chosing a new bike--advice?

[Georgy291]

sorry for another thread on this

i want a new bike to do down hill racing. problem is i only have £600 to spend and i need to pay for it in credit so im guessing now second hand stuff.

i had a look around and from what i can see it would be impossible to get a good full suspension stuff for that. So im guessing it going to have to be cross country.

Im new to the sport and anctious to start this summer.

Im guessing as to what im looking for would be a generally good down hill geometry, and i want disc breakes since im getting annoyed tuning my v ones.

Can anyone help me choose a bike or atleast tell me what im looking for when looking at xc bikes for DH?

[neonplanet40]

GT Avalanche 1.0 You may be able to get the 2008 for cheapish if anyone has stock. I have it, great bike and brakes

Also specialised rockhopper 08/09

Lowe is the man to ask. You would be safer getting ur thread moved to the sport section.

Let us know how u get on

[Lowe]

I'm not the person to ask, bike's aren't really my main interest so what I know is pretty much the basics. Down hilling isn't something I've ever done or likely to do but some of the other guys in the sports section might be able to help. I'll move the thead over

[Georgy291]

cheers was wondering how to do that

[Georgy291]

ok my latest choice is prob best to be
http://s233299868.e-shop.info/shop/article_blender%2Bhi.001/Charge-Blender-Mid-2009-free-gift.html

anyone see a bad thing about this bike?

[Lowe]

Charge make some good bikes (got one myself), but if downhilling is your thing then that probably wouldn't be best suited.

[Konan555]

Actually Racing? As in being competitive?

I'm afraid Hardtail is out, as is XC full suspension really. You will need a downhill bike, end of. If you're just looking to have fun down hills and not chase times, you're options might be more open.

AFAIK, your budget won't really stretch to a new downhill bike, and I'm not into it myself so I'm not sure of 2nd hand prices. However, if you do look 2nd hand I recommend inspecting the bike. Bikes used for downhill go through a lot, you'd need to check for things like cracked tubes, bent arms and worn bushings.

[Georgy291]

no i think with my first bike it will be just fun downhills nothing competitive yet

[Konan555]

In which case you might be able to get away with a sturdy hard tail with longer travel forks. I should think you'd be able to put something together on that budget. Just remember you won't be hammering over the terrain like something with 4" travel front and back

[Georgy291]

ok, so any idea on what i should get? since im completely new to this who consept and have no idea what bits are good and what is not

[Konan555]

Any well made bike will stand up to some fun downhill. Although you'd probably eat bottom brackets faster and want to change from regular pedals to heavy duty ones pretty sharpish.

The charge bike's a dirt jumper. Probably would be pretty fun taking it easy down certain downhill sections. Just keep in mind it's not designed for outright speed down them *at all*

[No.72]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=330328219074

seeems a bit of a bargin