which DH bike?

bennyy

I am in the market for a downhill bike, so far I gave only ridden xc on my hardtails, I'm looking to buy 2nd hand for better value for money, something like an 08, 09, possibly 10, with a budget of £1600, I have been looking and searching for the past few days, I have come to like the giant glory 09, iron horse sunday 08 and Orange 5 09(ish), does anybody have any experience with any of these, or indeed any other similar bikes in the same price range?

Any help is appriciated.
Benny.

nicklouse

the Orange 5 is not a DH bike.

are you really looking for a DH bike or an AM bike that you can pedal up the odd hill?

bennyy

sorry just realised my mistake, I'm after a DH bike, I can use the hardtail for the rest.

Pudseyp

I used to have a Glory it was great fun, though now I probably wouldn't choose a full on DH bike unless I was racing..I would choose a FR bike...have you thought of something like this ?

180mm front travel and 185 or 203 rear travel..so great for DH and the likes of the Alps and bike parks / trail centre FR areas

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2577

jay12

Pudseyp wrote:

I used to have a Glory it was great fun, though now I probably wouldn't choose a full on DH bike unless I was racing..I would choose a FR bike...have you thought of something like this ?

180mm front travel and 185 or 203 rear travel..so great for DH and the likes of the Alps and bike parks / trail centre FR areas

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2577

a canyon would be a good bet. great value for money and for the UK you really don't need a full on DH bike unless you race on some of the hardest dh tracks, even then you see people on hardtails pinning it down some of the steepest and roughest dh tracks. a freeride bike not only will be lighter but easier to pedal as well.

you might want to take a look at yt industries bikes as well. same thing as canyon really, made and sold directly from germany so value for money is amazing. and with buying a brand new bike you'll get warrenty so incase anything goes wrong you won't have to pay from your pocket to fix it.
http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/index.php?page=product&info=154&x917b7=uvb2ifblsbdbccak6ghbcdtg4pkdn6dl this one is 170mm/170mm travel and it comes with rock shox lyrik forks, avid elixir brakes, x9 shifting and even a hammershmidt chainset!

or if you want more travel you can get the yt tues freeride. great spec for the money too
http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/index.php?page=product&info=157

Dave_P1

Only had a quick pedal on one, but the Giant Glory was very popular a few years ago and for a good reason.
There are plenty of bargins to be had as most DH bikes drop like a stone.

386ka

And the Glory is still popular. I have friends who race DH, and they dream of getting a Glory frame.

downhillbike

i have the 2010 glory and it is greatest bike i have ever had you can get one cheap now online in the sales

bennyy

Thanks for the replies guys, as for a FR bike, I would prefer a dedicated downhill bike, mainly so I don't have to upgrade in the near future, and because I like the look of them., I cannot choose between the two, so ill see what's for sale after the Xmas time.

Cheers.

delcol

specialized demo 7. awesome bike, and going cheap,....
viewtopic.php?f=40050&t=12810920&p=17303363&hilit=specialized+demo+7#p17303363

Northwind

Scott Voltage makes a pretty good value package... Not technically a DH bike but they're pretty damn good at it. The dualcrown Domains are as heavy as a heavy thing though, think I'd maybe go for one of the versions with a Domain and sell the fork on unused, buy a set of Boxxers.

bennyy

Thanks for the advice, the specialized is real nice, I'm just not in the position to buy one with Xmas coming up, otherwise it would be a definate contender.

peter_booker2003

Kona Stinky is a good bet...very solid frame, and if you get one with the triple clamp downhill forks, you'll be able to do anything with it. They are also quite cheap. About £600 second hand.

rockmonkeysc

I would go for a new Rose Beefcake DH2. Spec is better than most bikes costing twice as much.
XT transmission Rockshox Domain dual crown forks with motion control (heavy but very good) & the frame is identical to the one on Katy Curds race bike.
Dual crown Domain forks are heavier than a very heavy thing but last forever, very strong & the motion control version is very nicely damped (non motion control is not too good). Don't worry about weight, my freeride bike weighs 33lb & my mates DH bike weighs 46lb & I can ride both just as quickly & don't notice that extra weight.
Don't listen to anyone who tells you the Kona Stinky is a good bike, they are terrible and handle even worse with 200mm triple crown forks. Kona Operator is ok.
If you want used Giant Glory's are bomb proof & a fairly safe buy.

delcol

bennyy wrote:

Thanks for the advice, the specialized is real nice, I'm just not in the position to buy one with Xmas coming up, otherwise it would be a definate contender.

well i cant see it selling before christmass.. if it's still there in the newyear she could be yours

bennyy

its a bad time to sell just before xmas, everyone (including myself) is usually skint, unless some lucky tw@t gets it for christmas, ill keep you posted.

Northwind

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Dual crown Domain forks are heavier than a very heavy thing but last forever, very strong & the motion control version is very nicely damped (non motion control is not too good). Don't worry about weight, my freeride bike weighs 33lb & my mates DH bike weighs 46lb & I can ride both just as quickly & don't notice that extra weight

Depends where it is though, my SX Trail was about 43lbs and my Herb is 40, but both carry the weight well, but I found the Voltage with the DCs felt really nose-heavy- lots of weight right on the nose of the bike.

bennyy

The weight does not bother me the slightest, I'm 18 years old and I train 6 days a week doing 3 different martial arts and a 4mile run on a Sunday, the DH biking will replace the run so more weight the better for pushing up the hills lol.

I am going to see what's avalable in the new year, pauls cycles have the giant glory 09 in brand new £1400, or I like the specialized demo's too.

bennyy

Another question, are the frame sizes the same as a hardtail? For example I'm 5' 9", and ride an 18" hardtail, should I be looking for an 18" frame on a downhill bike?

1mancity2

bennyy wrote:

Another question, are the frame sizes the same as a hardtail? For example I'm 5' 9", and ride an 18" hardtail, should I be looking for an 18" frame on a downhill bike?

Pretty much, try and get a test ride if you can.

delcol

bennyy wrote:

Another question, are the frame sizes the same as a hardtail? For example I'm 5' 9", and ride an 18" hardtail, should I be looking for an 18" frame on a downhill bike?

your the same height as me,, all my bikes are medium from my hardtail to my dh bike.....

Northwind

bennyy wrote:

The weight does not bother me the slightest, I'm 18 years old and I train 6 days a week doing 3 different martial arts and a 4mile run on a Sunday, the DH biking will replace the run so more weight the better for pushing up the hills lol.

Just to say again though, weight in dh bikes isn't really the same as on an xc bike or similiar, it stops being about strength/stamina and becomes more about the bike's handling. A heavy bike can ride really well and feel solid and planted, but some feel sluggish or imbalanced instead, depends a lot on where the weight is I think. Likewise a lot of riders hate how light dh bikes feel as they get knocked around more easily.

Sizing is, tbh, all over the place and often more about length than height- forget about frame inch sizes definately, but the frame size (s,m,l) is a good starting point. But try some bikes if you can, and then have a look at the geo tables of the bikes you like as they vary a lot.

Dave_P1

bennyy wrote:

Another question, are the frame sizes the same as a hardtail? For example I'm 5' 9", and ride an 18" hardtail, should I be looking for an 18" frame on a downhill bike?

Probably a medium would suit you well, but it depends on the bike and what you prefer from a bike. Try and get a test ride or at least sit on the bike to get a feel for it.

bennyy

Thanks for the advice, much appriciated.

Dirtrider

Im 6 foot ad would never buy much over an 18" hardtail, so at 5'9 you will struggle on an 18" full suspension.

With a downhill bike you want space to move around and you dont want a too long reach on it as you won;t have enough control, however, if the reach is too short you will be too muc over the front and still have no control.

cooldad

Pretty much not. Frame sizing differs between manufacturers and even between models.
Sit on it. Ride if possible.

1mancity2

Going back to the beginning you say Giant Glory 09, Giants are sized smaller than some others so I would stick my neck out and say you defo want a medium, Im 5 11" and ride a medium Giant.

My mate is 5 9" and rides a Small Giant, and we both think it feels great for chucking around but a bit small on the downhill stuff as you feel too over the front.

Dirtrider

agreed with the guy above. I'm 6 foot and have a medium giant.

bennyy

On the pauls cycles website it says the giant glory sizes are :

Small - 16.5"
Medium - 17"
Large -18"

Is there going to be much difference in half an inch between small and medium?

styxd

Is there going to be much difference in half an inch between small and medium?

There'll be half an inch difference.

Pudseyp

bennyy wrote:

Thanks for the replies guys, as for a FR bike, I would prefer a dedicated downhill bike, mainly so I don't have to upgrade in the near future, and because I like the look of them., I cannot choose between the two, so ill see what's for sale after the Xmas time.

Cheers.

I know you say you moving from XC to try DH have you actually ridden a full on DH bike with triple crowns etc ? it is a big leap thats why a few have suggested a long travel FR bike as you will be able to ride near all DH tracks in the UK plus be able to pedal up to session bits and bobs..

I know you said you like the look of them but you have to think about practicality....