Best Hardtail Freeride Bike for $1,000

[donutrider]

I've read all the threads on I can find on here concerning this type of thread. Most of what I've found is atleast 5 years old, so I'm wondering what it's like these days.

What is the best hardtail freeriding bike in the US for a thousand bucks?

Looking to get on one and have some fun

[donutrider]

Anyone?

[fryed_1]

The one you don't crash on.

[schlockinz]

I don't think that a lot has changed in the 5 yrs. It's all gonna depend on how big you wanna go and if you're talking about 1K complete or not.

[fox408]

I'm thinking about 1k complete.
Honestly, not going that big. Probably the biggest air I'll ever get is 5', I just want something that I can jump around with and ride aggressively on trails without being real worried about it breaking.

[donutrider]

Alright. I'll keep looking, but the used bike market around here is awful.
I've been watching local forums, craigslist, and some pinkbike for sale stuff. Nothin' yet

[69erEverything]

Try to find an older Azonic. Cheap and meant to take abuse.

[wasea04]

This is in literal terms the nicest FR/DJ frame in existence! Feel free to ogle all you like, looks are free

[fox408]

Looks sweet

[donutrider]

What even is that?

I guess I should ask another question.
Is it possible to get a decent dj/fr bike NEW for $1,000? I'm game to build it myself if I could find kits and such, if that were to save money (don't think it would though)

[wasea04]

Uhh, like the name on the side of the bike clearly says, it's a Wolfhound, a custom frame builder that employs steel and brazing for a seamless look, and cost $3400 just for the frame.

[donutrider]

I did catch that, actually looked them up after you posted and read about them. Then had a small heart attack when I saw the cost of a frame...
Meant more like, any story behind that'n or didja just for out almost 4,000 for a frame? sweet bike

[wasea04]

I was a bit lippy, sorry 'bout that, sent you a pm.

[donutrider]

I was a bit lippy, sorry 'bout that, sent you a pm.

Thanks for the pm.
I'm interested, but really don't know if I want to spend that kind of money on a used bike. We'll see though

[donutrider]

Anybody else?
Jamis Komodo?
Kona shred?

[wasea04]

To be totally objective, I'd take a look at Stout Bikes at stoutbikes.blogspot.com. Matt, the owner and builder, is a great craftsman and will do a complete custom steel for $450 or so; it's a value that can't be beat.

[donutrider]

Thanks for the advice, I'm interested in anything.

Only problem is, I don't have that kind of money.
A build kit and fork (decent parts) would end me well over a grand which is where I have a cap.

This'd be my first freeride/dirtjumper. I hate buying cheap stuff, but I don't have to have the best.

If I can't get a good'n for a thousand, I'll just have to wait

[wasea04]

This was my Stout, it was an amazing bike built more towards AM/FR than DJ but I'm a fickle man that likes to try new bikes I owned it about a year, eons in other's bike ownership time

The guy I sold it to is offering it for a great price, he says he's going back to BMX:

Freeride Hardtail for Sale! - Pinkbike.com

[donutrider]

I'd be all over that if he'd ship it.
Drive from Kentucky to Massachusetts not quite worth it

[Grabtindy]

On One 456 or 456 Summer Season. With the long chainstays it's def more FR/AM and not a DJ frame. Great value and fun bike. And despite the geo, I'm using my 5 year old 456 for a pump track dj bike. Perfect all around ht with great feel.

[wasea04]

I forgot about the On-One, and then you could also add Ragley to that list. Hey Donut, I'd see if he'd ship it, I don't know why he wouldn't, I shipped it to him after all?

[Lunchbox362]

Anybody else?
Jamis Komodo?
Kona shred?

I have a 2008 komodo 1, having changed out a few parts I can say I am really happy with it so far, I can drop my pike on it to 100 for jumps and whatnot, and push back up to 140 for trails, which is decent enough for me. Not really up to racing specs, but I don't see many people wanting to compete on a hardtail anyways.

Anyways, I'd recommend a komodo to anyone, the frame is beefy and the geometry is good, a few lame duck parts but I think the price justifies it. If you had a thousand dollar budget, it'd end up legit as all hell

[gbosbiker]

I'd be all over that if he'd ship it.
Drive from Kentucky to Massachusetts not quite worth it

owner of the stout here i did get back into bmx heavily, but with the trails starting to clear up, im starting to reconsider selling it. i built it back up and im in love again. definitely look into stout bikes. the frame has handled ALOT of rough riding already in the time ive had it and the frame takes every bit of it without struggle. easily the best frame ive ever owned (better than any mtb or bmx frame ive had. and ive had alot)

and ps, i wasnt doing shipping because i had the bike at home while i was away at college.

[donutrider]

owner of the stout here i did get back into bmx heavily, but with the trails starting to clear up, im starting to reconsider selling it. i built it back up and im in love again. definitely look into stout bikes. the frame has handled ALOT of rough riding already in the time ive had it and the frame takes every bit of it without struggle. easily the best frame ive ever owned (better than any mtb or bmx frame ive had. and ive had alot)

and ps, i wasnt doing shipping because i had the bike at home while i was away at college.

Alright awesome.

I'm very ignorant when it comes to sizing these bikes.
What size am I looking for?
I'm a whopping 6'3"

[schlockinz]

On-one 456
Ragley blue pig (other ragley's as well will work)
Chromag Stylus
Transition Trans AM
Evil Sovereign
.243 racing
Banshee morphine
Transition vagrant
NS Surge

Just to name a few. I'd stick with steel over aluminum (the vagrant and morphine are aluminum) just for fatigue and longevity reasons. Any of those bikes can be had with a good build for $1k if you look hard enough and they'll handle choppy DH runs and 5' drops no problems.