[bsphere]

some details about myself:
I currently have an Haro Extreme X3 2004 w/ a Z150 FR fork. I own it for about 6 months. I had a XC bikes for about 1 year before the Haro which is some sort of light freeride machine..
Im currently not a very technical rider.

You probably know what it's like that you always look at your "next" bike..
it's the end of 2004 and I can get a pretty good deal for an IH SGS TEAM DH 2004.

my dillema is if it's time to switch to a full DH bikes.. because i fear that it may hurt my learning progress.. (technical stuff, etc..)

I live in Israel, and at the end of this month is the first official DH race of a league, so racing isn't my main concern now, but having fun

also I almost don't climb at all, as for riding with friends with some sick DH/FR machines so this is not an issue..

I'll appriciate to hear your opinions if it's time for me to buy a DH rig, because I don't think that those end-of-the-year deals will return.. specially on parts spec like of the IH.

 

[Zark]

As far as a first DH rig you could do a lot worse than an IH, sweet rides!

You skills base for DH are generally different from regular MTB'ing. Line choice, body position, cornering style will all nedd to adapt to a bigger, heavier bike. Do you have any hardtail background? It seems to make people smoother to have some time on one.

If you don't climb much and hang with guys that are already into it it sounds about time. Just remember DH is just an aspect of the bigger sport and not to limits yourself to one little discipline.

 

[dG video]

The Iron Horse bikes are rugged. I almost bought one but went with a v10. They have awsome componentry for their price and the newer ones seem to be perfect for what your doing, they also arent generally that heavy of bikes.

 

[bsphere]

my concern is that switching to a DH bike will screw my learning of being a more technical rider.

 

[dG video]

my concern is that switching to a DH bike will screw my learning of being a more technical rider.

Well it really depends on the terrain around you, with my v10 I can of tend to just plow through stuff, its not the smoothest but it works for me.

 

[MikeD]

I don't think it'd be bad if you had a DH bike, but I think it'd be bad if you ONLY had a DH bike...having a hardtail or an XC bike will really help your riding all-round, IMHO. They teach you nuances of riding you might not notice on the 'big rig.'

However, you can DH race on your current bike, too...unless you're vying for sponsorship and such, you don't NEED the fastest bike on the circuit. Also, there will ALWAYS be deals on bikes at the end of the year. Iron Horse will continue making great bikes for a great price, and you can always find mega-deals on used bikes, too.

Personally, I would just wait, ride what you've got, and see if you want a DH rig after a year of racing and trying other people's bikes.

But you're in a win-win situation, I'm happy to tell you...best of luck with whatever you decide.

MD

 

[bsphere]

I don't think it'd be bad if you had a DH bike, but I think it'd be bad if you ONLY had a DH bike...having a hardtail or an XC bike will really help your riding all-round, IMHO. They teach you nuances of riding you might not notice on the 'big rig.'

However, you can DH race on your current bike, too...unless you're vying for sponsorship and such, you don't NEED the fastest bike on the circuit. Also, there will ALWAYS be deals on bikes at the end of the year. Iron Horse will continue making great bikes for a great price, and you can always find mega-deals on used bikes, too.

Personally, I would just wait, ride what you've got, and see if you want a DH rig after a year of racing and trying other people's bikes.

But you're in a win-win situation, I'm happy to tell you...best of luck with whatever you decide.

MD

Im planning to keep the Haro for all mountain and for my little brother who wants to start freeriding too..

 

[Kornphlake]

I don't think you'd be slowing your progress as a technical rider by buying a longer travel bike. If anything it will expand your technical skills because you'll look at steeper chutes, bigger drops and faster, harder turns and think, "hey I can do that." Stuff that translates nicely into trail riding on a shorter travel bike. The only down side I can see is that you really do get used to plowing through really rough stuff rather than picking the smoother and often faster lines.