DMR 898

I love the DMR 898. I've had one for a while now, and can't believe how good it is. Mine is custom, but standard spec is fantastic. Mine has Argyle solo airs, and the weight is ridiculously low. The frame itself is 5.06lb's, which is great for a dirt jump frame. More importantly, it feels light. Jumping feels so easy and natural, and its really good fun round the bmx track. I also used mine around town and on the trails (although it's still got a single speed set up and single brake). It's just an easy riding bike, and the Microdrive gearing works really well. Somehow you can ride to and from the jumps easily on the flat, yet you never struggle on the downhills. Standard kit on one of these should last you years, and the £1200 price tag is well justified. DMR components all round on the grips, bars, stem, chainring, chain, wheels, cranks, seat and post. The only non-DMR kit is the Marzocchi Dirt Jumper forks and Tektro rear brake. People spend a fortune upgrading their frame to this kit, yet you get it all standard! None of the kit needs much maintenance, and is very durable. My bikes had no work on it at all, bar a tyre. It's an incredibly agile machine, and if you can afford it as a beginner, by all means go for it. It really inspired me to keep dirt jumping, everything just becomes that bit easier. The paint on the frame is average for a jump bike, but the frame's integrity is fantastic. I haven't ridden this bike as smoothly as I should have, yet it's remained crack and dent free (in situations when any other frame would have broken). It's outlived other jump bikes from people around me, and the scratches on the paint match any other dj bike. Trail riding on it is great fun, because you can get air on the smallest obstacle yet it manoeuvres like a dream. I'd advise a stronger back brake if you're riding trail all day long - or why not go for the DMR Omen? Not that the Tektro brake is poor, but you're asking a lot of that single rear brake with it's 160mm rotor to stop you repeatedly without any rest. Other brakes I've had have been far worse, but I'd recommend a high end Shimano or Avid rear brake, or add a front brake to reduce the load this brake has to cope with. Overall, a fantastic frame. It'll do pretty much anything with components that'll never wear out.