Status II or Demo 8I ?

[smf805]

Ok, I've been riding trails on my stumpjumper for awhile now, but looking to do more. I feel like the bike is holding me back from the type of terrain I really want to bomb down. I want to get into DH'ing and looking for a good bike to thrash. The Status seems like a great entry level machine, but will I regret not going with a full blown race rig? Is the 135mm rear wheel strong enough for a heavy rider (6'1" 220lbs)? Is the $1k difference worth it in the long run? I plan to ride this bike mainly in San Luis Obispo, Ca and then bike parks when they open. Also, my LBS is a Specialized/Giant dealer which is why I'm looking at Specialized.

[his dudeness]

Status will be more playful.

Demo will be more race oriented.

Take your pick.

[ryan_daugherty]

neither Sam Hill rides for Nukeproof now.....


kidding
Status = taller and shorter
Demo = longer and lower

if your trails are tighter and a bit slower and not super steep i'd get the status

if you trails are fast and steep I'd get the demo

[smf805]

Thank you guys for the input. I'm leaning towards the Status now.

[ustemuf]

"I plan to ride this bike mainly in San Luis Obispo, Ca and then bike parks when they open"

It's better to have enough and not need it, than not have enough and go over the limits.

I would get a Demo if you plan to ride parks and you have the money to spend. If you don't, The Status II would still be an awesome entry level DH bike if you are wanting to purchase new.

[ianjenn]

I plan to ride this bike mainly in San Luis Obispo, Ca and then bike parks when they open. Also, my LBS is a Specialized/Giant dealer which is why I'm looking at Specialized.

It depends what you ride in SLO there are 3 VERY STEEP trails. No names please if you plan on riding those a bunch the Demo may be worth it. We are testing a Norco Aurum now and one tester has a Status he commented that the Norco likes the steeps more and needed to be ridden fast. $3300 isn't bad for the STATUS as a complete.

[jmallory]

It depends what you ride in SLO there are 3 VERY STEEP trails. No names please if you plan on riding those a bunch the Demo may be worth it. We are testing a Norco Aurum now and one tester has a Status he commented that the Norco likes the steeps more and needed to be ridden fast. $3300 isn't bad for the STATUS as a complete.

I was thinking the same thing. If you plan on riding the true gnarly DH trails, Demo might be the ticket. If you plan on riding Morning Glory and San Luis Mountain, the Status will be just fine.

[blackohio]

neither Sam Hill rides for Nukeproof now.....


kidding
Status = taller and shorter
Demo = longer and lower

if your trails are tighter and a bit slower and not super steep i'd get the status

if you trails are fast and steep I'd get the demo

i've seen this dude offer people handjobs for rides on their spesh's at blackrock.

real talk

[jakester29959]

It all depends on what you plan on riding. Personally I would go with the demo if I had the money cause its just awesome. Haha. Good luck

[Rob-Bob]

Since your lbs also carries Giant you owe it to yourself to check out the Glory. Not saying its better than the demo but you should ride as many bikes as you can before spending thousands.

[smf805]

It depends what you ride in SLO there are 3 VERY STEEP trails. No names please if you plan on riding those a bunch the Demo may be worth it. We are testing a Norco Aurum now and one tester has a Status he commented that the Norco likes the steeps more and needed to be ridden fast. $3300 isn't bad for the STATUS as a complete.

Well it's good to know there's people doing DH around here. One of the guys I ride with was trying to talk me out of getting a DH bike today. He claimed my Stumpjumper is more than sufficient for the riding in SLO county. I agree with his statement, but think there would be a significant difference in the way you would ride the trails with a long travel bike vs a 29'er xc bike. I imagine taking more direct lines and going a hell of a lot faster on a Demo...not to mention having more fun.

What's your opinion on this? Is it worth getting a DH bike for the trails we have around here? Or should I be renting one at the bike parks in the summer?

[smf805]

Since your lbs also carries Giant you owe it to yourself to check out the Glory. Not saying its better than the demo but you should ride as many bikes as you can before spending thousands.

Nice bike, but a few grand outta my price range.

[blackohio]

The status is a hell of a good bike for the money. It'll be alot more playful than the demo.

[SteezusChrist]

Nice bike, but a few grand outta my price range.

Glory 2 is 3k+
Glory 2 (2013) - Bikes | Giant Bicycles | United States

[smf805]

Good call..looks to be around the same price as the Status 2 but I'm guessing the Giant would be better compared to the Demo. Between the Giant and Demo, do you think ~$1k more is worth the price of the Demo?

[Rob-Bob]

Good call..looks to be around the same price as the Status 2 but I'm guessing the Giant would be better compared to the Demo. Between the Giant and Demo, do you think ~$1k more is worth the price of the Demo?

Personally I like the maestro suspension over the fsr. It seams to have a good balance of pop while still being able to handle the rough stuff.. And honestly I don't think the demo is worth a grand more.

[blackohio]

Theres a few One Ghost Musashi's floating around RM and pinkbike. That bike is amazing and rides awesome.

[jmallory]

Well it's good to know there's people doing DH around here. One of the guys I ride with was trying to talk me out of getting a DH bike today. He claimed my Stumpjumper is more than sufficient for the riding in SLO county. I agree with his statement, but think there would be a significant difference in the way you would ride the trails with a long travel bike vs a 29'er xc bike. I imagine taking more direct lines and going a hell of a lot faster on a Demo...not to mention having more fun.

What's your opinion on this? Is it worth getting a DH bike for the trails we have around here? Or should I be renting one at the bike parks in the summer?

For this area, I think you really need 2 bikes. A trail/AM bike for most of SLO and a DH bike for the rough and steep.

[Riguy]

I'd go with the demo.

[smf805]

I ended up going with the Glory 2. I can't wait to get this thing on the mountain. However, I have a question regarding the rear shock....

Giant specs list this bike as coming with a Kage R. Mine came with a Vivid Air. Advantages or disadvantages of an air shock vs coil?

[Rob-Bob]

Congrat.s man. You are going to love that bike once you get it on the dirt. As far as the air vs. coil goes air shocks are lighter and you can adjust it to your weight without having to change springs. Some people say coils just feel better overall. I personally have never had an air shock on a D.H. Bike so I really can't give exacts.

[Norman Clydesdale]

You scored with the Vivid Air.
Get excited.
People will debate coil vs air, but the Vivid is an awesome shock.
Do you have a Vivid R2 or R2C?
I'd run either one over a Kage R any day.
Congrats on your new bike.

[smf805]

Thanks, it's an R2. Now I just need to convert more friends over to ride some DH....pushing my bike to the top will get old.

[ianjenn]

Nice I have a Norco I am testing now and will get a team Zerode back that will be "mine" until I can sell it. My 2013 rig should be ready in early March sometime I think!

Alot of guys around here got off the DH riding about 2-3 years ago. I have been here since 1997 and riding DH the whole time.