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Post by jperkins on Nov 23, 2008 14:27:41 GMT -5
I hope this question fits this forum, it's the only bike related forum I'm on...
I just built a half pipe, and my flatland bike doesn't really feel that great on it.
When I ride ramps, I usually like a more race like geometry with a long chaninstay, under 75 degree headtube, etc. It seems like street/ramp bikes are all short rear ends these days.
All the race frames I'm seeing have funky no-peg dropouts or some strange geometry quirk.
I don't mind riding aluminum frames on ramp (I rode several until they finally cracked)
Any suggestions?
Thanks, John
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Post by Mark Dandridge on Nov 23, 2008 23:19:13 GMT -5
I am not much into ramps but I have some friend that are. I will tell them about this post and see if we can come up with a answer for you.
Mark
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Post by Mark Dandridge on Nov 24, 2008 0:03:05 GMT -5
This message came from my friend Paul Covey
Well, technically, you can make anything with wheels work on a ramp. But, with that being said, there are different bikes for different applications, and a modern flatland bike would be incredibly difficult to ride on a half pipe unless your are under 5 ft tall.
Additionally, most aluminum framed bikes aren't intended to handle the stresses of modern ramp/street riding as well as 4130 chro-moly steel frames. Aluminum tends to fail or crack under force at the worst times with little or no warning. I would recommend you look into a full 4130 chro-moly steel frame with a longer front end for your ramp, and street escapades, and keep your flat bike for flatland. Chro-moly is a stonger material for a bmx/park frame and a longer set-up will be more stable for ramp riding and more manueverable in the air. Regardless of your height, there are a wide variety of frames in all sizes available these days to fit even the most discriminating tastes.
Oh, and ya, back ends have gotten a little bit shorter as of late, but you can still find different a few different length options out there. Thses days there are even a slew of modestly priced stock complete bikes that are pretty shreddable out of the box. Give empirebmx.com (or one of the other fine mail order establisments) a call and they'll be able to hook you up with more frame and bike sizing options than you'll know what to do with. I hope this helps, -Paul
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Post by jperkins on Nov 24, 2008 10:39:46 GMT -5
Thanks Mark and please send my thanks to your friend Paul.
I'll keep looking, I'd prefer CrMo, they do hold up much longer.
I think that the biggest change since I rode a lot is that the dropouts have just enough adjustment for the chain. A few years ago, you could add an inch or two to the rear end by just making the chain longer.
Flatland bikes are still very unique, but all the street bikes are carbon copies of each other within a half inch here, a single degree there and all are normal diamond frames too.
I miss the days when bikes had personality, you know?
Thanks, John
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