Originally Posted by
BotByte
Downhill biking is for people that have been into cycling for 10+ years.
I've been cycling all my life and a single downhill ride scared the sh** out of me.
First. Downhill isn't about riding down the mountain, it's about surviving the trail. You would need about $1500 for a good downhill bike and any lower would risk your life.
Second. You don't have enough experience for Downhill. Just try to go 35mph down a flat road, it will scare you, now think about if your flying down a mountain at the same speed.
I would say get a Specialized Hardrock Sport $400, and do some easier mountain trials. You can get them at a lot of bike stores, I like the Hardrock as a beginner bike because it has good parts and a great frame.
And highly stress not to do Downhill until you have 5000 miles under your belt. YOU WILL DIE IF YOU JUMP INTO IT WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING
Some people are born for the road.
DH is for the nooblet as well as the vet.
Does knitting scare the sh** out of you?
$1500 won't begin to buy a "DH rig"...but a used $500 bike will let the OP survive the trail minus a few teeth.
35mph won't even dry my hair, Mary.
5000 miles of XC won't do anything for a DH'er...just do it, man!
Shredding the gnar is the most fun aspect of MTB...you either love it, or you survive it. I also have gigantic testi's that I use as punching bags when I get bored...
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPAPAPAPAP!