Member of the Month

X_MEMESWERVE_XX
March, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Mountain biking...

profile picture
Kev-Hal
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 91
Okay it's the off season now... maybe not for a lucky few. I was skiing From early Dec. Until my last day on April 28th this year. This is the longest season I have ever had. But now, I am trying to figure out what I am gonna do until next Dec. How good is mountain biking for cross training for skiing, and all around fun for a summer sport. I haven't really done it before. But I live at the bottom of my resort, and they have some of the best downhill around. And there are tones of just regular trails around here too. It looks like it would be fun as hell, and I figure it would keep my legs in top shape for next season. What is the verdict? Am I pretty much on point with my opinions here.

And also, I have never bought a bike before, so this would be my first one. I want it to be rugged enough to be able to handle downhill, and not break everytime. But I also want it to be decent for trail riding and stuff too. What are some bikes that i should look at?

Would the Kona stinky would be a good choice? I am looking to spend somewhere around $2500 cdn. If I go ahead with this... I should be able to get some decent hook ups from my local shops too.

What are your thoughts guys?
Thanks!
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
PeteyG
Posts: 2946 - Karma: 49
I have a kona stinky and I love it. It can get down anything and can take some pretty big drops depending on how loose your travel is
I would go with the stinky if I were you. Transition Dirt Bag is another sick one
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
BMskier
Posts: 3363 - Karma: 365
2500 for a bike?? heck yess you will be able to get a sick one.

mountain biking is awesome. you can just bum around with friends on trails and stuff of get all intense and do crazy rides. it varies on what you want to do.

what mountain are you living at/near?
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
i take it your a new rider?

get a hardtail, black market mob/riot is sick as hell
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Kev-Hal
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 91
I'm in Ontario, at blue mountain
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
samskisalot
Posts: 711 - Karma: 12
it sounds like your gonna be leaning more towards the freeride/downhill side, and less the cross country. get a freeride bike. they are made to take abuse, and they handle good on pretty much everything. they are on the heavier side, but nowhere near as heavy as a downhill bike, so you will be able to trail ride/ bum around on it too.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
miker92
Posts: 621 - Karma: 36
www.pinkbike.com and use their search bar.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
miker92
Posts: 621 - Karma: 36
you, sir, are an idiot.

...if youre going hardtail at least get a hardtail freeride frame. look at .243's, dna sinister, others.

but go fully. youre going to be going downhill a lot, and its not like youre going to be racing and want a hardtail to help you get good. transition is definitely a sick company. so is eastern26. generally you will do better staying away from big companies like specialized, kona, etc.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Swan_Solo
Posts: 2374 - Karma: 14
if you get a freeride bike, the geometry is none too friendly for uphill riding

if you get a bike in between xc and freeride like a cannondale prophet or specialized enduro, you'll be pleased
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
i dont think thats what he's looking for if he's considering a kona stinky. it probably wouldnt suit the type of riding he'll be doing if he lives at a resort with DOWNHILL.

plus the stinky will be better for any shore type riding and drops/rough stuff
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,185

all you need is a 5 or 6" travel bike. for this you might want to check out pinkbike.com and their classified section. you'll be able to pick up a decent ride for a good price.

i picked up a 2006 norco atomic 8" travel, never used for DH for 1250



17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
meggles
Posts: 3156 - Karma: 54
Definitely. Go with a full-suspension bike.

You're gonna get as addicted to mountain biking as you are to skiing.  Such a fucking fun thing to do. Especially DH.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
liftedresearcher
Posts: 1140 - Karma: 1,775
i got the perfect bike for you. santa cruz heckler. you should buy mine. $2300.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
cmeriptahoe
Posts: 1785 - Karma: 12
Buy used. You can find some amazing deals.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
1080ski
Posts: 4424 - Karma: 191
uh, in what way would it be better to stay away from big brands? they got popular for a reason... i wouldnt rule out specialized, i would rule out kona, as i am not a fan of their frames (thats me personally though, so take it with a grain of salt...)...


anyways, i just got an Iron Horse Sunday and so far i love it.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Mr.May
Posts: 126 - Karma: 57
k this is my opinion. i would go with Devinci Bikes. B/c if you want fast downhill go with a Wilson 1,2,3, or 4  (the higher the number the more expencive, but better components and lighter frames, etc...), its has an extreamly light frame and b/c of the longer frame it alows you to to keep better sability at higher speed and maneuverability through trees. Or if your into freeride, go for the Ollie. the frame is not as long as the wilson so you can throw the bike around more, its more heavy then the wilson series (but only by a few pounds).
The only problem that you might have, is with the longer frames.

http://www.devinci.com
this should give you all the info you need (specs, sizes, components, etc...)
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 428
Biking is really similar to skiing, except sometimes the lines can feel a lot more commiting.  It's all I do all summer besides fly fish and it definitely helps keep me ready for ski season.

As far as bikes go, you shouldn't really take advice from people on the internet telling you exactly what to get.  It may be a good start, but it's really all personal preference.  Go test ride a few and see what you like. 
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
*Michael*
Posts: 500 - Karma: 73

get a full on freeride bike. it will be able to do the trail riding that you talk about  (that is if you actually want to do that after going downhilling). stinky willl be good. anything similar to that will be good as well.

17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Mr.May
Posts: 126 - Karma: 57
we're not telling him what he has to get, we're just giving out recommendations and giving a view at what is out there (bike companies)
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Kev-Hal
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 91
Thanks everyone... much appreciated
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
miker92
Posts: 621 - Karma: 36
higher end/aftermarket components, better made frames, some companies are flexible and will let you customize some things, cheaper. specialized and kona make good bikes, but you can get a  better bike for less money, depending on exactly what you want and whether or not you know what youre getting into.

ive heard great things about iron horse, but i dont think i would buy one. i still think you can do better for what youd pay. i just took a really quick glance at the sunday, and i dont know a ton about downhill, but i was under the impression that the boxxer wasnt a totally great fork. also, hes looking at more fr oriented setups, so i think single crown would be the way to go. 66s, totems, etc.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
UNREAL
Posts: 3989 - Karma: 23
im there alot, hit me up if you see me
yellow cove shocker

17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Big_Willy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 6
DH is rediculously fun. I scare myself much more frequently while biking then skiing. You really get the same sort of adrenaline rush. That being said, I think a Specialized SX Trail would be a good fit. There are a lot of good 6" all mtn bikes out there now. Pinkbike has a good classified section like everyone said. I'm lookin at my 2 bikes right now and can't wait until I get to do some freeride.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
gordie.
Posts: 2014 - Karma: 84
reb blue for life. ya a stinky could easily handle blue, its the perfect bike for a place like blue, none of the drops are too big for it etc. where are you buying it from?
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
b-kul
Posts: 4350 - Karma: 1,111
are you kidding? specialized and kona make some of the best bikes around. i would say get a specialized enduro or or kona coil air for a bike that can take anything.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
BEARS.
Posts: 5380 - Karma: 696
specialized big hit if you plan on taking lifts up and DHing.
specialized enduro if you plan on biking up.

17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Swan_Solo
Posts: 2374 - Karma: 14
.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
BEARS.
Posts: 5380 - Karma: 696
actually wait, theres 3 enduros, comp standard and elite. i have the elite, shifts the smoothest and has the best components.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
ok just a pointer if your going to be sending big stuff do not get a kona, they are prone to snapping in half (happened to my kona a few years back) and there shit with waranttee, specialized makes very very good bikes, the enduro is a more xc oriented bike, if you want versatility take a look at the sx trail or if your more into dh then the demo 7. also another super versatile bike is the brodie nemesis, i have one there fucking amazing, small rear travel (only 4 inches) but the way the bike rides it feels like much more, also that bike has a new name now, cant recall it but it shouldnt be hard to find, just some input, if u need to know more about bikes a such just pm me cause i likve/ride on the north shore (north vancouver) so i know a decent amount about bikes
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
screw downhill, get a santa cruz blur xc, by far the sickest bike ever
and yes, mtb is probably the best off season thing, it gets you fit and it's fun as hell
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
JamesJ911
Posts: 176 - Karma: 16
specialized demo's are sick, sx trails are good too but they are more of a freeride/slopestyle bike. sure it will ok on dh but if you are going to be riding a lot of lift access then i think you going to want something with more dh geometry. dont forget bighits either, super good bike.pretty much all specialed bikes are solid as hell. dont get an enduro unless you are getting just into cross country.
lots of people hate norco just cuz they are such a big company, but they make some really good bike; aline, team dh, atomik.
giant: glory dh is one of my fav bikes(although ive only ridden one for like 2 days). reign is more all mountain but one of my buddys swears by it for dh, and i cant argue.
thats not even close to all your options, check out pinkbike, its like the ns of biking. go to your local shop and test as many as you can, maybe im way off on what you want, but you can know till you try some out.
i hope you get into mountain biking and really like it, its really fun.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
feihlination
Posts: 8356 - Karma: 1,083
i am XC-biking for several years now, started freeride/DH last year and hope to get into street/dirt this year, biking is as nice as skiing, so many different aspects (road, xc, freeride, dh, dirt)

but if have to say that finding a good bike that fits all your needs. i personally hate it to ride a heavy bike uphill, so i have a xc-race bike, one slightly more comfortable xc-bike (which is a little heavier) and a 8'' travel freeride bike.

want i want to say is that i dont like allround products, not in skiing and not in biking.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
miker92
Posts: 621 - Karma: 36
agreed. people are telling you a lot of different things, and before you look at all this advice, you need to make some decisions about exactly what you want, then pick the best bike for the money out of that category.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Ski303
Posts: 468 - Karma: 22
I Xc race. I am small and rip a hard tail.  Depending on weight go for a full suspension,  a santa cruz heckler/the kona would be good would be good.

I suggest picking up a cheap bike of craigslist or something before you blow all that money.

Get something all around, light (under 25lbds), full suspension, not dh, a lot of travel.  Something that will climb, dh, and jump no prob.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
miker92
Posts: 621 - Karma: 36
under 25 lbs is a reasonable weight for a bmx bike that has had tons of money dumped into it by an overobsessive owner. thats calling for like half of the bike to be titanium. a reasonable weight for a street bike is around 30 lbs. a reasonable weight for a light fr bike is 30-45 lbs and downhill bikes are pretty much as heavy as you want.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 428
One thing doesn't belong!

I built a bike to climb, dh, and jump without durability issues and it's 32 lbs.  A 25 lb bike will break if you look at it wrong or forget your spandex at home.  Not to mention you end up paying a lot more for something that will require more maintenance and will most likely wear out or break much faster.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Kev-Hal
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 91
So here's the update...

Been riding a lot of bikes, and doing some research... and I bought a bike! Got a KHS Lucky7, here it is.



My new whip
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
BEARS.
Posts: 5380 - Karma: 696
you're going to have a tough time taking that uphill.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
BurkeSter
Posts: 963 - Karma: 10
Don't get anything over a 6inch travel Trail bike, that woul dbve huge overkill in Ontario. A decent 6inch trail bike would be perfect for you. Get a specilized i would recomend something not too beefy because if you want to ride some trails you'll be sweating it out.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Kev-Hal
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 91
It'll fit on the lift just fine...
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Squirrel_Murphy
Posts: 2195 - Karma: 1,165
Mountatin biking is the shit.  I do that as much as possible when the snow is gone.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
vtrider
Posts: 1988 - Karma: 41
oh thats bs.  I ride a stinky primo (7 and 7) and ride it up just fine.


xc riders are just pussy's.
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
dom_uk
Posts: 1560 - Karma: 12
alright guys, im pretty much in the same situation as the thread creator here! have any of you heard of orange bikes? i can get an 04 model orange patriot for cheap 2nd hand, anyone know of it?
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
ChanchoVelez.
Posts: 1029 - Karma: 11
sick bike dude just prepare to get addicted do downhilling and spend a lot of money on it cuz it is expensive. i also recomend getting pads and shit even if you havnt done it cuz you can still get pretty fucked up
17 years ago
0 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,008
gary fisher ftw!
17 years ago
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 5:31AM