Entry-Level Downhill bike

[Fraz]

its time to get a new bike as my shity Haro hardtail has seen better days. i am 15 and weigh around 60kg and i am just under 6ft tall and wanting to do downhill. i have had a look at the Ironhorse yakuza kumicho, sick bike considering the price.

but, do you think i should keep saving up my money and get something better like a Kona Stab or a Giant DH Comp?

i would like to start downhill racing when i get my new bike so i am looking for a bike with some performance.

i do alot of downhill, freeriding and dirt jumping.

[gasman]

so many bikes to chhose from man, do a bit of a search thru farkin and you'll find heaps of threads with 1st up bike recommendations, if you can afford a nice new stab, then keep saving and get a stab supreme and youll be set

[milz]

you could always buy the ironhorse and slowly up grade e.g. front forks etc that way you are riding

[Squidly Didly]

The Kumicho frame may not be the prettiest, but it's got great geometry for DH, and is uber strong. So strong we hucked the AMB test bike to flat that much, that the Butterfelt cranks on them bent. The frame is still sweet, and shock not even blown. Pretty rare for a 5th Element I know but hey!

[demo man]

do a search on farkin, as there have been SSOOO many threads on this. there has to be almost one a month.

anyway, gey over the looks of the IH and ride the thing. it has great geo and rides well, just some of the parts are, shall we say, questionable.

have you thought about second hand?
if you don't know a heap about buying second hand, do a search for 'second-hand' and similar phrases, becasue i among other have posted big lists on what to look for in a second hand bike.

second hand is great, you can pick up a awsome bike for crap all, because the resale on DH bikes is pathetic.


my opinion? well, you are fairly light, but big. light means tht second hand would be fine, as you don't put overly'big amounts of force on the bike. big meaning that you miht need a large bike, which will make seond hand harder. i'd go something more upmarket like a Stab (exactly like i, get one, those are such great bikes!), but how you get it is up to you.


good luck, and make sure you post in 'post my ride' when you're on it.
-Sam

[Fraz]

thanks guys for the idea of doing a search for threads on this topic, it was really helpfull.

i think i will be better off with a stab. i think i will go down to the LBS and have a geez a one.

it sounds like a bike i can be comfortable freeriding and dirtjumping, yet still do downhill and race it. ;)

[Grip]

So strong we hucked the AMB test bike to flat that much, that the Butterfelt cranks on them bent.

Yeah but c'mon Squid, the truth is you just kept missing the tranny, right?

[donthucktoflat]

The Kumicho frame may not be the prettiest, but it's got great geometry for DH, and is uber strong. So strong we hucked the AMB test bike to flat that much, that the Butterfelt cranks on them bent. The frame is still sweet, and shock not even blown. Pretty rare for a 5th Element I know but hey!
pfft, n00b.

grip, he only missed the tranny cos his large head got caught in the wind and blew him off course :p :D ;)

jks jks, i have heard many many good things about the bikes and for the money.. awesome. the stabs, however ARE sick bikes. just think do you want to ride better or sooner?

[Fraz]

i want to ride better, of course. why, what are you getting at?

[Squidly Didly]

Yeah but c'mon Squid, the truth is you just kept missing the tranny, right?
There was a tranny?
grip, he only missed the tranny cos his large head got caught in the wind and blew him off course :p :D ;)
I huck to flat just to spite your username.
Oh and my large head somehow fits into a small D2... perhaps you're confusing my head size with ego? :cool:

[Tomas]

There was a tranny?

I huck to flat just to spite your username.
Oh and my large head somehow fits into a small D2... perhaps you're confusing my head size with ego? :cool:

They dont make helmets big enough for that ego, Squidly. Having said that, i didnt think they made schnozz protectors that big either, but you sure proved me wrong ;) .

[Squidly Didly]

They dont make helmets big enough for that ego, Squidly. Having said that, i didnt think they made schnozz protectors that big either, but you sure proved me wrong ;) .
Oakley are bringing those schnozz protectors back into production. w00t

[lotec]

Yeah but c'mon Squid, the truth is you just kept missing the tranny, right?
his nose was like the sail on a boat and he got blown off course...

[Busty]

Get a Hardtail man, learn to ride smooth and fast on that first...then once you get a proper rig you'll be flying

[Dan]

i say.....spend a bit more money then you want to. sounds stupid yes. but in time when you get better, you will wish you spent more money. then you wont have to upgrade/replace most of the parts. also, buy a hardtail. at this stage of your riding you dont need a duelly at all, and like busty said you will learn to be smooth. and you will also get better quality parts on a cheap hardtail then a cheap duelly at the same price.

good luck dude.

[markostaquai]

totally man, get a hardtail and get good on it. If you can keep up on the trail with a hardtail, you'll rip it up when u invest in a dually. And you'll have heaps better style

[gouldena]

well if u've done some riding before hand and have a fairbit of experince then go straight to a dually if not maby have alook at this years norco torrent it is sik i started on a hard tail and im looking at getting a new rig just so i can go faster and do better times but hey its up to you and have a look around u can fine some great bikes at great prices and well as for the stab if u can afford it get it its a sweet ride.

[Mugger]

I'm on me hardtail, no regrets. Racing DH on a hardtail is the shit, sure you don't get fast times but its alot of fun working the bike on the track instead of letting the suspension do all the work. Plus Hardtails go before under 19 and elite up here in Queensland and theres heaps of people wathcing so you get alot of cheers.

[RedPill]

Defiantly go the Stab, i have an 04 one and hasnt let me down, great, strong quick bikes. it was also my 1st dually and in the 1st week of having it i improved sooo much.

[atxboy]

hey man
i recently bought a 99 atx 2 for 900 bucks, the parts are pretty good but, the frame had heaps of cracks, but i scored a frame from a guy at the nsw race at stromlo.so what i'm trying to say is that if you buy second hand you really have to look out cos a cheap price could turn around and bite you in the arse
cheers blake

[lukethedork]

I would say the Giant Faith is a good bike. Not to bad for the price too. I think they look really nice and ok Specs

[rone]

If you buy the Kumicho, be prepared to swap out the crappy forks. Other than that and the cranks, they're unreal for the price. Apparently there is a kumico race for 06 with boxxers...

[Fraz]

If you buy the Kumicho, be prepared to swap out the crappy forks. Other than that and the cranks, they're unreal for the price. Apparently there is a kumico race for 06 with boxxers...

Kumicho with Boxxers!!! i know what bike i want.

nice bike rone, looking sick. nice choice of parts to add to it.

[TheDustyBin]

I would go for a Giant DH Comp. You will be getting a bloody good bike for the price and it will not limit you.

[dante]

If you buy the Kumicho, be prepared to swap out the crappy forks. Other than that and the cranks, they're unreal for the price. Apparently there is a kumico race for 06 with boxxers...

maybe... ;)