Getting into dirt jump mountain biking, where do I start?

Question

I've been bmxing for about 5 years or so riding street, park, and dirt. I plan to continue bmxing but I want to get a mountain bike to hit the dirt jumps. I've been doing a lot of research and I'm lost, so much selection and different components/setups unlike bmx. I'm kinda short at 5'5 and thought a 26" wheel would be too big but noticed there's next to no selection when choosing a 24" bike, but I've heard 26" is the way to go even if your short...but it doesn't really make sense to me. Any info would be great.

Answer 1

26s are for everyone, but frames are not. frame dimensions are what determines the size of the bike. go to your local bike shop (not walmart or *****, they only have one-size-doesnt-fit-all bikes constructed of the c**p of the c**p components) and they'll size you right up. it all depends on your inseam and the brand of the bike. you would probably be saddling up on a S or XS sized frame. look up local bike shops in your yellow pages or use shop-finders on the official sites of the bike brand you choose.

my recommendations are Specialized(very sturdy frames), Trek, or Giant (my current bike).

if you plan on landing huge dinosaur air without a shattered a**s, i recommend dual suspension.

Answer 2

Go to your local bikeshop and ask them for advice im a kid and use 26 inch wheels there easier o pedal with bigger selection ect. my advice is to get a specilized p2 or a kona shred there both under 800$