DH bike options, plans, thoughts ?

Thought i’d take this outside of the boys racing thread as it’s more a specific scenario/discussion than part of the racing.

In the coming months we’re going to need to change the bike plan to something a bit bigger for him, he’s hitting 5’11 now and still not stopping, he’s still only 14 so has potentially more growing.

But it opens up a complete minefield of ‘which/what/why’

Do we stick mullet…. Do we go full 29…. Do we buy bike X or bike Y and why that one ?

Part of me is thinking to go ‘new’ as we get warranty, but i’m not sure how warranty works on DH frames/bikes, i know some are great and some are terrible though. Commencal seem great at warranty swaps, but their V4 frames seems pretty prone to needing warranty…
Other manufacturers i don’t really know much about though (hence me bringing it up on here)

I get the impression Santa Cruz are pretty damn good in warranty terms.

One of my worries though is him getting a bike and hating it… being unable to get used to it and struggling because of this.. If i go new, that then means a potentially massive hit in terms of selling it and replacing it. If i buy used we can mitigate that, but we obviously then wouldn’t have warranty. So a bit of a catch22 there i guess.

I don’t think there’s a lot of availability of bikes new anyway at the moment in DH terms, they’re very very hard to find. Blazing Bikes have a Scott Gambler, along with a Trek Session..

Currently taking my eye is this Fury frame
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3589586/

He’ll take £900 for it and being the Large is a bit bigger than his current frames… but if we go for that then the V10/Demo/Something kind of goes out of the window and he’s then on the GT for the duration. The plus sides to this are that we know the frames, the quirks, the good/bad and everything inbetween. We’ve also got wheel compatibility with the spares, the GT is a 148*12 back end which is VERY uncommon in DH bikes as they’re mostly 157*12 now. So in many ways is the easy option for us. But i don’t think 100% it would be something as a plan that will inspire him as he’ll be thinking “oh i could’ve had a V10″…. Being a kid the answer to him is a V10 with Fox 40s and full carbon.. but i’m not exactly convinced.
Short term i’m not massively worried.. but he’s deffo getting a little on the bigger side for the Mediums. So it’s more a question of when rather than if we swap. But i’d like to stick with his current setups until at least Oct so he races all the Nationals on the same bike he’s used to. (although the Fury frame in a L would kinda make the transition easier)

I don’t think any frame/bike will make or break where we go and what he can do in terms of results, i’m not looking for an answer in that context. He’ll either get there or he won’t. If you look at the ‘fast’ lads in his class it’s 100% a complete mix of bikes from a Saracen, Mondraker, Trek, Demo, V10, Intense, Pivot etc etc… There’s different bikes filling the top 10 at times, but mostly the fast kids are fast kids, not because of their bikes, but because of their speed lol.

I’m not even sure this is the right place to ask, but in truth i think it’s that subjective that i’m not sure anywhere is… So i’ll throw it on here and see what comes out of it.

Just for an idea on geometry/sizing i’ve thrown some of the usual suspects into geometrygeeks.

DH by Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr

Is anyone going to run a book on how many bikes get bought/sold/exchanged before Lil Weeksy ends up on a large Fury? 😉

TLDR

Just start saving for the new V10.8 you know it’s inevitable.

Is anyone going to run a book on how many bikes get bought/sold/exchanged before Lil Weeksy ends up on a large Fury? 😉

At least five 🙂

Just start saving for the new V10.8 you know it’s inevitable.

Well it’s also a question of availability… which there isn’t.

I was chatting with the GT Viris guys at the weekend as they’re getting their new GT frames/bikes before the next race, this is the one that was at SeaOtter recently and Ethan Craik has been testing/using the prototype of. The thoughts were that they won’t be getting any non-team-issue bikes/frames into the UK at all this year. I asked if i could buy Ethans when his new frames arrive but again, that’s not possible.

So it can be more than just “buy XYZ”.. because XYZ isn’t always viable to purchase.

Demo is 148, swung my leg over one last year and its super impressive, (was at Dyfi and a guy wanted to try my Kenevo SL). That would be my pick as I’ve been pretty content with how my KSL goes down a hill and the demo just built on that. Back end on both bikes is very similar

Leftfield choice would be something like a G19 (or a long shocked G1) as you will have great support from Geometron for setup and the frames are super reliable, bearings lasting forever.

Reliability is key for racing, along with ease of working on it and the associated support. Working on the G1 is easy, normal bolts everywhere, the KSL can be fiddily and there is a lot of bespoke hardware (so I carry a complete hardware and bearing kit for it).
Things like internal routing for a dh bike make things hardwork for swapping out brakes quickly.

Save yourself (and us 😉) weeks of debate and just resign yourself to the fact you’re buying a SC V10.

Things like internal routing for a dh bike make things hardwork for swapping out brakes quickly.

Absolutely yes… One of the great features on the Fury is the external routing for things exactly like that reason. It’s something i’ve not massively looked into on other DH frames but it would 100% be my preference.

Short term i’m not massively worried.. but he’s deffo getting a little on the bigger side for the Mediums.

You can always fit a reach adjust headset. (Rachel A apparently ran a L when with Trek with reach adjust and she’s only 5’6″)

You don’t want him to outgrow it before you finished paying off the finance?

You don’t want him to outgrow it before you finished paying off the finance?

Won’t need to be financed matey. But the idea is sound, i want to buy something that won’t be grown out of quickly. The Mediums we’ve now had for nearly a year, but the big daft lad is just growing every time he goes to bed it seems 😀

Leftfield choice would be something like a G19 (or a long shocked G1) as you will have great support from Geometron for setup and the frames are super reliable, bearings lasting forever.

That’s not a bad idea. It’s probably what I would do. The bikes and shocks are world class and the backup and advice would be top notch.

Imagine poor Chris Porter though, coming into the office every Monday morning to one of Weeksy’s emails.

Well it’s also a question of availability… which there isn’t.

You know the new bike is coming, we know it’s coming. We all know the price will be like a punch in the nads. We all know you’re going to end up buying one. Don’t forget how much faster Kashima is than black anodising. Don’t try to cut corners.

You know the new bike is coming, we know it’s coming. We all know the price will be like a punch in the nads. We all know you’re going to end up buying one. Don’t forget how much faster Kashima is than black anodising. Don’t try to cut corners.

Then repeat for the spare bike.

Then repeat for the spare bike.

If he gets an expensive bike, it’s a 1 bike only setup… However this thread really wasn’t supposed to be about why i buy bikes, how i buy bikes, it was honestly supposed to be a discussion about the merits of different wheels/frame/configurations and manufacturers etc. I know it’s all in fun, but sometimes i need actual advice 🙂 please.

The trouble is that you’re on STW, not really the hive of information for all things DH related. Try and get him on some bikes in the car park at upcoming races, if it turns out that he likes a shorter bike then you might not have to do anything

FWIW:
– If you see the word “proprietary” mentioned anywhere, its a no.
– No tiny bearings
– No bushes
– No non-standard standards (e.g hub sizes, bb sizes, shock sizes)
– Yes for well thought out cable routing

The trouble is that you’re on STW, not really the hive of information for all things DH related. Try and get him on some bikes in the car park at upcoming races, if it turns out that he likes a shorter bike then you might not have to do anything

I hear you completely. It’s not always that simple in some ways as races are fairly intense processes and me having him throwing a leg over another bike isn’t often the easiest, people have got their own issues, plans, thoughts etc… I agree it’d be the best plan for sure though.

We’ve just booked a day at Hopton which is an uplift day, so less pressure in that context, so may be possible there.

29er for sure – his aims are apparently purely racing and he’s 5’11, probably 6′ by the time the bike arrives.
Also budget for a second wheelset (and maybe even a third rear)

I was never convinced by the sense of the spare bike set up you currently have – especially as the bikes, while similar, had differences in both set up and compatibility between components.

Of course, Privateer have one coming… or is it just a 161 with boxxers

Of course, Privateer have one coming… or is it just a 161 with boxxers

I couldn’t possibly comment on what they may or may not have coming 😀

I was never convinced by the sense of the spare bike set up you currently have – especially as the bikes, while similar, had differences in both set up and compatibility between components.

I get you but they’re 2 mins from being identical. (apart from brakes). Both frames, forks, wheels, gearing, shifting, are all exactly the same, even bars, grips are the same. The shock takes less than 2 minutes on this bike to swap over.

It’s not always that simple in some ways as races are fairly intense processes and me having him throwing a leg over another bike isn’t often the easiest, people have got their own issues, plans, thoughts etc… I agree it’d be the best plan for sure though.

Yup, not much hanging around time. Best bet is likely after Saturday practice is finished, particularly targetting folk staying on site

I couldn’t possibly comment on what they may or may not have coming 😀

well let’s presume they have then. So it’ll be that, surely?

I’d say the larger GT is the best plan. You know the frame and he knows how it rides. Relearning a whole set up mid season seems daft, especially when you’ve said in the past he’s not the best at being able to tell you what he wants changed.
From his FT William footage he’s bleeding quick but still young and not at the sharp end yet. A better bike won’t gain him enough time to make a difference. Gaining the experience on how to make a “worse” bike faster will pay dividends down the line.

Genuine question (may sound snarky, not meant to!) – is a bike not part of his development team deal?
If it were me I’d definitely be thinking about leaning on them for support here.

Genuine question (may sound snarky, not meant to!) – is a bike not part of his development team deal?

Yes mate, but it’s a Privateer 141 so no use for DH Nationals/Pearce races etc…

I’d say the larger GT is the best plan. You know the frame and he knows how it rides. Relearning a whole set up mid season seems daft, especially when you’ve said in the past he’s not the best at being able to tell you what he wants changed.
From his FT William footage he’s bleeding quick but still young and not at the sharp end yet. A better bike won’t gain him enough time to make a difference. Gaining the experience on how to make a “worse” bike faster will pay dividends down the line.

It’s pretty much where i’m leaning… The only thing to pick on from the above is, if we bought the large Fury, that would be mid-season, any other change will be post-season. He’ll deffo be racing on a Fury for all races this season, that’s not changing for sure.

Ah, forgive me, I haven’t followed this particularly closely – so the team involvement is based around Enduro, and the DH is a personal decision?
If that’s the case then if have thought it’s worth having a chat with them to see if they can offer a 161 for a preferential rate?
That with a 180ish DC should price pretty handy for the majority of UK DH’s, no?

so the team involvement is based around Enduro, and the DH is a personal decision?
If that’s the case then if have thought it’s worth having a chat with them to see if they can offer a 161 for a preferential rate?

Yup,the DH is his own preference, he’s racing Enduro on their bike but DH is ‘free’ in terms of bike choice. All coaching, training, day-to-day rides are on the Privateer.
161 just isn’t going to cut it at DH level matey. You honestly really need more bounce. Sticking a 180 dual-crown onto a 161 COULD work… maybe… but may be unbalanced. I’d also be concerned about 160 on the rear.. It wouldn’t be impossible… but may just not really work well.

That with a 180ish DC should price pretty handy for the majority of UK DH’s, no?

Mind that the end user is 14, telling him that he suddenly doesn’t need a DH bike would be some tough love. Also got to think about what those minority tracks were a 161 wouldn’t be ideal

It’s hard to be helpful on these threads because we’re not really sure what you’re asking and almost no one on here rides DH bikes anymore. You basically want a bigger frame but you’ve bought into lots of compatibility issues with the Fury.

Personally I’ve got no love for the GT. I’d switch to a YT Tues. Proven platform that works well. Standard hub and shock sizes, nothing fragile or unusual. They’ve been massively popular so there’s always loads available, they go up to XXL, available in alloy or carbon. I can’t imagine anything easier to live with. I’d avoid the X2 shock as they’re prone to blowing the damping circuit and need regular rebuilds.

You’ve been at this a while now. You not made any contacts that you can lean on for a cheap frame?

well let’s presume they have then. So it’ll be that, surely?

Updated 161, saw one around Surrey Hills a few weeks ago. Hardware and build kit was a giveaway. Looks more refined than the previous version.

You’ve been at this a while now. You not made any contacts that you can lean on for a cheap frame?

Sadly not matey.

Getting the lad off the X2, that would be challenging. Whilst many on the internet are not keen due to potential issues and rebuilds, that’s OK from our side as we have assistance on servicing and he honestly loves the shock and feels a decent chunk of his improvements is down to the shock change. How true that is, i don’t really know… but i can’t argue when he tells me things like that.

It’s hard to be helpful on these threads because we’re not really sure what you’re asking

Well it started as mostly “what frame/bike/wheel-size” it was that simple… but has obviously moved on from there.

If you’ve got an X2 and it works then that’s fine. I had one and it was always broken and my experience wasn’t exactly unique. They’re quite common on Tues frames.

It really doesn’t matter what we think, it’s a decision that your lad needs to make guided by you on what is fair game.

It should come down to his preference on wheel size, geometry and frame material. You can then understand whether new is feasible within budget or if not then you’re on 2nd hand, or he can compromise some of his preferences for new if not.

I’m not sure there are the same supply issues with bikes generally at the moment, you might not be able to get on a brand new only just released to the team frame but that’s not a supply issue so much as release timing.

I have an alloy Nukeproof Dissent mullet,
Now the carbon one is coming out you may be able to pick up the previous alloy model for reasonable price.

Weeksy trying to prevent the purchase of a 12 grand V10 with all carbon everything.

He’ll deffo be racing on a Fury for all races this season, that’s not changing for sure.

Bookmarked. 😂😂😂

When does the season end? It sort of seems a little premature to be looking at this now and if you have planted even the tiniest seed in his mind that his current bike is “too small” that’s potentially going to be what he latches on to if things aren’t going well. Why not just get the season done with the bikes you have and then regroup in the off season when you can buy a V10?

At £900 for a large frame in good condition, that seems like a good start if you can sell your medium frame and recoup most of the cost.

Get a range of his similarly sized but differently biked mate together and do a weekend of bike swaps/set up faff on a timed run? They’ll all learn, and you’ll end up with a V10

ETA, but this was a pre-season problem surely… could put a right dent in things starting from zero now.

Well you’re some dad you I must say. The only bike my Father bought me was a 2nd hand Raleigh Chipper with one working brake and wobbly wheels.

It’s a tricky one, but isn’t it a bit early to worry about it? Why not wait until the end if the season and see how it’s gone / see what the lad is thinking…

I don’t know much about DH bikes but surely if you’re looking secondhand then the end of the season might be a good time to pick one up as everything stops? Maybe next years DH bikes get realised and kart gears fetvfisgiunted too (not sure if it works like this with DH bikes or not but we’ve seen this start to happen a bit on normal bikes as manufacturers have been sat in last year’s stock)

Not sure what happened to my last post 🤯

Meant to say as new season DH bikes are released, perhaps last years ones get discounted?

I’d take stock and wait until after the season and see where you are. But I don’t have much insight as I don’t own a DH bike.

In the spirit of being helpful the Saracen Myst appeared on adverts on my socials today for around £1600 in large, mixed wheel and good pedigree. May need to sort a new rear wheel if porting across as it’s superboost.

Myst X 29 / 27 Frameset – Chapter 1