So this is a question for everyone out there, but especially the expert, semi-pro, pro races. This past year I started riding for Yeti and got myself a DH9. Wow what an amazing bike, but I feel like the bike is a bit big. Mind you I am from the East Coast so I ride a fair number of tight courses. Now for three years previous to this I raced for Rocky Mountain and rode and RM6/RM7 every year. Now to tell you the truth the DH9 is a far better suspension design, but I had much better results on the RMs. Now I don't think this is because of the suspension design, but because of the size of the bike. Now for next year I am a little torn between bikes, partially because of th financial situation. I think the 303 is a little out of range for this coming season, but I am thinking of selling th DH9 and racing on an ASX next year. So my question is how much travel do you really need. Do those of you who race on the 7" Gemini's find them ample enough. I never had any problems with the RM7, I have just found that I am a bigger guy now and am not sure if this bike will be to small. Also do you guys think that the new 8" Boxxer's will be to big for and ASX? Thanks for anyones thoughts on this subject.
How Much Do You Really Need?
- Thread starter DsDhBxracer13
- Start date
I don't know my 05 V-10 has "big bike" suspension but "little bike" manners when it gets slow and tight. The M-3 should feel similar. The DH-9 is a LONG bike for sure. the new thought on DH (race) bikes is lots of travel, short wheelbase. The courses are changing AGAIN. Becoming shorter, slower, and tighter. A few years ago courses were faster and more wide open. Now they are slower/tighter but just rough.
Jade buy a 303 so I can ride it.
dhtahoe nailed it. The wheebase is purdy long on a DH9, not great for the tight trails.
My M1 has a ton of travel, but a short wheelbase, which feels right to me.
The problem I'd have going to a shorter travel platform (freeride) would be BB height, I like low BB's and FR bikes don't have 'em.
My M1 has a ton of travel, but a short wheelbase, which feels right to me.
The problem I'd have going to a shorter travel platform (freeride) would be BB height, I like low BB's and FR bikes don't have 'em.
Math... Not just a good idea, but it's the law.Zark said:
my guess is...
you just need to buy the correct frame size for you.
DH with ASX forget it
303 - very expensive
if your problem is money try the IH or Giant
what frame size you use?
you just need to buy the correct frame size for you.
DH with ASX forget it
303 - very expensive
if your problem is money try the IH or Giant
what frame size you use?
I would also not recommend the asx for dh, and an 8in fork is too much for the asx, BB was well over 15in on mine with a 888, 7in fork and a lot of sag in the 7in travel position might work though.
shorter fork on the dh9 is best option, with the head angle at the steepest position, or just change your riding style. suspension is also better on the dh9.
I now have a dh9 w/ a 888 and risse cowns, slack but I still can ride it in the tight stuff just get over the front like somebody else said.
shorter fork on the dh9 is best option, with the head angle at the steepest position, or just change your riding style. suspension is also better on the dh9.
I now have a dh9 w/ a 888 and risse cowns, slack but I still can ride it in the tight stuff just get over the front like somebody else said.
guys thanks for the info. I guess I will steer clear of the ASX for downhill. I am 5' 11" and I bought a Medium. Maybe it is just a little to big. I guess I jsut have to sell the DH9, $1300, with wheel and some parts if anyone is interested, and get the 303. Thanks again.
I went from a SPecialized SWorks DH to an M1 a few years ago. The quicker handling was the biggest difference. SHorter is better. I ride my M1 on the longer wheelbase setting, but that is still at least an inch shorter than the Spec.
its interesting what fabiel barel said in his interview in the latest dirt regarding travel on bikes at the moment, basically his thoughts are that 7 inches front and rear is the best setup for racing and allows the speed to be carried through the turns instead of losing the speed through the suspension.
he said the suspension should work for the grip and the body should absorb the big shocks.
makes sense to me. people are too lazy and think the suspension should do all the work.. i`m no fabien but ive always thought shorter travel bikes feel faster, not as comfortable mind, but definetly faster.
steve peat and the royal team have run this setup of 7 inches at the back by using a shorter shock on the oranges, tracey mosely of kona, fabien, youve got gracia on the 7 inch cannondale so there must be something in it.
he said the suspension should work for the grip and the body should absorb the big shocks.
makes sense to me. people are too lazy and think the suspension should do all the work.. i`m no fabien but ive always thought shorter travel bikes feel faster, not as comfortable mind, but definetly faster.
steve peat and the royal team have run this setup of 7 inches at the back by using a shorter shock on the oranges, tracey mosely of kona, fabien, youve got gracia on the 7 inch cannondale so there must be something in it.
i dunno i like my 9 inch bb7 with an 8 inch shiver up front and i must say she rails like no other. beats the **** outa my bighit
I agree with what Stoney has to say. Get a sort fork and things get much better. But most importantly, DH9s love to be drifted. Back in the Fall I switched from a Shiver to a Slider+ and it made a HUGE difference in how the handled. I ride tight east coast stuff too, but have never felt slowed by the DH9. Just use the rear brake a little more, break the rear loose, sling it around and off you go. But I can't wait to get my 303.
the bike might be to big for you, I did own a medium dh9 but last year I switched to a small and it really do feel much better (I'm 6,0), If you then get a nice short fork for example: Slider +, dorado, boxxer it should feel much better and drift it! its the way to go on a dh9.
If you got the cash for a 303 I think you should try it out it seams to be an awsome bike.
If you got the cash for a 303 I think you should try it out it seams to be an awsome bike.