starter downhill bike (need help)

[norcoperson]

i have a friend who wants to start freeriding/dirtjumping on mountainbikes. the problem is he can only get about $1000. help me out... if you can.

[SNYKE]

get a hardtail, STP1 or 2s are good

[wombat]

Back the truck up here. Are you after a downhill bike or a dirtjump bike? Two very different things. Some more details would be nice too. How big and heavy is your friend? Is he smooth or likely to be an abuser? Does he prefer a nice tight hardtail or a big squishy bike?

[norcoperson]

alright, sorry i should have been more specific. hes really small (5 foot 2) or so an only weighs 50 or so kgs. hes not too smooth but not too heavy so whatever he gets dosnt have to be too much of a tank. hes lookin for a shore hardtail OR a DJ hardtail mostly becoz u cant get a decent DH squishy for < 1 grand. money is a big issue here. i was thinking maybe a norco wolverine and replace the forks with marzocchi dj3s and get an alex MX22 wheelset for it. what do you guys think?

[luckyphil]

nah, not really a jump bike in anyone's language.
get a specialized P1 for about $800 (dont quote me), and save the $200 for when he starts breaking shit, or buy a nice helmet/gloves with it.

[sockman]

i rekon the only Way to go is to buy my 2004 norco bigfoot ......... :wink:

link:http://www.farkin.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=19678

i rekon the 05 bigfoot is also a good option but its 1300 i think;)

[norcoperson]

yeh, ive got a 2004 bigfoot with some mods, and its wicked. im hopin to upgade to the 05 sasquatch sometime.

[Dicky]

have a look at the 2005 Kona Shred.

pretty much the same as the 04 Stuff, just with a pair of Dirt Jams (budget Dirt Jumpers) instead.
Nice to see they've upped the chainring sizes to a much more useful 26/36/bashring.


http://www.kona.dk/bikeindex.php?bikeId=495

$1099.

[lupine128]

as most people here have said, have a good look at the norco range of hardtails.
or the kona hardtails.
or any hardtail actualy.
to start with a good quality HT will cost less to buy, will help him develop a smoother ride technique, and will have less maintainance costs.
they are also more useable in everyday riding (just look at the number of people who bought full DH rigs, and either left them in the garage to ride a HT, or sold it pretty quickly to buy something more rideable. a full DH rig is really only rideable for DH.
if you or your freind know a bit about bikes, don't forget to think about 2nd hand. you can get a much better spec for the same price. only do this if you know what you are looking for though, otherwise it can cost you a fortune.

[norcoperson]

thanx

[norcoguy]

i think if he is 50KGS he should get a norco big foot its a good starter or a cannondale chase 3.I know a friend who has a big foot but he broke his chain if ur interested ill tell him.