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Aussie DH monkeys

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
128
Looking for some opinions from monkeys hailing from Straya - particularly ones from the Sunshine coast or know the area well.

I’m migrating there soon (been a long bloody process, but looks like things are coming to fruition finally), and I’m not certain what to do in regards to my bikes.

I’ve had some input from Udi about components / general availability / service etc, however I was wondering about my “one bike to do everything” solution.

I’m pretty set on selling up the dedicated DH bike just using my AM bike for everything, but I have some concerns. Particularly thinking that I might be “overbiked” if I buy something like a Santa Cruz Newmad. My options are to go full out and get something a bit bigger hitting than my current AM bike (which I love, but it’s only 140mm in the rear), or just keep my current bike.

I realise that the Newmad climbs well, but if its DH prowess adds nothing over the current bike for the given terrain, then it’s not wotrh me spending the money.

I realise the country is an enormous place, but I know I’ll settle on the Sunshine coast - probably around Caloundra. From what I could tell, it looked pretty flat there with little to no trails what so ever. Is that the case, or are there some hidden gems with a bit of gnar thrown in?
 
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Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
There's some good riding in that area (particularly one short but fun/rough DH location with a very fast shuttle turnaround) - drop me a line when you're in.

I think the ideal setup here is a DH bike and a ~140mm travel bike. If you just pick one of those, you'll be under-biked for DH tracks (which while not particularly steep do tend to be rough) and struggle on the XC. If you pick a do-it-all like the Nomad you'll essentially have a slightly sub-par DH bike that is still a struggle on the XC.

If you can bring both of your current bikes I'd suggest that, otherwise bring whichever one you like most and pick up a replacement for the other here. I'd lean towards bringing the DH bike because even a hardtail will cover most trails here.
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
128
Cheers Udi, will email you when i get settled.

I should elaborate a bit further. Surfing has always been my #1 sport, so mountain biking will take a back seat now that I'm moving somewhere where I can take that up full time again. Having both an AM and DH bike, will then be a bit overkill for a secondary sport. I don't mind going a bit slower on the DH tracks over a dedicated DH bike, and a bit slower on the XC. In fairness, even when XC'ing, it's all about finding the fast fun descents in between the miles, more than actually doing loads of miles.

I'd sure as hell miss the DH bike, but if the tracks are anything like it is here where I ride in the UK, I can hold my own just fine on a shorter travel bike. I'd also run 2 wheelsets, one with the do it alls on, the other with monster trucking DH ply :)
 
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tomasis7

stroganoff
Nov 5, 2014
623
65
Electronic bong-shed LEGAL
to settle to one bike is not bad idea. I think Nomad is spot on. Xc is not important so long one can accept climbing efficiency. I ride a 14.5kg bike and I dont complain when I climb up and it is still fun going down on 170/160mm front//rear. Single crown fork may flex more than one likes but I don't want ride fast like dh that I'd damage myself severly if i fell. Riding on edge with enduro is adrenalin kicking so all is relative.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
I was going to add that the biggest issue will be wheels / ply choice - if you have a plan for 2 wheelsets then you'll be set. I think with that and your descent-oriented attitude you'll be fine with a 6" travel bike, just make sure it's slack enough for DH use. I'd suggest a good 160mm fork, personally I'd be all over a coil sprung option but a modern air fork will probably be fine.

It will suck a bit on the flatter stuff, but I'm in the same boat as you with that - if the climbs take a little longer so be it, and I'm certainly not out looking for technical climbs - any uphill is just for the sake of going back down.
 
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supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
128
Sweet as - as I thought.
That pretty much sums up my XC as well - and I'm not too shy to push :)

65 is slack enough for me - I've never really got on with bikes that are modern day slack ala Mondraker / Gambler etc. I ran my Undead in the steep / low setting as well when I had it, over the low / slack in the UK (only took it out and put it to slack when we went to Morzine / Morgins etc)
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
Yeah 65 is heaps slack, that's all I meant. We are running our Gamblers in +1 (steeper) mode here with the high setting to deal with ruts and holes. Sadly there is nothing remotely like Morgins or Morzine here, let's not talk about that though!
 

bushrider

Monkey
Jul 4, 2006
146
0
NYC
I'm from the Sydney area and I also lived and rode downhill in the USA, around NYC for 7 years.
IMHO Aussies tend to over estimate the roughness of our local tracks.
I would agree that sections of our tracks are rough ... but not sustained roughness that really calls for a full on DH bike.

I own a Cannondale Gemini DH which is only a 7" travel bike and also a Foes Mono.
I very rarely ride a track where I feel faster on the Foes, maybe Threadbo (due to the speed and length of the track) all the other tracks are better suited to a mini DH bike or enduro/AM bike.

This was not the case when I rode mountain creek, platty and whiteface .... those tracks I almost always rode my foes. My Cannondale with only 7" felt sketchy compared to the foes in the east coast rocks and roots.
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
128
Cheers Bushrider. I ended up ordering a Giant Reign 27.5 , which is particularly low long and slack + a DH wheelset for it (in addition to the AM wheelset)... so I'm pretty convinced that I have all my basis covered.
 

bushrider

Monkey
Jul 4, 2006
146
0
NYC
A 27.5 Reign with 2 wheelsets sounds pretty ideal. My preference is to have my Geometry as close to a full on DH bike as possible but with less travel and less weight. I also prefer a low BB just to emphasize the handling traits that are most important to a downhiller. Many long travel trail bikes can be modified with angled headsets increase rear suspension sag to be very close to DH geometry (also offset shock spacers on some bikes). I run a 2deg slacker headset in my Gemini to make its old school Geo a little more new school.