I know this type of thread can be irritating, so I'll try to provide as much background information as possible.
Me: 40ish rider in Arizona. Pretty decent and experienced trail rider with some on-again, off-again DH experience (here in Phoenix, we often ride the same trails on both trail bikes and DH bikes ... just slower). I'm 6'2" and 190 pounds nekkid. My first-ever DH rig some time back was a 2007 Morewood Izimu. It was fun as a first bike, but never could get the suspension to do what I wanted and even the large was too small for me.
I'm just getting back into shuttling and picked up a 2008 Giant Glory DH from a buddy. Still working on getting the suspension dialed (currently running a Push'd DHX 5.0 with 500 lb spring and a 2010 Fox 40 with heavy spring). The sizing on the frame does seem a little small (it's a Large) in top tube length.
I'm interested in "upgrading" to a more modern DH frame, something relatively "common" that I can find on the secondary market. The DH bike will see limited but consistent usage; typically shuttling AZ perhaps once a week, but I want to do some trips with buddies this year, so maybe Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, maybe Whistler. That said, the majority of the usage will be on rough, rocky Arizona trails. For locals and those familiar with our trails here, mostly South Mountain stuff (Geronimo, Holbert, National, 24th, etc.) and some Flagstaff in the summer.
Though I'd love (and plan to) try out some groomed, bermy-jumpy stuff, most of the time this rig will be used on rocks, high-speed chop, multiple successive hits and tight switchbacks that have big rocks and drops in the middle.
I'd like the bike to be decently tough for the conditions (though I tend not to be too hard on frames), relatively light but not crazy or carbon, slack, OK pedalling, but plush enough to save me when I get in over my skillset. Quiet would be a bonus. The following are the frames I'm considering (all used):
-- Canfield Jedi (have a built Yelli Screamy hardtail 29er that is freakin' awesome)
-- DW Turner DHR
-- Intense 951
Others would be an M9, V10 or maybe a Phoenix.
Happy to hear input and sorry for the long read. Thanks.
Me: 40ish rider in Arizona. Pretty decent and experienced trail rider with some on-again, off-again DH experience (here in Phoenix, we often ride the same trails on both trail bikes and DH bikes ... just slower). I'm 6'2" and 190 pounds nekkid. My first-ever DH rig some time back was a 2007 Morewood Izimu. It was fun as a first bike, but never could get the suspension to do what I wanted and even the large was too small for me.
I'm just getting back into shuttling and picked up a 2008 Giant Glory DH from a buddy. Still working on getting the suspension dialed (currently running a Push'd DHX 5.0 with 500 lb spring and a 2010 Fox 40 with heavy spring). The sizing on the frame does seem a little small (it's a Large) in top tube length.
I'm interested in "upgrading" to a more modern DH frame, something relatively "common" that I can find on the secondary market. The DH bike will see limited but consistent usage; typically shuttling AZ perhaps once a week, but I want to do some trips with buddies this year, so maybe Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, maybe Whistler. That said, the majority of the usage will be on rough, rocky Arizona trails. For locals and those familiar with our trails here, mostly South Mountain stuff (Geronimo, Holbert, National, 24th, etc.) and some Flagstaff in the summer.
Though I'd love (and plan to) try out some groomed, bermy-jumpy stuff, most of the time this rig will be used on rocks, high-speed chop, multiple successive hits and tight switchbacks that have big rocks and drops in the middle.
I'd like the bike to be decently tough for the conditions (though I tend not to be too hard on frames), relatively light but not crazy or carbon, slack, OK pedalling, but plush enough to save me when I get in over my skillset. Quiet would be a bonus. The following are the frames I'm considering (all used):
-- Canfield Jedi (have a built Yelli Screamy hardtail 29er that is freakin' awesome)
-- DW Turner DHR
-- Intense 951
Others would be an M9, V10 or maybe a Phoenix.
Happy to hear input and sorry for the long read. Thanks.