For me it has to be an Intense Uzzi. Perfect for the UK and more than capable in the Alps. It'll do all you ask and it'll pedal up again if you need to.
Bike Forum
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Are there any "proper? Downhill bikes out there that actually pedal quite well?
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Posted 1 year ago #
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Foes RS7 apparently loads of US rider use them in stead of nomads and designed as a race specific 7" DH bike.
I race mine DH and love it. With the air shock the pedalling efficiency is excellent.
Posted 1 year ago # -
one_happy_hippy
Foes RS7 apparently loads of US rider use them in stead of nomads and designed as a race specific 7" DH bike.
They peddle really efficiently, but a super slack seat angle and head angle (it's more like 64 than the 66 foes say) means it would be a pig to do any distance / climbing. Also, even an full bling build will struggle to get under 38lbs without silly components.
The OP will never get all that moon on his stick.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The RS7 is an AWESOME bike. I had a full day on one and it was outstanding. really came into it's own when things slowed down and got really technical.
Foes designed it as a short travel DH bike, so the geo is all spot on, but just doesn't have the extra bulk and monster turning cicle of a bigger bike.
Short travel DH bikes may well be the way to go for most UK DH courses, but there just isn't a great deal of choice around at the moment. most people tend to make do with a FR bike instead.
They peddle really efficiently, but a super slack seat angle and head angle (it's more like 64 than the 66 foes say) means it would be a pig to do any distance / climbing.
It's a DH race bike, why would you buy it to do any distance or climbing?
Posted 1 year ago # -
peterfile - Member
I don't get your second point at all though. Every race I've ever entered, I've had two goals: to go as fast as possible and not to crash. So suggesting that people who race DH, but aren't really fast (I seldom finish in the top 25% so I class myself in that group), don't need a DH bike is a bit odd. Can you explain to me how people like me are going to improve their finishing positions on a Nomad compared to DH bike?
easy:
i race Dh, and i try to go as fast as i can - but i'm not that good/quick, and i usually finish in the bottom 3rd of the field.
Dh bikes usually have around 200mm of travel, that's loads. if i set the spring rates so that the bike feels 'nice', with sensible amounts of sag, then i rarely if ever use all that travel.
if i set the spring rates so that i use 200mm of travel, then the bike just feels very soft and wallowy.
i can only speak for myself, but i'm faster/happier on a bike with less travel.
i did point out that i'm an idiot, and very slow on a bike,
Posted 1 year ago # -
peterfile
It's a DH race bike, why would you buy it to do any distance or climbing?
I wouldn't. But if you read the thread you will see that the op is confused between something like a Nomad with a 180mm fork and an actual DH bike. He's also stated that he intends the bike for 15 mile rides. So cram it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Dh bikes usually have around 200mm of travel, that's loads. if i set the spring rates so that the bike feels 'nice', with sensible amounts of sag, then i rarely if ever use all that travel.
if i set the spring rates so that i use 200mm of travel, then the bike just feels very soft and wallowy.
i can only speak for myself, but i'm faster/happier on a bike with less travel.
i did point out that i'm an idiot, and very slow on a bike,
but travel is just one ingredient to a good DH frame.
I would far rather have less travel and DH specific geometry than loads of travel and AM geometry.
Agreed, if you are regularly bottoming out 8/9" of travel in a DH race then you probably hitting things you shouldn't be
Posted 1 year ago # -
I wouldn't. But if you read the thread you will see that the op is confused between something like a Nomad with a 180mm fork and an actual DH bike. He's also stated that he intends the bike for 15 mile rides. So cram it.
So cram it? Charming.
If YOU read the thread you would see that the last 2 pages of advice is that you shouldn't really be buying a DH bike for any sort of riding other than DH.
Posted 1 year ago # -
New Patriot? Haven't looked through all the replies, but has anyone mentioned the new Orange Patriot? I think there's one on its way. If so, it should fit the bill. I have an '09 Patriot and it's superb, and fitted with 180mm 36s or Boxxers it would make a great easily-pedalled mini-dh bike. Failing that, 224 or its successor - I've seen folk pedal them uphill for miles, they disappear in a cloud of dust as soon as the dh starts.
Posted 1 year ago # -
peterfile
So cram it? Charming.
If YOU read the thread you would see that the last 2 pages of advice is that you shouldn't really be buying a DH bike for any sort of riding other than DH.
IF YOU......nevermind.
My reply to this
one_happy_hippy
Foes RS7 apparently loads of US rider use them in stead of nomads..
was to highlight that the RS7 would not make a suitable Nomad replacement as it is a DH bike not an AM bike. Quite obvious to me, but maybe not the OP. We are saying the same thing, but you elected to tell me that the Foes was a DH RACE BIKE IN BOLD!! which I obviously knew, and hence you came across like and arsehole.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Damn clicking too much fail.
Posted 1 year ago # -
What you want is an RS7 with the new Suntour 180-1400mm adjustable fork. Meant to be awesome bit of kit - my mate works at Greyville and says the quality is right up there. Im going to put one on mine for the Mega if and when I get to do it along with an adjustable post.. 140mm for climbing will steepen the head angle and 180mm for DH. Perfect. IIRC the RS7 has front mech routing too.
From just pedalling it back up fire tracks I recon with an adjustable post and some 140-180mm forks on and a decent light build you could get a wicked 36lbs all mountain / DH bike built.
Mine:-
DH Build
Just shy of 40lbs with Boxxer teams / easton finishing kit / Easton Havoc DH wheels and not trying too hard. No Ti bolts, no carbon bars etc. DH build mind nothing else.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'm sorry jimjam, it wasn't my intention to come across as an arsehole.
It's just that this thread is wearing slightly, since it seems to have been 2 pages full of claims that DH bikes are not actually any use for DH, surprise at the fact DH race bikes aren't any good at climbing, or that you might as well buy a road bike unless your surname is Peat.
Posted 1 year ago # -
one_happy_hippy that is awesome! don't suppose you fancy swapping for a day if you're ever up near Wharncliffe?
Although, you do realise that you would have been better off buying a Nomad for DH though?
Posted 1 year ago # -
peterfile
this thread is wearing slightly,Agreed.
one_happy_hippy - Member
What you want is an RS7 with the new Suntour 180-1400mm adjustable fork. Meant to be awesome bit of kit
It must be awesome alright....lol...snigger...sorry.
Your RS7 is very nice by the way. I wouldn't ruin it with a dropper post and single crown forks etc but hey.
Posted 1 year ago # -
If you're considering freemince bikes, this looks quite good...
You're in Cumbria aren't you? There was one looking all sexy in the shop at Whinlatter when I popped in a couple of months ago.
Posted 1 year ago # -
peterfile: fyi - this is my 'Dh' bike:
long low and slack, but only 160mm travel, and a granny ring, i even rode it around kirroughtree and it really wasn't that bad - infact it was a hoot!
Posted 1 year ago # -
long low and slack
that's always top of my shopping list before travel. I do agree that it seems pointless carrying around 9" (oooh errrr!) for most UK riding, but it just seeems that proper DH geometry and general design is harder to come by on shorter travel bikes.
I sold my current DH bike's predecessor and bought a Bullit, which I kitted out as a mini DH rig. but then i sold it because it just wasn't that great as a DH bike and it wasn't that great at general trail stuff.
So I just bought another full on DH bike and will use my HT and shorter travel bikes for everything else.
Posted 1 year ago # -
It must be awesome alright....lol...snigger...sorry.
Your RS7 is very nice by the way. I wouldn't ruin it with a dropper post and single crown forks etc but hey
Cheers!
Would only be for the mega where it needs to climb as well. Foes build a lot of the RS7's up with totems - though I think a 180mm Fox 36 would be good too.
The Suntour is very good value for money for what it is. 140mm-180mm remotely adjustable travel for half the price of a Fox 36 talas.
Bare in mind that these arnt the old crappy suntours you may remember now made in the same factory as many big names - all ally internals - no plastic parts and have been getting pretty good reviews I think it came 2nd place to a 36 in one review and as its half the price its damn good value. Ok it isant as good as the Fox but is the fox going to be worth twice as much?
Posted 1 year ago # -
My friend and I used to ride DH bikes as our 'all day' bikes, back when light weight and long travel wasn't something you'd hear in the same sentence, let alone decribe a bike with.
His was a 222 with a 5th coil and Boxxer, with a double and bash gaurd on using an adaptor for the mech and cable stop.
Yes it was slow and labourious up hill, bit when we did Highstreet on them, coming down off Lodepot (i think) was insane. Plenty of times we pushed or climbed slowly then plummeted, Walna scar also comes to mind.
This was ok when we were younger and fitter, but due to changes in circumstance and the fact is, it was hard work meant we changed our bikes for something more usable more of the time.
You can use any bike for just about anything as long as you can live with the inevitable compromise.
Posted 1 year ago #
Topic Closed
This topic has been closed to new replies.
