what bike should i buy

PeterClark

The eternal question. Im considering buying a second bike. I have a giant xtc 4.5 which is a pure xc bike. However, Im looking to buy something more suitable for downhill runs aswell. Someone has mentioned the Norco torrent to me. Having looked at it i like it but its a bit on the heavy side. Im not looking to break the grand barrier (his norco was in a sale down to 650) but it needs to be good downhill but if possible quite light. Full sus is not required!

Many thanks

Pete

nicklouse

Peter is this to replace the XTC or to supplement it?

Do you want a DH bike or just a bike that will absorb a few more bumps and jumps.

PeterClark

thats a good question. I want something to run alongside the xtc, so i guess a pure downhill bike, but given i have to go up hills to go down them i want it as light as possible.

supersonic

Pure DH - 7-8 inch of travel and more, usually 40lbs plus and for massive drops offs, 20ft jumps and riding over boulders the size of cars at 50mph ;-)

Are you sure, or more of a long travel trail bike?

nicklouse

if you want to pedal up hill you do NOT want a DH bike.

am AM or FR bike might be more suitable.

PeterClark

haha, probably not that extreme. a longer travel trail bike sounds good. Ive been mtb for a while but not seriously so im fairly new to this (as maybe evident). My mate said that on the downhills my bikes centre of gravity is quite high, the frame to big to be manouverable enough. i dont think it was a specific dimension he was talking about, the frame is just quite big. Im 6ft ish so its fine for xc, but not going downhills.

nicklouse

here is an old picture of 3 of my bikes.


one is a 100mm XC fully, one is an 140/150mm AM/FR lite , and one is a 225/200 DH bike

2 of them go up hills OK they will all go down a DH trail (not race course) but one will be faster.

I would look at the 140-150mm/ 5-6" trail bikes as they will allow you do do what you are saying.

PeterClark

ok, thats helpful (no sarcasm intended). Im wondering if you can help further by suggesting a few bikes to start off looking at?

cheers

supersonic

Mongoose Teocali, GT Force, Commencal Meta and Orange 5.

nicklouse

as above but really any 5/6" travel bike would be good (ok there are some No No's out there) but not many. and they are only No No's as there is a better deal/build else where.