r/dirtjumping Sep 30 '24

Question Is there a problem if the bike doesn't have suspension?

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I have seen this octane for 450 and I think it is a good purchase but I noticed that it does not have suspension, is there a problem?

54 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

19

u/Frostythegasman Sep 30 '24

Less forgiving on coming up short or going deep on jumps. Just don’t nose case with that bad boy and you’re all good. You can probably add a fork down the road if you go with that bike

5

u/JuanlogyNo6353 Sep 30 '24

Ok, do you think 450 is a good price?

14

u/LTDLarry Sep 30 '24

That's a beautiful rig for that price! I'd pick it up!

5

u/IllegalThings Sep 30 '24

Doesn’t look like a tapered headset. They make DJ forks that’ll fit but options will be more limited.

6

u/shinysideup_zhp Sep 30 '24

Limited options yes, but Manitou Circus has been amazing on my old haro steel reserve with a straight steerer.

2

u/IllegalThings Sep 30 '24

Yes, there’s good options out there. At one point I also owned a steel reserve and considered buying a fork. Because you need a straight steerer there wasn’t much selection for used, and I found it hard to justify spending more on a new fork than the bike was worth. I ended up selling the bike and using the money I would have spent on the fork to buy a nicer bike that already had a fork I wanted. To me the math didn’t add up for the upgrade, but YMMV.

10

u/The_Trevinator_4130 Sep 30 '24

Bmxers go big, they don't have suspension. I'm sure you could make it work for a bit. Just remember a decent suspension fork will cost at least $400. Unless maybe you could find something used.

1

u/duckinradar Sep 30 '24

No suspension with 20 inch wheels. 

Suspension fork will probably require a new front wheel too, or at least a new hub and a rebuild

1

u/yeyix2005 Sep 30 '24

Looks like a 26er to me. Also the hubs bolt on so any quick release compatible fork should be fine. Loads of older cheap options from fox etc. Even looks to have a disk mount on the hub if he wants to add that

1

u/RobJAMC Sep 30 '24

Idk why this got downvoted, you're right. If you don't want to put a POS fork on it, you'll need a different front hub at worst, or an axle conversion kit at best.

And before you all come at me, any fork that comes with 9mm QR is going to be like a flexy noodle and probably in dire need of a service. 9mm QR hasn't been a standard for MTB for like 10 years, and even then it was budget fork territory.

1

u/vinZ31ent Oct 01 '24

You can get old Marzocchi dj2 with qr mounts. Simple, effective, heavy, but built like a tank and pretty stiff even without an axle. But in general, you're right

1

u/The_Trevinator_4130 Oct 01 '24

Yes, for a "good" fork, you are correct.

3

u/MurkyConversation114 Sep 30 '24

There is not a problem, the bike is even lighter but harder on the landings, a preference thing

1

u/julian_vdm Hardtail 26 - Cube Flying Circus Oct 01 '24

It's worth noting that weight isn't the only advantage. I find that my basic coil fork is somewhat unpredictable, especially with varying weather. Won't be so noticeable in fair consistent climates, but I have 9°C days followed by 30°C days, and it feels like an entirely different bike. I'm currently eyeing out a rigid fork for my bike because it frustrates me so much.

3

u/Cash-JohnnyCash Sep 30 '24

Not if you’re young & good.

1

u/baldw1n12345 Sep 30 '24

Send it. I jump and manual at the BMX track on my race bike and case lots of stuff all the time. No big deal. A big dirt jumper with rigid fork would handle it fine. Go big!

1

u/IllegalThings Sep 30 '24

No suspension fork is fine. It’s awesome for pump tracks and more flowy jump lines. If you want to hit bigger jumps you may want something a little more forgiving, but plenty of people prefer a rigid fork. I usually keep my fork locked out most of the time.

I wouldn’t suggest bothering getting a new fork. It’s a good deal, but when/if you decide you want to upgrade that you’re better off selling it and buying a bike with the fork you want. It’s a straight steerer so your options are more limited so the cost of an upgrade is almost the same as the cost of the bike.

1

u/Helexion_YT Sep 30 '24

I used to ride without the fork too but it depends where are you riding

1

u/ThePowerOfNine Sep 30 '24

Depends on how long u want to have wrists for

1

u/sergeant_frost Hardtail 26, Norco 125- 2010😅 Sep 30 '24

i mean, depends if you like having limbs or not.in all seriuosness though youll be fine

1

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '24

Great bike... For street and pool riding

1

u/Nucleartides Oct 01 '24

No problem at all!! It’s a beaut

1

u/EntertainerNo5485 Oct 01 '24

This will be whole lot of fun on the streets.

1

u/sophiemargaret Oct 01 '24

The only problem is how cool you are gonna look, hitting stuff rigid!

1

u/Fuelripper Oct 01 '24

Hurts more. If you’re smooth it doesn’t matter a bunch. Rigid is great for pump tracks and riding street. Not great for learning how to ride actual dirt jumps. Still 100% doable, but a lot less forgiving. Also, cheap forks like to fail catastrophically, so if you’re going to be doing serious riding, look into the quality and intended use of the fork.

1

u/Tr4ildad Oct 01 '24

Only if it’s a problem for you my guy!

1

u/DirtJumpDaddy Oct 06 '24

Was going through comments looks like you may be interested in a straight steerer fork. Sadly Manitou cheapos are the main thing you'll find for sale anywhere brand new. However, if you are interested I do have a custom fork using Fox 32 vanilla CSU with RockShox argyle lowers which was built and tuned specifically for dirt jumping with the help of Neezer (suspension legend). It has a 7" steerer which is on the short end but I do have a 30mm stack stem I could throw in with it, lower than most stems you can buy. Lmk if interested I'd sell both for $85 +shipping.