Getting into downhill again
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Decided it's about time i got another hobby as i'm becoming a bit lazy and need to get fit again.
I loved downhill when i was younger but, gave it up as it cost a fortune and couldn't afford a bike. I have a few mate who are well into their bikes
I'm looking at getting a decent bike that will last but, not sure what to get? I have a budget up to 3000. Really like the look of the canyon FRX flashzone. Has a cracking spec for the money. Will be using the bike for glentress and will travel to other parts of scotland too.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Max
Decided it's about time i got another hobby as i'm becoming a bit lazy and need to get fit again.
I loved downhill when i was younger but, gave it up as it cost a fortune and couldn't afford a bike. I have a few mate who are well into their bikes
I'm looking at getting a decent bike that will last but, not sure what to get? I have a budget up to 3000. Really like the look of the canyon FRX flashzone. Has a cracking spec for the money. Will be using the bike for glentress and will travel to other parts of scotland too.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Max
Going to make some assumptions now, please excuse me.
Personally I wouldn't have a Downhill bike as my only bike, it would be crazy, even if you've done it before the learning curve is incredibly sharp and you'll know yourself the penalty for mistakes is painful and possible long lasting.
DH is great for building Trail / XC riding skills and Trail / XC is great for building DH skills, but you'll have a devil of a time building up DH Pace, stamina and strength just riding DH, you just don't get enough saddle time - you could spend months just trying to solve arm pump and back ache from core failure.
If you've ridden before I'd buy a really nice 6" bike, you can ride downhill on it no problem, okay you might not have the grip to top the time sheets, but I ride Bike Park Wales, Alps, Whistler on a 6" and I'm not a great rider. I can also ride out of my house and in my local woods, around the trail centres, to the shops, and around the park with my Son on it, my Old DH bike used to get used 4-5 times a year, and I've got Cwmcarn 30mins from my door.
If you're heart is set on a DH bike I'd certainly go second-hand, they depreciation on DH bikes is unreal. eBay usually has a glut of new looking DH bikes being sold from areas as flat as a pancake, bought on a whim and used for a week in the alps an not much since then. I'd look for new style Demo 8's, Trek Sessions and Lapierre DH's.
But I think you'd be better served getting something more useable.
Personally I wouldn't have a Downhill bike as my only bike, it would be crazy, even if you've done it before the learning curve is incredibly sharp and you'll know yourself the penalty for mistakes is painful and possible long lasting.
DH is great for building Trail / XC riding skills and Trail / XC is great for building DH skills, but you'll have a devil of a time building up DH Pace, stamina and strength just riding DH, you just don't get enough saddle time - you could spend months just trying to solve arm pump and back ache from core failure.
If you've ridden before I'd buy a really nice 6" bike, you can ride downhill on it no problem, okay you might not have the grip to top the time sheets, but I ride Bike Park Wales, Alps, Whistler on a 6" and I'm not a great rider. I can also ride out of my house and in my local woods, around the trail centres, to the shops, and around the park with my Son on it, my Old DH bike used to get used 4-5 times a year, and I've got Cwmcarn 30mins from my door.
If you're heart is set on a DH bike I'd certainly go second-hand, they depreciation on DH bikes is unreal. eBay usually has a glut of new looking DH bikes being sold from areas as flat as a pancake, bought on a whim and used for a week in the alps an not much since then. I'd look for new style Demo 8's, Trek Sessions and Lapierre DH's.
But I think you'd be better served getting something more useable.
As already mentioned, that looks like a lot of bike for doing Glentress....
Do you actually want to do Downhill riding? Or places like Glentress?
If you want to do both, I agree with the above. I'd get a 6" travel bike. I have a Lapierre Spicy and it is useable for uplift days in this country (Innerleithen etc) and weeks in the alps, as well as normal trail riding.
Do you actually want to do Downhill riding? Or places like Glentress?
If you want to do both, I agree with the above. I'd get a 6" travel bike. I have a Lapierre Spicy and it is useable for uplift days in this country (Innerleithen etc) and weeks in the alps, as well as normal trail riding.
Agree with the above. You don't want to have to pedal that bike anywhere, so would be good for uplift days but it would be very limiting. Even on Alpine trips most people are riding enduro bikes rather than full on triple crown downhill stuff. I'd go for something in the Alpine 160/Strive/Enduro/Spicy kind of area. Canyon have the best spec for the money but reviews are few and far between.
Yeah I was kind of torn between getting an all mountain or a downhill one. The only difference I can see of is the DH bike is a wee bit heavier and one less sprocket. Just always wanted a downhill bike for years and when I had a shot on my mates Scott gambler I was sold on it.
I already have a 5-6 inch full susser but, it never took the punishment well and snapped the frame once (replaced it under warranty) and the sprocket is bent as well. Saying that it was not a high end bike so would imagine a more expensive one would fair better.
I was hoping the downhill bike would be more heavy duty. I'm really only looking to get a bike for bombing downhill and doing drops/jumps (once my confidence is back).
I had a shot of a specialized hard rock up glen tress but, didn't feel planted at all and wasn't very confidence inspiring compared to the DH bike. Feel mental for wanting to pay £3k for a bike but, I’m only young once
Thanks for your opinions so far.
I already have a 5-6 inch full susser but, it never took the punishment well and snapped the frame once (replaced it under warranty) and the sprocket is bent as well. Saying that it was not a high end bike so would imagine a more expensive one would fair better.
I was hoping the downhill bike would be more heavy duty. I'm really only looking to get a bike for bombing downhill and doing drops/jumps (once my confidence is back).
I had a shot of a specialized hard rock up glen tress but, didn't feel planted at all and wasn't very confidence inspiring compared to the DH bike. Feel mental for wanting to pay £3k for a bike but, I’m only young once
Thanks for your opinions so far.
Maxwell90 said:
The only difference I can see of is the DH bike is a wee bit heavier and one less sprocket.
There's more to it than that, although if you already have a AM type bike you might be in the perfect position to get on a DH bike, I took from your OP you didn't have any sort of MTB at the moment and fancied a bit of DH 10, years after last throwing your leg over a bike - sorry. Perhaps you'll have more luck than me, I loved by Cove Shocker, but it was kind of like owning an Elephant, quite unbelievably cool, but when do you ever get to use it! Bought it for £4500, back in 2008 before the prices went mental and struggled to sell it for £1500. Over £1000 a year in depreciation, I'm sure even after a week in the Alps, a Week in Whistler and half a dozen uplift days I could have rented a bike for less.
In regards to the differences, they're heavier, but also a lot more 'top heavy' anything under 20mph and they just want to fall over on you. They plain refuse to turn tightly, they simply don't climb, even riding on the flat is murder - and it's not just because they lack a grannie, they just swallow all your energy through suspension bob and tyre resistance.
If I had your budget, and an existing sixincher to sell to add to the pot I'd be drooling over some pretty amazing AM bikes, modern ones really are f
king outstanding at both DH and XC stuff, it's where all the development is going, not to mention a rider on a 6" AM bike came 3rd at DH Worlds earlier this year. I went to Glentress earlier this year and hired an Orange Pro 5 and it was utterly fantastic on those trails. They have a pretty good range of stuff there to hire so might be worth trying a day on an all-mountain bike first? The downhill bikes might only be a few kilos heavier but also the geometry will be pants for pedalling.
That said if you're talking about 20 foot jumps and 6 foot drops then you would be better off with a downhill bike, but you'll be missing out on the delights on threading a trail bike down fast flowy singletrack
That said if you're talking about 20 foot jumps and 6 foot drops then you would be better off with a downhill bike, but you'll be missing out on the delights on threading a trail bike down fast flowy singletrack
Nukeproof Mega AM should be well within budget and more than tough enough for DH and AM duties for a reasonably competent rider.
No bike is 'bulletproof'. You'll have to accept that maintenance will play a part in the life of a bike being so heavily used.
A Cove G-Spot maybe more robust as it is designed for freeride and trail duties. CRC had a frame only at 60% off but you'll need to build it up.
Alternatively, there seem to be a couple of Cove STDs on ebay recently. More heavy duty than the G-Spot with more travel and just about pedalable.
You could also try a Lappiere Froggy.
No bike is 'bulletproof'. You'll have to accept that maintenance will play a part in the life of a bike being so heavily used.
A Cove G-Spot maybe more robust as it is designed for freeride and trail duties. CRC had a frame only at 60% off but you'll need to build it up.
Alternatively, there seem to be a couple of Cove STDs on ebay recently. More heavy duty than the G-Spot with more travel and just about pedalable.
You could also try a Lappiere Froggy.
Another vote for an All Mountain/Enduro type bike.
It will be nearly as fast on the DH stuff as a dedicated DH rig - but you will be able to ride it everywhere. A DH just won't get used as much unless you live next door to an uplift.
The Canyon AM bikes have a great spec - but the reviews haven't been good (at least the ones I have read) with the geometry coming in for some stick
It will be nearly as fast on the DH stuff as a dedicated DH rig - but you will be able to ride it everywhere. A DH just won't get used as much unless you live next door to an uplift.
The Canyon AM bikes have a great spec - but the reviews haven't been good (at least the ones I have read) with the geometry coming in for some stick
If I had £3k and I was in your position I'd be looking at spending £1500 each on two bikes, most likely second hand. I'd want a full on downhill bike and a 6" travel do it all trail bike, between the two of those you'll have most riding covered, possibly try and stretch to a road bike as well to work on fitness and stamina.
Darkslider said:
If I had £3k and I was in your position I'd be looking at spending £1500 each on two bikes, most likely second hand. I'd want a full on downhill bike and a 6" travel do it all trail bike, between the two of those you'll have most riding covered, possibly try and stretch to a road bike as well to work on fitness and stamina.
That sounds like a good plan to me. Personally I'd spend £1000 on a 2nd hand DH bike, then £2k on a 5" trail bike. Depends if you have spece for both though I guess.
I'd agree with what others have said here.
Modern 6" bikes are so capable that unless the terrain you are riding is seriously steep/rooty/rocky, you wont be going any faster or having any more fun on a DH bike.
A 6" bike also has the advantage of being suitable for all sorts of other riding, important if you want to use it for building fitness as well.
Having said that, I have no idea how good a rider you are. If you are capable of hitting big drops and gaps and riding real DH courses absolutely flat out then a DH bike is what you need.
Be honest with yourself about your capability and the terrain you will be riding.
Given that you said you've been off the bike for a while, I'd go with a 6" bike, and when you feel you've progressed to the point that the bike is genuinely holding you back, sell it and get a DH bike. (Or save up in the mean time and buy a DH bike as well!)
Modern 6" bikes are so capable that unless the terrain you are riding is seriously steep/rooty/rocky, you wont be going any faster or having any more fun on a DH bike.
A 6" bike also has the advantage of being suitable for all sorts of other riding, important if you want to use it for building fitness as well.
Having said that, I have no idea how good a rider you are. If you are capable of hitting big drops and gaps and riding real DH courses absolutely flat out then a DH bike is what you need.
Be honest with yourself about your capability and the terrain you will be riding.
Given that you said you've been off the bike for a while, I'd go with a 6" bike, and when you feel you've progressed to the point that the bike is genuinely holding you back, sell it and get a DH bike. (Or save up in the mean time and buy a DH bike as well!)
Engineer1 said:
Go for the midlife crisis standard the lary coloured orange 5
I resent that, mine's Neon Pink and I bought it just over a year ago when I was 31! Sorry I should add I did Glentress on a 120mm XC full sus with no bother at all, admittedly no black sections. I'm just trying to imagine how much effort it'd be getting a DH bike up some of those climbs!!
Is it possible to buy an AM bike that could also take a twin crown fork and coil shock to upgrade it's DH potential if required? I know I can change to a coil on the back of my Orange 5 if I desired.
Edited by missing the VR6 on Saturday 12th October 10:53
Edited by missing the VR6 on Saturday 12th October 10:59
Trail bike is pretty much all you need if you're only going to be having one bike. I have an sx trail, 6" of travel and its bang on for everything. Done the Alps twice, ridden many dh courses and a load of trail centres on it too.
I'm in Lanark so always at Glentress/Inners, theres nothing at either that you need more than 6" for.
I'm in Lanark so always at Glentress/Inners, theres nothing at either that you need more than 6" for.
This is only my opinion but most replies have been you don't need a downhill bike but if your not that good ( which i'm not) when you come to rough or jumps your all over place on a light bike a heavier one is a lot more planted and stable. So me personerly would have something arround 35lbs then you can ride it up and down. But if you going BIG then a downhill bike does that the best no matter how many people say they do that on their orange 5
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