ItCostsWhat?
10-10-07, 06:22 PM
I'm thinking about getting into Downhill action. Can you recomend a brand of bike to start with, or which components ? I'm 6'1" 200+ lbs. and 45+ yrs old. Don't worry I have good medical insurance.
Mountain Biking - Downhill racing
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BenLi
10-10-07, 06:25 PM
I don't do DH, but its always good to have a price range.
DylanTremblay
10-10-07, 06:32 PM
As already mentioned a price range would be helpful. Also how much travel you want on the bike? Weight preference? ect.
MulletArgyleman
10-10-07, 06:58 PM
umm...., how about Norco? http://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/downhill_and_gravity/atomik.php
Kona? http://konaworld.com/08_stabdeluxe.htm
or the cooler, calmer, stinky (more/freeride bike) http://konaworld.com/08_stinkydeluxe.htm
what's ur budget?:)
Kona? http://konaworld.com/08_stabdeluxe.htm
or the cooler, calmer, stinky (more/freeride bike) http://konaworld.com/08_stinkydeluxe.htm
what's ur budget?:)
BenLi
10-10-07, 07:01 PM
MulletArgyleMan forgot to include his other suggestion: http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/sto...categoryId=282 (http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-Bikes.jsp?selection=listingDetails&page=ty&lang=null&assetId=17262&imageId=22230&suggestedItem=&priceType=1&page=null&departmentId=51&categoryId=282)
MulletArgyleman
10-10-07, 07:15 PM
MulletArgyleMan forgot to include his other suggestion: http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/sto...categoryId=282 (http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-Bikes.jsp?selection=listingDetails&page=ty&lang=null&assetId=17262&imageId=22230&suggestedItem=&priceType=1&page=null&departmentId=51&categoryId=282)
damn! u caught me:p.
damn! u caught me:p.
mcoine
10-10-07, 07:42 PM
Don't worry I have good medical insurance.
Forget the medical insurance, get some good life insurance.. think of your wife and kids.. jeez.
Forget the medical insurance, get some good life insurance.. think of your wife and kids.. jeez.
ItCostsWhat?
10-10-07, 08:10 PM
Price ? depends- will I crash the hell out of it and have to replace it when I get good enough to race. or even with crashes do they repair well ? if it's just a bike to learn on and I'll need a race bike, then $500. but if it can take the abuse and repair well. then $3000.
BenLi
10-10-07, 08:15 PM
Price ? depends- will I crash the hell out of it and have to replace it when I get good enough to race. or even with crashes do they repair well ? if it's just a bike to learn on and I'll need a race bike, then $500. but if it can take the abuse and repair well. then $3000.
I think a decent downhill rig will set you back at LEAST 3 grand.
I think a decent downhill rig will set you back at LEAST 3 grand.
ItCostsWhat?
10-10-07, 08:19 PM
MulletArgyleMan forgot to include his other suggestion: http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/sto...categoryId=282 (http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-Bikes.jsp?selection=listingDetails&page=ty&lang=null&assetId=17262&imageId=22230&suggestedItem=&priceType=1&page=null&departmentId=51&categoryId=282)
Sweet Ride !!!!
Sweet Ride !!!!
TechTrek
10-10-07, 08:21 PM
ItCosts...
My recommendation is look on MTBR classifieds to find a decent rig for a good price.
I was lucky enough to get a VERY lightly used Specialized Big Hit for less than a grand delivered to my door. I am learning and beating it up, and since I got a good deal and a decent platform to build up from, I am slowly replacing what needs to be replaced.
Downhill bikes are made to be beaten up. You can always demolish something, but when spending, consider what a bike can take and if it will be strong enough to keep you safe if you do get into trouble and have to get out.
I think I'd rather have to repair a strong bike than save money and replace a cheaper bike after I get out of the hospital. I have been in a couple situations where the strength and long travel of my Hit helped me avoid problems that would have arisen from less travel/strength.
But I am less than 2 years riding, so what do I know.
My recommendation is look on MTBR classifieds to find a decent rig for a good price.
I was lucky enough to get a VERY lightly used Specialized Big Hit for less than a grand delivered to my door. I am learning and beating it up, and since I got a good deal and a decent platform to build up from, I am slowly replacing what needs to be replaced.
Downhill bikes are made to be beaten up. You can always demolish something, but when spending, consider what a bike can take and if it will be strong enough to keep you safe if you do get into trouble and have to get out.
I think I'd rather have to repair a strong bike than save money and replace a cheaper bike after I get out of the hospital. I have been in a couple situations where the strength and long travel of my Hit helped me avoid problems that would have arisen from less travel/strength.
But I am less than 2 years riding, so what do I know.
mtnbk3000
10-10-07, 08:23 PM
specialized bighit is a good place to start
Dannihilator
10-10-07, 08:29 PM
specialized bighit is a good place to start
The big hit is a god awful dh bike. Geometry is way off for dh racing.
I'd look into a used demo8 that is in decent shape.
The big hit is a god awful dh bike. Geometry is way off for dh racing.
I'd look into a used demo8 that is in decent shape.
mtnbk3000
10-10-07, 08:32 PM
specialized bighit is a good place to start
keyword was start, i never said he would end up like cedric gracia while riding a bighit.
keyword was start, i never said he would end up like cedric gracia while riding a bighit.
BenLi
10-10-07, 08:34 PM
The big hit is a god awful dh bike. Geometry is way off for dh racing.
I'd look into a used demo8 that is in decent shape.
saw one over in the mtbr classifieds, might want to take a look
I'd look into a used demo8 that is in decent shape.
saw one over in the mtbr classifieds, might want to take a look
ItCostsWhat?
10-10-07, 08:56 PM
Surfing around, I liked the looks of the Mountain Cycle brand, how does it hold up against the rest ?
BenLi
10-10-07, 09:01 PM
Surfing around, I liked the looks of the Mountain Cycle brand, how does it hold up against the rest ?
googled it. It isn't a very well known brand, but their bikes don't look half bad. However, you may want to get some reviews. Also, you may pay high boutique prices.
googled it. It isn't a very well known brand, but their bikes don't look half bad. However, you may want to get some reviews. Also, you may pay high boutique prices.
dminor
10-10-07, 11:34 PM
The big hit is a god awful dh bike. Geometry is way off for dh racing.
I'd look into a used demo8 that is in decent shape.Hate to have to disagree with you, Smashy; but the BigHit was a decent DH bike. It pedalled decently, had pretty fair geometry and there were a bazillion sold, so pickings in the used market should be good. The big drawback of the BigHit was the 24" rear wheel - - which ended up NOT accelerating like people hoped and did not do well on square-edged hits and other momentum-sucking features.
For getting into DH on a budget, the OP might do well to look to high-single-pivot bikes like the Santa Cruz Bullit or the Yeti ASX. Both a plenty DH capable with the right fork and can take a lot of abuse.
I'd look into a used demo8 that is in decent shape.Hate to have to disagree with you, Smashy; but the BigHit was a decent DH bike. It pedalled decently, had pretty fair geometry and there were a bazillion sold, so pickings in the used market should be good. The big drawback of the BigHit was the 24" rear wheel - - which ended up NOT accelerating like people hoped and did not do well on square-edged hits and other momentum-sucking features.
For getting into DH on a budget, the OP might do well to look to high-single-pivot bikes like the Santa Cruz Bullit or the Yeti ASX. Both a plenty DH capable with the right fork and can take a lot of abuse.
colombo357
10-10-07, 11:57 PM
googled it. It isn't a very well known brand, but their bikes don't look half bad. However, you may want to get some reviews. Also, you may pay high boutique prices.
Mountain Cycle is a very well known brand.
Mountain Cycle is a very well known brand.
dminor
10-11-07, 09:56 AM
Mountain Cycle is a long-time boutique brand that was tied for years with Kinesis of Portland, OR. They were known particularly for their almost-art-metal monocoque frames. A large shakeup of the whole way Kinesis operates split Kinesis USA from its Taiwan facility and divested them of the MC brand. The brand has since been revived by a new investor group and headed, the last I'd heard, by none other than Doug Stuart, formerly CEO of FSA.
MIN
10-11-07, 10:27 AM
I prefer the boutique variety:
Santa Cruz VP10, best I've ever used for DH.
Ellsworth Dare. Better for freeride than downhill... assertion true for 4-bar linkage designs in general.
Intense makes good bikes.
I've heard great things about the Orange single pivot as well.
Santa Cruz VP10, best I've ever used for DH.
Ellsworth Dare. Better for freeride than downhill... assertion true for 4-bar linkage designs in general.
Intense makes good bikes.
I've heard great things about the Orange single pivot as well.
MIN
10-11-07, 10:28 AM
Mountain Cycle is a very well known brand.
Their suspension design is outdated and bobs too much.
Their suspension design is outdated and bobs too much.
MIN
10-11-07, 10:39 AM
ellsworth dare with risse champ.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/Ellsworth_full.jpg
SC VP10 with Boxxer fork.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/Mt%20Whistler/IMG_2975.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/Mt%20Whistler/greghill2.jpg
My first FS rig was Kona Stinky D. It treated my nicely until I cracked the swing-arm.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/Kona_Drop.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/Ellsworth_full.jpg
SC VP10 with Boxxer fork.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/Mt%20Whistler/IMG_2975.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/Mt%20Whistler/greghill2.jpg
My first FS rig was Kona Stinky D. It treated my nicely until I cracked the swing-arm.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/Kona_Drop.jpg
mtnbiker66
10-11-07, 04:37 PM
Very impressive.......are you pro?
cryptid01
10-11-07, 04:42 PM
Very impressive.......are you pro?
He's gotta be, the VP10 is pro issue only.
He's gotta be, the VP10 is pro issue only.
euroford
10-12-07, 03:13 PM
a real downhill bike is going to cost you some coin, no way around that. a simple fact that highly effective and durable suspension, brakes, and other components cost more. its just one of those things that you -have- to be properly equiped for. your not going to go drive the rubicon trail in a volvo station wagon kinda deal.
just taking a quick look, the base model specialized bighit lists at $2200, i suppose that could get you started, but i've ridden one of those and didn't like it one bit. plenty of components on that spec i'd want to swap out as well.
lurk around in the all of the forums, try to connect with other local riders, save your money and hold on until you can make some truly informed decisions. you might really want to pay attention to the used market as well.
i'm not a big downhill racing guy myself. i ride a transition bottlerocket, and though not a race bike, simular requirments for durability, performance and capability are required and it costs buckets of money to have the kind of rig you want under you when undertaking exceptionally fast dangerous and stupid fun activities.
also budget for safety equipment.
just taking a quick look, the base model specialized bighit lists at $2200, i suppose that could get you started, but i've ridden one of those and didn't like it one bit. plenty of components on that spec i'd want to swap out as well.
lurk around in the all of the forums, try to connect with other local riders, save your money and hold on until you can make some truly informed decisions. you might really want to pay attention to the used market as well.
i'm not a big downhill racing guy myself. i ride a transition bottlerocket, and though not a race bike, simular requirments for durability, performance and capability are required and it costs buckets of money to have the kind of rig you want under you when undertaking exceptionally fast dangerous and stupid fun activities.
also budget for safety equipment.