Bullit or Dirtbag; How do i decide?

[NewYorker]

hey all. im having a real tough time deciding between these two frames and hope to get some advice. i need a bike that can be pedaled to the trails ( a couple miles at the most), taken up and down them short, technical climbs on singletrack and longer, open fireroad climbs), and take the hits from drops/gaps; 8-12ft. frequently and occasional 20-25 footers on occassion (or until i get out west :), as well as stair gaps (which seem to destroy a bike no matter what). I am currently on a long .243 with a 04 SuperT. Awesome bike, supertough and takes whatever but at 6'3'' the ridiculously high 14" BB and short 13' seat tube is KILLING my knees! I had a Bullit. Liked its handling all around but hated small bump performance and durability on my 5th. Owned a Scream. great bike but when i became honest with the terrain i mostly ride, it was way too much bike for me. ive never ridden a Dirtbag but it seems like a good choice as far as weight is concened (in between the bullit and a scream). For the Bullit, i would run a DHX 5.0. Both have full length seat tubes, good warranties, and roughly the same travel. i will run a dual ring/chainguide set-up on either one. how do these frames compare strength wise? How are big-hit/small bump performance on each? My concern is side-loading on the Bullit. My Scream never blew a shock because of side load and id prefer a frame that did not need rear shock service more than twice a year (i ride all year). This makes me lean towards the dirtbag but i almost feel like a 10.5ib still may be a bit much. My style of riding is moto whips (not always landed perfectly mind you;), hip jumps, braking before corners and leaning hard into them. I want to ride UP the trails i ride down and in NYC stairs are the best transitions we have! i weigh 190 with gear and am about a lanky 6'3''. actaully, id love an ASX but have no info on sizing . Its got a great pivot location (im concerned on the low and rearward main pivot of the dirtbag-do not like getting hung up on stuff, especially stairs) and a swinglink for rigidty. i rode a large Bullit and it seems like a medium ASX id identical but i have not heard this to be tru. any info is greatly appreciated. thanks!

[King of Fasia]

take a look at the transition website and download the footage of their sponsored rider Mike Metzger killin it on a dirtbag, he's supposedly 6'4" so i'm sure the bike would work well as far as sizing. i rode a super 8 and although i loved that bike for its pros, the single pivot does not appeal to me anymore, i'm a four-bar guy now and my true preference would be a bike with a horst link ie. specialized, norco, intense but transition, kona and banshee all make wicked bikes, IMO the transition would be a better bike and cooler too cuz it isn't as popular as the SC, but hey that's just my opinion.:cool:

[NickS]

Either will be awsome i have a bullit right now and love it, the transition would be sweet also though but no fox wiht it.

[Loopie]

"take the hits from drops/gaps; 8-12ft. frequently and occasional 20-25 footers on occassion (or until i get out west , as well as stair gaps (which seem to destroy a bike no matter what).......Owned a Scream. great bike but when i became honest with the terrain i mostly ride, it was way too much bike for me. "

Hmmm...sounds to me like the Scream should suit that just fine. 6,7 or 8" of travel adjustable...ridgid...long, steep seatpost....

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by Loopie
"take the hits from drops/gaps; 8-12ft. frequently and occasional 20-25 footers on occassion (or until i get out west , as well as stair gaps (which seem to destroy a bike no matter what).......Owned a Scream. great bike but when i became honest with the terrain i mostly ride, it was way too much bike for me. "

Hmmm...sounds to me like the Scream should suit that just fine. 6,7 or 8" of travel adjustable...ridgid...long, steep seatpost....

You know, the Scream really was an awesome ride. However, i couldnt stand the telescopic seatpost and a 13.5 pound frame weight just seemed excessive. I was thinking that the dirtbag would be a good replacement as it is 3 pounds lighter and has the full length seattube. This way i can shave some weight but still retain the stifness (side to side). the adjustable travel is nice too but i dont really think i need more than 7" at this point.
id like to run a 5/5 with my xc buddies 9or solo expeditions) ad 7/7 for the big stuff.

[Tracer Tong]

I love my bullit. I thrashed it on everything I could with my 250 pounds(not exagerating) and the shock never needed loving. It got loving but never blew out or anything.

Its definitely not a new design and its been taken huge, I'd buy one again if it came down to it.

[Sticky]

I've had 2 Bullits....no complaints. IMO the 5th is good if its tuned in right and I'm 6'3" 210 pounds. Decided to look for something new this year, so I'm finally going to be off a Bullit. Going to put the frame on the auction block soon.....

[Scott C]

What about a Chaparral? Similar to a scream, but lighter.


Originally posted by NewYorker
You know, the Scream really was an awesome ride. However, i couldnt stand the telescopic seatpost

http://www.bansheebikes.com/images/bike-large-scream.jpg

Looks like you could just put a regular post in.

[Tracer Tong]

Yeah, chaparrals are cool.

[GRIZZ]

check out darksydebikes, the dirtbag is the better choice imo

[NewYorker]

.. i saw one for sale in this really deep, almost brown color red; it looked amazingly well-built. i would like a little more travel though for when i go to lift accessed areas. 7" seems to be my sweet spot: i like to run a fair amount of sag for a lower BB. i'd look more into the Chap geometry wise but there site seems messed up.

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by Tracer Tong
I love my bullit. I thrashed it on everything I could with my 250 pounds(not exagerating) and the shock never needed loving. It got loving but never blew out or anything.

Its definitely not a new design and its been taken huge, I'd buy one again if it came down to it.

Off topic but, how is the riding/lifestyle out there in Bellingham? I have been considering a relocation for some time now and Bellngham always comes up as a great choice for a riding lifestyle.

[Ed Anger]

I'm built similarly (6'5"+, 190#), and I went for a Large Dirtbag over a Bullit or a Chaparral. So far, it's been great. It climbs as well, at least for a 44# 6/6'er. The Romic gives good small-bump performance, yet is smooth on the drops, thoug I've only gone 6-7' on it. Lateral stiffness in the rough stuff is great; I can't testify as to the clearance of the main pivot for stairs, since I now live in the sticks and don't have to ride urban.

My knees ache just thinking about trailriding with a .243: yours will be much happier with a taller and squishier bike.

Originally posted by mark_hoppus16
What about a Chaparral? Similar to a scream, but lighter.
Looks like you could just put a regular post in.

A Chap is about the same weight as a Dirtbag. And, yes, you can use a regular post on a Chap. The two are very similar: side by side, they could almost be from the same factory. Chap is prettier, has a longer warranty, but is significantly more expensive.

[Sticky]

Originally posted by NewYorker
Off topic but, how is the riding/lifestyle out there in Bellingham? I have been considering a relocation for some time now and Bellngham always comes up as a great choice for a riding lifestyle.

I'm actually the one in Bellingham. I moved here a couple years ago and like it. It's a super laid back community, but isn't so small that it's a pain to find things you need.....Vancouver is only an hour away anyway and 3 hrs to Whistler. Riding is good around Bellingham too.
Theres a Large Bullit frame with King Steel, 5th, and Thompson in my garage waiting to be sold in Bellingham.....LOL

[Tonestar]

I ride a medium Yeti ASX, I'm 5'11" and 200lbs, using a 450lb spring on a 5th Element. You can find the sizing under the geometry like on the page listed below.

http://www.yeticycles.com/1_bikes/asx_work.html#

[Loopie]

For Banshee....you have to go to the very bottom of the home pg and click on the catalogue....which has a geo pg.

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by Ed Anger
I'm built similarly (6'5"+, 190#), and I went for a Large Dirtbag over a Bullit or a Chaparral. So far, it's been great. It climbs as well, at least for a 44# 6/6'er. The Romic gives good small-bump performance, yet is smooth on the drops, thoug I've only gone 6-7' on it. Lateral stiffness in the rough stuff is great; I can't testify as to the clearance of the main pivot for stairs, since I now live in the sticks and don't have to ride urban.

My knees ache just thinking about trailriding with a .243: yours will be much happier with a taller and squishier bike.



A Chap is about the same weight as a Dirtbag. And, yes, you can use a regular post on a Chap. The two are very similar: side by side, they could almost be from the same factory. Chap is prettier, has a longer warranty, but is significantly more expensive.

cool. on your dirtbag, does it bottom often and how is it in the corners? the wheelbase for the large seems kind of long (at least compared to the bullit). And yeah man, my KNEES!!! its not terrible (yes it is), i get by, but i have to crouch so low and weight the front end so much in corners that it just kills me. i usually just hop around the trails like a jack rabbit but want something that tracks significantly better. And there is no way to get full extension for climbing/commuting at my height.

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by Sticky
I'm actually the one in Bellingham. I moved here a couple years ago and like it. It's a super laid back community, but isn't so small that it's a pain to find things you need.....Vancouver is only an hour away anyway and 3 hrs to Whistler. Riding is good around Bellingham too.
Theres a Large Bullit frame with King Steel, 5th, and Thompson in my garage waiting to be sold in Bellingham.....LOL
i meant to reply to your post and clicked the one above me, sorry. thats great how you are so close to BC. watching that type of riding when i was 18 got me into mtn biking. its been a dream of mine to get out there. what kind of riding goes on in Belligngham; mostly xc, is there a DH/Fr/DJ scene? Are you far from the mountains? are there any skateparks and DJ spots?hows the job market and housing prices? im in NYC city now and really need a change of pace. I was thinking of heading out after this summer then going back to school oiut in western washington for nutrition/phys ed. or something in that field.

[Islandrider]

vp freeee!

[Darksyde Bikes]

Here is a pic of my Dirtbag I love it. This is my second one.

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=395959

[Sticky]

Originally posted by NewYorker
i meant to reply to your post and clicked the one above me, sorry. thats great how you are so close to BC. watching that type of riding when i was 18 got me into mtn biking. its been a dream of mine to get out there. what kind of riding goes on in Belligngham; mostly xc, is there a DH/Fr/DJ scene? Are you far from the mountains? are there any skateparks and DJ spots?hows the job market and housing prices? im in NYC city now and really need a change of pace. I was thinking of heading out after this summer then going back to school oiut in western washington for nutrition/phys ed. or something in that field.

There is quite a bit of xc in Bellingham, but there is also some good FR stuff too....you just have to find it. The skatepark isn't that cool....go just over the border into Canada for that. Mt.Baker is a bit over an hour---good ski mountain.

Job is a different issue. Not tons of jobs in Bellingham, but there is some. Housing prices are going way up too. Can get a decent house for around $200k. It really is a growing area.
Westerns a good school.

Tons of weed smokin' hippies in Bellingham.....SWEET!!

[Sticky]

Originally posted by Darksyde Bikes
Here is a pic of my Dirtbag I love it. This is my second one.

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=395959

That is super nice.....even rockin the Avy. The 888 must feel tall on there. My Bullit felt way too tall until I got the flat crowns.

[Darksyde Bikes]

Originally posted by Sticky
That is super nice.....even rockin the Avy. The 888 must feel tall on there. My Bullit felt way too tall until I got the flat crowns.

AVE was the first one they built for a transition. I also have the flat crowns coming

[Loopie]

Originally posted by Darksyde Bikes
Here is a pic of my Dirtbag I love it. This is my second one.

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=395959
Congrats on the overall coordination! That looks outstanding:cool:

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by Sticky
There is quite a bit of xc in Bellingham, but there is also some good FR stuff too....you just have to find it. The skatepark isn't that cool....go just over the border into Canada for that. Mt.Baker is a bit over an hour---good ski mountain.

Job is a different issue. Not tons of jobs in Bellingham, but there is some. Housing prices are going way up too. Can get a decent house for around $200k. It really is a growing area.
Westerns a good school.

Tons of weed smokin' hippies in Bellingham.....SWEET!!

Thats funny, in the shop i worked my friend i worked with was from bellingham and man was he WEEEEED smoking hippie; the definiton of! thanks for insight.

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by Darksyde Bikes
Here is a pic of my Dirtbag I love it. This is my second one.

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=395959

Holy crap. That is one sweet looking ride. But what, no white handlebars! kidding. Whats the deal on the new AVY shocks? are they just to save weight or are there perfromance differences? Also, what size is that?

[Darksyde Bikes]

The bike is a Med. the Avy is better all around performing shock that is custom built to my weight and riding style. The one on my frame is the first one they have ever built for a transition. the romic is a great shock I rode it all last year. but I wanted something different on it. I work for the Canadian Distributor of Transition so the transiton boys got me set up with a proto shock to test out. lots of extra $$$$ for the shock though

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by Darksyde Bikes
The bike is a Med. the Avy is better all around performing shock that is custom built to my weight and riding style. The one on my frame is the first one they have ever built for a transition. the romic is a great shock I rode it all last year. but I wanted something different on it. I work for the Canadian Distributor of Transition so the transiton boys got me set up with a proto shock to test out. lots of extra $$$$ for the shock though

Cool. since you have had time on a Transition, let me ask you a question: How does the suspension feel over rough stuff and square edge hits? I didnt notice until recently that the main pivot hangs low and behind the BB shell. This seems like it would give it a pretty dramatic forward arc on the real axle path; less than i deal for keeping speed through the rough stuff. i can see it being good on drops where you'll scrub some speed upon landing (as opposed to higher pivots that shoot you out on touchdown) but i cant help feel its going to hang up everywhere else. I've been on a Bullit and it worked great throught the rough, my Scream seemed fine (it has a higher pivot than the dirtbag) but i had some time on a bike with a similar pivot placement as the dritbag and felt it hanging up all the time. any thoughts?

[Captain Crunch]

You won't meet a nicer bunch of guys than Kyle, Kevin, or thier staff and riders. They're all good riders too, so that there says something to me.

I love my bullit, but dang homie's white Dirtbag be 'Flossin!

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by Loopie
For Banshee....you have to go to the very bottom of the home pg and click on the catalogue....which has a geo pg. \
got it. thanks loopie

[Darksyde Bikes]

Originally posted by NewYorker
Cool. since you have had time on a Transition, let me ask you a question: How does the suspension feel over rough stuff and square edge hits? I didnt notice until recently that the main pivot hangs low and behind the BB shell. This seems like it would give it a pretty dramatic forward arc on the real axle path; less than i deal for keeping speed through the rough stuff. i can see it being good on drops where you'll scrub some speed upon landing (as opposed to higher pivots that shoot you out on touchdown) but i cant help feel its going to hang up everywhere else. I've been on a Bullit and it worked great throught the rough, my Scream seemed fine (it has a higher pivot than the dirtbag) but i had some time on a bike with a similar pivot placement as the dritbag and felt it hanging up all the time. any thoughts?

Well I found that through the rough stuff it didn't slow me down. It was a diffenert feel to get used to took 1 run. but I have ridden a dirtbag over every possible terrain and have very much enjoyed the ride. I had a brooklyn TMX, Sinister R9 and a M1 and I like the feel of the dirtbag 10X more. Everybodys riding style is different so some my have a hard time on the bike but in my opinon they are some of the nicest bikes out there to ride.

[Ed Anger]

Originally posted by NewYorker
cool. on your dirtbag, does it bottom often and how is it in the corners? the wheelbase for the large seems kind of long (at least compared to the bullit). And yeah man, my KNEES!!! its not terrible (yes it is), i get by, but i have to crouch so low and weight the front end so much in corners that it just kills me. i usually just hop around the trails like a jack rabbit but want something that tracks significantly better. And there is no way to get full extension for climbing/commuting at my height.

I've only bottomed it a couple of times, though the seatpost QR ticks the top of the rocker arm at near-full compression: odd, but not too annoying. The low-ish BB is great in the corners, though I had to go with a 26" rear wheel to not catch my toes and pedals. The wheelbase does feel a bit long, but I came to it from a hardtail with 16.7" chainstays and a 24" rear, so what do I know?

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by Darksyde Bikes
Well I found that through the rough stuff it didn't slow me down. It was a diffenert feel to get used to took 1 run. but I have ridden a dirtbag over every possible terrain and have very much enjoyed the ride. I had a brooklyn TMX, Sinister R9 and a M1 and I like the feel of the dirtbag 10X more. Everybodys riding style is different so some my have a hard time on the bike but in my opinon they are some of the nicest bikes out there to ride.

Thanks for the info. Ideally i'd love to try one to see if the pivot placment bothers me but i dont know of any in my area. I know of size large (03 i think with the 04 linkages) for sale, used, for $500US. it's not cheap but a lot less than other similar bikes so I may pick it up sight unseen and see what i think: Everyone seems to love theirs.

[mudpuppy]

I love mine too....I have a new 03 with jr.'s and it is great so far. It took me forever and a day to build it up (hence the new 03) but it is done...hehehehe.

First off I am 6'4" 270lbs and I did a TON of research before I bought this bike....you seem to be looking at the simalar bikes I was. What sold me...was the service that Kevin at Transition gave me. I talked to many other companies (Intense, Santa Cruze, Turner) and their customer service was crap....the guys at Transition made up for that and more. Customer service is A1.

Things I have noticed and heard. The paint is not the greatest....I hope that changes for the 05 models...but I know my 03 is not good and I hear the 04 is the same.

This bike did not take any getting used to at all, I came from a surly Instigator and I love the change. I am not a huge fan of the dangerboy plates....not the best leverage ratio...but a lot of guys have no issues...so who am I to poopoo on it.

If you get anything really smaller than the large you can not run a seatpost QR, I have a large...so a non issue for me.

I keep injuring myself on and off the bike...so not a ton of ride time, but so far I love the feel....even with 6 inches it feels bottomless and pedalable, not xc by any means...but it is as good if not better than my old fsr enduro was...w/out the breakage issues.

I say go for it.

Enjoy the ride. :D

[NewYorker]

Originally posted by mudpuppy
I love mine too....I have a new 03 with jr.'s and it is great so far. It took me forever and a day to build it up (hence the new 03) but it is done...hehehehe.

First off I am 6'4" 270lbs and I did a TON of research before I bought this bike....you seem to be looking at the simalar bikes I was. What sold me...was the service that Kevin at Transition gave me. I talked to many other companies (Intense, Santa Cruze, Turner) and their customer service was crap....the guys at Transition made up for that and more. Customer service is A1.

Things I have noticed and heard. The paint is not the greatest....I hope that changes for the 05 models...but I know my 03 is not good and I hear the 04 is the same.

This bike did not take any getting used to at all, I came from a surly Instigator and I love the change. I am not a huge fan of the dangerboy plates....not the best leverage ratio...but a lot of guys have no issues...so who am I to poopoo on it.

If you get anything really smaller than the large you can not run a seatpost QR, I have a large...so a non issue for me.

I keep injuring myself on and off the bike...so not a ton of ride time, but so far I love the feel....even with 6 inches it feels bottomless and pedalable, not xc by any means...but it is as good if not better than my old fsr enduro was...w/out the breakage issues.

I say go for it.

Enjoy the ride. :D

thanks mudpuppy. sorry about the injuries! it sucks to have a nice new bike to ride and your body wont let you.
I also have had a similar experience with the guys at Transtion, very cool, very helpful. I am unsure though as to fit. i rode a large Scream,Bulllit, .243 etc so id imagine id ride a large Dirtbag. Howver, the website list the wheelbase as being 45.2" with a super t. That seems a bit long as my .243 is little less than 44" and feels nices. the DB has a .5" longer chainstay so it would seem the front end is about an inch longer. I dunno, im kind of happy with the cockpit im in now but maybe taking into account rear wheel travel and sag, it will slack out to about the distance.
ill be running asimilar set-up as you most likely except i will reduce my suopert to 6" and run the rear at 6" as well.
Also, does your seat/post or anything hit the rockers under full compression? i dont want a bike that i cant lower the seat to drop in or jump.

[mudpuppy]

No, it does not hit.....but I don't run my seat super low, and with the larges...you can put a seatpost QR on there w/out worrying about hitting with your plates. I don’t think with a large, you will run into issues.

As for fit, as I said I am 6' 3" and it fits great...for the climb up I just raise up the seatpost and I can get full extension and when I point her down just lower and the bike disappears underneath me.

Some people last time I rode commenting on how long it looked....I do not really notice to tell the truth.

There are so many good bikes out there right now you can't really go wrong. I went for the service once I narrowed it down to bikes that could take my girth...lol...and came out with a dirtbag. I hope you enjoy whatever bike you decide to buy...really all 3 are good bikes.