New DJ Frame and I need HELP!!

[missinglink]

Hey Guys,

Just entered into the world of Yeti and bought a 2007 DJ frame in black for a nice custom build.

I'm building it up 26" King Hubs/ 5.1 DT rims, single speed King Cog Hog, Raceface chainset, King headset, Thomson stem etc etc.

However I'm having trouble deciding what forks to go for!!

Here is the shortlist....

2008 Fox 36 talas - 160 - 130 - 100mm RLC/R
2008 Fox 36 Float reduced at mojo to 100mm RLC/R
2008 Rockshox Argyle dual air 100mm
2008 Marzocchi 4X World cup 100mm
2008 Rockshox Pike dual air 140mm

Any advice, suggestions experience etc would be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers.

[Eddy B]

I dont understand your spec for the bike,
its a Dirt Jumper, not a cross country bike.
I would put some Argyles, with Saint and then some Halo wheels, at least something strong for Dirt Jumping with.

Plus to be fair, you want cheap parts on a dirt jumper, something thats not expensive to replace if you get your landings wrong.

[yetispa]

I think you missed his point he was only asking what forks to go for.

I don't think he asked for a critique on his build which seems perfectly fine.

I have a 06 DJ with fox 36 talas 150 to 110 and are perfect as i ride mine for XC, dirt jumping and racing 4X.

Niall

[perttime]

The DJ does not have to be a dirt jumper/4X bike only.

It should make an interesting "hard core hardtail" that can handle pretty much anything. I would let the angles decide the fork:
- long fork for stability at speed, going down the hill
- short for climbing and twisty trails
- adjustable for versatility

[tribegrandaddy]

I would say a toss up between the two fox forks I have a pair and they work loads better than the rockshok I had no top out no flex just quality performance

[eddyB]

I understand the guys point, and i understand what the DJ is designed for, using it as an XC bike is a waste of the bike, , if you want a hardcore XC bike with 160mm travel get a Cove Stiffee, or a Maxlight Pha5e, - bikes designed for a long travel fork, dont waste the DJ a bike designed for 100mm travel, hard use and racing 4X.

[yetispa]

The 2007 DJ was not designed around a 100mm fork though the 2008 is.

The 2007 will work fine with up to 150mm but best around 130 ish

Niall

[Eddy B]

Niall
the DJ has always been designed around a 100mm fork.
that is why it was designed as a 4X and Dirt jumping frame, nobody races 4X seriously with forks longer than 100mm, in fact I remember setting up Oggys bike with 85mm forks and Kyle straits bike with 100mm forks, Brian Lopez was using 85 mm at the time too, but hey if you disagree and feel that it works best with 130mm forks then you are obviously a better 4X racer than the people that I have worked with.

[marmite71]

Calm down guys ..... At the end of the day its up to the individual as to what a bikes used for
..lets face it Most bikes are not used to there full design brief,
know i'm no DJ/4X rider ..I'm a Trail rider but from the spec you've given so far Missinglink i'd say a fox talas sounds like a good fork ,run it at 100mm for 4X/bmx tracks & 130/160 for down hills and layed back regular rides in the hills.....

[missinglink]

Blimey!!

Didint think i'd cause that storm.....

Just to clarify a few points raised:

Its not going to be an XC bike - I'm going to use it for a mixture of DJ/4X and just plain old going fast pointing downwards!!

I think the spec will be just fine

The 5.1 dt's will be ok on the king hubs and if I bend them I'll just replace the rims and build up some more!!

Anyway, really appreciate the replies chaps. I think my fork of choice will be the new 36 Talas, seems to fit the bill perfectly even if it is the most expensive bleedin one on my list ;D

Cheers Yeti Fans!!

[perttime]

Take a look at James' ride report and build articles at FTMB
ftmb.net/reviews/17/

I was considering a similar project but went for a low steel frame instead.

[eddy B]

I would agree with the article, which is advising against going over 120mm, but I would still say that its a heavy piece of kit for an all rounder.

[marcus]

the DJ is built around a 100mm fork, always has done as far as i know...i'd go with Ed's opinion...as a Yeti dealer he knows his onions...i manage to run a 115 mm fork on my 100mm designed asr-sl but wouldn't go any higher...if you want a stupid fork length hardtail, check out Knolly - they are planning a monster hardtail with a 200mm fork!

But also, the later DJs (2007 and 2008) are pure 4x and jump bikes, whereas the previous djs could be used (although a bit awkwardly) at a push as an all round hardnut bike...but they were pretty heavy...

If you want more comfirmation go to the source:

www.yeticycles.com and contact the tech guy who will explain what fork lengths to run on each model...

you want an all round xc type bike that you can muck about on more...

get a maxlight pha5e; a santa cruz chameleon; a cove stiffee; or an Evil Sovereign...

i guess the question is why? i could technically put a 140mm fork on my asr-sl but the geometry would be all wrong!

Marcus

[bamayeti]

I'm glad this topic has come up as I am/was thinking about a 2008 DJ built up as a do it all hardtail. I was considering the Fox Talas RLC with the 32mm stanchions. That fork is adjustable 140mm-120mm-100mm and I felt this would be a perfect choice for this build, but after reading these post I'm not sure now.
Initially I was thinking this frame and build would surely take the jumps and still XC when I felt like it, hmmmmmm more decisions now.
In my case the DJ and my fork choice may still be perfect as I'm currently doing it all on my ASX with the 36 Talas RC2 fork! Really I am having no problems at all climbing with the ASX even with my estimate of it's weight being at 38 pounds. I am climbing loose rocky trails that stop others on their lite hardtails and the downhills on the other side shame the hardtail riders, I do have to lower the fork to 100mm to keep from flipping backwards though on the ups. With that being said I really don't need a DJ, just wanted one more Yeti!

In the DJ picture gallery on this site looks like there are several that set the DJ up with longer than 100mm travel forks, hopefully some of those riders will post and give some insight on how their DJ's ride.

[eddy B]

Well I hope I can help on that.
I recently gave a DJ to one of the guys in the shop as a company bike, a bike which he will be using as an all rounder, and will allow him to keep his ASX for best so to speak.

I allowed him free reign on the build and he has got Pikes and an 8 speed set up with a bash ring and chain guide.

It is a brilliant bike and a lot of fun to ride, but, I have to stress when the forks are extended, I think it dosent handle very well.
keeping them at 100mm, keeps it sharp and allows you to get your weight properly over the front of the bike to force it round corners. I would like to ride one with a 160mm fork and compare, but I think it dosent need that amount of travel and would ride like a dog.
pop in any time for a go, i think you will see what I mean.