Mountain Biking - downhill bike?

I'm pretty new to downhill riding, I was just wondering if my diamondback ascent 3.0 (http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1997&Brand=Diamondback&Model=Ascent+3.0&Type=bike) would be adequate for some beginner level downhill trails?
Or if not, should I get new rims, new tires, or other new parts? Thanks :)

that bike is not adequate for downhill mountain biking. BUT if your definition for downhill mountain biking is off a bit then the answer may be yes.

but no to answer your question.

Alright, thanks.
What would some good entry level downhill bikes be?

look into the Giant AC2..

it seems have good reviews and its fairly cheap if you get one used.

Aight, will do. Thanks again :)

no problemo

i know your in cali, but people sell them all the time on craigslist. in ATL there are 2 of them for under $550 in great shape.

Hey Johnny, how about you DO some down hill riding before you go around making recommendations about bikes and such. You have a thread saying you may need to pick up a DH bike, and then you go and make recommendations to someone about DH bikes.

OP, you are new here. You'll find there are a few members who speak from experience and know what they're talking about, and there are a few who speak out of their asses. Guess which category the law man belongs to?

dynicus,
You will also find that there are some people that get walked on all day by their wives and instead of sticking up for themselves they take their anger out on anyone who says anything that rubs them the wrong way on the internet. The kind of people that have no self control when it comes to their attitude. The kind of person that leave a post on a thread just to tear somebody down and not even leave an answer to the post. And then their are othersthat get on here and speak what they know (even if its little) because they want to point you in the right direction, if only a little bit sometimes.

Rank,
No point in responding because I'm not going to get into empty arguments over the internet.

This is the last time "Law Man" opens this thread

dynicus,
You will also find that there are some people that get walked on all day by their wives and instead of sticking up for themselves they take their anger out on anyone who says anything that rubs them the wrong way on the internet. The kind of people that have no self control when it comes to their attitude. The kind of person that leave a post on a thread just to tear somebody down and not even leave an answer to the post. And then their are othersthat get on here and speak what they know (even if its little) because they want to point you in the right direction, if only a little bit sometimes.

Rank,
No point in responding because I'm not going to get into empty arguments over the internet.

This is the last time "Law Man" opens this thread

What I have no patience for are people who talk and give advice when they should be quiet and listen. Truth hurts kid, get used to it.

I have not responded to the OP because I don't have anything relevant to tell him/her other than who to not take advice from.

I was just wondering if my diamondback ascent 3.0 would be adequate for some beginner level downhill trails? I'm not sure what you would consider 'beginner-level downhill trails;' but if you mean just bombing downhill sections of the trails you normally ride, well, yes you can do that on darned near anything.

Actual downhilling has become a very specialized type of riding and a lot of pretty purpose-built hardware has evolved in the last ten years. If you were to try to use your DB for that kind of riding, you would find it woefully inadequate in a hurry. There are a lot of bikes out on the used market these days that could help you get into downhill. Too many to list but look along the lines of Kona Stinky or Specialized BigHit of any vintage. If there are trails near you that downhillers ride frequent, hang out there, observe and ask questions.

Oh god, another one of these.

1. OP, the bike you're asking about is not a sufficient DH bike. It's outdated & looks more like an XC bike than a DH by modern standards. So going by looks & age alone, I'd stay away. dminor may chime in since DH/freeride is his specialty from what I hear.

2. rankin, you're a veteran. We get it. JL took a look at the bike & saw the same thing I saw--the appearance of a modern entry-level XC bike. It doesn't take a sponsored DH rider to tell that bike isn't worth any money if you're looking for a true DH rig. I don't think $1000 would have even bought a decent DH bike in 1997, so the MSRP is another indicator. I agree that Johnny doesn't know enough about DH to be recommending bikes, but he did nothing wrong in letting the OP know that the bike he's looking at is an obsolete antique.

2. Johnny, there's no use in making false assumptions of why someone does what he does. You were right to tell the OP to save up for something better, but neither of us know enough about DH to recommend bikes to anyone. rankin was right there. And by making assumptions you can't prove about his personal life you're only feeding his original desire to show that you don't know what you're talking about. When trying to insult someone on the internet with logic, stick with what you can prove.

Oh god, another one of these.

1. OP, the bike you're asking about is not a sufficient DH bike. It's outdated & looks more like an XC bike than a DH by modern standards. So going by looks & age alone, I'd stay away. dminor may chime in since DH/freeride is his specialty from what I hear.

2. rankin, you're a veteran. We get it. JL took a look at the bike & saw the same thing I saw--the appearance of a modern entry-level XC bike. It doesn't take a sponsored DH rider to tell that bike isn't worth any money if you're looking for a true DH rig. I don't think $1000 would have even bought a decent DH bike in 1997, so the MSRP is another indicator. I agree that Johnny doesn't know enough about DH to be recommending bikes, but he did nothing wrong in letting the OP know that the bike he's looking at is an obsolete antique.

2. Johnny, there's no use in making false assumptions of why someone does what he does. You were right to tell the OP to save up for something better, but neither of us know enough about DH to recommend bikes to anyone. rankin was right there. And by making assumptions you can't prove about his personal life you're only feeding his original desire to show that you don't know what you're talking about. When trying to insult someone on the internet with logic, stick with what you can prove.

I never said otherwise.

hi dynikus, i lived in southern california for about 17 years and the only true downhill trails i rode were up at big bear mtn, snow summit, tahoe, and mammoth. for those types of true downhill trails you really need a beefy dh rig with 6-7 inches of travel (both front and back). if you are just riding local mtb trails that have some sections of downhill, a regular xc bike with 4-5 inches of travel would be sufficient for those types of trails.

No point in responding because I'm not going to get into empty arguments over the internet.



I will, none of you know what you're taling about. The OP needs to pick up a Sam Hill Monster Energy edition Demo. That's that!

I will, none of you know what you're taling about. The OP needs to pick up a Sam Hill Monster Energy edition Demo. That's that!

No, you're the idiot! The OP needs a Syndicate Edition carbon V10.

I readily admit I don't know what I'm talking about, but I'm going to recommend the Yeti 25th Anniversary 303 DH anyway. For no other reason than turquoise and yellow looks faster than Monster green or Syndicate red.

turquoise and yellow looks faster than Monster green or Syndicate red.

This makes two consecutive 'fastest color' threads.

No, you're the idiot! The OP needs a Syndicate Edition carbon V10.I hear only fanbois, hacks and Bender wannbes rode V10s.


This makes two consecutive 'fastest color' threads.Fastest-color threads date back to when a certain NC homey rode this certain anvil of a blue bike . . . .

OP, what kind of budget do you have and can you post some pictures of the downhills you are facing? I hit 25 - 28 on some bouncy rocky crap with a few twisty turns. But real DH bombing is 15 minutes of bashing rocky surfaces from all angles with tires and some kinda metal structures that can be guided and has a seat. Before you get going check into health insurance and a good dental plan.

All these guys are a bunch of ID10Ts - whatever you buy make sure it has LBDs - and a whole bunch of them.

specialized sucks

Fastest-color threads date back to when a certain NC homey rode this certain anvil of a blue bike . . . .


Shoulda kept that bike.......

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/mtnbiker66/Bikes/Dupont07016.jpg

But real DH bombing is 15 minutes of bashing rocky surfaces from all angles with tires and some kinda metal structures that can be guided and has a seat.

****, that's what real DH is? I didn't know there was a 15 minute minimum! What the hell have I been doing????

****, that's what real DH is? I didn't know there was a 15 minute minimum! What the hell have I been doing????

You've been going too fast :P

:mad: And to think that I've spent ten seasons participating in a whole bunch of fake DH. I want a refund . . . and what am I going to tell the sponsors?

****, that's what real DH is? I didn't know there was a 15 minute minimum! What the hell have I been doing????

MINIMUM-as with their sex lives, that is a MAX! Then its back in the bus and nap on the ride back up! They are kinda like Hockey Goalies, they don't do much, but when they do, they gotta be quick. :lol::lol::lol:

They are kinda like Hockey Goalies, they don't do much, but when they do, they gotta be quick.Yah, just take it from Clark (ya hosers!):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdf4GeT4ELA

MINIMUM-as with their sex lives, that is a MAX! Then its back in the bus and nap on the ride back up! They are kinda like Hockey Goalies, they don't do much, but when they do, they gotta be quick. :lol::lol::lol:

15 minutes and a bus? I've really been missing out!

If you were in net for a game, I doubt you'd be saying they didn't do much...you'd be too exhausted!