[jakester29959]

hi im new to this fourm and im looking to get into downhill. im 16 and currently have a giant warp ds1. i dont have alot of money to send and was looking to do a trade/money deal... what do you think would be good to start off with???

thanks

 

[Gringostr]

If you have no experience, Go to a lift-accessed mountain that you can take your bike to and ride down the easier trails. Once you get to speed and can handle that and are ready for more rough terrain, try renting a bike to try some more difficult trails. Keep looking on Craigslist.com, every now and then you can pick up a good DH rig for around 800-1500 bucks. I got lucky and picked one up for 300.
Are you looking to get into actual DH Racing, or just DH/FR for fun?

 

[The Other Player]

keep an eye out for bikes on craiglist in the winter starting around November, you can get bikes dirt cheap that way.

 

[mtbnozpikr]

The fact that you are only 16 doesn't matter too much. Just work your way up to where you want to be: both with regard to what kind of bike you want and how you want to ride. You have to start somewhere. Save your money, go to school, get a good job, and chances are you'll have the money to do more of what you want to do. The trick for you right now is to continue to develop a love for the sport. That way when you are able to get a nice bike, you'll enjoy and appreciate it that much more.

 

[jakester29959]

If you have no experience, Go to a lift-accessed mountain that you can take your bike to and ride down the easier trails. Once you get to speed and can handle that and are ready for more rough terrain, try renting a bike to try some more difficult trails. Keep looking on Craigslist.com, every now and then you can pick up a good DH rig for around 800-1500 bucks. I got lucky and picked one up for 300.
Are you looking to get into actual DH Racing, or just DH/FR for fun?

As of now just for fun and I've done a little bit of doenhillinf I've mostly done xc tho and there is a mongoose pin's 2009 for sale for $700 should I look into that?

 

[Gringostr]

In my opinion, I wouldn't go for a Mongoose, but I have only ridden a friends. you will have to find an opinion from someone else.

 

[gbosbiker]

As of now just for fun and I've done a little bit of doenhillinf I've mostly done xc tho and there is a mongoose pin's 2009 for sale for $700 should I look into that?

the pinner is a solid bike. mongoose makes some pretty solid bikes. ide go for it

 

[jakester29959]

the guy already sold it.. i think ill look for a demo i might wait a year keep what i got and save up some money

 

[Gringostr]

the other player had some good advice, as the season ends (for everywhere but where I live) bikes tend to pop up. just keep looking. also look on craigslist at areas other than yours, you might find some good deals worth driving a little ways for. we drove 2 hours for my bike.

 

[jakester29959]

the other player had some good advice, as the season ends (for everywhere but where I live) bikes tend to pop up. just keep looking. also look on craigslist at areas other than yours, you might find some good deals worth driving a little ways for. we drove 2 hours for my bike.

thanks ive been lookin at new hampshire craigslist they have some good stuff

 

[Gringostr]

If your getting ready to buy something within driving distance, make sure you check things like how smooth the fork and rear shock are, how smooth it shifts, pedals, etc. One thing I've seen is that people will get over excited about buying a bike and get it even with a few things wrong with it. It's definitely good advice, even coming from someone younger than you.

 

[carspidey]

to the OP where are you located?

 

[jakester29959]

to the OP where are you located?

i live in maine

 

[carspidey]

i live in maine

if you were local i could have taken you to some nice trails around my area...
you should look for people to go riding with and like everyone else said you are just 16... just keep your love for hte sport and you'll appreciate your bike more when you can buy it yourself...

 

[cassieno]

I started lift accessed riding when I was 12. The bike I started on was a 4 inch travel bike. I was able to ride all blues and most blacks at Mammoth. My next bike was a 2002 Big Hit Comp. 6.3 inches in the back 5 or 6 in the front. I got this around your age. That bike was able to handle the double blacks.

I guess my point is ride what you have until it limits you. This will allow you to figure what you actually want. A slack DH bike is probably awesome (I don't have one), but it limits where you will ride and the type of riding you do (probably only going to want to shuttle). An all mountain bike might be more what you are looking for, but you never know until you start riding.

Take your current bike to a bike park, see if it limits you, figure out what parts you enjoy the most, find a bike that will grow with you, and (the most important step) convince your parents that if they love you then you NEED the $1500 bike you found online.

Have fun

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

welcome to the forum.....honestly bikes will start getting cheaper and cheaper because people stop riding in some parts because of snow and also new 2012 bikes are starting to come out

 

[jakester29959]

if you were local i could have taken you to some nice trails around my area...
you should look for people to go riding with and like everyone else said you are just 16... just keep your love for hte sport and you'll appreciate your bike more when you can buy it yourself...

thanks.. where are you located?

 

[carspidey]

thanks.. where are you located?

socal... canoga park... i mostly ride in Simi Valley...

 

[jakester29959]

socal... canoga park... i mostly ride in Simi Valley...

bummer

 

[retrofred]

i biggest suggestion is for your first full on downhill bike, buy used. simply cause if you buy new and sink a chunk of change you be afraid crash and scratch it. buying used and finding in good working condition will let you ride it and not worry over the cosmetics of something new and shinny. some of the best bike i've owned have been used with serious cosmetic wear. just two cents