I don't ride downhill, so you can probably disregard my opinion, however I felt compelled to share it. There are certain hobbies and activities that I feel you should consider carefully when working with a budget. For example, I wouldn't want to learn to skydive on a budget. I wouldn't build an airplane on a budget. I wouldn't buy the cheapest tank for scuba diving that I could find. Downhill is one of those hobbies. Sure, deals can be found. But make sure you seek them out. Don't jump at the cheapest thing labeled a "downhill bike" that you find without doing your due diligence.