Downhill

[anzo]

Right, sorry for all the different bike thread, last one though.

Getting very bored of trials these days, not really progressing at all and sometimes can't be bothered to ride. Which is probably the winter blues, but I do fancy a change regardless. I'll keep the trials bike but I fancy dabbing in downhill for a bit. I live in Derbyshire and it seems a bit silly not to take advantage of the scenery around me. So its either DH or XC...or a mix of both.

So, I know a few people on here ride, just wondering what its really like? So I have a few questions...

1. Are the bikes well engineered regarding strong frames, suspension and what is maintenance like? I have a trials bike at the minute which is absolutely zero maintenance...is it the same?

2. Are parts more expensive than trials? I've seen a few online stores, not liking the prices of some parts...for example suspension and rear shocks...but are they a once in 5 year purchase?

3. Does it hurt? What would you recommend as regards protection in helmets ect. Guessing somehow a Giro Xen would be insuffiencent?

4. What are other riders generally like?

5. As much fun as it looks?

6. What sort of bike would you recommend? At the minute I'm looking at the Kona Stinkys (2006) which are selling for about £500, over priced, under priced? What do I look out for as regards defects?

7. What are they like for riding distance? It will probably used for part XC too.

Any other advice would be great.

Cheers me dears.

[Muel]

You'll get a lot of bike for one of those stinky's, but it's like buying a Monty 221PR, they are good bikes to start with, then when you get into it, you'll realise that a lot of the parts are falling to pieces, so they will need replacing.

But yeh, go for it.