DMR Comp Front Wheel

The DMR Comp front wheel weighs in at 1310g, which is heavy for a front wheel. It is 36h, and intended for dirt jump applications. The double wall and 'D' section give it good strength, something I cannot disagree with. The £99.99 rrp is very cheap, and DMR do offer the pro range for the rider with a little more cash who wants to save some weight. The wheel's been run for ten months, but was second hand before I bought it. The bearings in the hub are beginning to go now, but it has been ridden in rough conditions and even Hope hubs need attention from time to time. The wheel has taken a complete battering, including a high speed crash straight into a tree. Despite a series of huge impacts, it has only developed a slight wobble. I know from experience that wheels twice the price of the DMR's couldn't survive that impact. The wheels themselves look good with the red hub and black rim with white graphics. My main niggle is the weight - because the strength is exceptional. If you don't care about it, then buy them for sure - £100 for a brand new wheel is fantastic value. If weight is an issue, spending a little more on a different wheel may be the answer.

Truvativ Boobar

Used mainly for downhill, but I have a set on my dirt jumper - crazy right? The stability that the width provides is inspiring, although I won't be doing any barspins! Weighing in at a very respectable 290g with 20 or 30mm rise options, I'm impressed. They keep a low front end  without using a completely flat bar - something that seems to have gone out of fashion. I like the decals, and the finish is average. There are scuffs on the bars, as there have been scuff-worthy incidents. They haven't exceeded my expectations, yet haven't disappointed me either. The £68 rrp does heighten expectations which would be impossible for the bars to fulfil. The Boobars are great, but the pricing is a little steep compared to some other bars out there that do the same job. It's a solid handlebar from a reliable company.

 It won't let you down, but it won't blow you away either.

DMR V8 Pedal

With an rrp of £27.99 the v8's represent amazing value for money. The range of colours is phenomenal: if you can't find a set to suit you - you have the wrong bike! It's an entry level pedal that's cheaper than rivals Nukeproof and NS, but doesn't feel that way. In my experience, it's more durable than the plastic Nukeproof offering - and I can't judge the more expensive NS because I haven't tried them. After months of crashing through rock gardens on a downhill bike and being scuffed across tarmac on a dirt jump bike, they weathered really well. The paint finish scuffed round the edges, but held up far better than offerings from any other manufacturers. One also has to acknowledge that these are DMR's cheapest, entry level, pedals. You have numerous models in between the v8's and the (mind blowing) vaults. Even on a budget, DMR offers a pedal to suit you. The v8's are very grippy. I liked the smaller surface area with the long pins. The pedals almost felt like being clipped in, and my never foot slipped or was uncomfortable on the pedal. Rumours of the v8's hurting the riders feet on impact proved, in my experience, to be completely nonsensical. Apart from the range of colours, value and grip, these felt like any other pedal in the variety of situations that I used them in. I'd happily buy another set, as at £28 you can buy a set every couple of months and keep your bike looking fresh - instead of gradually wearing one expensive set down. The bearings held up well (despite them being used in very sandy areas), and being able to apply extra grease is a real bonus for this price. If you don't like the standard pedals, DMR do a 'pimp my pedal' kit with pins and end caps in a variety of anodised colours (aimed at the more expensive v12's, but it's only the axle on the v8's that differentiates the two models). The v8's weigh I at 528g, but the v12's have magnesium and ti axle options that improve durability and reduce weight. Bottom line: give them a go! They're always on offer somewhere, and you won't find a better finish for the price.

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.