I have downhill mountain biked at n* a couple times and I really enjoyed it. Now I want to get a downhill mtb. Especially since I live in Santa Cruz. I was wondering what is the best for its price. Also since I dont have much money should I buy a frame and go from there, or would it be better to buy a complete? (I tried a search but my computer froze.)
What to get?: Beginner downhill mtb
- Thread starter p2djer
- Start date
What's your budget? "I don't have much money" is rather nebulous.
In general, a complete bike is a much better deal than a frame. Look for a used bike in the classifieds here, you're bound to find a good deal somewhere. If you wanna go new look to spend upwards of $1200. You can occasionally find closeouts for cheap at places like SuperGo and Performance, but they are generally not really assembled too well.
As cheap as possible.
um cheapest is like 1000 bucks
i suggest the santa cruz bullit
specalized big hit
kona stinky
and i am selling a santa cruz bullit PIMPED with deetracks
with 5th element boxxer team worlldcup guide xt derialer size medium for like 1200 and 1000 if you you dont need the fork. WHAT A STEAL. search for "bullit" in complete bikes and my ad should pop up. its a great deal. 7 inches front and back.
i suggest the santa cruz bullit
specalized big hit
kona stinky
and i am selling a santa cruz bullit PIMPED with deetracks
with 5th element boxxer team worlldcup guide xt derialer size medium for like 1200 and 1000 if you you dont need the fork. WHAT A STEAL. search for "bullit" in complete bikes and my ad should pop up. its a great deal. 7 inches front and back.
um cheapest is like 100 bucks
i suggest the santa cruz bullit
specalized big hit
kona stinky
and i am selling a santa cruz bullit PIMPED with deetracks
with 5th element boxxer team worlldcup guide xt derialer size medium for like 1200 WHAT A STEAL. search for "bullit" in complete bikes and my ad should pop up. its a great deal. 7 inches front and back.
edit: found the ad LINK http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158081&highlight=bullit
i suggest the santa cruz bullit
specalized big hit
kona stinky
and i am selling a santa cruz bullit PIMPED with deetracks
with 5th element boxxer team worlldcup guide xt derialer size medium for like 1200 WHAT A STEAL. search for "bullit" in complete bikes and my ad should pop up. its a great deal. 7 inches front and back.
edit: found the ad LINK http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158081&highlight=bullit
look at used bikes. you can find some great deals from $1000 to $1500 and come out with a nice ride.
or cheaper and still have a good bike.
or cheaper and still have a good bike.
deffinatly the only way to come out cheep is going complete. if you dont want to spend over 2 grand for a decent downhill bike your probly gonna have to go used as well. acctually in my opinion the bullit in the previous mentioned post is probly your best option man. just my two cents.
I just got a bullit and I love it. Make sure you get the right size. How tall are you? What bikes have you ridden (and what were the sizes)? Some bikes seem to be a little different than other bikes at the same size.
^ That's basicly my logic about used stuff (as long as it's in good condition).
I'll rephrase that: Through buying a used bike, it is possible to get a better parts spec than a new bike of the same model for about the same price. This does happen (just make sure it isn't thrashed).
I'll rephrase that: Through buying a used bike, it is possible to get a better parts spec than a new bike of the same model for about the same price. This does happen (just make sure it isn't thrashed).
Im 5,6. I have a p2 and its a long.mtnbrider said:
Talk to Tyler and Cam, they might be able to sell you something. When you're down at PoloGrounds just ask around, a lot of MTBers have old DH rigs they wanna part with.
Call up all the NorCal shops and ask what they have for cheap. Many, many shops order a freeride rig, and three years later they still can't get rid of it, and will cut a deal. I've gotten many a bike quite cheaply this way. My shop, for example, has a Trek Session for about half of retail price.
Check out the 2006 Big Hits from Specialized, they're going for cheap. Even the old Big Hits with a 24" rear wheel ride really well, don't break, and are uber cheap. The Kona Stinky or Stab line up is really nice as well, and is quite reliable. Bullitts are great, and Orange/Morewood last for a long time.
Call up all the NorCal shops and ask what they have for cheap. Many, many shops order a freeride rig, and three years later they still can't get rid of it, and will cut a deal. I've gotten many a bike quite cheaply this way. My shop, for example, has a Trek Session for about half of retail price.
Check out the 2006 Big Hits from Specialized, they're going for cheap. Even the old Big Hits with a 24" rear wheel ride really well, don't break, and are uber cheap. The Kona Stinky or Stab line up is really nice as well, and is quite reliable. Bullitts are great, and Orange/Morewood last for a long time.
Compare your tob tube length (if you like it) to a bike you are looking at. In my opinion, that is more important than the seat tube length.p2djer said:
a lot of people like longer bikes for downhill bikes. I know that the toptube legnth on my downhill bike is about an inch longer than my dirt jump bike.mtnbrider said:
if you're going to look at a bullit, then i'd suggest the size small if you're 5'6". when i had a bullit i was 5'10" and my medium fit well.
I bought an 04 SGS DH Pro complete here for $750 in January. Bought a Dorado for 400$, and it's a pinner bike.
Used can be good, but know what to look for (cracking, signes of abuse, etc.). Last year's closeouts are also really good. Lots of times they are not advertised - just go to your LBS and ask if they can find any good deals on last year's stuff.
If you do want to go new, I'd look at the IH Yakuza series. Good bang for the buck.
If you do want to go new, I'd look at the IH Yakuza series. Good bang for the buck.
i'd recommend trying to ride as many different bikes as possible before you make a decision. Find what feels good and fits you. If possible, take a few actual dh runs on it. A lot of companies send trailers of test bikes to big events at mountains. Hit them up and see what you like.
I also have a 04 SGS DH Pro that I got from Supergo new on closeout for $1300 no tax-- AWESOME DEAL
I've been super happy with it and i just put a 888RC on it- it feels awesome
get an Iron Horse on year end closeout. you will spend about 1300-1400 but it will last you, and you can always upgrade it fairly easily
I've been super happy with it and i just put a 888RC on it- it feels awesome
get an Iron Horse on year end closeout. you will spend about 1300-1400 but it will last you, and you can always upgrade it fairly easily
I'm 5'4 and my bullit is a medium, and it fits me perfect (the small, felt too short). My hardtail has about a 21.5" TT. I got the medium, because it was about that. I guess I like longer bikes.AirAddict said:
Just ride a bunch of bikes, and see what if small or medium feels better for you.
What companies are good to buy from?
Would a dakine apex pack be good to buy?
What should i buy for protection?
Would a dakine apex pack be good to buy?
What should i buy for protection?
...You should buy a fullface, shin/knee pads...elbow and a suit if your going all out.
Also chances are if your buying used you wont be buying from a company...you well be buying for a person...who owns a bike....from a company.... The SC Bulliet is your best option i think, you can find them for very cheap and they last.
Also chances are if your buying used you wont be buying from a company...you well be buying for a person...who owns a bike....from a company.... The SC Bulliet is your best option i think, you can find them for very cheap and they last.
...You should buy a fullface, shin/knee pads...elbow and a suit if your going all out.
Also chances are if your buying used you wont be buying from a company...you well be buying for a person...who owns a bike....from a company.... The SC Bulliet is your best option i think, you can find them for very cheap and they last.
Also chances are if your buying used you wont be buying from a company...you well be buying for a person...who owns a bike....from a company.... The SC Bulliet is your best option i think, you can find them for very cheap and they last.
Apex's are pretty big. I have a nomad. Read my review: http://www.ridemonkey.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/14/cat/59
What are you going to put in it? The Apex is huge.
Shin/knee pads, elbow guards and a full face are a very good idea. What kind of downhill are you going to do? If you are riding lifts/shuttling/racing, a full upper suit would be ideal.
661 and Rockgardn make really good stuff. Lot of companies make good helmets. Go to a bikeshop and try some one. Different brands fit different.
Ebay is a good place to look for bikes, as is here.
http://sporting-goods.search.ebay.com/bullit_Cycling_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR8QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ7294
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1066926
What are you going to put in it? The Apex is huge.
Shin/knee pads, elbow guards and a full face are a very good idea. What kind of downhill are you going to do? If you are riding lifts/shuttling/racing, a full upper suit would be ideal.
661 and Rockgardn make really good stuff. Lot of companies make good helmets. Go to a bikeshop and try some one. Different brands fit different.
Ebay is a good place to look for bikes, as is here.
http://sporting-goods.search.ebay.com/bullit_Cycling_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR8QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ7294
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1066926
But one review said the nomad couldnt hold a full face.
Ill be doing northstar in the summer then local trails the rest of the year.
Ill be doing northstar in the summer then local trails the rest of the year.
carry your helmet on your bars then..
He means it doesn't hold a full face in the pocket. What you do is put the buckles that are on the pocket through the helmet (out the face area), then buckle it. It holds one fine. I've done that for climbs and it's pretty secure.
O Ok.
Ill go with the nomad then.
Ill go with the nomad then.
Good choice.
Earlier this spring I bought a new '05 Ironhorse Yakuza Kumicho, and I am loving it. I paid around 1300 for it, and Ive put about 1300 in parts into it, but thats just the fork and some smaller stuff like pedals and bars/stem etc. Out of the box, the bike rides awesome except for the fork (Manitou Stance Kingpin). Im pretty sure that the newer models come with either a boxxer or a super T. Either way, much better quality than the stance. The newer models also dont come with the floating rear brake... which I have had some trouble with on mine. Considering that Ironhorse has made a number of improvements on an already plenty capable DH rig, I would say that buying one of these would probably be one of the best ways to go if you would like to buy new.rigidhack said:
zmtber said:
Also, check out Ironhorse bikes. My first DH bike was an Ironhorse SGS DH Pro. Great bike...a little heavy, but definitely great for DHing.
I think im gonna save up for a bullit frame. Then build it from there.
Would a 36 talas work or should I get a talas?
Would high rollers be good for dh?
What rims should I get?
Sould I go with avid or hayes for brakes?
Would a 36 talas work or should I get a talas?
Would high rollers be good for dh?
What rims should I get?
Sould I go with avid or hayes for brakes?
It all depends on how much money you want to spend. I would look for a used 2006 66rc2x (some near new ones are selling on this site now I believe), maybe avid mechs, get the loco wheelset from performance bikes, and a Saint or Hone crankset off of ebay. If you get the hones make sure you get ones with the pedal inserts, they have a stronger BB axle . . .
Highrollers are good all around tires.
For rims:
Mavic EX729's are really strong, while not very heavy. The olders ones are called D321s (they only changed the name).
Sun Singletracks are a little lighter, while still strong, but not as strong.
For rims:
Mavic EX729's are really strong, while not very heavy. The olders ones are called D321s (they only changed the name).
Sun Singletracks are a little lighter, while still strong, but not as strong.
Ide avoid the Fox 36s. 66 are the ones. My next up/downgrade if you like. Ex729s in my opinion are not the old D321 of the good old days. Sun MTX are good alround F/R rim. Only 32 hole tho i think. No 1 on here use Hope brakes? Bit pricey in the states? Get on Ebay and buy a new/secondhand frame and bits. Know it makes sense.
What is different between EX729's and D321's?
they're the same i do believe
I know they are. I was just seeing what he was going to say.