[seespotendo]

so im lookin to race some DH races in the not so near future
i have a stock 2007 prophet 6 and this we be my race rig, and i just wanted to see if u guys had any thoughts about upgrades i could do to make it more race worthy.

thanks!
nick

 

[John P.]

Hey Nick-

Depending on how much racing vs. trail riding you plan to do in the future, you may want to consider selling the Prophet (which appears to be more of an all-mountain sort of rig) and getting something a little more DH-specific.

I'll go with the assumptions that most of your riding on this rig will still be general trail riding, you don't have the scratch to get a full-blown DH sled, and you just plan to do an occassional DH race. With those parameters in mind, here are some cost-effective suggestions to get the most out of that bike for DH use:

Cheap/Easy stuff:
1. Tires. Think about it: the only points at which your bike actually touches the ground is through the tires. If you don't have good traction there, everything else is a moot point. I prefer Michelin Comp 16's as the most broad spectrum DH tire I've used, but Kenda, Maxxis, and others offer great choices as well..

2. Pedals. The stock spec on that bike is clips/straps, and that's a good way to get destroyed racing downhill (unless your name happens to be Doug Henry and you're at Mount Snow in 2001, but I digress). Try some cheap platforms or some platform clipless pedals (like those offered by Time, Crank Bros, Shimano, etc.).

A little more expensive:
1. A Chainguide. You'll be amazed at how often you throw your chain racing DH. A good two-ring guide will eliminate most of that and still give you some versatility for trail riding. I'm partial to the e13 DRS for some obvious reasons, but Blackspire, MRP, and others also make some nice guides.

2. A DH-specific wheelset. You'll trash those stock wheels in no time racing DH, so I'd recommend a set of wheels that you can just swap to on race weekends so that you save your lighter stock wheels for trail riding. Someone posted a link on here a couple days ago to some WTB freeride wheels at a great price. Azonic Outlaws can also be purchased for pretty cheap.

Most Expensive
The fork and shock you've got there aren't going to last long if you plan to do a full season of real DH racing on them. I'd suggest swapping out both of those for something a little more DH-specific, but at that point, you're into it for so much coin that you'd be better off scouring Ebay and the classifieds for a decent used DH bike. A lot of us on here (myself included) got into DHing on used bikes, and there's definitely no shame in that.

Hope these suggestions help,

-John P.

 

[bdamschen]

I've raced my prophet for light dh before, it works pretty good, especially with the slack head angle setting. Mine is an 05 and was stock, here are some changes I've made:

50mm stem, made all the difference in the world
28" bars w/ 2" rise
Single front ring and chain guide
2.3" wide tires
Swapped out lefty for Lyrik set to 140mm

The bike is now super fun. I would have stuck with the lefty, but already had the lyrik, and it was hard to find a shorter stem that would work with the lefty.

 

[Kevin G]

I think most of the stock components on the Prophet 6 are worthy of replacement if you'll be attempting to race DH on it. I have the same bike and have upgraded practically everything; although I don't race, but have taken it to Northstar and love to speed. Here's a start:

1. Brakes (I have Juicy 3s).
2. Wheels (getting I9/DT5.1 + 2.35s soon).
3. Shock (replaced the Radium with an Evolver ISX4).
4. Riser Bars / Short Stem (I have Deity 31.8).

Watch your BB when running in the FR position. Will try to think of more later...

 

[seespotendo]

thanks guys.

my prophet does have cages but i plan on swapping them for some flat wellgos i have.

but thanks for the suggestions!

nick

 

[DirtyMike]

Youll like the prophet as a light DH bike, but like said before its mroe of an all mountain rig. I have seen many people running them for dh and do very well with them. Guess it also depends on where you plan to race. Just of curiosity, what fork is on it now?

 

[seespotendo]

the fork on it is the stock marzocchi all mountain 4.

 

[bdamschen]

Oh, I didn't realize there were different Prophet builds, I bought mine used.

One thing I would get rid of, if yours has it, is the Fire rear hub. That thing to this day causes me nothing but headache, but I can keep it barely working, and I'm a cheap bastard so it stays on.

 

[Superdeft]

I agree with John P.
I raced my prophet DH for a couple years.

Start with a short stem.

I would go for a guide next, then tires, then pedals, but before I'd get some new wheels I'd just save my cash for a full-on DH bike.

 

[seespotendo]

nah mine doesnt have a fire rear hub, i think its a shimano.
alright so i guess im getting a 50mm stem and a chainguide
what guide do u suggest for 3 rings up front?

 

[Udi]

You can't get triple ring guides, you'll have to go to two chainrings (have the large one as a 36 if possible) and get a dual ring guide with a bashguard to replace the outer ring. The E13 DRS is probably the way to go.

 

[JRogers]

I think some triple ring guides are available still (I know they used to be around...)- it's just a tensioner. But a double is better. DRS is a safe bet.

I also agree about the short , tires and maybe wider bars. Anything more serious (brakes, suspension, wheels) and I'd just as soon put it into a new bike. The Prophet is a great bike (I have one), but it isn't a DH bike and you can't make it into one by slapping parts on it. Unless you change your stuff out constantly, you'll just make it worse for its intended purpose and not good enough for the role you want it to fulfill.

 

[bdamschen]

I agree with JRogers. It's no full blown dh bike, but it can be super fun if set up right. I ride mine for everything except super rough dh trails.

 

[46chief]

Heim 3 Guide. RM review it's a little old but I've heard aside from it's appearance it works well.
here

I run a two ring blackspire Dewlie on my bullit and haven't dropped a chain yet.

 

[Udi]

Fair enough you can get them, but unless he's riding road or really fast fireroads I'd reconsider the need for a third ring. If a 36T is big enough for WC DH these days then I'm sure it'll be big enough for him. Hell, go 38T if necessary. The bashguard will save your chain + rings + legs.

 

[DirtyMike]

My dirtbag is set up with An E13 Drs, 38 big ring, 24 small ring, shifts great. Another vote for an e13

 

[Kevin G]

Here's mine; loads of fun...

 

[singlepivot]

Here's mine. I ride this DH too! Prophet was stock, added new wheelset, Marz 150mm fork, and 60mm stem. My other bike is A Gemini.