Mountain Biking - DH riding on a XC-Trail bike

Just bought a 2009 Cannondale Rize 4 and was thinking of bringing it for some light DH riding (no extreme jumps/drops).

Do you think the bike would be able to handle it, or would i be pushing it too hard regardless?

http://www.bike-trend.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/cannondale-rize-4.jpg

I think the bike should be able to handle it.

Depends on how big/how fast/how skilled you are, and what the DH stuff is like.

Drop your seat. Get a set of DH tires, or at least something a bit more suited than those stock tires, if you don't already.

Seriously. You'll have a much, much better day for it. Or, take the money from that and rent a real DH bike if you're going to be at a resort.

You said no extreme drops or jumps, so it should be fine. Downhill racing bikes in the early 90's weren't much different than today's full suspension XC bikes (limited travel, somewhat upright position, etc.). Of course, downhill courses were much different as well. However, if you feel the calling to do some heavier stuff, take the above advice and rent a DH bike instead of messing up your own bike.

If all you're doing is gravity fed XC riding...you're fine. You will enjoy it much more if you take Scrub's advice though.

If you're bottoming out the suspension on a regular basis, THEN you're pushing the limits of the bike.

My NRS has just under 4" of travel in the rear, and a puny 80mm fork, but I ride it pretty aggressively sometimes, and it can stand up to it quite well.

Big travel is overrated anyways...you always need the most travel while pimpin' it at the trail head.
















(says kansas)

I have the exact same fork and rear shock on a Trek Fuel. On normal 'XC' rides the rear bottoms out almost every time with 210lbs psi in it.
I weigh only 195 or something. I put 250lb in it this time and it might have helped but didn't make too much of a difference and 250 is probably too much anyways?? I have a bad feeling about this. Dizzamn.

time for a Van R

I have the exact same fork and rear shock on a Trek Fuel. On normal 'XC' rides the rear bottoms out almost every time with 210lbs psi in it.
I weigh only 195 or something. I put 250lb in it this time and it might have helped but didn't make too much of a difference and 250 is probably too much anyways?? I have a bad feeling about this. Dizzamn.

No idea on the fork, but AFAIK, the Fox rear is good up to 300psi. A little bottoming out now and then on harder or larger things isn't too bad. It's when doing it all the time, or really harshly that it can be problematic.

Or, RTFM.

http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_center/tuning_tips.htm

http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_center/owners_manuals/09/Eng/2009_OM_eng.htm

Thanks, that's good to know, I always thought the rough limit was your own body weight in lb, should probably take a look at the recommendations, oops. The front fork never really bottoms unless it takes a huge hit, the rear though is a little easier to bottom out doing relatively small things. Gotta learn how to land more smoothly too probably without putting so much force on the shock.

A shock w/ end of travel damper adj would serve the heavier dudes like you (and me) well. Conversely I liked my Fox Van R quite a bit b/c it seemed like it ramped up really well for my weight...the end of travel bottom-out bumper serves its purpose well on that really big hit / "oops" moment.

edit nm

I have the exact same fork and rear shock on a Trek Fuel. On normal 'XC' rides the rear bottoms out almost every time with 210lbs psi in it.
I weigh only 195 or something. I put 250lb in it this time and it might have helped but didn't make too much of a difference and 250 is probably too much anyways?? I have a bad feeling about this. Dizzamn.
That made me think. Would adding air pressure/stiffer spring/more preload on a XC setup help a rider to be able to take bigger drops and hits without worrying about wrecking the bike?

No.