tragic how much my riding ability has dropped off since I stopped just arsing around and having fun on a bike. Just pedalling from place to place has turned me into a mincer.
Yes I think that's it. I remember them, I think that's the type of thing.
only thing about that jack flash is it looks like they haven’t lengthened the tt to be like modern dirt jump bikes
I'm not clued up on modern dirt jump bikes - what sort of geometry/sizing do they tend to have? Jack Flash 25th has 605mm effective TT, 435m reach and 1100mm WB which I thought sounded OK. I'm building up a raw frame from spares just now as a cheap FAB to embarrass myself on.
Where did you find the geo? I looked on the web page and couldn't see it? I went off of the write up that all they changed was the head tube.
2017 transition scout is the most bmxy bike i have ridden in recent years. Totz riot
@TheBrick if you scroll down the page there are size & geo tabs - click on the Geo tab and all the info is there.
The planet-x Jack flash frame is just what you’re looking for I’d say.
I know that, because I have recently bought one. In black, disc frame.
Now, it’s actually turned out to be NOT what I was looking for. So I’m just about to sell mine! 2 pumptrack rides use, mint condition.
@lardman, the 25th anniversary jump bike one or the 29" trail bike one?
Look around for a second hand DMR Trailstar (old one, not the new shape one).
Great as a jumpy, xcish bike.
I used to have 24" wheels and Marzocchi DJs on an old Kona Chute that was a bit too small for me—it was ace. Would happily have something like that again for playing around on. It's a shame that decent 24" stuff is so hard to find and expensive these days.
Old Trailstar.
Pre-longshot BFe.
But obviously what you really need is one of these...
DJ bike surely your best bet, plenty available at a range of prices and specs. Some have full disc brake capabilities.
Somewhere in between is a 24" DJ / 4X bike. Tyres and spares might be a problem. Should be fine for 26" tyres though.
hmmmm weird... the Jack Flash says 435mm reach on website, but that photo @lardman sent makes it look properly short. And a thread a few weeks back seemed to suggest they were kinda short and not that great if you're tall. I wonder if the numbers on the Planet X site are right (no reason not to be I guess) or if I'm missing something.
I'm 6'7" and was tempted by the Jack Flash as it seemed longer than the long framed Transition jump bikes (which are $$$ but people said they're ok if you're tall) and others. It's supposedly 17mm longer than my old 20" 456, which was fine...but it sure as hell don't look like it!
So what is it? Kinda long, or not?!
BMX too much of a handful and crap brakes
DJ bike too cumbersome
Posting just because I would love this;
I think the planet x frame or a second hand jump bike is the answer. Going to price up the build and see if I can get it in on budget. Biggest issue seems to be forks. I have never purchased suspension forks on their own and they seem much more expensive then I seem to remember when I looked before.
@lardman .. if i'm right, you're in Brighton aren't you???
I'm about to click 'buy' on a PX Jack flash in Raw... whacha looking for for your bike???
DrP
Check out DeathpackBMX.com or on IG, I've seen them do frame mods for rear shocks and disc mounts, looks like now they sell a BMX frame, shock and fork package too.
I think what you do here comes down to preference, BMX has 20inch wheels and this in part is why they are so fun, you could go 26 inch DJ but those things are long and dont really have the same feel and play as a BMX.
Guy I know dipped his toe in by getting a front fork with mechanical disk break and strapped that to his BMX, liked it so much he then got the frame modded to take a rear shock and disc brake too. He comes up the local freeride/DH spot and hits all the jumps and runs as most people do on their enduro or DH bikes!
Yep subscribed to dethpack and tjdesigns. Part availability that puts me off that route.
@DrP
Yes, i am indeed a Brightonian.
2 rides old, matt black anodised... £100 collected. (At a responsible social distance of course)
PM me if you're interested.
I'd third a DMR Trailstar, my LT is properly chuckable and great fun. What you need though are horizontal dropouts if you want single speed, I tried the whole tensioner thing and it's just a noisy pain in the arse. Might revisit using my e13 DRS but a magic ratio might work instead.
Guy I know dipped his toe in by getting a front fork with mechanical disk break and strapped that to his BMX
How did the geometry cope with the fork? I'd imagine it would end up quite slack.
Or if you want a bit of rear suspension to go with your fun bike there’s the Commencal Meta 4x, Kona Howler and Cowan DS, Transition Double.
I have/had an old Howler and it was great for Mini DH, Pump Tracks, jumps, the lot. 100mm rear.
But any late 200s jump bike with gears should do what you want I reckon, GT Moto, Kona Stuff, Giant STP, Cannondale Chase, Etc
How did the geometry cope with the fork?
Google fingers crossed bmx there are a few people using non modified frames or slightly modified with new dropouts welded on to tweak geometry.
I follow fingers crossed as is, was just wondering how that example panned out.
I can't believe nobody has suggested it already, but surely an old 26" Santa Cruz Chameleon would tick all your boxes. Sliding dropouts too so you can run it as a singlespeed.
I used to describe my old one as being like an oversized BMX on the basis of how much you could throw it around and how much fun it was. A truly daft grin factor...
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Someone bought it from the classifieds on here (when I got too old for all that nosense and my back couldn't take the battering) so it might well still be kicking about somewhere
I had this at the same time too, for blatting around locally. 24" GT Pro Series. Great fun but knackering
[img] 
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Final part to build up my raw Jack Flash frame has just arrived. If I successfully get it built tonight I’ll measure the reach, wheelbase etc and see how they compare to the stated measurements.
Post a picture too please. What forks are you using?
Before I got my Bfe Max I had a Canfield Yelli Screamy.
What an absolute hoot that bike was. It was a 29er BMX when all said and done.
I’ve got a 26” rear wheel with a Whyte Industries hub that kinda turns in the dropouts to tension the single speed chain. Only ridden once. Didn’t like the bike!
I’m in Brighton too
Hia,
I'm in Brighton too
Ages ago I bought a White Industries ENO single speed hub (non disc) with a clever eccentric axle rotation that allows chain tensioning in a sliding dropout.
http://www.whiteind.com/eno
I tried it as a fixie on a Slingshot frame and didn’t get on with it so it only did one ride.
Might work for your build, it’s on a 26" wheel
I've got an old 26" yellow Judy too
neil
apologies for double post, the first version didn’t appear til I posted the 2nd one! with more detail
Have a look at commonground bikes
http://www.commongroundbikes.com/tech
Might be close to what you want, although not sure about current availability.
Post a picture too please. What forks are you using?
Will do. Or at least I'll take photos and attempt to post them... Spares build using what I've got lying around: U-turn Revelations at 100mm. The steerer's only just long enough for one spacer below the stem and I was hoping to raise the front end a bit as I'm 6'1(ish). I'll see how it rides first, trying to avoid buying new forks but if I do it'll be https://www.identitibikes.com/products/rebate-xl-forks/
I'd go 26 DJ bike as well. There's loads.
Corsair Toro
Dartmoor Cody
Dartmoor TWO6PLAYER
NS Liar
NS Decade
Cube Flying Circus
To name a few.
That commonground looks really interesting. Not that it's for me, but love the ideas behind it.
I've never heard of Commenground but I like it. 24" is a great wheel size but as the website says the BMX geometry doesn't really translate. Racing style cruisers are twitchy and bloody scary to ride. I'd rather ride a proper 20" trail bike.
That commonground looks cool but it say manufactured by FBM which shut up bike production last year.
@a11y now looking into the build more and the forks is what I am struggling with. IF I do this I want some short burly suspension forks (27.5 is ok) but forks are so bloody expensive now its ruining the possibility.
Agreed that the price of forks is just obscene now. When I wanted one for my DJ bike I gambled on an X-Fusion Slant as it was half the price of a Pike or 831. It does the job. Not sure what it would be like on a trail bike but for pumping up hard and hitting jumps it's perfect.
24″ is a great wheel size
Why did it die out. I never really followed mtb dirt jumping but it seems the only 24" dj out there are fairly old and next to no forks around
thanks for the tip sharkattack I will check them out. Checking out pink bike dj bikes too.
What you want is a trailstar with a minty fresh coil sprung U-turn pike...
Or a sidekick with an identiti fork....
What I really want is a tig welder and loads of time to ride and experiment! but I have (lots) of bills to pay and a house to practically rebuild!
26" DJ bike sounds best bet
What you want is the raw On One Gimp frame in my garage 😉
Not really, I built it up with a pair of older Pikes/ Hope/Flow, etc and it was fun but felt a bit too twitchy for my liking compared with my modern FS. I replaced it with a Saracen Amplitude 3 L from the classifieds on here, £300. Its longer so less scary but really good fun. I think I'm going to put a front brake on it and start practicing endo's and endo turns, etc. And riding backwards which is a lot trickier/scarier at 50 than it was at 13!
Why did it die out. I never really followed mtb dirt jumping but it seems the only 24″ dj out there are fairly old and next to no forks around
I just mean that 24" wheels are small, light, less likely to fold in half and your trails don't have to be smooth as glass like on a proper BMX. Unfortunately as you say you can't get them anymore and 24" cruisers, while terrifyingly fast, are just crap.
Which is why, I like the look of that Commonground bike and the thinking behind it.
The Yeti dj bike springs to mind, that always looked very bmx-ey. Also Curtis frames, and there was an Intense hardtail too. All super rare now I’m sure but worth mentioning.
It's an odd niche and hence very few if any non custom bikes. Been thinking about it more and what an ideal bike would be. Almost a cross between a bmx and a aggressive hardtail. Maybe 24" wheels, maybe mixed wheel size 24/26" maybe 26".
What you want is the raw On One Gimp frame in my garage
I had a Planet X Bommer many moons ago, same frame but vertical dropouts, was a hoot. Not too twitchy with Stratos MX6's and 24seven Darkangel 5 piece bars though! That died on the DH at Fort William, frame had a crack and just folded at some random point.
24 inch jump bikes died out because the Yanks didn’t let them in their comps over there. One year a load of Brits rocked up at the Cowan Backyard Jam (Grant, Fielder, Lance McDermot, etc) and smashed it and they were all made to switch to 26 after that.
I seem to remember there being a write up if the event in MBUK or something.
If you do decide on a 24 or 26” bike and want a fork I have a 100mm Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1 (the top spec one, not the rubbish OEM ones) in my garage. It’s lowers are scratched and rubbed, but the stantions are in good condition. The seals are all good and it’s never let me down.
Have been keeping it to build a budget hardtail but ended up buying a new 29er.
Tom KP.
squirrelking- its was my first foray into this kind of bike and jumps really well but I found the Saracen more confidence inspiring. I think it worked with 24" wheels didn't it?
The marbling/patina on the frame make it worth hanging on a wall which is why I've not put it on ebay, it looks ace.
Not a clue about 24", I don't even remember if it had canti bosses, Bommers are rarer than Gimps these days.
The Jack Flash was a nice reboot but tbh it would have been better with horizontal drops like the OO bikes, the naff paintjobs would have been ace as well.
I considered the Octane One above, but on paper it's a lot shorter than the Jack Flash 25th.
I almost finished my Jack Flash build last night, defeated by the smallest of things (literally): a lack of olives and inserts to shorten the brake hoses.
Took some measurements:
Wheelbase 1120mm
Reach 435mm
Effective TT 600
HA 67.5 deg
SA 71.1 deg
Weight 26.3lbs / 11.9kg
^ That's with Revelations set at 100mm, so thereabouts the quoted geometry on the Planet X site. Guessing my A-C length must be greater to have the HA and SA I do, or could easily be dodgy measuring by me.
Built up with what I had sitting around with the exception of new M6000 hubs, Brand X seatpost and seat clamp. Couldn't help myself from paying extra for the tarty head tube badge. More suitable tyres would be great but had these lying around so no cost to use.
Built as a FAB (**** about bike) to muck around on while the kids are in sports clubs, rather than hanging around inevitably on my phone. Park next to local swimming pool should have it's pump track finished by the end of this year, so I've built it with this sort of riding in mind. Never see me using it on actual trails.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/K3CfSrtyzr6Y1rCA6
(I really give up trying to embed actual pics from Google Photo...)
Nice, that's not far off my Trailstar as was. It's getting a rebuild, not decided if the Revs are staying or if I'm getting some Rebates.
Nice has me tempted. Will have a look what I can build it for over the weekend.
There's a bit of a crossover with children's bikes here. Both of ours have started out on the bog standard Orbea MX24 and I've gradually added better bits as they learned to ride faster; suspension forks, disc brakes and so on. We've been really lucky to have a very generous friend / godfather who raided his loft stash of 26" forks. We run these with dropped travel (60-80mm), but I ended up building 24" disc wheels for them. You can still get some pretty decent Trials rims in that size, and they should take a reasonable beating. Worth a go?
If it fits you those Octane One Zircus frames are hard to beat for the money. These type of bikes usually have short chain stays 385-400mm not what trail bikes typically have!
@a11y that looks great, debating whether to go single speed or just stick the spare 8 speed stuff I have on it.
Just noticed DMR still do the 24 inch Sect as well as the 26 version.
much nicer. Steel always looks better on a HT in my opinion.
@a11y that looks great, debating whether to go single speed or just stick the spare 8 speed stuff I have on it.
are you planning on pedalling a bike that shape and size any distance? SS it.
At uni i had a lanky xc bike, and a dirt jump bike. XC bike for all day rides around NantyrArian and similar, then the DJ bike for street, jumps, and Downhill. Got pinched in the end, but by then i was 26 and decided i was too old to replace what was effectively a kids bike.
Got my bootzipper 29er as my "big bmx" now. Not as nimble, but still fun and cheap enough to treat badly
@a11y is that a bottom bracket mounted chain guide that you are using as a tensioner? If so how did you get it set up, just lot of trial and error?
@The Brick, agree - I'd rather have steel for a hardtail too. But £99!
@dirkpit74, what @Olly says. For me SS is fine, but it I planned on trail use I'd want gears. I had dedicated SS hardtails for years but my knees/back aren't up to it now. If I end up using it for longer local rides with the kids I'll add gears, but that's unlikely.
@bigginge, yes - Blackspire Stinger. Used long ago on a previous bike but works well as an alternative to a traditional rear-mounted SS tensioner. Trial and error positioning it although the roller is on a slider for tweaking and taking up chain stretch.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/MQED5YhMpdzGNLdK9
And the tarty HT badge: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qzuc3jZL2gGf5Q1b7
@a11y that's great, I for one will definitely be interested to see how it looks/measures up, cheers.
Isn't this almost exactly the type of thing people used to use small Cotic BFe's for? And why Cotic kept making 26" frames when most of the industry dropped it - to provide a home for all those leftover 26" wheels and forks, so you could build a fun, strong little play bike that you could actually pedal a bit?
Trouble is I use ally 26" stuff on my full sus! (Old school)
Yeah, I was going to suggest an old SC Chameleon, but then I had a look at prices. Madness. Pre lockdown you could get a nice mid-school spec for about £200. Forget that now!
Everything’s hitting silly prices - maybe time for me to dust off and flog the Dual Slalom bike I’m never going to ride again.