Assembling a downhill bicycle
#1
Assembling a downhill bicycle
Hello
I cycle for about 20 years always on the road. Now I am being assaulted by the Downhill idea and I am already shivering of the pocket pain I will feel after paying for a quality DH bicycle. Beside that I do not know what is a good bicycle for the price and what are good DH components. So, I decided to assemble my own bicycle as I have done previously and I apply to the experts to make a list of componentes to assemble my DH bicycle starting by frame, continuing by hubs, rims, cranks, drive train, etc and etc.
Thanks
I cycle for about 20 years always on the road. Now I am being assaulted by the Downhill idea and I am already shivering of the pocket pain I will feel after paying for a quality DH bicycle. Beside that I do not know what is a good bicycle for the price and what are good DH components. So, I decided to assemble my own bicycle as I have done previously and I apply to the experts to make a list of componentes to assemble my DH bicycle starting by frame, continuing by hubs, rims, cranks, drive train, etc and etc.
Thanks
#4
Originally Posted by xenochimera
i am pretty sure its gona be cheaper if you bought the bike instead of trying to assemble one.
Yep. I agree. It will cost alot more. Damn fun building your own bike though and you'll get what you want anyway. Ebay, pricepoint and Greenfishsports are the best sources I've found for good component prices.
#6
Gravity Is Yer Friend

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,961
Likes: 0
From: "Over the Hill" and going down fast in the 805.
Bikes: Scott Gambler, Scott Ransom, Kona Bear, Bianchi 928 Carbon/Chorus, C'Dale Rize4
Before I even try and recommend parts I would want to know what the upper end of your budget would be.
You could build a 2000$ bike that will get the job done or you could build a 7000$ bike with top of the line components.
Also you say you have always cycled on the road. Do you have any mountain bike experience? Also, are you talking about a true DH bike or an all-mountain/freeride bike? There is a big difference and that would determine what components should be used.
DBD:beer
You could build a 2000$ bike that will get the job done or you could build a 7000$ bike with top of the line components.
Also you say you have always cycled on the road. Do you have any mountain bike experience? Also, are you talking about a true DH bike or an all-mountain/freeride bike? There is a big difference and that would determine what components should be used.
DBD:beer
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
Bikes: Specialized AWOL, Soma Juice
as DBD said, true downhill or freeride? I have a steelhead and road it on all the downhills this season in the southern collegiate conference and it worked. They aren't exactly pro level though. So that leads me to ask hardtail or full suspension?
#8
Thank you very much for your answers
I have a hardtail mountain bicycle but I suppose that I have done what is called cross-country. Detailing I have been traveling on dirt paths, some times very windy downhill and very steep up hill, not major chalanges like riding over rocks, jumping or other "stunt". So here I am consulting again the experts what is pure dh or freeride? can you get me links to the 2 types of bicycle?
About the amount of money I am willing to spend is about $4000 and I am aiming to double suspension, electronic shock absorbers, very steep descends, all sorts of difficult gound and climbing a little if needed.
Thanks
I have a hardtail mountain bicycle but I suppose that I have done what is called cross-country. Detailing I have been traveling on dirt paths, some times very windy downhill and very steep up hill, not major chalanges like riding over rocks, jumping or other "stunt". So here I am consulting again the experts what is pure dh or freeride? can you get me links to the 2 types of bicycle?
About the amount of money I am willing to spend is about $4000 and I am aiming to double suspension, electronic shock absorbers, very steep descends, all sorts of difficult gound and climbing a little if needed.
Thanks
#9
Still kicking.


Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 47
From: Annandale, New Jersey
Bikes: Bike Count: Rising.
DH bike: https://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...8&parentid=253
Freeride bike:
https://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...1&parentid=253
Freeride bike:
https://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...1&parentid=253
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#12
Have you ever ridden a true downhill bike? If not then I highly recommend trying one out before you dump a load of cash on building one. You may decide it is not the kind of bike for you, on the other hand you could decide it's the perfect bike for you. It's a good thing to know before hand though.
__________________
I may be fat but I'm slow enough to make up for it.
#14
LowCel
Answering to your very important question, I did try a DH bike once even jumping small half a meter walls. Interesting is the way I may describe the behaviour of the bicycle. Beside that I have some enduro motorcycle experience.
D. Chicken
Uphill ?!?!?! probably, but if I do not have any other possibility a man as to do what a man as to do! Most of the descends I know at same stage have a small climb in the middle.
thsnks for your questions
Answering to your very important question, I did try a DH bike once even jumping small half a meter walls. Interesting is the way I may describe the behaviour of the bicycle. Beside that I have some enduro motorcycle experience.
D. Chicken
Uphill ?!?!?! probably, but if I do not have any other possibility a man as to do what a man as to do! Most of the descends I know at same stage have a small climb in the middle.
thsnks for your questions
#16
Show Me What'cha got
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 0
From: O'Fallon, Misery
Bikes: old school Giant Attraction MTB (where it all started),old school Schwinn High Plains MTB (XC and long ride duty), Mosh DJ3 (BMX basher), and Trek Bruiser 1 (freeride and full of mods and still growing)
Originally Posted by revmonkey
Race Face Diablous line is good for DH and stuff like that. Marzocchi makes good DH froks, but Fox 40RC2 is generally the king of DH forks.
Last edited by Blazinall91; 11-14-05 at 12:36 PM.
#17
Show Me What'cha got
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 0
From: O'Fallon, Misery
Bikes: old school Giant Attraction MTB (where it all started),old school Schwinn High Plains MTB (XC and long ride duty), Mosh DJ3 (BMX basher), and Trek Bruiser 1 (freeride and full of mods and still growing)
Orange and Cove make some wicked good bikes. Trek Sessions are built well and as are say a Specialized Demo. Find what cha like
https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/main/main.php
https://www.covebike.com/home.html

Trek Session 10

Specialized Demo 9
https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/main/main.php
https://www.covebike.com/home.html

Trek Session 10

Specialized Demo 9
#18
Local Genius

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by revmonkey
Race Face Diablous line is good for DH and stuff like that. Marzocchi makes good DH froks, but Fox 40RC2 is generally the king of DH forks.
#19
Show Me What'cha got
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 0
From: O'Fallon, Misery
Bikes: old school Giant Attraction MTB (where it all started),old school Schwinn High Plains MTB (XC and long ride duty), Mosh DJ3 (BMX basher), and Trek Bruiser 1 (freeride and full of mods and still growing)
The Trek Session 10 comes with SRAM X.0 and Bontrager Big Earl which is pretty solid stuff. Also comes with new Manitou lines which are Travis fork and Revox rear shock, supposed to be solid as well.
The Specialized Demo 9 comes with Shimano XT, and some Hayes, and some Truvativ, and a Marzocchi 888RC
The Specialized Demo 9 comes with Shimano XT, and some Hayes, and some Truvativ, and a Marzocchi 888RC
#21
Norcal 29er
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Mendocino Norcal
Bikes: Gary fisher Mt Tam 29er
Originally Posted by caotropheus
Uphill ?!?!?! probably, but if I do not have any other possibility a man as to do what a man as to do! Most of the descends I know at same stage have a small climb in the middle.
https://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...5&parentid=253
There are two bike reveiws off to the right side of the picture. The fork on that is the FOX RC40's little brother. This is a freeride bike, but it can still be pedaled. Imagine that!
peace
harris
#22
Thanks everyone for their suggestions.
I forgot to say a very important detail. I am a small fellow, 1.63 m and 54 kg. the frame size that suits me are 15 and 16 and of course, some one like me in a descende is going to be more time in the air, hands on the bar, rather on the saddle
.
I start making my mind on components, and now, the controversial question:
is there any steel DH or freeride frames? (my preferences go on Reynolds 853 steel)
I forgot to say a very important detail. I am a small fellow, 1.63 m and 54 kg. the frame size that suits me are 15 and 16 and of course, some one like me in a descende is going to be more time in the air, hands on the bar, rather on the saddle
.I start making my mind on components, and now, the controversial question:
is there any steel DH or freeride frames? (my preferences go on Reynolds 853 steel)
#23
Still kicking.


Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 47
From: Annandale, New Jersey
Bikes: Bike Count: Rising.
Originally Posted by snakehunter
Yeah if you like to send a cracked fork back to fox after every 6 months.... Marzocchi is the sh@t, get a 66rcx2 or 888rcx2, you wont be dissatisfied...
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#24
My Bike's Name is Bella
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Canada!! I bike the icebergs
Bikes: 05 kona stuff (bella)
Originally Posted by snakehunter
Yeah if you like to send a cracked fork back to fox after every 6 months.... Marzocchi is the sh@t, get a 66rcx2 or 888rcx2, you wont be dissatisfied...
every 6 months you say??!!?? having never tried one i'm taking your word, but the fox40 looks like a beast. appears to be much stronger than the 888, although i rode 888 once and i needed more than 1 tissue to clean myself up, to say the least.
#25
Snake hunter
You have convinced me. A Transition DirtBag will be. It is a bicycle that fits in my definition of "what a bicycle should be". I intended to buid a bike more or less like this model. Beside that, according the descriptions, components, videos, simplicity and my limited 54 kg this machine seems to be tough and imune to all sort of agressive handling. Beside that, this is a secret among us, don't tell anyone, is Israel it costs 6300 New Shekels in USD for today 1443
!
https://www.x-rates.com/d/ILS/table.html
You have convinced me. A Transition DirtBag will be. It is a bicycle that fits in my definition of "what a bicycle should be". I intended to buid a bike more or less like this model. Beside that, according the descriptions, components, videos, simplicity and my limited 54 kg this machine seems to be tough and imune to all sort of agressive handling. Beside that, this is a secret among us, don't tell anyone, is Israel it costs 6300 New Shekels in USD for today 1443
!https://www.x-rates.com/d/ILS/table.html
Last edited by caotropheus; 11-15-05 at 11:30 AM.






