I’d normally be recommending an Evil Sovereign at this point, but I love mine for its steepish head angle – it’s DH capable, but you’d be better served elsewhere. Dialled Alpine is more downhill-y but if you’re getting something purely for going down then the likes of a Bagger/ Troof has to be a sensible(!) option.
Of course you could get something outrageous like an Evil Imperial or Nicolai 2MXTB;
Although I would really question the use of a HT for pure DH. I love hardtails, and I love downhillng on mine but a suspension bike is definitely the better tool for the job in the vast majority of circumstances.
For true DH frames, you ought to be looking at Alpines, Troofs, etc. As others said I wouldn’t just get a frame that can get a long fork, I would get one that was designed purely for descending, rather than a do-it-all which can take a long fork.
Why not a full sus though if its just for uplifts? Southerndownhill has some amazing deals every now and then and you will end up with a much better bike for purely DH riding.
That’s not actually technically accurate, is it? I know as I’ve got the facial scarring to prove it
Probably not but reading things on here and in mags there always seems to be a focus on getting things as slack low and long as possible/make the bike as dull as possible to ride.
Probably not but reading things on here and in mags there always seems to be a focus on getting things as slack low and long as possible/make the bike as dull as possible to ride.
It’s only dull if it isn’t steep enough and/or rough enough and/or you aren’t riding fast enough!
Much as I’m a hardtail fan, I’d use a full-sus if buying a bike for DH and it would something pretty DH focused (unsurprisingly!) maybe even an actual DH bike.
If you want to run long travel forks and use it for dh only then the only frames worth considering are those designed around long travel forks – i.e. those Ragleys.
You’ll find people recommending these “ardcore hardtails” like Cotics/Stantons/Chamleleons/Evils etc. but the truth is, they arent designed around long travel forks, and in fact ride much better with shorter forks. Theres the truth.
Production privee Shan looks good. North west mountain bikes at cheadle had one being built up for a customer last month . It was the limited edition yellow and blue version. Looks good with dh geometry. Price wise more than the cotics etc but about 100 euros less than the btr belter.
Wow I just found this Lovely 823 Dialled Alpine frame in the classifieds.
Still available, framesavered, mint condition…
I bet you can make the seller an offer 😉
First choice would be a belter (even though burf still hasn’t bloody let me ride it!) as I’ve seen how fast it is possible to go on a DH hardtail.
Second would be a ragely. As DTF has said, no point getting a frame that can take a 160 fork if the bb is stupidly high and it handles like a bag of shite.
just looked at the darkside frame, did not notice it when i 1st posted this thread.
looks fantastic, fitted with a set of 180mm forks and some 200mm rotors, it would be pretty ideal for a big un……….. 8)
I had one in truth it was toss really, should have stuck with my Trailstar really…
Quite like my 456SS now but that’s more a trail/all rounder type HT with a nod towards DH use IMO…
But if its a dedicated DH HT Its got to be the BTR for the win, Paul Burford is quite handy on a bike, I’d certainly look pretty seriously at any bike he was involved in designing/building…
Ton Ive had a Trailstar and an Exalt, both great but for DH stuff the Exalt is longer, slacker, much chunkier, far better suited to the larger rider. 8)
Had an Dialled Alpine too. Sold it. Shouldn’t have.
I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the 24Seven LeToy yet. I’ve yet to ride a stiffer frame that’s more bulletproof. Beautiful machine, comes with a warranty that’ll cover SuperMonsters and I’m pretty certain they’ll fit Gazzidodi’s 3.0in tires.
Messiah, is the welding around the ISCG tabs a bit “agricultural” on your Troof? Mine has the look of something that I’m sure functions well but it looks a bit naff.