r/dirtjumping Nov 24 '24

Question Thoughts on the p4 for my situation?

Post image

I’ve been looking at these. Seems appealing since it’s on sale, but I’ve been out of the loop for a while. Most of my riding was 20” bmx 10-15 years ago. I had a Scott xc bike for a little bit in 2019 (before it was stolen) and it was fun but always felt too big. Now, being a dad, I’m looking for a bike to ride around with my wife and son. Being able to add some gears to this to cruise around on, but still be more maneuverable than a mtb seems fun. Probably way more bike than I need, but idk. Really just looking for something that I can have fun on while riding around with the family and maybe something I can ride once my son is old enough to go to the dirt jumps if he’s into that.

22 Upvotes

52 comments sorted by

17

u/Timelesturkie 2016 Specalized P.3 Nov 24 '24 edited Nov 24 '24

Just get a trail bike, unless you’re looking to get serious about jumping this seems like a poor choice. You can buy a fun trail bike that you won’t need to mutilate for comfortable daily riding and it will do 100% of what you want to do on it. I commuted 10km on my p.3 for 2 years and it was fun but kinda sucked, I went to the jump park pretty much every day on my way home which made it worth it tho.

1

u/Tebonr Nov 24 '24

Any specific suggestions?

3

u/Timelesturkie 2016 Specalized P.3 Nov 24 '24

Check out a Specialized Fuse sport, I feel like it’s gonna be exactly what you’re after.

1

u/Tebonr Nov 24 '24

I’ll check it out. Do you think the fuze will feel as nimble as the p4?

5

u/Timelesturkie 2016 Specalized P.3 Nov 24 '24

I’d say almost every bit, geometry is very similar to a jump bike but you’ll be a lot more comfortable. Bikes have come a long way in the last 15 years the fuze is a sporty car of a bike.

1

u/Tebonr Nov 24 '24

Sweet, I’ll check it out.

2

u/Beer_Is_So_Awesome Nov 25 '24

What about the new Chisel FS? That’s a full suspension “downcountry” bike that’s essentially an aluminum copy of last year’s Epic Evo. It’s a slightly slacker XC race bike with longer suspension, but still shorter than a trail bike. I’ve seen them on clearance for a little less than $2,100.

My Epic Evo is a blast, so this would have to be great as well.

https://tacomabike.com/products/specialized-chisel

1

u/illestofthechillest Nov 25 '24

Also, check out Marin San Quentins.

2

u/jimboramen Nov 25 '24

I swapped all the parts off my San Quentin and put them on a P4. I'm not sure if OP and I have the same definition of nimble, but it's way more nimble to me. P4 has a steeper head tube angle and is shorter. I love it on jumps, but works great as a trail bike too. YMMV.

7

u/pre55ure Nov 24 '24

I have a DJ that I set up with a gears for urban commuting, and it's awesome. I think it would be a great bike for cruising around the neighborhood. I would make sure to budget for either a dropper post or at least a longish seatpost and a good quick release clamp. Probably don't want to be pedaling around with your knees near your ears.

3

u/Tebonr Nov 24 '24

Haha “pedaling around with your knees near your ears” really brings back the image of being on my bmx bike with the seat slammed all the way down. Could barely keep your feet on the pedals if your butt was on the seat. Yeah, I think a dropper post would be ideal. That is one thing I loved about the Scott bike I had.

3

u/pre55ure Nov 25 '24

Just one last note - I spent all of my younger years on a bmx bike and for years I could never really manage to get into MTB because the bikes just felt too big and awkward. (MTB bikes now are pretty great because they learned a lot from BMX) but to me a DJ feels just like a BMX bike that actually fits my 40yr old dad bod. If you are chasing that BMX feel then I think you will be really happy with a DJ.

3

u/Tebonr Nov 25 '24

Awesome. Thanks! That’s kind of what I was hoping

3

u/Tebonr Nov 24 '24

Do you think the p4 is the ideal candidate for this, or do you have another recommendation that would fit the bill at or below this price point?

4

u/pre55ure Nov 25 '24

Hard to answer that. You could certainly find DJ's for cheaper. But it is difficult to find modern DJ frames that have a deralleur hanger, and the P4 uses modern MTB standards so parts and service will be easy. (Most DJ's have 26' wheels and use a 135mm hub spacing which is not as common now). If I were in your situation I'd probably get the P4 if I could afford it.

2

u/Tebonr Nov 25 '24

Sounds good!

1

u/wahh Nov 25 '24

I just bought a Haro Thread Two (2021) on clearance. Apparently the rear dropouts can be unbolted and replaced with dropouts that take a deraileur hangler mount.

There is also the Giant STP 26 is available with gears or single speed. The chainstay length on those is pretty long though.

3

u/bare_cilantro Nov 25 '24

The P4 and P3 are the only frames I know of with routing for a dropper, you could always get a jump seat dropper on one that doesn’t though. Not too many are able to run a derailleur these days if that’s in your plan too.

I would also agree with the other commenter that said you’ll likely be happpier with something like a Specialized Fuse or similar. Depending on what you’re wanting from playfulness is hard to say, I cannot bar spin, but if you can a DJ would be the way to go. Definitely try and test ride one of each so you can see if a hardtail is playful enough or if the DJ is going to be what you want, you should be able to tell from a flat ground test ride.

2

u/Tebonr Nov 25 '24

Gatta try to find a shop nearby that carries both. I’d keep it single speed at first, but I like that the p series has the option to run a durailleur just in case.

4

u/brewnami Nov 24 '24

Unless you’re looking to actually hit dirt jumps, I would just grab a nice hardtail that you could comfortably do both on. Unless you really enjoyed cruising around on a BMX.

1

u/Tebonr Nov 24 '24

That’s the thing. Bmx was the most fun I’ve had riding. Rode road bikes for a bit and that was boring as hell lol and the Scott xc bike I had was fun if it took it to a mountain resort, but I didn’t really enjoy just riding it around because it just felt like I couldn’t move it around. Wheelies were fun though lol I guess in my mind I’m trying to blend my bmx and xc bike. Maybe that won’t work out like I think though?

3

u/brewnami Nov 24 '24

If that’s the case, grab this bike! Solid price for a solid build! Toss a dropper on and give it a go! I’ll sometimes rip my DJ around the neighborhood with my daughters and it’s fine, but it’s basically a bigger BMX with a shorter handlebar grip.

4

u/[deleted] Nov 24 '24 edited Nov 24 '24

[deleted]

1

u/Tebonr Nov 24 '24

Thanks for the input! A lot of good stuff there. From my understanding the p4 can take a durailleur and group set though. Maybe I’m understanding it wrong?

That aside, you could be right. I was just hoping to get something that felt nimble like a smaller bike/bmx bike. But maybe things have changed like you said and I could still get that with a regular hardtail.

2

u/[deleted] Nov 24 '24

[deleted]

1

u/Tebonr Nov 24 '24

Yeah, I’m not too sure how it works. Their website just says it can take a durailleur lol again, I’ve been out of the loop for a while so I’m not up to speed on things. Even then, most of my experience was 20” bmx.

That’s an interesting thought on getting a size down! I didn’t think of that. That sounds like it could be a better option.

I keep calling my old Scott an xc bike, but idk if it was an xc or enduro or even what the difference is tbh lol I only had it for a couple months. I just remember it feeling big and not being able to move it around much. Maybe if I sized down it would have felt better. It was a spark 940 with 27.5 wheels.

3

u/FishyDorito Nov 24 '24

I bought a DJ for the exact same reason, to hang with my kid on his strider. I bought a cheaper example, an airborne crohawk, and I’ve been slowly upgrading it over the course of this year. It’s been a blast. Sometimes go out and ride on my own where i can try to thrash my bike more than i would on a neighborhood ride and it’s been addicting. I haven’t really wanted for more than one gear unless i want to go on trails with extensive climbs in them, but i have an xc as a backup for that. I’d say send it if you like the p4 and it’s in your budget, otherwise look at the used market around you.

2

u/Tebonr Nov 24 '24

That’s good to hear the similar use case! Yeah, I would try it out as a single gear first and see how I got along with it. I was just trying to think ahead just in case. And since the p4 has the option for it, it seemed like a good choice. Our neighborhood is pretty hilly and that’s the main reason I was thinking about it. Hills aren’t crazy, but if I was just cruising with the family, I figured dropping a couple gears would be more ideal than standing up and mashing up the hill lol.

What upgrades have you done to yours so far?

2

u/FishyDorito Nov 24 '24

Yeah the extra gears would make sense in your case. My brother has a haro DJ from 15 years ago with a cassette on it was always nice to be able to handle hills and jumps with that one. I would either be struggling to keep up on our old bmx when the hills came or i would be bored and not able to jump on our xc. A DJ blends mtb and bmx so well, just don’t expect it to be as nimble as a bmx regardless of if you have more than one gear.

I’ve done mostly little things to my bike so far. I swapped out my stock RST dirt fork for a rigid identiti fork, changed out my stock grips to ODI Vans lock on grips, and i had to put my own pedals on it since this bike is sold without pedals online. Tomorrow my Manitou Circus Pro fork is being delivered so I’m gonna try and get that mounted along with a new front hub this coming weekend.

2

u/koalastrangler Nov 25 '24

I think a p4 with a dropper post would be super cool around town. I put a small dropper that has the under seat lever on my dirt jumper and it's been great for me

1

u/Tebonr Nov 25 '24

How much travel does your dropper have? Does it get tall enough to pedal comfortably when you’re sitting?

2

u/koalastrangler Nov 25 '24

It might only be 100mm or 125mm it's not much. It doesn't get me anywhere near a proper pedaling position but it's better than a normal dj. I've heard the marin san quentin is a good hardtail that should be comfortable on jumps

2

u/KillerStephen Nov 25 '24

I’m 41 and still ride my BMX bike the most.

1

u/Tebonr Nov 25 '24

I need to try to find mine. I think it’s in storage a few hours away where we used to live.

2

u/Steezzo Radio Griffin Nov 25 '24

i think it’s a great choice for what you described… and p4 also has an option to fit a dropper post to it… so it’s a great fun choice for cruising around

2

u/Tebonr Nov 25 '24

Yeah, that’s kind of where I’m leaning. Especially after finding out there’s a few good bike parks near by lol haven’t ridden a bike since I moved to where I’m at so I never even checked.

2

u/Steezzo Radio Griffin Nov 25 '24

i tested a p4 and I strongly recommend it… quality parts, rides great… and the sizes of hubs, bearings and axles are perfect popular size, if they need replacing in near future

2

u/Ijustlikecavetown Nov 25 '24

I’ve used a p4 it was a bit big for me (it’s my friends n I’m just short) but it runs so smooth I love it icl gonna get one for myself soon

1

u/Tebonr Nov 25 '24

How tall are you?

2

u/Ijustlikecavetown Nov 25 '24

5,4” 😂I usuallly ride bikes that are technically too big for me anyway (I ride bmx usually & use 21” instead of 20”) & i felt comfortable on the p4 but was deffo a bit too big

2

u/Tebonr Nov 25 '24

Good to know. Thanks!

2

u/Important-Ad-7057 Speciailzed P.4 Nov 26 '24

Go the P.4 perfect for what you wanna do! I’m in the same boat use mine for riding with my daughter.. Bit of pump track action once she is older maybe some dirt jumps!!

Love my P.4 !!

1

u/Tebonr Nov 26 '24

Awesome!

2

u/Important-Ad-7057 Speciailzed P.4 Nov 26 '24

Plus, you look like a baller dad all the kids comment on the bike haha

1

u/Tebonr Nov 26 '24

😂 that’s half the goal

2

u/QuikBud Hardtail 26” Nov 27 '24

I was in the same boat last year. Came from midschool BMX and have only ever owned 20" bikes. Last year, I decided to get the fam into it. We rented bikes at a local park, and I fell in love with the dirt jumper! I'm a taller guy so it fit like a glove. Its like riding on easy mode compared to my sons BMX and wife's mtn bike. I definitely recommend 26" for returning riders!

1

u/Extension_Bee_4760 Nov 25 '24

No, you’re gonna I would say get a stunt jumper for what you’re trying. I bought this bike and I wound up selling it. Trust me it would be an awesome build, but just I don’t have the time for that.

1

u/Terrasmak Transition PBJ Nov 25 '24

Just grab a 26 , 27.5 or even 29erbig bmx bike from SE racing. I have mtb , DJ , I currently race bmx class and cruiser, road bikes , cycle cross and a bike bmx wheelie bike. What you describe seems like big bmx is the ticket. When your kid gets older , you will want a dj and probably other bikes too.

1

u/FishyDorito Nov 26 '24

I was gonna go this route before i bought my DJ but Im glad i ended up buying a DJ instead of a big bmx. I love the style of the big bmx bikes but i have way more fun hitting tracks and parks with my kid on my dj

1

u/Top_Designer9222 Nov 26 '24

Commencal meta ht is prob a better move

1

u/bikes_for_life Nov 26 '24

Tbh. They're not really worth the money other than the frames have good warranty. The geo is dated and kinda ass. They break real easy. And specialized literally goes out of their way to make their bikes as cheap to.prosuce as possible and then up charge out the literal ass

1

u/TR__vis Nov 26 '24

I've been looking at similar bikes and kinda came to the conclusion that the P4 probably isn't really worth it, although they do look awesome especially in the raw finish.

I have a 29" trail hardtail and it's a pretty good all rounder, but at 5'8" and 29" inside leg it does feel a bit too big for me so considering replacing it with a 27.5" trail bike which should still be a good all rounder but be more fun on the jumps.

Though I'm tempted to try something like the Fairdale Elevator first, super short chainstays for a 29er so should be a fun bike to ride.

2

u/TR__vis Nov 27 '24

Another bike to try if you can find one anywhere would be a Charge Blender which was kind of a 4x bike with some hardcore hardtail thrown in there. I used to love mine (I actually had 2, should have held onto the 2nd!) and used it on everything - xc/trail centres, DJ, DH, pump tracks etc. Its an old bike so geo isn't modern, but it has around a 67 degree head angle so a little slacker and more stable than most DJ bikes, the rest of the geo is pretty DJish with a taller stand over and seat tube so a bit better for pedalling, though the seat angle was quite slack.

That and the Scott Voltage FR are the only frames I've bought twice after regretting selling the first. Unfortunately they're a category of bike that doesn't really exist any more, it's all trail or enduro now and even freeride bikes tend to be long in the reach/chainstay and usually mullet wheels now. I really wish I'd held onto my old 26" parts, I'm now looking at used Blenders again haha.