Free Ride / DH starting out bike recommendations

gordon hatch

HI guys, just wondering, how much to pay for a good starter Downhill/freeride MTB, Im just getting back into it after a long time out so I havent really got an idea of Price.
I know the category of the sport is prbably v expensive but I want to get into it but not pay loads of cash and wreck the bike before I get used to it, would it be worth buying second hand on ebay r somewhere like that.
I was looking at a Cannondale downhill for £950, is this reasonable??
What are the most popular bikes? My mate bought a Specialized stump Jumper brand new and when i checked the price I thought no f***ing way at this point in time!! lol
Let me know what you all think please.
Thanks
Hatch:):)

uberwolf

moved from FS thread.

My tuppence, any old hacker with good brakes and strong wheels as your priority. I really enjoyed upgrading my bike piece by piece as I went along. My 400 pound Scott bike ended up with Magura's, Marzochhi Z3's, XTR wheels, XT kit everywhere else before I moved frame!

The originals were fine at the outset, but then I won suspension forks, so they had me going over rougher stuff quicker, so I bought stronger wheels to avoid having to true the wheels after every spin, then I needed anchors for the greater speed! and so on.

Ciaran500

Define "freeride/downhill", seems to be a huge variation in how people class their riding.

t0mm

Have a look on Madmtb.com, epicmtb.com and irishdh.com for good deals on second hand bikes. You've justed missed the selling season, everyone has their bike set up for the summer now but have a gander anyway just in case. If you're starting of get a hardtail, much more beneficial for building skills as a beginner, and you can do a lot more on the bike. Around 1000 will get a very good machine second hand, about the same new will get you decent enough bike. Check out the shops in town, chainreactioncycles.com (free deliver on everything) and some of the English bike shops. Go in and check out the shops in Dublin, try out a few bikes for size (very important), and when you have an idea of what you want start looking. Never ever go to Halfords. Get a good piss pot helmet like a Bell Faction or Giro Flak, and try around the likes of Djouce and Hallyhoura first, then start heading out to the more advanced places like Threerock, etc. Bikes like the Specialized Rockhopper would be where your money's at.

Greyspoke

I've a virtually new (ridden about 5 times) Specializes Big Hit Expert that is gathering dust and needs a new home. It was well over three grand in Cycleways when I bought it a couple of years ago. MBUK mag gave it 9/10 for both freeride and downhill so might suit you well. Size medium. I'd let it go for 1200eu. PM if you're interested.

thebouldwhacker

Hi all,

I just got this recomended this as a good all rounder, road, trails and down hill.

What would ye think?
I'm new to down hill but don't want a bike solely for this which I cannot cycle on the road for a few miles or on reg trails. At the same time I want somthing that will not fall apart or somthing that I'll have to up grade straight away. I am using a Trek 3700 which I find alright but down hill is a bit hard on her and will prob fall apart soon.. should I upgrade the Trek for the time being or go for it and get a specilised or simular.
Am i being fussy and vague enough?


SIZES14'' 17'' 19'' 21'' 23''
FRAMEALUXX aluminium
FORKSuntour XCM 100mm travel lock out
SHOCKN/AHANDLEBARGIANT Comp aluminium
STEMGIANT Comp aluminium
SEAT POSTGIANT Comp aluminium
SADDLEWTB Speed VPEDALSSteel with resin body
SHIFTERSShimano Deore 27 speed
FRONT MECHShimano Deore
REAR MECHShimano Deore
BRAKESGIANT MPH 3BRAKE LEVERGIANT MPH 3CASSETTESRAM PG950 11-34CHAINShimano
HG53CRANKSTruVativ ISO Flow 22/32/44
BOTTOM BRACKETTruVativ Power Spline
RIMSLM aluminiumHUBSFormula disc
SPOKESBlack stainless steel
TYRESKenda 26x1.95''



View larger image



TERRAGO DISC
When you’re ready to hit the trails, the Terrago’s light AluxX Aluminium Fluid Formed frame, Suntour suspension fork with lock out, 27 speed shifters and Giant MPH disc brakes repsond with confidence. The perfect hardtail for your next adventure.

Key Upgrades (over Rainier):
- Suntour XCM 100mm travel fork with hydraulic lock out
- Shimano Deore 27 speed shifters and derailleurs
- Shimano FCM-443 chain set
- Sizes: XS (14”) S (17”), M (19”), L (21”), XL (23”)
- Colour: Black

novarapid

thats a very xc bike and woud prob be ok for light enough stuff not going to stand up to the rough stuff for long. Not much of an upgrade from a trek 3700, better forks and hydraulic brakes. better off going a step above that.
You need to decide what type of riding your going to do, great allround bike would be a Specialised enduro or Pitch. Giant glory.
try second hand i;d say, saw a pitch somewhere for under a grand.

Ciaran500

novarapid wrote: »

bike would be a Specialised enduro or Pitch. Giant glory.
try second hand i;d say, saw a pitch somewhere for under a grand.

Some one that is moving from a Trek3700 does not full downhill rig like a Glory or a €2000+ all day bike like the enduro. But the Specialized Pitch comp and Specialized XC Comp are around €1100 could be a decent buy depending on your riding and if your were willing to spend that much.

Once again you really need to define what you mean by downhill riding and just what do you want this bike to do. This is a downhill track in the Dublin mountains, I assume you're not doing this on a Trek 3700.

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2988759/
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2988820/
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2989170/
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2988809/