First bike (HELP!)

bwtmc

Right so you guys must have heard this about.... 1000 time already... but

I want to start dh/xc, i have a £200-£250 to spend, i don't mind if its second hand... in fact im sure ill get more for my money if i get something second hand, even if its abit tatty looking, as long as it all works that's fine by me....


... so could you guys help point me in the right direction please.

Thank you
Jak

Chunkers1980

Certainly have and not too long ago.

First place to start is downhill and xc are opposite ends of the spectrum - pick one.

Secondhand whatever really.

bwtmc

well i want to dh, but i will end up using it to just ride around on as well... so maby not an all out dh bike...?

supersonic

You aren't going to get a DH bike, or anywhere near for this price - the best you'll do is a jump bike, but that won't be too hot on normal trails.

bwtmc

Well ive got myself a specialized p2... witch i beleive is a jump bike right? The front forks are quite upright, i mean would this work for a beginer like myself? Im not going to be going anywhere to fast, until i build some confidence up....

Or am i way off the mark with what im saying?

supersonic

Not sure whay you mean by upright? But are good bikes, just give it a good check over.

bwtmc

I thought dh bikes front forks have more of an angle, than that of a jump bike or xc bike.......?

Any who, what things should i be looking for??

supersonic

Everything! Check bolts, adjust, oil, clean! Have a read of Park Tools.

cooldad

DH bikes have more of everything, including weight. I don't think DH means what you think it means

bwtmc

Sorry to be a toatal noob but.... park tools? And cheers ill give it a good look over then.


And ok so what does DH mean then?... care to help a brother out?

steelie600

DH means downhill racing or gravity assisted

Youll probably be better off starting with a do it all bike, kinda trails orientated so it will go up as well as down. I love the look of DH bikes and will get one. Just not yet.

Small kiddy steps and build myself into it. Ebay is your friend but from what ive seen the spec will be incredibly basic for that sort of money. Im building my own bike with parts all sourced off here or ebay and thats gonna cost me about £500 and the spec is no where near AT ALL a Downhill (click ralph in my signature)

Although there is the hardtail option and get a respectably specced hard tail for just a touch more brand new or better one second hand

cooldad

Parktools website has excellent how to do things
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
Downhill (DH) is going down extremely gnarrrrly steep, rough trails on a heavy duty, long travel bike. Then pushing back up because it's too heavy to ride. It's a particular type of riding.

Riding downhills is what you do after riding up the hill. Which is what most of the rest of us do.

bwtmc

Steelie cheers, and your bike is looking nice.

Thanks for the advice, and what would you call that kind od ridding the, so i dont get. it wrong in the future?

cooldad

Mountain biking.

steelie600

bwtmc wrote:

Steelie cheers, and your bike is looking nice.

Thanks for the advice, and what would you call that kind od ridding the, so i dont get. it wrong in the future?

If you mean what kind of style is my bike, its XC I would suppose (waits to be told otherwise). Basically Its 100mm suspension travel with decent ish tyres and brakes. For trail centres and most normal situations this bike will be fine (hopefully). Obviously when you start taking your riding to the extreme then your gonna want something that specialises in the riding you do, whether it be DH(downhill) XC(Crosscountry), AM(all mountain), FR(Freeride(Crazy front bottoms that ride down mountains LITERALLY)) or DJ(Dirt jump).

I think thats em all??

bwtmc

So i guess just ride my bike and see what i like doing right?