Big Bike Thread

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weescott said:
Why are you targeting your question to DH and not MTB in general?
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Because DH is dependant more on the ability and courage of the rider. What's the point in having such a high spec bike if you're not using it to its potential.

I know that's dependant on the choice of the rider etc, but it seems like there's a big trend for massive forks etc.
 
norm said:
it seems like there's a big trend for massive forks etc.
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Sorry mate, but you're either new to the sport of MTB or have dabbled a bit, or your and old fart who doesn't really get what DH is?

What do you mean by upgrading travel?

DH forks are 200mm/8" in travel ... that's it. Yes you can DH on less travel of course, but then it's not pure DH forks.
 
Supercow said:
Sorry mate, but you're either new to the sport of MTB or have dabbled a bit, or your and old fart who doesn't really get what DH is?

What do you mean by upgrading travel?

DH forks are 200mm/8" in travel ... that's it. Yes you can DH on less travel of course, but then it's not pure DH forks.
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I never once said upgrading travel.

You are familiar with the activity of swapping out and purchasing upgraded components aren't you?

Anyway I think the original point is lost on you, so nevermind. : )
 
norm said:
Because DH is dependant more on the ability and courage of the rider. What's the point in having such a high spec bike if you're not using it to its potential.

I know that's dependant on the choice of the rider etc, but it seems like there's a big trend for massive forks etc.
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I still don't understand. My XC bike (c5k) cost more than double my DH bike (1.8k).


Why is this a DH specific question?
 
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weescott said:
Why is this a DH specific question?
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Ok, one last time, purely in the context of downhill riding, you are attempting to go ever faster, hence the need for better components.

Now, your average rider may not want to risk injury or death, so obviously they will take a more cautious approach, thus negating the need for better components.

It's a bit like buying a Ferrari and driving it on the road, never seeing a racetrack.
 
norm said:
I never once said upgrading travel.

You are familiar with the activity of swapping out and purchasing upgraded components aren't you?

Anyway I think the original point is lost on you, so nevermind. : )
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I see what you did there, the sarcasm.
OK, fair enough - just "upgrading" then... because apparently only DH'ers are overbiked.

Seems my point is lost on you, so in stead of using my words... I have some moving pictures for you and my words to compliment said moving pictures.


Why ride with long travel forks, when you can't get the most out of them ( i..e: Ride stuff like the guys do during the red bull rampage, or Val de Sol DH world cup) .. because it can save your ass when you make a f*ckup as evidenced here:

(apologies for the quality, I quickly cut the vid/compressed and uploaded


Here I'm in France having a bit of fun. First wee lader drop is fine, however the second ladder drop I misjudge completely, and even though it's not entirely obvious that I came close to stacking it... I NEARLY ate sh!t.

Thanks to my "ott" forks, I made it through - they had enough travel to soak it up and they had fantastic compression not to dive under my man-t!ts putting pressure on them, yet they didn't spike back up chucking me over the bars.

They made my ride safer, smoothed out the terrain for me so my arms didn't get tired so easily as crap harsh forks would have and I could ride longer with more speed and more agression... thus in fact riding safer yet again.

ONLY professionals can get the best out of forks, does that mean ONLY professionals get use out of them?
Answer, NO - quite the opposite.

Aaron Gwin, this year's overall DH world cup winner, rides his forks near enough rigid in the harshest of conditions. It actually baffles some of the other pros ( who also tend to run their suspension harder). So he doesn't even use some of the adjustment range that is on his Fox 40's

norm said:
Now, your average rider may not want to risk injury or death, so obviously they will take a more cautious approach, thus negating the need for better components.
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Now see this is where you;re wrong, the average rider wants to go faster, above his abilities allow him/her to. Better equipment makes this possible for us.
 
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Supercow said:
Now see this is where you;re wrong, the average rider wants to go faster, above his abilities allow him/her to. Better equipment makes this possible for us.
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Duly noted. I guess there is sense to the madness afterall. ;)

PS. Nice vids.
 
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norm said:
Ok, one last time, purely in the context of downhill riding, you are attempting to go ever faster, hence the need for better components.

Now, your average rider may not want to risk injury or death, so obviously they will take a more cautious approach, thus negating the need for better components.

It's a bit like buying a Ferrari and driving it on the road, never seeing a racetrack.
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Given that mountain bike components have a crossover/specific task. Does that mean my XC bike components are inferior even though they cost double what is on my DH bike (that has done Scottish and Alps DH)?
 
weescott said:
Given that mountain bike components have a crossover/specific task. Does that mean my XC bike components are inferior even though they cost double what is on my DH bike (that has done Scottish and Alps DH)?
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The chances of killing yourself on a XC ride have to be dramatically less than on DH. :D

Buying a lighter frame/components has instant practical advantages regardless of your ability, so that makes sense really.

But as Supercrow already pointed out I see the rationale behind the shocks now.
 
norm said:
Ok, one last time, purely in the context of downhill riding, you are attempting to go ever faster
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How is that specific to downhill?
I'v owned every type of bike there is, from a lightweight road bike through to a big downhill bike. I'm always trying to ride faster on every bike i ride, not just a dh bike :confused:
 
andi said:
Not sure the Pitch, awesome bike though they are, is what I'd go for for riding coastal paths and XC though..
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I would suggest a really good Hardtail if that's all you will be doing.



Supercow said:
Here I'm in France having a bit of fun. First wee lader drop is fine, however the second ladder drop I misjudge completely, and even though it's not entirely obvious that I came close to stacking it... I NEARLY ate sh!t.

Thanks to my "ott" forks, I made it through - they had enough travel to soak it up and they had fantastic compression not to dive under my man-t!ts putting pressure on them, yet they didn't spike back up chucking me over the bars..
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I can vouch for this kind of thing. I misjudged a small (8-10") drop off a few months ago and almost ate mud myself. My puny 80mm forks didnt do much to help me, it was just pure luck and gritted teeth that stopped me from going OTB. If I had longer travel I would have had an easier time.
 
Been many times having more travel than you really need has saved me some scratches or worse. The whole upgrade thing is as much about performance as someone taking pride in owning a nice bike, having better feeling gear as well. My reasons for the bike and gear i have is i can afford it so why not, no i dont push it to its limits but it allows me to push myself to my limits without worrying about the bike.

I dont do any where near as much riding as i used to i spend more time on the racetrack in my car these days.
 
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:(
 
Haha :D

Copied from GD: Went down hard on my elbow, not broken though, and plenty of cuts and grazes all over, I was in the cycle lane and a woman still turned left into me, she even said she saw me coming! pretty sure she wasn't indicating either, either way poor woman looked worse than I did she said she will pay for the damage and another lady gave me her number as a witness too.

Only had the bike about 2 months, loved it, not looking forward to walking for a few weeks now :(
 
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