I want to get into downhill

[macca_mountain_dude]

I'm new to the mountain bike scene and would really like to get into downhill riding. I need a bike and don't have a whole lot of money do u guy's have any ideas

[sockman]

whats ur pricerange?

[dirt rider]

well i would say if you are starting into the downhill theme

go a hardtail for my first ride.

but if you no you will stick with it kona stinky or giant ac

[peachy]

Hey dude, good onya for wanting to start downhill!
Firstly, whats your price range?
I'd suggest getting a hardtail first, because it teaches you a lot of things - If you go straight into a dual you won't learn how to pick lines, you'll just plow through the rough stuff. If you learn on a hardtail, it'll be hella sketchy but you'll learn how to pick lines, and when you get on a dual you'll pick lines and go a lot faster.

[Kona.S.P]

I agree with peachy, You will learn to take better lines and build up your skills on a hardtail.

[bbob]

I started on a duallie, then started riding a mates hardtail... I definitely learnt a lot more on the hardtail... Now im faster on the duallie :)

[lotec]

If you go straight into a dual you won't learn how to pick lines, you'll just plow through the rough stuff.
cant tell you how true that is, i would definitely recommend starting on a ht, i started on a duallie and after a year I'm only just starting to teach myself how to pick lines and stuff and once you've got into the habit of plowing through things instead of around them its hard to get out of

[Jordy]

I suggest a short travel dually...I know 3 of the fastest Wollongong racers all started on short travel duallies. ones state series u17 champ, ones u19 national series champ and ones state series u19 champ

[sockman]

names?

[Jordy]

names?

James Mcmillan-State series champ(17) - starting bike: Giant DS2

Dean Robson- State series champ(19)- starting bike: Giant DS2

Amiel Cavalier- National series champ, nationals champ, 7th at worlds etc for Juniors- starting bike: Giant AC 2

[shirtz]

names?

James Mcmillan-State series champ(17) - starting bike: Giant DS2

Dean Robson- State series champ(19)- starting bike: Giant DS2

Amiel Cavalier- National series champ, nationals champ, 7th at worlds etc for Juniors- starting bike: Giant AC 2


NO WAY! my first dulie was a ds2. i cant belive good riders rde them as well. i sold mine recently to a mate for 200 bucks. i tried to kill the tring, but it just wouldnt break!

[moorey]

I started on a short travel duallie, 99 norco VPS1, went to a hard tail P3, then to a race DH bike, 222... I was always in better shape after a long ride or race on the duallies. I still always look for the best lines, it just means that if I miss them I will live to ride another day. I ALSO DRIVE A JACKED UP UTE WITH BIG TYRES...that doesn't mean i drive over cars and gutters just coz I can!!! Duallie riders care about lines too. There is way too much generalization about Duallies and HT's going on, methinks.

Back on topic, find a group to ride with, I am sure they will let you have a test of theirs...ride a few and make your own mind up. If it comes down to budget, get a decent new HT or a decent SH duallie, don't skimp on a new duallie and expect much love.

[Jordy]

names?

James Mcmillan-State series champ(17) - starting bike: Giant DS2

Dean Robson- State series champ(19)- starting bike: Giant DS2

Amiel Cavalier- National series champ, nationals champ, 7th at worlds etc for Juniors- starting bike: Giant AC 2


NO WAY! my first dulie was a ds2. i cant belive good riders rde them as well. i sold mine recently to a mate for 200 bucks. i tried to kill the tring, but it just wouldnt break!

James' is still going strong, its an almost completly stock 02 ds 2 and he uses it for djing now....deans was an older one and it ended up cracking

[sich nich]

http://www.farkin.net/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=12078]
here is my first bike.

ds2. 98 or 99 dunno
snapped it this time, got it welded, day b4 first race, snapped the forks, practice day first race, third run, snapped frame again due to lack of re-heat treating weld.

advice, these days u can buy solid stuff for cheap eg DH HTs.
these are good for what u want to do.
short travel duallies (except 4X ones) are weak and light and will break when downhilling, just like mine.

HTs are tops for learning, raced one once, taught me a thing or two

[macca_mountain_dude]

Yeah hard tails are my fav and thats what i'm looking at. I've only got around $1000 to spend which isn't much but the guys at the bike stores say i could get a bike for that.

[timduncan]

going back up to hat peachy said... hes write i have seen my self get a bit better on a hard tail and wanting to get a dually soon but i reckon hard tails are always the go for starters...
how much are the giant stp's there not a bad hard tail

[Jordy]

http://www.farkin.net/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=12078]
here is my first bike.

ds2. 98 or 99 dunno
snapped it this time, got it welded, day b4 first race, snapped the forks, practice day first race, third run, snapped frame again due to lack of re-heat treating weld.

advice, these days u can buy solid stuff for cheap eg DH HTs.
these are good for what u want to do.
short travel duallies (except 4X ones) are weak and light and will break when downhilling, just like mine.

HTs are tops for learning, raced one once, taught me a thing or two


I bet most of the 98-99 hardtails would've cracked aswell....

the point is..if your doing downhill, why not spend the little bit extra and go for something like an AC ? $1500 with the same sorta spec quality as the stp1 IMO

it makes it a hell of alot easier to learn...I also learnt on an AC and have gone pretty far

[donthucktoflat]

http://www.farkin.net/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=12078]
here is my first bike.

ds2. 98 or 99 dunno
snapped it this time, got it welded, day b4 first race, snapped the forks, practice day first race, third run, snapped frame again due to lack of re-heat treating weld.

advice, these days u can buy solid stuff for cheap eg DH HTs.
these are good for what u want to do.
short travel duallies (except 4X ones) are weak and light and will break when downhilling, just like mine.

HTs are tops for learning, raced one once, taught me a thing or two

hahaha, nice one nich.

rigid is ultimate for learning lines. i should know, i ride one :P

[RyanRides]

start on a hardtail and dont learn with SPD's start on flats and a ahrdtail and u cant go wrong

[macca_mountain_dude]

Hey thanks guys