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I'm over 50, can't jump a bike for squat but fancy having a go at some dh. What kind of bike could I reasonably expect to get for around £1000 or hopefully under that is an easier bike to learn on ? I do have a 2017 intense uzzi 275 with lots of travel bit I hear lots of people saying if you want to try it then only a real dh bike will do. Thanks
Have a look on pinkbike classifieds, set your budget and see if you can find one in good nick. That or go rent one at BPW, see what you think
isn't an Uzzi a 170mm travel bike?
people talk bollocks
there's no DH track your Uzzi won't manage just fine.
By all means buy a Dh bike as well but do yourself a favour and learn to jump as well. there's little point wanting to try DH otherwise.
how tall are you BTW?
and where is it you're wanting to ride?
Nuke proof scalp, trek session or possibly an early carbon v10
I'm 5'11 and based in Liverpool at the moment . My uzzi is 190mm travel rear and 180 front and a 64 degree head angle. I do take your point about learning to jump, I can if needed but not big gaps etc. I would be arranging a skills day to help if I got one.
You have a 190mm travel freeride bike with a 64deg head angle.
No need to bother with a 200mm DH bike unless there's some way you can already tell it's holding you back, IMO.
You have a 190mm travel freeride bike with a 64deg head angle.
No need to bother with a 200mm DH bike unless there’s some way you can already tell it’s holding you back, IMO.
That.
The only thing holding me back would be my total lack of dh skills. I've been riding bikes since I was 3, like most of us, so I'm not a newbie it's just I know a lot of you guys are way more experienced than me in this area and before I get too old i want to try it 😀 thanks for the honest advice 👍
Save your money and use your current 190mm travel bike
Use the saved money to pay for some skill sessions at BPW or anywhere else that runs them focusing on jumps and drops
Buying a set of wheels and tyres that you can give zero ****s about would be a good idea for your current bike
Get yourself down to Revs, only about 1hr30m from Liverpool, good variety of tracks to practice jumping and rooty/techy DH.
I find proper dh bikes have to go fast otherwise they become a bit of a hinderance. E.g. progressive rider bike park guiding days on a Gambler were tough but a voltage fr made it tons of fun.
Plenty of voltage fr's kicking about in various guises from full air setups to full coil over big hit bikes and often at pretty good price points.
I don't even have a DH bike any more, my dozen or so Whistler bike park days will be on a Ransom, so not dissimilar to an uzzi. Sold my 180mm air/air voltage fr to make way in the garage for the Ransom.
Those guys are right. Only difference is, uplifts etc can be pretty harsh on a bike- I'll ride anything on my remedy that I would have ridden on my Herb DH, but I'm a tart and it's a bit too fancy for its own good and I'll feel less happy if I break some expensive part.
So I'm throwing together a pretty low budget but competent dh bike made out of leftovers and affordable good stuff that I won't feel so bad about smashing up a wheel, or grinding to bits through a wet day at fort william, or riding off the hill on a flat, or adding a chunk of extra weight to. Though you can achieve a lot of that with wheels alone.
But need? Nah. It can be confidence inspiring, or help you to step outside of a comfort zone because you have the "right" tool. And having more bikes is nice.
Would focus on the skill thing.
Forging ahead and betting onto the "skills of the bike" will hurt you.
Bikes: you are over 50 - means full suspension bikes make a lot of sense for you.
But for your budget a hardtail might be an option as well?
Dartmoor Hornet?
As said above- priorities would be as follows.
Travel not too important as you’ll not be competitive, ever, or for a long while.
Disposable frame not costing a fortune, spend the money on good shocks/tune.
Tough wheels and keep tyres as fresh as you can, the grip difference from new to part worn is pretty big.
Good brakes, zee are the. Eat bang for buck IMHO.
Skills course + weekends uplift practicing. More time going down is the only way to improve.
Your current bike is so close to a fullbore DH bike already! If you want to go the whole hog you could stick a 200mm dual crown fork on the front but it’s not necessary. Lots of gnarly uplift near you in North Wales!
Having just put some Rimpact foam tyre inserts in one of my bikes, I’d recommend them. I’m not running the pressure any lower but the tyre feels better, less bouncy. And they give lots of rim protection. However, the more I’ve learnt about Cushcore, the more I think it’s worth the money and extra weight if you’re riding rocky terrain hard.
If you want a DH bike get one, It saves ruining your nice Uzzi at Antur stiniog or wherever. There is always a great range of sub 1000 DH bikes on pinkbike so you can take you pick!
I’d try on your current ride unless you get a cheap DH bike to take the beating. Farmer Johns Stockport way is good for jumping. No uplift but very chilled out. Antur Stiniog is 2 hours ish depending where in the ‘pool you live. Foe Gnasch close by in Clwyds. Lots of stuff closeish.
“Real” DH bikes are bulldozers that jump!
Get yourself one. They're great fun, and whilst your current bike can almost certainly do anything you're likely to throw at it, it's quite a different feeling on a DH bike. I've just recently scratched a similar itch (though my other bike is a 140mm 29er, so more limiting) and it's a blast flinging the DH bike down stuff, even stuff the 29er will get down just as quickly. Can't wait till the DH bike gets a month in the Alps with me this summer 🙂
I agree on the 2nd set of wheels and sticky DH tyres
My uzzi is 190mm travel rear and 180 front and a 64 degree head angle.
😆 defo more travel required! Don't listen to these fools, 300mm all round and a 54 degree head angle is what you need!
What about my medium sized Canyon Whipzone in excellent condition? 26in still damn good and cheap 😉