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If so, where/what do you ride? This forum seems to be mostly xc/am guys but I'm interested to see if there are some DH peeps too.
I ride a 2012 Nukeproof Scalp, usually ride low key places but some trail centres too like UKBP, Aston, Rogate, FOD, Gawton etc.etc.
This is definately a XC orientated forum but there isn't a busy forum like STW for dh. Ride IO is dead in comparison! I do a little DH when I can. Usually ride Stile cop but have done Cwmcarn, Gawton, Tavi and a fortnight in france. Had a 2006 Norco team DH but i'm just finishing a 2010 Giant Glory 00. I'll post some pictures up when im done!
I thought this was a roadie forum?
Another Dh rider here keeping a low profile. Ride FOD as its only 3 miles away and cwmcarn with the odd trip Scotland or abroad thrown in..
Empire AP1 for me plus just built a 2012 Nukeproof Mega (first outing tomorrow)
Transition Covert, only ride up to come down...
Get to the Alps whenever I can, did FOD earlier this year with flyup downhill on the Transition day.
Nice to know there are a few of us on here. Yeah I used to be on ride.io (when it was SDH) alot.. but like you say it's a shame because it has gone a bit quiet. I don't know whether its because of the name change but either way Rob and the guys who run it really deserve a busy forum. I try to use it as much as poss but just haven't been using forums until recently.
If anyone hasn't ridden Gawton i'd definitely recommend it as somewhere you can really push yourself in the UK.
Me and some mates are planning a little road trip to wales in early december so if any of you fancy riding some of the tracks in the south of wales for a long weekend in december let me know! We're staying at a mates house and maybe camping one night so if you're all man enough 😉 We've got a landy with a winch just in case Wales is like it always is in december haha.
Yeah post some pics man! Maybe we can carve a little niche for DH here on STW.but i'm just finishing a 2010 Giant Glory 00. I'll post some pictures up when im done!
Ahhh... riding up. Something I rarely do hahaha.Transition Covert, only ride up to come down...Get to the Alps whenever I can, did FOD earlier this year with flyup downhill on the Transition day.
I really liked the Ap1's when they came out! I really like the lateral thinking they applied to their frames. How does it ride though?Empire AP1 for me plus just built a 2012 Nukeproof Mega (first outing tomorrow)
I thought it was a general mtb forum hence the name single track? Could be wrong though...I thought this was a roadie forum?
Rosss - This is definitely a dis-orientated forum
FTFY. The thing I dislike about Ride IO is the 42 sub forums. Just because the system allows it doesn't mean you have to use it! Keep it simple.
Ride Dh Stu?
The only DH idiot I knew on here got banned.
Is that meant to be an insult or...? Are we not wanted? :p I don't understand lolThe only DH idiot I knew on here got banned.
you'll soon find out that this forum is mostly a bunch of Audi boys talking about Ipads and whatever the latest stupid gimmick bike is so they can drive to the country club with one on the A6's roof.
hahahaha.
I don't know what I am these days, but riding uphill blows goats, I'm not into hitting big dorps any more so freeride is out, so I guess I'm a downhiller! I drive a battered old Toyota pick up and ride an equally battered Giant Glory, and live in Vancouver these days so I guess I'm not typical STW demographic.
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That view is epic man... I am so envious of anybody who lives in vancouver!
I guess you could call me a DHer but I'm mainly an enduro racer. For about as long as I was properly into MTB I've been riding XC and then a day of DH too. I don't have a DH bike but I'm of the opinion that unless you're riding really rough tracks like Fort Bill and Glencoe, you don't need one at all. So I've got a 160mm travel enduro bike which does everything.
I've nearly finished making a new DH/freeride video. It should be done and uploaded sometime next week so I'll stick up a link on the forum for ya.
i ride dh
done a few enduros this year too
but im slow!
and based in london
the very recent arrival of a 2nd kimbers junior means i dont get much riding in lately
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I do, but it is the least ridden of my bikes: much easier to pop out for a couple of hours at night or get some badass hills in on way to work than all the faff of getting a 38lb bike/kit to the trails for a decent length of time: a day off spent downhilling is a day without spending much time with the kids. Gawton/Tavi Woodlands, mostly.
A few other local dh-ers lurk or infrequently post on here too.
yup me too, ride with monsieur Wilson above^^^
mainly gawton... a few other places locally and a bit of cwmcarn occasionally.(and again in the next few weeks hopefully)
just got a NP scalp also, I'm loving it, its really plush on the rear compared to my 224.
mmm south wales trip....keep me posted, mail in profile...
Not sure if I qualify but I like to do the odd uplift day on my Pitch, which now has 36 Vans and a DHX5, so is pretty much a freeride/mini DH bike. Been to Alpe D'Huez and Andorra Bike Parks as well. FoD DH is fun too.
Another DH, but getting a bit old for it......takes too long to mend myself.
Rides Orange 224 World Cup - mostly ride fort bill and France, but have been to Canada before family pressure took over!
Another DHer here: I don't really do much xc these days as I tend to do my cardio during the week on the road bike, and like to save the weekend for fun.
I mainly ride Rogate, on my Spesh SX Trail, but with annual trips to Whistler, Wales etc.
I own a dh bike, orange 224, but i@d not call myself a downhiller. only gets used 3 or 4 times a year.
Used it a lot more before kids. Regular at hamsterly, setmurthy, and local bridleways in the lakes. love riding at inners, but don't get up there enough now.
mainly gawton
i live five minutes from gawton and havent actually ridden there this year.
sold my DH bike for now but will get another when funds allow.
I only really ride DH and jumps on my mtb now, can't be arsed with doing lots of miles on a mtb, would rather ride my road bike if that's the aim. Mostly just ride at Woburn at the minute with the odd trip down to the FOD or up to stile cop. Spent last summer in Whistler which was amazing, still not really got over the post holiday blues as we don't have anything comparable over here!
Used to ride a Santa Cruz Bullit but I get by on my Blender now, it's way more fun. Here's a vid of the kind of stuff I ride that I made at the start of the year - http://www.pinkbike.com/video/259602/
Still got the Commencal Supreme DH here, so I suppose I'm still a DHer. Although done 1 race this yearly and barely used it other a couple of weeks in France. New mid-travel bikes are just too much fun (all the time) in comparison!
Here's proof that I do occasionally ride in though 🙄
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/7997197485_5bd734be6f.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_penman/7997197485/ ]Innerleithen SDA 2011[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/mark_penman/ ]mark_p2511[/url], on Flickr
I probably ride more DH than I do anything else (commuting by road bike excluded)
'No Fuss Events' Fort William DH Endurance Race 2012
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I do a bit... Wouldn't call myself a "downhiller", it's just mountain biking...
Got me a 2011 Last Herb DH, and mostly ride it at innerleithen, though been up to glencoe and the fort for races in the last wee bit. I hate pushing up with a passion so I tend to stick to uplifts.
another supreme here, did my first season this year racing in the SDA series.
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Keep the pics coming guys, ill do my best to get some up of my new steed for the next season in a day or two.
And yeah i'm with you _tom_ I'm the same. I can see the attraction to xc, but it just doesn't float my boat. I use my road bike a lot so theres just no point me owning an xc bike because it bores me stiff.
Do you all ride year round or are there summer only riders (cough cowards cough) here? :p I'm ill right now and i'm absolutely craving a ride. Torture.
If you like going downhill and it's not a flat fire road then of course you do :pNot sure if I qualify but I like to do the odd uplift day on my Pitch
Yeah I live in London too, but not all year round, so I get the chance to ride more regularly than I would if I lived in central London 365 a year. PORC is doable by train or car from, but it's miles to anywhere else.i ride dh
done a few enduros this year too
but im slow!
and based in london
Having said that, I used to see the occasional [s]w[/s]banker (or atleast I assume something like that) riding their carbon v10's and other top dollar bikes on hampstead heath with neckbraces, full faces, goggles, body armour and clips LOL
[img] http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/8865216/ [/img]
I'm another DH'er.
The only DH idiot I knew on here got banned.
Don't you just love the narrow minded ones!
Go easy, his lycra shorts are 3 sizes too small and they're digging into his scrotum.Don't you just love the narrow minded ones!
Another downhiller here. Almost exclusively DH in fact, though I do have a trusty Spesh Camber for occasional trail bashing.
Also riding a Scalp at the minute, which is by far the best DH bike I've ever owned. Aston is my local spot and will be entering all the British champs rounds next year so will no doubt see you around at some point nukeproofriding.
The Empire rides fantastic especially with the ccdb on..
The only thing holding it back is the lack of skill and fitness from its owner.
Tracks the ground superbly, I would put pics up if only I knew how to
Another Downhiller and Nuke Proof Scalp owner here.
Used to do some of the Midland Series DH but now do uplift days at Pearce cycle venues, Llangollen etc.
Now do most of my DH over at Antur Stiniog.
Also do lots of XC,AM and a few Gravity enduros etc.
do most of my DH riding at Antur Stiniog now. also do a few local tracks and been over to
Have also done a few Gravity Enduros etc.
I used to be a downhiller but haven't done it since about 1997.
among other things i ride DH. not built my new scalp up yet, but professional exams are in the way at the moment so all is on hold till they're sorted. itching to get out again and can't wait to get the scalp up and running and finally have a DH bike that actually fits me!
DH, XC, Road and BMX/4x.
DH mostly at FoD a little at Hopton, Bringewood.
DH/XC mostly on NP framed bikes.
No offence ment by my comment!
Another downhill only rider here.
Only ever ridden at
Woburn
Chicksands( I know. Not really dh but still)
Stile cop
Wharncliffe
Currently planning to try out some uplifts a bit further afield with some mates
I ride some DH (no proper races though) among other things. I ride it on my BFe, went out to the Alps this summer on it with guys all on big bouncers... has made me want a bigger bike somewhat!
Also riding a Scalp at the minute, which is by far the best DH bike I've ever owned. Aston is my local spot and will be entering all the British champs rounds next year so will no doubt see you around at some point nukeproofriding.
I'm itching to try mine. I took a bit of a hiatus when they were just coming out and now they're mega popular. Yeah will see you at southern champs at aston next year and probably the british champ rounds too!
Give us a shout if you're up for this wales trip in early december too. Anyones welcome to come join if they feel man enough to lock horns with deepest darkest wales in december. 🙂
I'm primarily a DH'ller. Although I probably shouldn't be with the amount of time I end up on the floor lately 🙄
Ride XC too, to get to see the country and keep CV fit.
2nd hand fully all the way! I buy mine off pinkbike. There are some absolute bargains that pop up there with people who either dont seem to care or dont know what their bike is worth 2nd hand.has made me want a bigger bike somewhat!
Gawton, UKBP and FOD are well worth a day on the uplift! If you want a real challenge Gawton will do it. Go on a busy day and try and keep up with the locals and you improve loads - they're bloody rapid nutters, so so fast. I couldn't keep up with them but I improved loads. I think they built a new uplift route since I went last as well - it was nuts before.Currently planning to try out some uplifts a bit further afield with some mates
Next weekend is a fine weekend to start again. We expect to see pictures of your new bike by wednesday and pictures of you riding by sunday. :pI used to be a downhiller but haven't done it since about 1997.
i ride all mountain but race DH so mountain biker is what i am, carbon v10 to race with and a alpine 160 for the rest.
Pro or comp? :p I got a comp but It's got some none stock parts. Elixir 3's (which I haven't tried yet, little bit dubious about the power they offer because i've also been a hope guy but we shall see..) Sdg saddle, sram x9 and xo drivetrain and cassette (xo guide) new tacky minions, sdg fly saddle, rest is stock. Comp frame as well - might have to take a few of the stickers off - they're well designed I think but just way too many of them. I might get it powdered matte black at some point because I saw a matte black scalp on PB and it looked nuts..Another Downhiller and Nuke Proof Scalp owner here.
Do it! Sounds awesome.I've nearly finished making a new DH/freeride video. It should be done and uploaded sometime next week so I'll stick up a link on the forum for ya.
I end up on the floor after xc rides more than dh luckily haha. I just like sprinting more I guess :p The weather isn't exactly in your favour currently though is it? lolI'm primarily a DH'ller. Although I probably shouldn't be with the amount of time I end up on the floor lately
has made me want a bigger bike somewhat!
I have an old Santa Cruz Bullit frame for sale (maybe some 55s to go with it as well) if you're after something cheap and reliable 🙂 Not really slack/low like modern frames but it's a really fun bike to ride, just too much for me. Better for jumps and that I reckon as it actually requires rider input rather than just soaking it all up!
And yeah i'm with you _tom_ I'm the same. I can see the attraction to xc, but it just doesn't float my boat. I use my road bike a lot so theres just no point me owning an xc bike because it bores me stiff.Do you all ride year round or are there summer only riders (cough cowards cough) here? :p I'm ill right now and i'm absolutely craving a ride. Torture.
I do enjoy a good XC ride every so often (love the long mynd) but since getting a road bike I just hate putting in miles on a mtb as it's so slow and inefficient haha. And I ride all year round, I actually prefer woburn in the wet as it's less beach-like and it's normally nice and tacky when its had some rain on it. Love working 5 minutes away, so convenient to go for a ride after an early shift at work!
Might as well add in my cheesy posed photo from last summer in Whistler 🙂
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I ride anything and everything really. My BFe hardtail gets the most use, but I'm all about the downhills and try and get out on my DH bike whenever I can. Here it is after a wet as hell day in Les Gets this summer:
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She's actually for sale though, as I want an enduro bike, and I don't actually race DH so it's a little unnecessary (but sooo much fun).
PocketShepherd - Lush bike, How do you rate the wheels?
I've ridden more DH than XC in the last year , my poor old P7 has hardly seen the light of day. Do most of my riding at Wharncliffe/Grenoside but we have a lads long weekend up at Fort Bill every year. Until recently I was using an '06 SX trail with triples but I upgraded my frame to this--> (steel content)
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I'm loving it ,the 3lb extra weight over the SX is worth it IMO.
Been riding dh ever since shift, super 8 and kranked were the newest riding vids. Iv always had a big bike in my fleet and although I only ride It a few times a year it makes my normal riding much quicker. Rarely get to play anywhere other than warners and occasionally Scotland. Should really sell it but somehow can do it.
Lucky git :p Whistler looks stunning as usual... have to go there within a year or two.Love working 5 minutes away
Another nice commie! Love that atherton blue.
I bet that thing munches rocks man! 3lb's is definitely worth it. Do you even notice the difference in weight?I'm loving it ,the 3lb extra weight over the SX is worth it IMO.
Do you even notice the difference in weight?
Only when I'm loading it into the back of the car to come home. The big problem is a proper DH bike is making me brave ,I've started launching drops that I used to roll and I'm even getting air of jumps. At 42 I just don't bounce well anymore.
I dabble in a bit of DH, not done much this year due to injury but also enjoy XC and Gravity enduro's so here is my pic
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Bike 2012 Specialized Demo 8 II
Pic of mine:
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7670148126_027ddcecf7_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53860438@N06/7670148126/ ]IMG_0778[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53860438@N06/ ]Northwindlowlander[/url], on Flickr
The white doesn't photograph well normally, too shiny. Easy fix for that 
Just replaced the forks with 2010 Teams purely because I'm a tart.
chiefP - Member
I dabble in a bit of DH, not done much this year due to injury but also enjoy XC and Gravity enduro's so here is my pic
Nice positioning of the right foot 😉
Rosss - Wheels are good. Not quite as bombproof as mavics as i've had a couple of dings in them, but they stand up to being bent back into shape/repaired pretty well.
nukeproofriding - cheers, it is a lovely colour. even moreso when clean!
Northwind - Last herb DH, yes? I am a fan. Something a bit different! So close to ordering a Herb 160 as my enduro bike.
chiefP - Member
I dabble in a bit of DH, not done much this year due to injury but also enjoy XC and Gravity enduro's so here is my pic
legend - Member
Nice positioning of the right foot
Haha yeah i did notice later, safe to say nothing went wrong 😉
That's it, aye... it's good, not the best pedaller and it doesn't pop off things as much as some, but the amount of traction is ridiculous. Better than I am, anyway.
Sizing's weird though- mine is a medium but it's titchy, the medium falls much closer to the small than to the large. TBH it's a little short for me but it does the job. So, I'd watch for that if you're looking at other Lasts.
Some more Scalp riding - FoD last Jan.
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Gold black and white! Looks beast. I've only been on this forum a few days... there are a lot of fools. None of them are DH riders. Strange that. lol
I'm currently deliberating on whether to buy a Bell Sanction, a Bell drop or another THE. Because my current THE is pretty badly beat up. But I loved that helmet. Anyone tried the Bell sanction/drop?
embrace it while it lasts because bravery ebbs and flows and it's better to have it than not in DH. I wouldn't mind wagering more people are hurt by their fear than bravery. Atleast that's what I've found once or twice when i've failed to commit to a gap drop or whatever. :0DH bike is making me brave
Remember the Troops Urban X 2012.
today at warncliffe cracking Mini DH( not the car )lol
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Good thread this, the nobbers seem to be keeping away - horrified no doubt!
Another Scalp rider, ride Gawton, Woodlands and Cwmcarn when I can, and went to Morzine for fist time this year - outstanding. Don't think I'l be able to swing a repeat trip next year though due to impending wedding.
I'm liking the idea of this "post downhilling stuff thread", much nicer than reading about people pootling around between various pubs to drink warm brown beer and eat obscure cheeses 🙂 Haven't got many action shots of myself but I was pleased with this one from a-line, apart from my bow leggedness and lack of any real style. Have since worked on getting my left knee tucked in and looking approximately 90% radder
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oh and all of the helmet cam stuff I've bothered to do so far - http://www.youtube.com/user/todgemistro?feature=guide
I like your hardtail vid Tom, good riding
Is this thread still committed to actual mountain bike discussion? I'm almost gobsmacked. No pedantry, no snide remarks, no vitriol, just like minded folk talking about mountain biking for 2 whole pages.
A first surely?
Downhill riders I salute you. Some nice footage there tom. Whistler looks maad.
They're taking over the world! Thats like what.. 7 in this 2 page thread or something? 5 at least? Mad.Another Scalp rider
I wouldn't call myself a DH rider, but only ride up to get down and have ridden done a few gravity enduros. I went to Grizedale this weekend, and chose to loop the black rather than do the the Northface trail! So not got quite sure what that makes me - DHcurious?
Problem being, have an AM bike and can't justify buying another bike yet 🙁
fervouredimage - MemberIs this thread still committed to actual mountain bike discussion? I'm almost gobsmacked. No pedantry, no snide remarks, no vitriol, just like minded folk talking about mountain biking for 2 whole pages.
A first surely?
I definitely won't mention how my neck brace definitely saved me from a bad case of whiplash, or worse, yesterday then.... 😉
This my old-school gravity bitch....
Frame is 10 years old, forks 8 years, and rims 10 years (D521 36H!).
170mm each end.
Brakes are from 2003 era (still work fantastic).
Survived the Fort Bill DH Endurance (previous pic) intact - 6hrs back-to-back down the Fort...
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nukeproofriding, great shout on this feed. Last few months I started using this alot more to build my bike and realised that the real downhillers / guys that push back up (like me) and few and far between!
So this wales road trip your guys hitting the downhill parks or doing enduro stuff? my bikes a converted hardtail jump bike with 8 gears so its pretty naff at long distance but great on built trails!
Another Dh'er here! A few trips over to Les Gets for the passporte du soleil gradually pulled me back into the need for DH speed.
I'm sure the XC crowd, given a day on an uplift would be buzzing enough to to hooked. After all, one of the most fun aspects of XC riding is tackling the flowy, twisty, techy sections of a ride. It certainly is for me.
So it's another Norco team for me. With riding places such as
FoD
CwmCarn
Hopton
and then more local places like Aston
What ever bike your on, can't be wrong!
Following the clip on another thread, I'm thinking of heading to Antur Stiniog before xmas (maybe coupled with a day in Betws). I'm assuming full-face / goggles are absolutely essential here?
Anyone else based in Manc on this thread?
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I'm pretty sure loads on here ride DH or ride DH tracks, but don't really class themselves as DHers, myself included. As far as I'm aware you need pyjamas to qualify, I'm not that comitted. 😉
I've been racing DH on my little bike, after selling my DH bike earlier this year due to a lack of use.
Find I can 'almost' be as fast on some tracks, but on the rougher, bigger, steeper stuff with big jumps I do tend to throttle back a bit, and question what i'm doing.
The losses in pedalling ability of a DH bike is made up on what I can get away with riding it. Some races on my AM bike have felt like a 3 minute accident all the way down, yet somehow i've held onto it, yet it's not much slower (seconds, rather than 10's of seconds).
I think I want a DH bike again. I'm glad i've been racing on the little bike, and i'm interested to see if it will make me quicker on a bigger bike now.