Downhill Biking: Buying the Best Bike

Downhill Biking: Buying the Best Bike

If you have seen the World Cup races or watched viral videos of riders who throw themselves off some cliffs and you want to be in action, here is a guide to buy the best bike for downhill biking.

First off, what is this sport? It is not merely racing or riding. It is a fun but dangerous sport. So you have to be equipped with the right bike before you start.

1.       How much does a downhill bike cost?

The brand new dream bikes cost about $7,000 plus or (£6,000). Today, direct sales companies make the price go lower. Some offers go for only half the price or even lower. Check out your local bike shop and ask for advice to get the cheaper but good one – anything that suits your budget.

2.       The frame

Like any other bikes, a downhill rig lives and dies – depending on the frame quality. The frames are developed with the aid of the fastest World Cup series racers with pure speed in mind. Downhill frames have at least partly carbon and some are still fully aluminum. Carbon’s advantages are its stiffness and lightness but it comes at a cost. On the other hand, aluminum frame is well-tested and durable.

3.       Suspension

Downhill bicycles have suspension at both the front and rear. Usually, they have 200 mm of travel, which means that the suspension gives you 200 mm of cushioning on any impacts while you ride. Suspension setup is important for downhill biking. Too hard, it will fell like you are riding a shopping trolley. Too soft, you will just blow right through it. You can adjust the suspension. For example, you can opt to how fast it rebounds after it takes an impact.

·         Forks. Majority of downhill bikes use double crown forks that extend alongside the headtube. This type of bike needs to take massive impacts so the forks are clamped in places to add stiffness. The forks will have a travel of about 200 mm and stanchions of up to 40 mm thick. They have the tendency to give far plusher performance compared with a trail fork. Double crown forks are sturdier and stiffer but will not let you turn your bars as much as you’re used to if you have been used to single crown setup.

·         Shocks. Coil springs were pervasive in downhill bikes. However, current advancements in air shock technology have made them a mere viable option. Coil shocks are favorable, though, in terms of pure performance. But air shocks give more extensive setup options and are lighter.

4.       Wheels

26-inch wheel’s last safe haven was downhill bikes. But it has started to disappear lately as it has not won a World Cup race for a couple of years. Instead, 650b is now ruling, but rumors of larger wheels might appear in the future.

Carbon wheels are available for downhill biking because of their high strength and low weight, though they don’t come cheap. Aluminum wheels, on the other hand, serve for budget riders better. For many years of development, they take big hits with a consistent feel.

Tires for downhill biking favor grip over rolling resistance. Thus, the fatter, stronger and more aggressive are better trail tires. Find the ones between 2.35 and 2.5 inches. They are heavier you may have been used to but this is added strength or you’ll get a puncture everywhere.

5.       Others

Because you will go faster on a downhill bike, you need to be able to slow down rapidly, too. Brakes are usually four-piston affairs bolted onto 203 mm rotors for optimum stopping power.

Gears are important for top racers. Downhill biking is not only free-wheeling. A compact seven-speed cassette may be sufficient for most riding but there is no harm in having more.