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Cheap is a very relative term when it comes to DH bikes.
Many consider £1k to be 'cheap'
My 222 probably cost around £500-600 in total, after buying/selling upgrades along the way.
Don't be scared of older stuff either - my brakes are from 2003/4 era...
Thanks Scottfitz, but you be a looooong way from Manchester 🙁
Like nosedive, my bike buying is being closely monitored - so can just nip down the M6 for a 8 hour round trip!
eightyeight... I'm up near Preston, so sort-of close to Manc (depending on which side you live!)
If you get the chance, Farmer Johns (Marple area) is a fun day out. It's a small compact bike-park.
Free storage - we're on the way to Wharncliffe! Or can provide a cover story! 🙂
xiphon - Thanks! I'll give that a go. I'll live slap bang in the middle of town, but usually have access to transport.
Is night riding an option there, or is that plain silly?
There dont seem to be many downhill bikes in large size for sale, is the sizing different than for trail bikes? I'm ~ 6 foot, any advice on whether a medium or large is right?
Try some if you know someone with a newish dh bike or the kind of bike you want to buy. You can check the sizing chart on the producers website, but it's very subjective. I'm 6ft exactly and ride a medium because I like quite compact frames. Each to their own 🙂
thanks gravity slave, if you have a red bike mrs nosedive might not even notice that it isn't an enduro, as long as they aren't seen in the same place.....
If anyone is interested: I am down near Bristol next weekend and have the Friday off for riding (23rd Nov): I fancy doing Triscombe, but the uplift only runs on weekends OR during the week if they get 8-10 people interested.
Is this something people would be interested in? Otherwise, I'm going to head over to the FOD.
Long-shot, but I thought I'd ask.
Another newbie Downhiller here, got myself a burly AM bike at the start of the year and started doing a few runs in preparation for the Passportes, been hooked ever since, and now ride most weekends up at Stile Cop
Did my first race (timed practice) a few weeks back and really enjoyed it, hoping to do the next one this Saturday.
Proper DH bike in the new year I think, but in the mean time my filing cabinet is more capable than I am...
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7490076186_474dfd9847.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/karl33to/7490076186/ ]DSC_0032[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/karl33to/ ]Karl33to[/url], on Flickr
I'm in the process of building up a nukeproof mega frame. Should be fun when its done.
Yet [i]another[/i] Scalp owner here. Love the bike! Only ridden around Aston Hill as it's about 15 minutes pedalling from my house but plan to take it to France next year for the mega (with a dropper post).
Here's a pic of me at the recent "Root Canal" race at Aston Hill. My first race.
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What a wonderfully positive thread!
As for 2nd hand bikes, I've ridden several Kona Stinkys and always found them to be a joy. Not everyone's cup of tea true, but they suit me.
Another downhiller here. Ride all sorts but enjoy some downhill. No racing other than Enduro since a big crash in 2010. This is pre accident
[url= http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1306/4682233695_ce9416220d.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/43957750@N02/4682233695/ ]BPsa (46)[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/43957750@N02/ ]eddie.jenkinson[/url], on Flickr
All the 661 series are brilliant, as are the British Downhill Races run by si paton - the atmosphere is always very friendly, but they are always packed out with the best riders in the UK because they have UCI points on offer for European races etc. So it's very competitive at the top, but still friendly.Good starter race suggestions welcome!
Otherwise there is the Gravity Project series coming up which looks set to be a goodie, and the races they do at UKBP which is great for beginners and also look out for races at Aston hill because again they are great fun and there is a good variety of tracks to ride. Theoretically a beginner could enter any race and have fun, there is no snobbishness about "you aren't good enough to have entered this race" anywhere. Just be careful you check what track the race is actually happening on because you don't want to do your first race somewhere very difficult.
Lucky for some! Aston is a right pain to cycle to haha.it's about 15 minutes pedalling from my house
eightyeight - if you want a downhill specific place to ride try Lee Quarry...its not that far from you
Thanks - I'll give that a watch at lunch.
I do go the quarry quite a bit, i did the Hope XC series for some fitness. I guess it's knowing the lines that are more 'DH'.
Might try and get a night ride in tonight.
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Lee Quarry DH? ha ha ha!
All the 661 series are brilliant, as are the British Downhill Races run by si paton - the atmosphere is always very friendly, but they are always packed out with the best riders in the UK because they have UCI points on offer for European races etc. So it's very competitive at the top, but still friendly.Otherwise there is the Gravity Project series coming up which looks set to be a goodie, and the races they do at UKBP which is great for beginners and also look out for races at Aston hill because again they are great fun and there is a good variety of tracks to ride. Theoretically a beginner could enter any race and have fun, there is no snobbishness about "you aren't good enough to have entered this race" anywhere. Just be careful you check what track the race is actually happening on because you don't want to do your first race somewhere very difficult.
Thank you, that's very helpful.
Both the Forest of Dean and the UKBP are within 90 minutes of me, so both of those sound excellent. I have heard of the 661 series, I know there is one coming up soon, so I might pop over and take a look around on the day and see what it's all about.
The Gravity Project series sounds good, I'll see if I can find any more info about it.
I'd like to give myself the winter to work on my confidence on drops and jumps and see where I am in the spring. As you said, I wouldn't like to enter and find myself out of depth.
nukeproofriding -
Ride Dh Stu?
Just an old wannabe! 😉
Race Dates 2013 For the south East (not all confirmed)
[b]Bull Track Race Series - Crowborough - East Sussex[/b]
April 14th
May 12th
June 9th
June 30th
[b]Gravity Project Series - Hampshire[/b]
March 3rd - Rogate, Near Petersfield
April 7th - Gravity Project Quarry - Near Alton
May 5th - new venue 1 - Near Alton
June 2nd - New Venue 2, Near Petersfield
July 7th- Gravity Project Quarry - Near Alton
[b]Aston Hill - Wendover - Buckinghamshire[/b]
March 31st
Sept 1st Halloween night race on Black run
And PORC Winter race 25th Nov 2012 of course £20 for over 16s and 150max, sign on the day only.
What do you want to know?The Gravity Project series sounds good, I'll see if I can find any more info about it.
Both the Forest of Dean and the UKBP are within 90 minutes of me, so both of those sound excellent. I have heard of the 661 series, I know there is one coming up soon, so I might pop over and take a look around on the day and see what it's all about.The Gravity Project series sounds good, I'll see if I can find any more info about it.
I'd like to give myself the winter to work on my confidence on drops and jumps and see where I am in the spring. As you said, I wouldn't like to enter and find myself out of depth.
The Mini DH stuff at the FOD is a good starting point, as it's all quite tame. The stuff at UKBP can, track dependant be a fair bit harder if you are just starting out, they have some reasonably steep sections & decent sized jumps. It can also be a bit hairy in winter when it's wet, as it's all on a chalk base.
The gravity project stuff is all pretty tame too, probably a half decent starter point. Tracks are all short & easy. Also you only get a handfull of quicker riders at the sharp end of the catagories, so it's less intimidating if you're wobbling down a track as a newbie conscious of much faster riders bearing down on you all the time.
They are all pretty friendly series to enter, if you ike what you find, then you can venture into Wales & start riding some proper tracks then!
Yeah Devils dyke is pretty challenging in the wet.It can also be a bit hairy in winter when it's wet, as it's all on a chalk base.
What do you want to know?
Nothing specific really, I guess at some point I'll just have to bite the bullet and sign up.
The Mini DH stuff at the FOD is a good starting point, as it's all quite tame. The stuff at UKBP can, track dependant be a fair bit harder if you are just starting out, they have some reasonably steep sections & decent sized jumps. It can also be a bit hairy in winter when it's wet, as it's all on a chalk base.The gravity project stuff is all pretty tame too, probably a half decent starter point. Tracks are all short & easy. Also you only get a handfull of quicker riders at the sharp end of the catagories, so it's less intimidating if you're wobbling down a track as a newbie conscious of much faster riders bearing down on you all the time.
They are all pretty friendly series to enter, if you ike what you find, then you can venture into Wales & start riding some proper tracks then!
OK thanks, useful info again. Maybe FOD is the way forward, I ride there more often that other places so already know it reasonably well, apart from the new track.
Anyone on this thread based in the south/london/midlands area area fancy meeting for a ride this sunday?
Nice local trail in the south (west sussex) with some stuff for beginners and advanced riders. Scottfitz reckons there might be a few people riding there sunday so i'm going to head up and see whats what - haven't ridden there in ages!
It's a great trail (two of them open currently I believe) all built and maintained by locals, jumps drops berms rock gardens roots and an easy pushup. It's a proper good laugh for a lazy sunday ride and theres a pub 5 mins down the road. Chicken runs off all big features too so you dont need a dh bike. Runs used to be about 1 minute 30 when I last rode there, might be longer now, mixture of technical turns up top followed by jumps, some huge flowy berms and drops etc. And they're all real friendly up there. Free to ride, car park at bottom of trails free parking all day etc.
Who's up for it?
Stu McGroo - Just an old wannabe!
Though I am now booked on a uplift day at Arthur Stinky Dog on Sunday. With a warm-up session at Deggy tomorrow it should be a good weekend. As long as it doesn't end like my last bit of downhilling 5 week ago!
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Holy bruise mark batman. That is a beast of a bruise did you get your back checked out?As long as it doesn't end like my last bit of downhilling 5 week ago!
Nice local trail in the south (west sussex) with some stuff for beginners and advanced riders. Scottfitz reckons there might be a few people riding there sunday so i'm going to head up and see whats what - haven't ridden there in ages!
Whereabouts Nuke? I'm West Sussex.
Nice local trail in the south (west sussex) with some stuff for beginners and advanced riders. Scottfitz reckons there might be a few people riding there sunday so i'm going to head up and see whats what - haven't ridden there in ages!
Is this north of Rogate? I'm loathed to mention the place as it's not meant to be public knowledge...
Whereabouts Nuke? I'm West Sussex.
Kingley vale area. nearest post code is PO18 9JQ. Street directions are fairly simple.
From the b2146 You head through Walderton and then Stoughton village - both have lovely pubs in them. Continue straight through Stoughton and past the Hare & Hounds pub on the left, and follow the road straight ahead. Ignore all turnings until you go up the hill through the trees and come to a large bend in the road going left, Straight ahead you will see the gravel car park for stoughton downhill. There were no signs when I last went but there might be these days. There is a steel bar with a height restriction across the entrance.
Anyone who is interested, we'll meet in that car park. From there - Looking down the gravel footpath from the car park, you push up the *2nd* track - in between the gravel path and the muddy trail that goes from the right side of the car park and straight up the hill. Keep pushing up that path until you see the track.
About 14miles south of Rogate so probably a different track ;pIs this north of Rogate? I'm loathed to mention the place as it's not meant to be public knowledge...
Ah, I know about KV!
Fancy it then mikey, hob nob et al?
Can't this week unfortunately, I think we're going to upset the locals at Peaslake this Sunday 😉
I can't on Sunday now, I'm afraid. I'm heading to Rogate tomorrow, instead.
Stoughton boys will be there from 10.00.
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A photo of my new glory as promised.
That is gorgeous, love the blue wheels.
Loving the look of the Kaisers - can't help but wonder how I they'd do on me covert....
Cheers deviant. Banks the kaisers are properly good tyres however these wire versions weigh around 6.6lb for the pair. The BC versions would be light though.
Nice Glory, always liked how they look in that silver/blue colour scheme. Here's the newest incarnation of my "DH" bike. Hoses need trimming but I'm happy to be back with Avids actually, they feel right straight away unlike the SLX brakes I had previously. Now I just need a Thomson stem for blinginess 🙂
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This is mine.
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Hoping it'll get me into racing for next season. I've come from a past full of HT bikes.
I'm just hoping for some 40's to replace the Shivers. I can't really get on with the USD forks. Though they are brilliant too use.
Yes, incase anyone says. I do know that SC say I shouldn't use a guide with a Taco but it's my call in the end.
Another downhiller here, only just seen this thread. Live in Bucks, so Aston Hill is my usual riding spot, but FoD, Cwmcarn, Fort Bill, Hamsterley are all places I've ridden/plan on riding again. I ride a fairly old/battered Orange 224, did my first race last October, got a fair few planned for this year. I'm by no means fast, but it's a good crack and I can dick about since we don't have the snobbishness of road riding and stuff. If anyone in the south east area/midlands etc fancies a ride out some time gimme a yell, there's a few of us ride most weekends.
Andy
I wouldn't say I was a downhiller, but some of the best days on the bike in the past 12 months have been in Morzine and with the DH youngsters at home.
I don't have a full on DH bike anymore, having sold it after a trip to Morzine, but a 160mm Lapierre Froggy was good fun in Morzine and is more than capable of ensuring the youngsters only have a short wait at the bottom of our local trails.
Just booking this year's Morzine trip now!
The "DH" bike:
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwheeler/8360056461/ ]P1000007[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/iwheeler/ ]ianswheeler[/url], on Flickr
This bloke isn't a downhiller either, but that didn't stop him giving the Les Gets trails a go on a €500 hardtail, complete with basket and picnic. It didn't end well!
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/37582372@N07/8364060939/ ]IMAG0531[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/37582372@N07/ ]scottgolfgti[/url], on Flickr [/img]
This is what i will be Race/Riding DH this year.
Nukeproof what's Gawton like trail wise for the lesser biker?
@archibald come along tomorrow and find out! its good fun there with 4 track to choose from, you will not die!
uplift service about to start in february.!
New Bike 😀
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very nice scruff!