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Best built DH BIKES??

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Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
Hi guys, I'm pretty new round these parts... HI...

Anyway....I just wondered what you guys would say were the best DH bikes around at the moment in terms of build quality, strength, durability etc....I'm refering to alu DH bikes mainly....

My name (Brooklyn) is because i love Brooklyns bikes by the way! I dont own (cant afford) one! :o(

So....??
 

Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
What do you mean by 'duh'.... That statement holds no validity.. and just because a pro is PAID to ride a bike means nothing! The ones they ride aren't the same as the ones WE can buy!
 

Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
No offense.....I'm from the UK..... I hope you dont take my wit, sarcasm or irony to heart, I just came on here because it seems to be the best forum these days! :O) Dont want no arguments.... lol
 

Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
If he was being sarcastic then that makes it all make sense now!! But then, how was I to know he was being sarcastic?? I dont know the guy!! :OS
 

Curb Hucker

I am an idiot
Feb 4, 2004
3,661
0
Sleeping in my Kenworth
Brooklyn said:
What do you mean by 'duh'.... That statement holds no validity.. and just because a pro is PAID to ride a bike means nothing! The ones they ride aren't the same as the ones WE can buy!
you pass my dumbass newbie test, welcome to ridemonkey
 

Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
Hey, I'm glad you realise that just because I'm new to this here forum, doesn't mean I'm new to biking, I've been into various forms of mtbing for over 6 yrs.... I'm quite knowledgeable, but i like to hear others opinions, views, ideas etc.. hense this here thread. :O)
 

-BB-

I broke all the rules, but somehow still became mo
Sep 6, 2001
4,254
28
Livin it up in the O.C.
Brooklyn said:
Hey, I'm glad you realise that just because I'm new to this here forum, doesn't mean I'm new to biking, I've been into various forms of mtbing for over 6 yrs.... I'm quite knowledgeable, but i like to hear others opinions, views, ideas etc.. hense this here thread. :O)
One suggestion...use the built in smiles ;)

:nuts: :stupid:
 

Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
Ok, so very sorry ViolentVolante, please receive this apology with an open heart and mind... *sarcasm* (joke)
 

dw

Wiffle Ball ninja
Sep 10, 2001
2,943
0
MV
There are a lot of really well made bikes. Not al bikes (this goes for products in general, cars, toasters, DVD players etc...) are on the same level though. For bikes manufacturing craftsmanship is infrequently an issue, but design flaws are more prevalent. Every design has "flaws" or "compromises". Quality as a function of durability is often a percieved notion that has a lot more to do with the careful isolation and submission of these "flaws" than actual manufacturing craftsmanship or anything else.

So what I am saying simply is that careful manufacturing cannot cover up for insufficient, incomplete, or incorrect engineering judgement.

dw
 

Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
Thanks dw, a worthwhile thread at long last..... any more views?/

I always thought Mountain Cycles, Ventana, Santa Cruz etc to be some of the best built bikes.... Anyone agree?? Disagree?/ Reasons... just interested..
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
Brooklyn said:
Now can we quit the BS and talk about what I asked!!?? Please??
Thats like begging to have this thread derrailed with this crew :D

Canfield bikes, über tough rides for sure.

What's up Brooklyn? Are you a bike killer in search of the indestructable?
 

zedro

Turbo Monkey
Sep 14, 2001
4,144
1
at the end of the longest line
dw said:
There are a lot of really well made bikes. Craftsmanship is seldom an issue, but design flaws are more prevalent. Every design has "flaws" or "compromises". Quality as a function of durability is often a percieved notion that has a lot more to do with the careful isolation and submission of these "flaws" than actual manufacturing craftsmanship or anything else.

So what I am saying simply is that careful manufacturing cannot cover up for insufficient, incomplete, or incorrect engineering judgement.

dw
did that come directly off thesis paper intro? :D
 
I would have to say that I am really impressed with the craftmans ship of my Turner, it might not be the best bike for you...but..you have to admit its great work, I think the older ones hae even better looking and more work into them. But my 04' is a sweet machine, I have done everything on it(commuted to work, ripped whistler and hte shore and raced the **** outta it) but granted different strokes for different folks ;)
my top frame list, not that it matters

1)Turner
2)Santa Cruz
3)Iron Horse(new or old frames)
4)Ventana
5)Specialized(demo9) ;)
 

Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
Zark.. I'm very modest, not particularly a great rider, but I do it for fun.. surely the whole point of mtbing!? Anyway.. I'm just asking because all I know is if I'm throwing £5k+ on a bike, It'd better be well made and tough and built to last!! I hate the idea of 'planned obscelescents' it irritates the **** out of me, although everything thses days is bulit around this 'ethos'....
 

-BB-

I broke all the rules, but somehow still became mo
Sep 6, 2001
4,254
28
Livin it up in the O.C.
Although I don't RIDE a Turner, I'd say that it seems like a versitile frame.
New M3 or V-10's shouldn't be obsolete soon either.

Oh... and YETI has a GREAT quality build too...

For the $$$ you can't go wrong with an Ironhorse though.
 

Curb Hucker

I am an idiot
Feb 4, 2004
3,661
0
Sleeping in my Kenworth
Brooklyn said:
Thanks dw, a worthwhile thread at long last..... any more views?/

I always thought Mountain Cycles, Ventana, Santa Cruz etc to be some of the best built bikes.... Anyone agree?? Disagree?/ Reasons... just interested..
thats a start, add Turner, Nicolai, Intense, Canfield, and Foes to the list too
 

oly

skin cooker for the hive
Dec 6, 2001
5,118
6
Witness relocation housing
I know from a friend that being in the UK puts you at a disatvantage with some imported brands. He says specialized frames are pretty cheap in relation to some of the small US brands (turner, intense...ect). That being said, the demo9 seems a burly well working machine. I love my DHR and as bibs said it might not be ideal for you,but then again, maybe it would be, for quite a price in the UK as i understand.. You asked DH bike also, so does that mean a pure racer? or are you more an all-arounder? 9FR/DH) From what ive lerned from many bike forums is that you just asked one of more loaded questions. I think thats why your met with some sarcasm.
 

Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
Yeah I'm an all rounder (currently riding a hardtail Kona with Hopes M4s and zocchis), but i want to get into more extreme riding! So preferably a reasonably light, yet strong, throwable bike, with lots of travel, but I dont want a pig!!
And yeah you're right about the UK prices!! Foes Monos are £2600 over here! The Demo 9 is £2000... M3 £2600 etc.. Brooklyns are £3100!!
 

Brooklyn

Chimp
Jul 28, 2004
32
0
So yeah basicly a more 'freeride/allround' inspired big travel bike for all round extreme riding.... preferably with a shorter back end, and steeper angles.... Not keen on full on racers.. tend to be fragile and I'm a big guy!! (not fat! lol)
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
Brooklyn said:
Zark.. I'm very modest, not particularly a great rider, but I do it for fun.. surely the whole point of mtbing!? Anyway.. I'm just asking because all I know is if I'm throwing £5k+ on a bike, It'd better be well made and tough and built to last!! I hate the idea of 'planned obscelescents' it irritates the **** out of me, although everything thses days is bulit around this 'ethos'....
Right on, I ride for fun to and yes it is the point!
As far as planned obselescence, I think it is rather practical. The amount of abuse that a DH bike endures almost any frame is ready for retirement after three hard seasons. Aluminum fatigues and unless your bike is steel those are the 'breaks' :blah:

As far as bike that don't even last that long and cost a ton, it sucks! I cracked my M1 after a season and was bummed.

At the same time a bike designed to last a really long time would push its weight above what a skinny fukker like me is willing to deal with.

14 pound frame isn't super fun for me, but neither is sitting out months of riding waiting for a repair. It's a catch 22 that only a buttload of money can get you out of :rolleyes:
 
Brooklyn said:
So yeah basicly a more 'freeride/allround' inspired big travel bike for all round extreme riding.... preferably with a shorter back end, and steeper angles.... Not keen on full on racers.. tend to be fragile and I'm a big guy!! (not fat! lol)
Im a big guy too, 6'1 and 220lbs , can you get an Orange over there cheaper? Those seem to be good rigs, like the 7+, but Im have no expierance with them. Its tough,
 

MikeD

Leader and Demogogue of the Ridemonkey Satinists
Oct 26, 2001
11,737
1,820
chez moi
Brooklyn said:
Thanks dw, a worthwhile thread at long last..... any more views?/

I always thought Mountain Cycles, Ventana, Santa Cruz etc to be some of the best built bikes.... Anyone agree?? Disagree?/ Reasons... just interested..
MC and Santa Cruz (and some others) are all made by Kinesis in the US.
 

grimm

Monkey
Jan 12, 2002
390
0
Sweden
dw said:
There are a lot of really well made bikes. Not al bikes (this goes for products in general, cars, toasters, DVD players etc...) are on the same level though. For bikes manufacturing craftsmanship is infrequently an issue, but design flaws are more prevalent. Every design has "flaws" or "compromises". Quality as a function of durability is often a percieved notion that has a lot more to do with the careful isolation and submission of these "flaws" than actual manufacturing craftsmanship or anything else.

So what I am saying simply is that careful manufacturing cannot cover up for insufficient, incomplete, or incorrect engineering judgement.

dw
engineering in all its glory mate, but a sloppy put together well designed bike is nothing i want.. i had the chance of looking up close on one of these new tiny brooklyn link bikes, i forgot the name but you know which one i mean, and ive NEVER seen such sloppy looking welds on a 3000+ frame, not even on a 1500 frame for that matter.

the weld was no doubt strong, but inconsistant weldbeeds (i think thats the proper translation) both in width and length, a rather sloppy paintjob too.. and i think that when we are talking high end bikes, that cost 2000+, you should be able to not only demand a well engineered bike, but also a well crafted one.. welding straight and consistantly isnt that difficult for an experienced welder neither..

true, this is the first and only bmw frame ive seen in person, and for their sake i do hope this is a bad example, but bmw has forever lost whatever respect i had for them earlier. the nerve to charge such a price for such a poorly welded frame

to me, on the perfect or best bike, the craftmanship is just as important as the engineering, its all about the whole picture. especially when it comes to handmade frames, its nice to see the actual craftmans' pride in his work...

think ventana for welding, and you know what i mean..
 
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