Dirt jumping on a hex

[Joshemerytrials]

Moto trials rider- getting into all this bikes recently. Loved doing a bit of jumping on my sc 5010 this week but I’m going to destroy it soon If im not careful only 130mm travel trail bike really.. bottoming out hard coming off jumps. Probably because I’m shit and I don’t know what I’m doing but, 

my question is would my hex be a good bike to get into dirt jumping more? I mean it looks similar to a Specialized dirt jumper but I know there’s a lot of differences and to be fair I think I might shit myself trying to do jumps with no suspension 

 

What do people think? Or should I get rid of the trail bike and get an enduro 

 

I know you can do it on any bike but I seriously don’t want to destroy this 5010 it cost too much 

[Luke Rainbird]

For a bit of casual playing around and getting a feel for it it'll be fine. Never going to be as suited as a DJ specific bike of course, but to give you a taster or for the occasional session in the sun just get involved

[monkeyseemonkeydo]

Also, considering the stuff Danny Mac has done on his 5010 which is still going strong (apparently) I wouldn't worry too much about the SC unless you're really casing the jumps.

[Joshemerytrials]

I was thinking that to be fair monkey. Yet on all the mountain bike forums they reckon if your bottoming out a trail bike like the 5010 a lot it’s going to destroy it and need to go to enduro.. 

 

yeah i I guess so Luke, I’m just going to give it a go then when I find some decent jumps. 

[trialsquirt]

Ali c seems to jump his hex pretty well

[Daviesdt]

If you are bottoming out on your 5010 have you tried volume spacers in your front and rear shocks? Thats presuming they are both air sprung shocks that is.

[Joshemerytrials]

No I haven’t tried volume spacers Davies, that’s a good idea. I’m definitely going to do that ! Thanks man 

[Daviesdt]

Put them in my stumpjumper about 3 months ago, made a huge difference to the way it handles and doesn't bottom out anywhere near as much on big stuff.

[JJ Leigh]

Air tokens/volume spacers will help massively and I'd certainly recommend popping some in especially if it has "rockshox" written on it I run 3 up front now and no issues at all. All the travel gets used because that's how shocks work of course, but I rarely bottom out anymore and if I do its never that harshly. Front end wont feel so low either  130mm or 180mm of travel, I can ride a trek fuel ex on the same stuff I ride my specialized enduro on and have zero problems on either bike so if the 5010 works for you really well, personally I'd just keep it because they feel much more nimble and playful! Only get a bigger, slacker bike for more aggressive trails 75% of the time or if you fancy a genuine all-rounder because although they still pedal nicely it will feel a lot slower to what you'd be used to currently. I also have a Hex and it rides really well at pump tracks and dirt jumps compared to my little Skye. The geo is better for it and bigger wheels roll over stuff much nicer.

[AndyT]

Rode my hex a bit at valmont bike park in boulder, colorado... a dream huge bike park full of everything you could imagine!!! 

Don’t think anything will break on it assuming you have decent parts... feels a little weird to ride on dirt jumps- not as comfortable as a dedicated dirt jump bike... but it does the trick for sure.