the_don

The big hit is stock and is selling for around $600 usd. The faith is a bit more asking around $1000 but has a Boxxer fork on the front.

They are quite similar weight and geometry, the big hit is a little more slack on the front with more restrictions travel but the Faith's rear suspension design and 7" of travel with that Boxxer should mean it can handle any DH run I can point it at.

I want to ride mostly downhill but might want to be able to ride around the local trails (the Boxxer might limit that potential, but the domain on the big hit isn't exactly going to be pedal friendly).

Then there is the price difference.

So is the big hit going to not be good enough for big steep rocky tech downhill runs and I should get the faith or should I save money and just get the bit hit?

Kindaslow

The boxxer is an awesome fork, I loved mine. DH bikes are not fun unless pointed DH. So, unless you want to do a lot of pushing, plan to have another bike for local trails.

the_don

Looks stock and pretty new.

the_don

Looks like a few parts have been changed out indicating it has been ridden harder. That rear derailleur needs to get changed out.

dminor 

That model of BigHit did not have the best iteration of the FSR. It was an OK-capable mini-DH at the time; and, in fact, a friend of mine and his son both had them and dabbled in some local DH racing on them. And they made decent "big-feature" trail bikes too. But really, the Faith is set up better for DH. I'm not familiar enough with Boxxers to know from the pics if that's a Ride, Race or WC - - hopefully it's one of the better models. Marz Rocco is a better shock than the Vanilla and the Maestro rear linkage is a proven package.


As you said, the geometry is slacker and slacker is better for what you want to do - - especially since you're already starting from the disadvantage of a bit dated geometry with both.


If the Alivio works, leave it - - although it looks like it might be a medium or long cage. If so, ya, change it for a short; but don't spend a bunch since derailleurs are a consumable on DH bikes anyway :-D BTW, the MTX 31s are a good rim. Hopefully they are still fairly straight and undented. I have one that I need to lace up before winter's over that will replace an aging and very thrashed Syncros DS32.