[Closed] Any Downhillers in here?

.. I have to say they're probably the nicest bunch in cycling

I've found the "nicest people in cycling" are generally the ones that just ride bikes about the place, regardless of their head angle, length of travel or whether their car was made in Germany or not.

Coincidentally these folk are usually the fastest as well.

Edit: Can't help feeling this thread (and in fact nukeproofriding) is a wind up.

I hope it's not a wind up! Everyone seems jolly nice 😀

Full face is on order...

Why would it be a wind up? Brycey... if you've got nothing nice/interesting to say, can you just leave the thread?

Aw don't be like that! I've even got a DH bike, can I please stay? Please!

nukeproofriding have you been to stoughton DH its not that far from rogate, can do both on a day trip, rogate in morning and stoughton in afternoon. Vid of stoughton here: http://www.pinkbike.com/video/275955/

Stoughton was the first place I ever rode and was my local for years 🙂 We helped out with building some of the trails there too. Is that spud in the white t-shirt in that video? Haven't ridden there in ages, but will go back soon to see whats cracking!

i'm more of a freerider than a downhiller but i have a down hill bike which i've set up as a freeride machine. i love the way it rides and normally take it wherever i can for a blast...Lee Quarry or Llandegla B-Line are good places to unleash it...

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Stoughton was the first place I ever rode and was my local for years We helped out with building some of the trails there too. Is that spud in the white t-shirt in that video? Haven't ridden there in ages, but will go back soon to see whats cracking!

i'm more of a freerider than a downhiller but i have a down hill bike which i've set up as a freeride machine.

Oh dear....

I generally fit into the 'ride a bit of everything' category. Race BMX, commute on a roadie, all-day Lakes epics on the little bike, race DH on the big bike...

Which means I also don't fit into any category 🙂

No spud snaped his mech be for that was filmed, it's Joe in the white. how long ago did you help out there? As you can tell from the vid its much bigger now!

Probably about a year ago or something? Maybe a little more actually. How much of it has actually changed?

It's interesting to see so many people who like riding dh trails, really cool. As far as i'm concerned, and from my personal experience DH'ers as a group are really open, theres never a feeling of we are proper dh'ers and you aren't because you ride x y or z. If you like riding downhill trails and hitting roots, jumps, berms and drops and it gives you an adrenaline rush that drags you back to the top to do it over and over then you are a downhiller. Doesn't matter what bike you ride, and that's always been the view at all the DH races/trail centers i've ever been to. Of course there will always be the occasional nob wobbler but I have to say they're probably the nicest bunch in cycling

Isn't that the truth! Was talking to someone about this the other day and I think it's partly because uplifts/pushing are great levellers in the sense that some people get down the hill twice as fast, and with style...but once those 3 mins are over, they're gonna be pushing back up/riding up/in the bus with you chatting about what that last run was like. Or stood at the side of the trail encouraging you when you are trying to session a jump they have just made look easy. DH is actually good for a range of levels, whereas on an XC ride, a big difference in fitness/ability is harder to accommodate....and it's difficult to talk to that 'expert rider' when you are gasping for breath just trying to keep up.

gonzy - Member
i'm more of a freerider than a downhiller but i have a down hill bike which i've set up as a freeride machine. i love the way it rides and normally take it wherever i can for a blast...Lee Quarry or Llandegla B-Line are good places to unleash it...

Holy BB height batman! 😯

You do know you can lower the BB on that frame?

Booked Antur for the 30th - I'm a bit excited!

Agree on the comments about downhillers being a friendly bunch. I find that they are the most layed back of all cyclists and generally can't be happier than when you agree to follow or be followed by them Down a run.

Every race I've entered I've only ever got encouragement from fellow riders on my run. There is, I find, a mutual respect amongst downhillers on the basis that regardless of your ability, you are giving it a go and that in itself is enough.

If any of you go to Aston give me a shout, I'll happily meet up with any of you and show you the fast line down the black run 😉

I wouldn't consider myself a downhiller, but I do ride a bit of DH. I've been slacking ever since I came back to the alps. 30 degrees every day and chairlifts will do that to you.

My ride is a giant reign x, with totems and offset shock bushings. She will be getting an angleset and some beefier brakes next year.

When I do get around to riding, it is Rogate, Kingley Vale and occasionally Cwmcarn or UK bikepark.

Probably about a year ago or something? Maybe a little more actually. How much of it has actually changed?

The big table is bigger and the rock garden is 3 times the size and lots of tweeking.

Isn't that the truth! Was talking to someone about this the other day and I think it's partly because uplifts/pushing are great levellers in the sense that some people get down the hill twice as fast, and with style...but once those 3 mins are over, they're gonna be pushing back up/riding up/in the bus with you chatting about what that last run was like. Or stood at the side of the trail encouraging you when you are trying to session a jump they have just made look easy. DH is actually good for a range of levels, whereas on an XC ride, a big difference in fitness/ability is harder to accommodate....and it's difficult to talk to that 'expert rider' when you are gasping for breath just trying to keep up.

Totally agree - and have seen the same friendly and encouraging approach in Enduro, primarily for the same reason, no matter how fast you killed it on the last stage, you too are gonna be sweating riding that 30lb 6" bike back up......

I love that friendliness and openness. But then I am knocking on a bit and remember the old friendly but mad vibe from legendary events like the Malvern Classic!

+1

The vibe at the few enduro race weekends i've been to this year has been amazing. The riding has been awesome too!

The big table is bigger and the rock garden is 3 times the size and lots of tweeking.

Will be doing my first proper DH races this winter

I think I have ridden XC about 5 times this year. Hence the bike is up for sale. I've just been riding DH. Fitness seems to be loads better and I've lost plenty of flab. Apart form the falling off bit I think I just prefer it.

Ill head up there in the next few days for sure then! Is it all open at the moment? I see that you guys are going through the process of getting it forestry registered etc?

Also anyone that want to race mini DH ib the south this year Gravity project are runnung a series again.
There will be 4 venues and 5 rounds. 😀

March 2/3rd - Rogate
April 6/7th - Gravity project Venue 1 or 2
May 4/5th - Gravity project Venue 1 or 2
June 1/2nd - Venue yet to be relesed (Near Petersfield) 😉
July 6/7th - Gravity project Venue 1 or 2

What races you doing bud?

Going to get in the 661 minis, whatever ones the DTV crew come up with and the rumoured winter races that Mr Bling is putting together at the moment - looking forward to it!

🙂

I've probably ridden my DH bike less this year than any other but not cuz I've gone off it - it's just the way things have been.

In the past: Morzine area (loads of times), Whistler (3 times), Les Arcs, Alp D'Huez, Stile Cop, Hopton, Bringewood, Moelfre, Caersws, Cwmcarn, Ae etc etc etc

I've never raced though.

Recently went to Antur Stiniog for the first time and I want to go back soon! First time on the DH bike since March!

[url= http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/video/15/434.html ]Sample Antur Stiog Video[/url]

Hopefully get to Whistler again next year?

Going to get in the 661 minis, whatever ones the DTV crew come up with and the rumoured winter races that Mr Bling is putting together at the moment - looking forward to it!

LEGEND - i know and i've tried all the different combinations to try and lower the BB height and thats as low as i can seem to get it even with running 24" rims. having said that the BB height looks tall but once i get my lardy butt over the saddle it drops to the correct height and it rides brilliantly...or at least i think it does...

[b]@Gonzy[/b]

Looks like the i2i of your shock is too long?

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[b]@Gonzy[/b]

i-2-i is fine the shock should be mounted in the bottom hole of the black linkage plate. not the top as it is now. It looks like you need a step ladder to get on the thing.
the bottom hole should slacken the head angle and lower the bb

As far as i'm concerned, and from my personal experience DH'ers as a group are really open, theres never a feeling of we are proper dh'ers and you aren't because you ride x y or z.

I don't want to ruin the DH lovin but isn't this thread asking people to single themselves out rather than just be MTBer's?

I do a bit of everything XC, AM, DH, natural, man made. I just like like being on bikes. I probably do more DH then XC nowadays but that's cos it's easier to thrash out a few runs at warncliffe/stainburn/silton type places than fit a long XC/AM ride in now i've got kids. I don't own a DH bike, I just ride my old Five everywhere. I don;t think you really need a full on DH bike in this country unless you're racing (i'll get flamed now).

Not long 'til the first round of the FoD winter series 😀

Or PORC race on the 25th Nov? I will be there, not raced at porc yet, looking forward to it!

Chap - do you know if you can pre-enter? Thinking its going to be a busy one and don't want to travel all that way only to find I can't race.

I can't imagine you would have to pre enter for a winter DH race at PORC!

Greeble - i've tried running the shock on the lower mount in the linkage plates but the head angle becomes too slack and it steers like a bit of a pig...not that i've ever ridden a pig!! 😀

Xiphon - looks like you've resorted to the same method as me to eliminate chain slap on the chainstay!! 😆

currently the fork is still running at 150mm as i get the feeling that extending the travel to 170mm would mess up the geometry...but then again looking at Xiphon's bike maybe thats what i need to do....

greeble - normally i take a running jump to get on!! 😮
however any suggestions regarding setup would be appreciated..

currently the fork is still running at 150mm as i get the feeling that extending the travel to 170mm would mess up the geometry...but then again looking at Xiphon's bike maybe thats what i need to do....

try putting 26 inch wheels on it too

here's mine

[IMG] [/IMG]

Another who wouldn't call myself a Downhiller but that's the bit I enjoy the most.

eightyeight
Anyone else based in Manc on this thread?

Yes, me!! Well, not quite - I'm in Cheadle Hulme.

I'm a member of the Macc Forest DH Group where I ride this:

[IMG] [/IMG]

Just fitted an Angleset to bring the HA down to just over 64 degrees. Booked onto the uplift at Cwmcarn this Sunday and then at Antur Stiniog on Sat 1st Dec.

From the comments above it looks like I need to get some proper Dual-Plies for Antur though? What tyres for Antur Stiniog? 😆

Chap - do you know if you can pre-enter? Thinking its going to be a busy one and don't want to travel all that way only to find I can't race.

Not long 'til the first round of the FoD winter series

Wicked 🙂

nukeproofriding - Member
If so, where/what do you ride? This forum seems to be mostly XC/ROADY guys but I'm interested to see if there are some DH peeps too.

Amended OP.

I used to be a downhiller but haven't done it since about 1997.

Next weekend is a fine weekend to start again. We expect to see pictures of your new bike by wednesday and pictures of you riding by sunday. :p

Think I'll stick to my usual trail riding these days. Less chance of trying to kill myself.

gonzy -
Member
Greeble - i've tried running the shock on the lower mount in the linkage plates but the head angle becomes too slack and it steers like a bit of a pig...not that i've ever ridden a pig!!

Shock in the bottom hole *s*****, sensible sized wheels and a bit of time getting used to how a dh bike should ride and you'll be grand. All dh bikes handle like a pig until up to speed.

It's not my bike - just a quick Google for "Haro DHR"...

Get the geo setup right, and you'll notice a [b]massive[/b] difference in handling. Yes it will feel a bit 'wallowy' (like a drowsy hippo), but get it up to speed - and the slackness will make it much more stable.

You may be able to fit off-set bushes in there, to make it even slacker...

Judging by the side-by-side photos, the shock still looks too long?? What's the i2i of the current shock?

you're also running 24's.. wrong wrong wrong..

it rides brilliantly...or at least i think it does...

To be honest, that's all that really matters. If you find the handling a bit nervous, slacken the HA or drop the BB a bit. If you're happy with the way it rides, leave it as is. From memory, the design is either a rip off of the old Intense M1 (like the Muddy Foxes the Athertons used to ride) or actually an M1 rebadged....

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Normal size wheels will also help, but like I say - if you like it, what does it matter

EDIT: It was actually made by Intense for Haro

I've been going a few uplift days on my 160mm xc bike. I've been pleasantly suprised at how helpful, friendly and inclusive people are.

My last trip was Hamsterley, and for the first time I felt a little under-biked. What would be a good, cheap, second hand first downhill bike?