2012 Demo 8 Review

[NAYR751]

I got bored and wrote down everything I could think about my Demo. Caution, it's kind of long.
The Demo 8: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly by ivcrider - Pinkbike

[howardyudoing]

Good review. '12 Demo is my first real big bike, and I'm happy with it so far. Never heard of the shock issue, damn.

[darkzeon]

Good thing I have a Demo 7 ...I kid. Love it for the trail that we have...Would love to have an 8, but can't find too many faults on my 7.

Great right up.

[fgiraffe]

Nice writeup, thanks for sharing.

I put 25+ days at Northstar, 4 days at Whistler, 7 days at Mammoth

Dang, nice summer!

[Drth Vadr]

Next topic: sizing. In my initial review I said I would have been happy with a medium or a large. With more saddle time I quickly realized that statement was incorrect. Being 5’11, the medium is slightly too small and the large is slightly too big. If you’re the same height as me, I would not recommend riding a Demo. Being in the middle of the two sizes could be one of the reasons I am uncomfortable at high speed on this bike, or feel a bit awkward jumping on it.

Nice review. I think that most of us 5'11 guys get less then perfect fit with most of the big manufactures. I have the same sizing issue with my Session, but were I feel a bit awkward is on bermed S turns.

[hybridzeg8]

Awesome review very imformatove

[genemk]

Thanks for the great right up man. I've gotten a few rides on my buddy's 2011 Demo 8 and noticed some similar characteristics. I'm almost the same height as you and the Medium felt a tad small. You seem pretty stoked on the DHR. I'm looking for a new frame for 2013. Got any other frames you'd recommend that are worth checking out? Thanks.

[NAYR751]

Thanks for the great right up man. I've gotten a few rides on my buddy's 2011 Demo 8 and noticed some similar characteristics. I'm almost the same height as you and the Medium felt a tad small. You seem pretty stoked on the DHR. I'm looking for a new frame for 2013. Got any other frames you'd recommend that are worth checking out? Thanks.

I rode a DW DHR last season and I was pumped on it. It's not a plow bike by any means but does everything else exactly how you'd want it. It's like a better version of the Iron Horse Sunday. The only reason I sold it was because Turner sent me a frame with mis-welded ISCG tabs. The large fit me perfectly as well.

[howardyudoing]

The only reason I sold it was because Turner sent me a frame with mis-welded ISCG tabs

you sold it with bad tabs?

[NAYR751]

you sold it with bad tabs?

Yeah. I disclosed that to the buyer, however. From what I've seen him post about the bike, he seems to be enjoying it.

[howardyudoing]

cool, what are you riding now?

[genemk]

Does the DHR jump pretty well? I ride a lot of freeride trails, but also make trips to Whistler so want a bike that's fun to ride on flow jump trails and also steep rocky DH. Interesting that you went with a large. I've always gone Medium on my bikes so far. Will have to check the sizing. And yeah, what are you riding now?

Thanks again.

[person579]

whats the difference between freeride and DH

[vikingboy]

thanks for this....considering a demo next.....

[genemk]

Oh, to me freeride is more flow/jump trails with man made features vs. DH is more steep and rough terrain.

Us at local freeride:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbvE8CY7QqE

Whistler DH:
Random people on Joyride trail at Whistler
Whistler Bike Park JOYRIDE COMPLETE (upper and lower) Aug 2011 - YouTube

[darkzeon]

Oh, to me freeride is more flow/jump trails with man made features vs. DH is more steep and rough terrain.

Us at local freeride:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbvE8CY7QqE

Whistler DH:
Random people on Joyride trail at Whistler
Whistler Bike Park JOYRIDE COMPLETE (upper and lower) Aug 2011 - YouTube

That trail is rad. I love berms and jumps. Steep and sketch is fun. But, railing berms and getting air time excites me more. Wish my trail could be longer.

[Carraig042]

Just so you know, Cane Creek has made the shaft bigger for the Demo and other bikes with a similar shock layout. I bought my CCDB right when they made that change.

-Brett

[howardyudoing]

I consider big mountain a sub category of freeride also.

[KU_MechE]

I'm 5'9" 150# and demo'd the medium and large this year at whistler. I found both amazing with the large being slightly more stable. I also bottomed out the medium 400# coil rear at the GLC drop every time. Did you have any problems with this?

[Josie7]

I'm 5'9" 150# and demo'd the medium and large this year at whistler. I found both amazing with the large being slightly more stable. I also bottomed out the medium 400# coil rear at the GLC drop every time. Did you have any problems with this?

I think that drop bottoms out every shock on every bike..

I am 5'9 and 150 and run a #350 and rarely bottom it out..

[aenema]

I have ridden a buddies demo and have similar thoughts as you. I think if you are riding smooth, jumpy DH trail this is a great frame. High speed and rough and I couldn't get off the bike fast enough.