The Omen is DMR’s entry into the 4X world, and with World Cup rider Duncan Ferris having played a huge role in the design and development of the bike, things should look good for the dirt jump maestros.
Ride & handling: Comfortable but heavy
We set off round the BMX track, and found the geometry instantly comfortable, although the super low front end did take a couple of laps to get used to. We ended up flipping the stem to give more rise.
The 569mm top tube allows sufficient cockpit room to move about, but proved short enough to throw the bike around when our 5ft 7in test pilot came to laying down some style over the jumps.
The 408mm (16.1in) chainstays felt well matched to the top tube, making manualling technical obstacles easy. On the 4X track, the steel construction was refreshing when compared to all the super stiff aluminium 4X bikes out there. Much of the vibration is absorbed through the tubing, making for a super comfortable ride.
Our main gripe with the Omen is the weight of the build kit. It pushes the overall weight of the bike up to 13.8kg (30.4lb), which really does affect the way it rides and handles, especially when it comes to any extended air time.
We tried switching some of the key components just to see how much difference a lighter build made, and were happier once we’d got the weight right down to 12.2kg (27lb). So it’s worth noting that you can buy this frame separately for £399.
It’s not just the weight though – the Microshift shifting was far from ergonomic, and the brake lever blades aren’t much better in terms of comfort.
DMR provide the Tilt seatpost and Void saddle
Frame & equipment: Frame outshines build kit
Constructed from Tange Infinity steel tubing, the Omen takes a step away from the usual aluminium that’s used in 4X bikes. The steel tubing comes with a weight penalty though, and this frame comes in at a claimed 2.72kg (6lb).
Geometry-wise, it’s a full-on 4X race bike. The Omen only comes in one size and has a 69-degree head angle and low 301mm bottom bracket height. The top tube measures in at 569mm (22.4in) and ISCG 05 chainguide mounting tabs keep the bike bang up to date.
The Omen’s build kit is pretty simple but solid. Marzocchi’s 4X fork gives 100mm (3.9in) of bounce up front. When it comes to finishing kit, DMR can provide just about everything they need, and in the case of the Omen that includes pretty much everything apart from the drivetrain and brakes.
The transmission is taken care of by Truvativ’s Ruktion crankset and Microshift gearing, with Tektro’s brake providing the stopping power. The 28.6mm seatpost and 30.0mm clamp limit replacement or upgrade options though.
Although the build kit isn’t the greatest collaboration of parts, if you’re willing to give the Omen some tough love on the trails the frame still manages to shine through.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.