declining downhill bikes

[Simmoclayto]

whats the deal with the reduction in the quality of downhill bikes.....

Giant has butchered there ac range. the ac1 and ac2 were awesome bikes now they just have the ac which is no way near as good. :x

Now specialized big hit range has dropped in quality. :evil: :evil:

i hope this is not a continuous trend

opinions?????

cheers

[RaID]

theyre not what the manufacturers are calling Downhill bikes
rather freeride bikes (insert your own definition here)

Giants DH frames are quite decent quality for what you pay

Giant is bringing a new Freeride orientated frame to replace the AC's
As is Specialized who is replacing the Bighits with
Enduro series for lighter freeride and the Demos for more DH / more abusive riding


the ACs and Bighits seem to be left only for the budget bikes
hence their lower spec then in previous years

[dhd]

I thinks it's just a reaction to more players in the market. A few years ago Giant and Specialized pretty much had it sewn up for the more affordable end of the DH market, Now there is a few more players like Norco, Kona and the big hitter of late in this market Iron Horse.
I think it's never been a better time to buy a DH bike as there's so many options from so many different manufacturers.......Just look around more cause there's things like Keewee, Commencal and Devinci popping their heads up with some killer deals as well on some bikes that are better than was dreamed of just a few years back.

[donthucktoflat]

I thinks it's just a reaction to more players in the market. A few years ago Giant and Specialized pretty much had it sewn up for the more affordable end of the DH market, Now there is a few more players like Norco, Kona and the big hitter of late in this market Iron Horse.
I think it's never been a better time to buy a DH bike as there's so many options from so many different manufacturers.......Just look around more cause there's things like Keewee, Commencal and Devinci popping their heads up with some killer deals as well on some bikes that are better than was dreamed of just a few years back.

if we are talking about the companies 'freeride' bikes then it was Giant and specialized who were following the trend set by companies like kona and norco. remember, kona were the first companie to make a real 'freeride' (man how i hate that term) bike with the stinky.
i totally, however, agree with you on the downhil bike side of things. these days you can get a killer bike and a killer frame for dirt cheap (in DH bike terms! :) ) so in response to the first post in the thread, no DH bikes are not declining and yes go and buy a better bike now for cheaper

[bolzy]

is the new range from giant any good and can u use the new ac for downhill or will u have to do mods to the bikes and whats the new giant DH comp worth?

[arnott]

is the new range from giant any good and can u use the new ac for downhill or will u have to do mods to the bikes and whats the new giant DH comp worth?

you can use any bike doing dh, you would only have to do mods when things brake. the comp this year is 4300rrp i think.

[Daver]

is the new range from giant any good and can u use the new ac for downhill or will u have to do mods to the bikes and whats the new giant DH comp worth?

No you can't use it for DH. If you modify it a bad man with a stick will turn up at your house and...

:roll:

The AC's make great beginner DH bikes, but it's easy to push them bast their limits. To make it fun for DH just change the Tyres and run a chainguide, with a fork upgrade in mind if you get serious. The problem is that now the parts that are specced on that bike will not last if you ride them hard, meaning that it will cost a lot more (long term) to keep the AC going as a DH bike.

The new DH Comps are worth $4200 ish, and they are awesome value.