[The Rose]

Ok DH guru's, Here is my big dilemma. I ride a Giant AC with a slider plus and a 24 inch rear wheel. The bike isn't bad and it does pretty good at Diablo freeride park in NJ. Now never having ridden a true DH bike I have nothingto compare this to. The question is should I spend a few bucks and swap the swinger 4-way for a stratos El Jeffe, or should I go for it and get a new DH frame? Would the difference in ride and performance be worth the money of the new frame? Again I have never ridden a regular DH bike. I have ridden the AC for the last 2 years and can't help thinking that a frame upgrade would be great, but on the other hand maybe a new rear shock would make all the difference. So there it is, what do you guys think??

 

[TheMontashu]

Keep the swinger if you keep that frame, but i would say if you have then $$$ go for the new frame

 

[Slugman]

Other than Diablo where do you ride or plan to ride?

 

[buildyourown]

A new shock isn't going to change that bike very much. It might a little, but it won't make it a DH bike.
If you want a real DH bike, buy one. You can get a used frame for just a little more money than a new highend rear shock.

 

[The Rose]

Well, Diablo is where I have a pass to but I guess Plattekill is never out of the question and Maybe snowshoe once or twice a year. But really Diablo is where I'll be mostly. I have been looking into Rotec, Norco, Astrix and a few others.

 

[kidwoo]

Just from what I know about diablo, I'd think you'll be very happy on a DH bike there. I own a DH bike pretty much for northstar. Of course I've ridden it at whistler, bootleg canyon and a few other places but if I didn't live close to a mountain, I wouldn't own a dh rig. If you're buying season passes, it sounds like a worthwhile investment for you.

 

[The Rose]

Yeah I really want a new frame And have been saving here and there. But just wanted to be sure that it is going to be worth while. It would suck to dump 2 grand on a new frame and have it feel just like the AC.

 

[kidwoo]

Yeah I really want a new frame And have been saving here and there. But just wanted to be sure that it is going to be worth while. It would suck to dump 2 grand on a new frame and have it feel just like the AC.

I don't think there is a true DH frame made that will feel like your AC. Totally different geometries and much much stiffer for the most part. Plus a little extra travel never hurt.

 

[lovebunny]

try a specizlized bighit they can be had for 3-500 used. good bikes too. i just sold mine for a bb7. here how mine was setup

and my new rig i just bough and should be here tues
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=68896
the dh bike is well worth the investment. most fun you can have on a bike imo

 

[Monkeybidnezz]

Yeah I really want a new frame And have been saving here and there. But just wanted to be sure that it is going to be worth while. It would suck to dump 2 grand on a new frame and have it feel just like the AC.

If you have 2000 to drop on a frame, there are so many good choices out there now for you to choose from. If you are keeping it as a do it all frame, I would go for some of the longer travel freeride bikes vs. full on dh bike.

You should take some of the new frames like the VP Free or Fly...you will be suprised on how much more plush they feel compared to your AC..which is a good bike but more of a trail bike. If it's 2 years old, then Im guessing it wasn't even recommened on having a dc fork...since Giant upgraded that last year...