Slopeduro Bike Build Guide: How to Build Your Own Playful Trail Rig

Slopeduro Bike Build Guide: How to Build Your Own Playful Trail Rig

 What Is a Slopeduro Bike?

 

A slopeduro bike is a hybrid between a slopestyle bike and an enduro trail bike. It keeps enough suspension and drivetrain to handle climbs and descents, while being modified to spin bars, pop off lips, and feel playful — just like a dirt jumper or slope bike.

Go to the bottom of this article to see a sneak peak of what I ride

Think of it as the perfect setup for freeriders who want to do big tricks and big missions on one bike.

 

Why Build a Slopeduro?

  • You want a bike that can trick and trail.

  • You ride jump parks, freeride spots, AND natural terrain.

  • You don’t want to own both a trail bike and a dirt jumper.

  • You want a clean setup for barspins or tailwhips.

  • You like customizing and standing out with your build.

 

 How to Build a Slopeduro Bike (Step-by-Step)

 

Let’s break it down into the most important parts of your build:

 

 

1. Choose the Right Frame

Look for a modern trail or enduro frame with:

 

  • 120–150mm rear travel

  • Slack head angle (64°–66° for jump stability)

  • 27.5” wheels or mullet (29” front / 27.5” rear)

  • Threaded bottom bracket (stronger, easier to service)

 

Examples: Transition Scout, Kona Process 134, Norco Fluid FS, Yeti SB140

 

2. Suspension Setup for Pop, Not Plow

You want firm, responsive suspension that’s tuned for tricks and landings:

  • Add volume spacers to fork and rear shock

  • Increase air pressure for a stiffer feel

  • Run fast rebound, but avoid top-out clunk

  • Stick to 140–160mm fork travel for balance

 Pro Tip: Avoid overly soft suspension — you want something that boosts you off jumps and doesn’t soak them up like a couch.

 

3. Optimize Your Cockpit

Your bar and stem setup makes or breaks barspin control.

  • Stem: 35–50mm length

  • Bars: 750–770mm width, low rise (15–35mm)

  • Headset spacers: Keep it low and clean

  • long rear brake and front brake through the headset or cut a hole in the star nut and top cap

 Want unlimited barspins? Use a gyro Disclaimer only works for a rear brake 


4. Drivetrain Setup: Simplicity Wins

You’ve got two good options here:

Option 1 – Single-Speed Slopeduro:

  • Use a single-speed conversion kit

  • Add a chain tensioner

  • Lighter and cleaner for barspins

Option 2 – Minimal Gearing Trail Mode:

  • Use a short-range cassette (like 10–42T)

  • Short cage derailleur (Shimano Zee, SRAM GX)

  • Still lets you climb, but keeps cables minimal

Either way, avoid long derailleurs or big cassettes — they snag and rattle.

 

5. Clean Up Your Cables

Barspins require freedom of movement. Do this:

  • run a long rear brake and the front brake through the headset or run a single rear brake Disclaimer not recommended on trails that  a front brake is necessary

  • Wrap cables loosely around the headtube 

  • Mount your dropper remote or shifter under the downtube (or go wireless with SRAM AXS)

Riders have even mounted remotes to bottle cage bolts or zip-tied to frame junctions.

 

6. Tires, Pedals, and Small Parts

  • Tires: Fast-rolling rear (like Maxxis DTH) + grippy front (Assegai or DHF)

  • Pedals: Wide flat pedals with metal pins for max grip

  • Saddle: Short and compact — you’ll be moving around a lot

Bonus: Pick colors or components that reflect your freeride identity or match your style

 

 Real-World Rider Tips

 

“Size down for barspin clearance. My medium with 27.5s feels way more flickable than my large.”
– Reddit user, r/MTB


“I mounted my dropper lever to the bottle cage bolts. Took a few tries, but now I can barspin and still ride up.”
– r/DirtJumping rider


These tips aren’t just theory — they’re real mods from slopeduro riders around the world.

 

 Slopeduro Build Checklist

 

Use this list when building your own:

 

  •  Trail/enduro frame (120–150mm)

  •  Short stem, low rise bars

  • long rear brake with front brake routed through the headset 

  • Single-speed or short-range cassette

  • Dropper post (optional but helpful)

  • Barspin-safe cable setup

  • Stiff suspension for pop

  • Tires suited for grip + speed

  • Style that reflects YOU

 

 Slopeduro Bike FAQ

 

Q: Can I barspin with a dropper post?

Yes — just clean up your cables. Mount the lever creatively or go wireless.


Q: Do I need a single-speed?

Not required, but it makes your setup lighter and cleaner. Use a chain tensioner.


Q: What frame size is best for slopeduro?

Many riders size down one size for better trick control and tighter cockpit.


Q: Can I ride trails with a slopeduro?

Yes — just keep a compact cassette and dropper for climbing.

What I own 

so I have a custom slopeduro fuji auric 1.5

with a long rear brake and my front brake is routed through the headset NO dropper post and im running a downhill 7 speed cassette and a Shimano deore  deraluier that I use as a chain tensioner, I have a mini mullet setup 27.5 in the front and 26 in the back so its extremely playful for a heavy alloy bike, it have a 50 mil riser bar cut to 740mil and box grips for easier barspins, i have a 550lb coil which is perfect for jumps but also good for trails, my fork is also on the stiffer side 

SANTA CRUZ 5010CThis is an older model Santa Cruz that has been through a lot, its more of my trail bike but its still barspinable because it dosent have a front brake and all the cables are on the longer side, IT Does have a dropper post, 12 speed shifting and a rear brake, its a full 27.5, and is great for hitting the local trails and the dirt jumps

How to Build a Slopeduro Bike for Cheap

A trick-ready trail bike that climbs, descends, and barspins.

Want a bike that can send trails and throw tricks without dropping thousands? Here’s how to build a budget slopeduro rig using trail/enduro

1. Frame

Look for a used trail/enduro frame with:

  • 120–150mm travel

  • Tapered head tube

  • Short chainstays

  • Internal dropper routing (optional)

Examples: Transition Scout, Commencal Meta TR, Marin Alpine Trail, Giant Trance. Price: ~$200–$300 used.

2. Headset (and Install)

Use a ZS44/ZS56 headset like Cane Creek 10 or FSA. Install it cheap with:

  • Grease + long bolt + washers

  • Tighten evenly to press cups in

  • No need for fancy tools

3. Fork

Go for 130–160mm travel with good clearance for barspins. Avoid bulky knobs.
Good budget forks: RockShox Yari, Marzocchi Z2, Suntour Auron. ~$150–300 used.

4. Barspin Setup – Front Brake Through Headset

✅ Keep front brake
✅ Still barspin 360°

How:

  • Drill hole in star nut + top cap

  • Route brake line up through steerer

  • Pull it out through the top

  • Reconnect and bleed

Bonus: Use a hollow compression plug instead for easier routing.

5. Cockpit

  • 35–50mm stem

  • 760–800mm bars

  • Extra cable slack or smart internal routing for spins

6. Drivetrain

  • 1x10 or 1x11 speed

  • Narrow-wide chainring

  • Clutch derailleur (SLX, Deore, NX)

  • Short/medium cage = less chain slap

7. Brakes + Dropper

  • Rear brake only (if spinning hard) or front routed through steerer

  • Dropper post: PNW Pine, TransX, KS Lev — get it used

  • Brakes: Shimano MT200, Tektro, or SRAM Level

8. Wheels & Tires

  • 27.5" preferred (light + poppy)

  • Tires: DHR II, Dissector, or faster treads

  • DIY insert (pool noodle) for rim protection

With a used frame, smart cable routing, and some patience, you can build a dialed trickable trail bike without killing your wallet.

 Final Thoughts

Building a slopeduro bike is all about finding your style — a setup that lets you ride jump lines, freeride terrain, and trail features with creativity and flow.

You don’t need to spend thousands on a custom slope bike when you can convert your trail bike into a playful, trickable rig.

The slopeduro setup keeps your ride fun, functional, and full of style.

 Want More?

Follow my builds, blog posts, and gear drops at Lumaki — my freeride-inspired brand for riders who want to express themselves on and off the bike.


 YouTube: Maxcankindawhip

Tag your build with #slopeduro and #Ridelumaki

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