The Next Step...downhill, dual crown, getting shreddy!

[ikkin]

Well, after moving to the PNW and experiencing the joys of Whistler in the summer, I felt it necessary to purchase this:



It's a 15" 2008 Orange 224 with a Fox 40 and DXH 5.0. Used, but new to me. I'm not really sure how people afford new DH rigs...they are SO expensive.

Any other downhillers on the board? I'm new to DH but SO excited to get this baby built. Wheels show up tomorrow, which should allow me to finish the build. WHOOHOOO!

[jessmarimba]

I'll chime in with a big "Not it!!"

I'm cautious enough when I'm forced to go downhill. Thankfully my old bike was incapable of moving with any sort of speed

Definitely keep us posted though! Just b/c I'm terrified of it doesn't mean I don't like watching videos & hearing updates!

[Becky]

I live in Flatsville, so no DH for me, but I totally want to head up to the lift-served freeride park in New Jersey sometime, just to try it!

Awesome bike! Have fun building it!

[ikkin]

you should try it! it is SOOOOO fun. scary, but fun, and it makes you a much better rider! i'll keep y'all posted on the build...can't wait to ride it!

[Becky]

you should try it! it is SOOOOO fun. scary, but fun, and it makes you a much better rider! i'll keep y'all posted on the build...can't wait to ride it!

This is what I'm hoping. I can be somewhat timid on off-road descents, and this seems like a good way to push my boundaries on a gnarly bike with lots of body armor

[jessmarimba]

Haha, you both need to keep me updated then

After the damage I've already done, I don't think downhill is in my future. But I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike & hopefully taking some lessons to get my confidence at least where it was before!

[crazycanuck]

Ooo..downhill hey. YOu could follow in the footsteps of Rachel Atherton, Caroline Buchanan etc

If you're looking for downhill based boards...Pinkbike.com, mtbr, downhilldownunder.com

Have you seen the "Life Cycle" film yet? Awesome stuff! Saw it last night as part of a fundraiser for our mtb community.

[ikkin]

Thanks! Yep, I saw LifeCycles, it was amazing!

She's starting to look more like a bike...she needs a name...any ideas?



When I started riding XC I never dreamed I'd buy a DH bike someday...and yet here we are. Look what y'all have to look forward to!

[Aggie_Ama]

Will there be a new dog in the next picture? No downhill for me, I hear it is crazy scary and crazy fun. We have a new trail the local club is building with downhill potential. Can't wait to hear your stories.

[out_spokin']

Will there be a new dog in the next picture?

CRACKED me up! Handlebars, maybe, new dog, yeah!

Good luck with the build. Another non-DHer, but having vicarious fun.

[ikkin]

Alas, I am completely out of dogs! I will keep this in mind for future pictures, though.

Here she is finished, sans dog...


First ride...we kept it pretty tame so I could get used to everything...SO FUN!!!!!


The effects of downhilling in the PACNW in November.


Really, y'all should try it!

[crazycanuck]

That looks like heaps o fun

If i had the b---s, i'd do it!

[jessmarimba]

Hahaha looks like fun!!

[tangentgirl]

This looks awesome. Frightening, to be sure, but awesome.

The downhills (roads) give me particular trouble. I tend to walk the steep ones. At the same time, I would love to try this - partly as a way of getting over this ridiculous fear. Do they rent these types of bikes?

[Irulan]

This looks awesome. Frightening, to be sure, but awesome.

The downhills (roads) give me particular trouble. I tend to walk the steep ones. At the same time, I would love to try this - partly as a way of getting over this ridiculous fear. Do they rent these types of bikes?

are you talking roads as in pavement, or fire roads?

If it's pavement, you in in the wrong sub forum.

For mountain bikers, the geometry of your bike can make a huge difference on how stable one feels on the downhills. Second is your skill set. The first two affect the third which is your confidence level. I am a big fan of going to lift serve trails, even riding the greens all day long, to get comfortable with speed. If you are a beginner who's not interested in downhilling per se, renting a downhill bike is probably overkill... unless you take the time to invest in the skill set to ride a DH bike properly. If fireroads on your mountain bike are an issue, you need some skills coaching, not a downhill bike...