Ian Nelson's Park and Jump Bike

Team nsmb Bike Check

Words by Ian Nelson.
Date: 2009-02-19

When It comes to a dirt jump/street bike the main things I like in a bike are light weight and enough strength to take some abuse. This is exactly what my 2008 Transition Trail or Park serves up. As Eamonn did with his SX trail post, I am going to go over the parts that I chose for my bike and how I set them up.

Full Bike

Frame
The Frame is the 2008 Transition Trail or Park. It uses an integrated headset, Spanish bb (from the bmx world), no derailleur tab and an integrated seat clamp.

Geometry
The first thing I noticed when I hopped on my T.O.P. was the low bottom bracket. It gives the bike a low center of gravity which translates into a nice and stable ride. The chain stays are nice and short at 15.75" with the wheel slammed. That helps when doing manuals and spins, but also gives the bike a nice nimble feel. The final thing that really stands out to me on the T.O.P. is the top tube length. I have had bikes where I felt like the cockpit is from a kid's bike and I have had ones where it felt like I was riding a road bike. The top tube on the T.O.P. is just right. It's never has interfered with a bar spin, but also doesn't feel like I have to reach for the bars.

Fork
For the fork I went with something I had never thought of using in the past, a Fox F-32 RLC. It is light, has lots of adjustment and is very strong for such a light fork. I was skeptical of the strength for a dirt jump bike, but after a year of abuse I have had zero problems. Set up wise I run 110psi with 12 clicks from fast on the rebound. The fork is stiff at this pressure, but with no compression on, it is a forgiving ride.

Front End

Cockpit

I am using a Syncros Bulk 7075 bar  and a Syncros 60mm AM stem. I'm running the bars at just under 27". Some people love wide bars, but I find anything wider than 27" gets in the way when you are doing tricks like barspins.

Brake

For most of the year I was running an Avid Juicy Ultimate with a 140mm rotor which was perfect for the type of riding I was doing. A couple months ago I got curious and mated the Ultimate lever with an Avid Code caliper. The result was a super powerful brake with good modulation. That being said instead of making the franken-brake you would be better off saving the money and buying a set of Elixirs.

270 air

Wheels
On the rear of the bike I am running a Syncros DS28 on the FL hub with DT competition spokes. This wheel is pretty bombproof and light weight. On the front I went for the super lightweight FL DS 23 on the Fl front hub with DT Revolution spokes. 

Drivetrain

What Drivetrain? Well no gears, but for a chain I am running a Sram PC-1 with a 25-11 gear ratio. To keep the chain tensioned with a quick release I use a little spacer inbetween the axle and the frame. This stops the wheel from slipping and allows easy access when chainging a flat tire.

Tension
 Ian's custom wheels spacer keeps the chain at the right tension.

Weight
24 pounds all ready to go.

Tree Jump

 

Overall Ride
When it comes down to it the T.O.P. is truly a street and dirt jump bike and it reflects that in the way it rides. The chromo frame gives it a nice forgiving ride but it is still as stiff as you would ever need. All in all this bike is very nimble but doesn't give up strength which gives you the confidence to ride as hard as you want.