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A friend is looking at dropping some serious wedge on a new DH bike. He used to race many years ago, picked up the V10 2nd hand earlier this year (it's about a 2010 model or so), and has decided he's knocking the motorbikes on the head and planning on racing some of the BDS DH series next year. Anyway...
I've been out of the DH game for a LONG time... Last DH bike I owned was a Gracia Rep Cannondale Gemini DH! He's definitely after something interesting (so you can rule out mainstream brands like Trek, Spesh, Giant etc.). So far I've come up with a few suggestions for him, based upon the fact he's a smaller guy and has found his old V10 a bit of a handful, but also he's got a taste for the finer things too... I've always been a big Intense fan, so have suggested he look at the new M16 or even the outgoing 951, but then there's the Mondraker Summum Carbon Pro too. Have briefly perused the likes of Pivot (looks a bit industrial and overbuilt), and a couple of others, but given he's a smaller guy and it's going to be a race bike, lightweight and fast are the key requirements.
So those of you still in the DH game, fire away... 8)
[url= http://www.yt-industries.com/en/products/bikes/downhill/444/tues-cf-pro?c=93 ]This ? [/url]
Gotta be the YT Tues. Carbon, super bling spec, extremely well reviewed, and even comes in at a reasonable price.
I know you said nothing mainstream, but have a look at [url= http://dirtmountainbike.com/products/dirt-100/best-downhill-mountain-bikes-of-2015.html/1 ]Dirt's 2015 best downhill bikes[/url].
[url= http://canfieldbrothers.com/frames/formula-1-jedi ]Canfield Jedi[/url]
[url= http://www.zerodebikes.com/page/Bikes/ ]
Zerode G2[/url]
[url= http://www.pinkbike.com/news/antidote-lifeline-dh-review.html ]
Antidote Lifeline[/url]*
In real life, I'd probably plump for a YT Tues Carbon and use the money saved to spend a season in the Alps...
*Edit, bearing in mind his having trouble with the V10, defo click the link and have a read as they sound pretty chuckable...
So much out there but...
based upon the fact he's a smaller guy and has found his old V10 a bit of a handful,
If he's not "average" in terms of height/reach etc. then probably something he can throw a leg over
Seen the intense list for this year and it makes anything else look very cheap!!!
I think Pearce cycles do some demo's.
Gotta be the YT Tues. Carbon
When I said serious wedge... Should probably have emphasised this somewhat! He's after something a fair bit more exclusive than a Tues...
I know you said nothing mainstream, but have a look at Dirt's 2015 best downhill bikes.
Already had a look earlier, the Intense and Mondraker stand out immediately. But I know both have been updated for 2016 (well, new M16 frame in the case of the Intense).
Common as they are, he'd be stupid not to buy a V10c over the intense.
They're not such a handful anymore.
Why rule out a mainstream brand just because he wants to be special?
Trek 9.9 will do him just fine. Light, fast , neutral handling. He can rub it with pritt stick and sprinkle sparkles on it.
Devinci WLSN?
That said, I'd love a Zerode, but lack of space and talent, mean it's just a dream.
Propain in the membrain
Canfield Jedi would be top of my list. Of course he will be spending twice what he needs to, but if you want exclusive.
On looks alone the new Rocky Mountain Maiden appears to be pretty special.
Evil Undead
Dirt have been reviewing a few lately:
http://dirtmountainbike.com/bike-reviews/mondraker-summum-carbon-pro-team-review.html#wSjRwquiwK7QYjjJ.97
http://dirtmountainbike.com/longform/arrivals-intense-m16-carbon#PHsGGfOQQe05GRMB.97
http://dirtmountainbike.com/bike-reviews/specialized-s-works-demo-review.html#Ge41Ju4Xvuu21XvZ.97
I certainly wouldn't be ignoring the mainstream brands, as they make very very good bikes (Demo, Glory, Session 9.9) and can guarantee that they will be quick.
I saw Tahnee Seagrave riding her DeVinci WLSN on the weekend at Revolution bike park. I would buy one of those in a second if I had the cash. The new intense does look good too.
However if it was a full on race bike for competitive racing I don't think you could go far wrong with a Carbon Demo or V10. They may be mainstream but they look amazing and are plenty fast!
Why would anyone look past a V10cc or a Demo 8
Actually wanting a worse functioning bike for the sake of being exclusive!
So many people on here are like that, it's baffling.
There's definitely more niche out there but it's hard to see past the V10. The Santa Cruz WC mechanics and other associated bods were in Morzine when I was there this year and seeing all their bikes dripping with Enve wheels and tons of prototype stuff made my bottom of the range Canyon DH bike look positively pauper like.
There was also a random girl cutting about the trails on the absolute top of the line Demo. Ohlins shock etc and it was absolutely stunning.
I'd take either in a heartbeat
Intense M9 was great, session 9.9 was wonderful, demo 8 corners very well. I miss the trek.
He should really try and ride them before buying. At the moment the yts have a further 600euro off of the price. Only a crazy person would ignore that.
how about an empire ap1, would fit the bill exclusivity wise.
[url= http://empire-cycles.com/product.php?xProd=6 ]clicky linky[/url]
If he's minted and wants something special, why not buy a mainstream bike and then take to a high end paint-shop and get some personal airbrush design on it? Better ride bloody well though!
Bloke wants something to pose on. This thread has got legs I reckon.
Id be looking at the new Rocky, not sure how good the carbon is though.
Yeah I was all about exclusivity once, I spent £5k on a Cove Shocker dropping with bling when everyone else was spending half that on the Trek Session 88 which was the 'obvious choice' at the time.
Cove was 'cool' and other riders used to ask me about it a lot, but the Trek was a much better bike.
he's got a taste for the finer things too...
😆
Session 9.9. To hell with exclusivity.
I would be looking at what bikes podium and what all the privateers are running.
Demo / V10cc
Then I would maybe have some high end DVO/BOS/Ohlins suspension of I absolutely had to be different.
He can rub it with pritt stick and sprinkle sparkles on it.
*LIKE
Antidote Lifeline
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Or Canfield Jedi
[img] 
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Antidote probably edges it for pose factor.
Anything with an idler pulley is off my list.
Does he want it to last and get spares for more than one race season?
I wouldn't go for a tues. Me and my mate have both broke the 2015 carbon ones.
Nicolai ION 20 or new Banshee Legend for a metal one.
so, he's got 'a wedge' to spend, but doesn't really know what he wants...
i'd suggest a specialized status and a month in Whistler.
This thread has got legs I reckon.
You should see the motorbikes he's selling to fund this bike! 😆
Anyway...
Great suggestions so far. Cheers. Will send him a list later.
What's the general consensus on the Mondraker Summum Carbon? From what I've read, in contrast to their trail bikes they come up a little short in the TT. He's had a quick go on a friends and he quite liked it, and it fits the lightweight race bike bill quite nicely...
Surely just buy whatever Gwinn's on now?
Don't let him get a 951, there were a lot of snapping/ cracking issues. I believe with the warranty they gave people m9's as replacements..
Having owned one, I'd say get a polygon, hard to find in the UK but very good bikes! The new ones look exceptionally smart, or get a mondraker as everyone else is suggesting
This, with loads left over for uplifts or whatever?
Or if you want something niche, Transition TR500. If you want carbon (the Saracen has a carbon rear but alloy front) then the Mondraker is a good shout and looks stunning too.
That Antidote is georgeous!
That Anidote Carbon looks badass; reminds me a bit of an Avent Vandal though.
Get a Zerode though; awesome.
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Thant Ancilotti is the best dh bike ive ever seen.
drovercycles - Member
This, with loads left over for uplifts or whatever?Or if you want something niche, Transition TR500. If you want carbon (the Saracen has a carbon rear but alloy front) then the Mondraker is a good shout and looks stunning too.
My friend had one of those and cracked the needle bearings. I had a 2012 myst and they are really good though!
I've always liked the Knolly Podium and Banshee Legend.
Although a park bike might be better like the Banshee Darkside.
I'd love to swing a leg over this http://m.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/Pivots-30-8-Pound-Phoenix-Carbon-Downhill-Bike,7869/Pivots-30-8-Pound-Phoenix-Carbon-Downhill-Bike,78836/bturman,109 I probably wouldn't want it that light but it's impressive nonetheless. This, the intense M16 or the Mondraker Summum.
How about one of the Rampage frames that YT are auctioning?
stevede - MemberI'd love to swing a leg over this http://m.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/Pivots-30-8-Pound-Phoenix-Carbon-Downhill-Bike,7869/Pivots-30-8-Pound-Phoenix-Carbon-Downhill-Bike,78836/bturman,109 I probably wouldn't want it that light but it's impressive nonetheless. This, the intense M16 or the Mondraker Summum.
There was a Pivot Phoenix in the pit at Fortwilliam this year with an Ohlins shock (I think it was Kerr's), not gonna lie I swooned. I didn't feel nearly as bad when Patrick Thome came over and started drooling over it and giving it a serious car park test.
As for the Summum, everyone I know that's owned one has been plagued with bearing issues.
Personally I'd probably go for a Demo, I alway like horst link bikes and the Ohlins shock appeals. I'd be curious to try a Gambler though. As for the whole super bling thing, I've never really been impressed by that on DH bikes so much as a nice/quality build. I think when you're talking about a race bike you don't want sparkles and bling purely for their own sake.