Starting off

[Eugee]

Been doing XC for a couple of years and looking to get into the more extreme version. Do you guys have any advice on buying gear, do's don'ts etc.

[Eugee]

No buying hints? Take it slow don't kill yourself tips?

 

I've got about 20K to spend. should I save more or could I get something decent enough to start off with??

[Flat_0ut]

No buying hints? Take it slow don't kill yourself tips?

 

I've got about 20K to spend. should I save more or could I get something decent enough to start off with??

 

Welcome to the dark side

Well you can look around at secondhand bikes and equipment which is usually in good condition. To start downhill, the best is to start with a good secondhand frame/bike. Because you dont want to damage your new frame/bike learning more technical riding aspects. There is s big misconception regarding downhill and that is, you must be crazy to do it. Not at all!

Like you said, start slow and progress from there. You dont have to do a jump to show off or people gonna laugh at you just because you dont/cant to a big drop. In DH we respect each other and learn from each other!

 

In SA many downhillers rather buy their equipment from CRC, but frames, forks and full bikes buy locally. Support the local industry as much as you can.

When riding try to be yourself and DO NOT over think when doing more technical things. And just have fun

[MXkid77]

Like Flat_Out said, buy a second hand DH bike, even a freeride will suffice while you are mastering your skills.

 

Get the right protective gear. Dress for the crash thats going to come, not the ride. That's what i live by and it's done me well.

 

Always ride within your own capabilities. Don't push yourself to hard to start off with. More importantly, have fun, that's what it's all about.

 

When training, if you crash on a section, never bypass that section and continue on your run. Go back and do it again and again until you get it right. If you bypass it you will start creating a mental block which will hamper your progression as a rider.

 

Last bit of advice. Don't ever skimp on a helmet. Get a good quality helmet, even if it costs a couple grand. You can never put a price on your head.

[MXkid77]

You can find some decent bikes here:

 

http://www.gumtree.co.za/f-Downhill-bike-Classifieds-W0QQKeywordZDownhillQ20bikeQQisSearchFormZtrue

 

And here:

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1

 

What size frame are you looking for?

[Wernervdmerwe]

Yeah - good advice so far. I see you in Stellies, you can always come with us as well - much more helpful to have someone to follow or ask or just follow their lines.

We are still en route to DH, doing more AM at the moment, learning drop, gaps and so forth - we all on 6" bikes.

 

So you more than welcome to join us at Tokai / Paarl / Eden if you want sometime?

 

I have some extra protective gear I am looking at selling, so you can always fit them and give them a ride to feel it out - some just fit weird and it becomes a distraction.

[Eugee]

Yeah - good advice so far. I see you in Stellies, you can always come with us as well - much more helpful to have someone to follow or ask or just follow their lines.

We are still en route to DH, doing more AM at the moment, learning drop, gaps and so forth - we all on 6" bikes.

 

So you more than welcome to join us at Tokai / Paarl / Eden if you want sometime?

 

I have some extra protective gear I am looking at selling, so you can always fit them and give them a ride to feel it out - some just fit weird and it becomes a distraction.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice, Id love to join you guys once I have my rig sorted out. I'm about 1.8m and weigh in at the mid 70's, I really have no idea as to the Size frame and Equipment I need, would definitely be interested in any advice and decent equipment.

 

But bike first I suppose, tired of destroying my XC bike just because you guys make it seem like fun

[Flat_0ut]

Thanks everyone for the advice, Id love to join you guys once I have my rig sorted out. I'm about 1.8m and weigh in at the mid 70's, I really have no idea as to the Size frame and Equipment I need, would definitely be interested in any advice and decent equipment.

 

But bike first I suppose, tired of destroying my XC bike just because you guys make it seem like fun

 

You will most likely look at a large frame, due to your length. Many companies have a sizing scale to help you. But it is better to sit on the bike and if possible try the frame/bike out to find out how comfortable you are on the bike. Just remember you must have enough cockpit space (area between seat and handlebar) for movement. As you progress, you will find that your body moves alot when you downhill. Freedom of movement is key! You dont want to knock your knees every time you stand up to pedal. Also your seat height is important as there will be moments where you have to duck over/behind your seat.

 

DH equipment is usually more durable than xc components, but that also depends on your riding style, weather and maintenance. I found that I have spent more on xc components than on dh components, which in turn makes xc more expensive than downhill.

 

On the equipment side you can still use your xc helmet, but I strongly advise you to use a fullface helmet. It can be a R500 MX helmet to a R5000 TLD D3. Many choices in the helmet range. The MX helmets is more heavy, but has more protection and cost less. Next is kneepads and elbow pads. Body Armour is not a must, but will help you when crashing on rocks, etc. You will still get winded and bruised though. I find body armour to restricting on movement and breathing. You dont want to pass out while riding! Oh yeah goggles is also important, you dont want dust and bugs in your eyes, many goggle ranges. Good shoes and pedals...Now this is another section which is a personal choice, clip-in pedals or flat pedals. Flat pedals will be easier to use as you learn dh, you can bail sooner and put your feet out quicker. But with clip-in pedals you have more control and pedal power. So it is all up to you how you want to ride.

 

Hope this helps

Edited December 2, 2010 by Flat_0ut

[Eugee]

You will most likely look at a large frame, due to your length. Many companies have a sizing scale to help you. But it is better to sit on the bike and if possible try the frame/bike out to find out how comfortable you are on the bike. Just remember you must have enough cockpit space (area between seat and handlebar) for movement. As you progress, you will find that your body moves alot when you downhill. Freedom of movement is key! You dont want to knock your knees every time you stand up to pedal. Also your seat height is important as there will be moments where you have to duck over/behind your seat.

 

DH equipment is usually more durable than xc components, but that also depends on your riding style, weather and maintenance. I found that I have spent more on xc components than on dh components, which in turn makes xc more expensive than downhill.

 

On the equipment side you can still use your xc helmet, but I strongly advise you to use a fullface helmet. It can be a R500 MX helmet to a R5000 TLD D3. Many choices in the helmet range. The MX helmets is more heavy, but has more protection and cost less. Next is kneepads and elbow pads. Body armour is not a must, but will help you when crashing on rocks. You will still get winded and bruised though. I find body armour to restricting on movement and breathing. You dont want to pass out while riding! Oh yeah goggles is also important, you dont want dust and bugs in your eyes, many goggle ranges. Good shoes and pedals...Now this is another section which is a personal choice, clip-in pedals or flat pedals. Flats pedals will be easier to use as you learn dh, you can bail sooner and put your feet out quicker. But with clip-in pedals you have more control and pedal power. So it is all up to you how you want to ride.

 

Hope this helps

 

Thanks, lots of help indeed, Feel like an information overload but please keep it coming. can never know to much, can one. Now to find a bike, Anyone looking to sell one? Checked out the links but it seems like theres not a lot of people selling, but a lot buying indeed.

[covie]

No buying hints? Take it slow don't kill yourself tips?

 

I've got about 20K to spend. should I save more or could I get something decent enough to start off with??

 

 

Anything with the name morewood attached to it will serve you beautifully, you just simply cannot go wrong with mwood.

[Flat_0ut]

Sorry for the info overload, but the more you know now, the better it is for you.

 

There are many people selling their bikes/frames to make space for next year's models. Just do a google search, look at classifieds, gumtree and go to DH events like the one at Contermanskloof.

[Guest Omega Man]

Yeah dude. It's a small market so you can get some pretty awesome kit for relatively cheap prices.

 

My mate is selling a 2008 Morewood Izimu frame and 2010 boxxer race for 12k. The fork is less than 10 rides old. He will probably let the headset and bb go with the frame. Most of the other stuff you can poach from your xc bike. He's had the frame redone at Morewood recently and it's in pretty much brand new condition.

 

I surfed for 20 years and Downhill has that same flowy feeling except it's always 6 foot J Bay on the trails. One of the best parts of riding dh is the palpable hatred you will feel from the xc dudes as you blast past them on bits of the trail that they un-clip and walk down.

 

The other cool thing is EVERYONE including the fastest of the fast guys are friendly. It's the wierdest thing. My theory is we never encounter each other in a race run so you never see your rival while you are racing. Everyone is cool. Everyone is friendly. Everyone will help you out with a bit of line choice or offer you a shuttle up the hill at paarl.

 

Oh. And get a neck brace from me. hehe.

Edited December 2, 2010 by Omega Man

[Flat_0ut]

Oh yes...get a neckbrace from Omega Man

You will look cooler too! And save your neck...

Edited December 2, 2010 by Flat_0ut

[Eugee]

Oh yes...get a neckbrace from Omega Man

You will look cooler too! And save your neck...

Sounds like a F*&^ing good Idea, I quite like my head where it is. Omega man, a neck brace it is then.

 

Still having trouble finding a bike, guess I should be patient, right?

[Eugee]

Yeah dude. It's a small market so you can get some pretty awesome kit for relatively cheap prices.

 

My mate is selling a 2008 Morewood Izimu frame and 2010 boxxer race for 12k. The fork is less than 10 rides old. He will probably let the headset and bb go with the frame. Most of the other stuff you can poach from your xc bike. He's had the frame redone at Morewood recently and it's in pretty much brand new condition.

 

I surfed for 20 years and Downhill has that same flowy feeling except it's always 6 foot J Bay on the trails. One of the best parts of riding dh is the palpable hatred you will feel from the xc dudes as you blast past them on bits of the trail that they un-clip and walk down.

 

The other cool thing is EVERYONE including the fastest of the fast guys are friendly. It's the wierdest thing. My theory is we never encounter each other in a race run so you never see your rival while you are racing. Everyone is cool. Everyone is friendly. Everyone will help you out with a bit of line choice or offer you a shuttle up the hill at paarl.

 

Oh. And get a neck brace from me. hehe.

 

how do I contact this mate of yours? sounds like a sweet deal

[Guest Omega Man]

I do have a semi retired Troy Lee designs D2 that you can have for 1k. 1 careful lady owner never been crashed in. Ok scratch that last bit. It's in pretty good nick and most importantly doesn't smell like the inside of a dogs ear.

 

also. I have it on very good authority that you can get a BRAND NEW mongoose bootr apprentice for R17500.00. a full bike for 17.5k. They will be available from mid December if Pottie is to be believed.