[cummings]

I'm kinda curious. I'm gonna use two different companies: Kona and Specialized.
For specialized, their downhill race-oriented bike is the Demo 8 with 8" in the rear. Their more freeride-oriented bike (from what i've heard) is the Demo 9 with 9" in the rear. So from downhill to freeride, Specialized goes up an inch.
For Kona, their downhill bike the Stab has 8" in the rear and their freeride-oriented bike the Stinky has 7". So from downhill to freeride, Kona goes down an inch.
So my question is, who is right if anyone? Should they be going up an inch, down an inch, or staying the same from downhill racing to freeriding.
Now I know the bikes I've listed and the riding types can be mixed around (ex. Demo 8 used for freeriding instead of downhill racing or used for both) but the way i put the bikes in categories is from what i've read. Thanks.

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

both are right ...just different styles of bikes....doesn't really matter. Once you get around the 8 inch level for travel then pretty much all the things are the same if the bike is set up right

 

[Sombrio69]

there right to how they catigorized there bikes. but it is basicly personal preference and how you ride. for DH riding 8" or rear travle is a prity neutral amount, so its not to much and its not not enough. the Demo 9 IMHO is more designed for like Rampage type freeride and the stuff that bender does. and the stinky is more designed for more of the new slope style free ride stuff where ur seeing more ppl w/ shorter travle bikes even down to 4" or 6".

 

[XSL_WiLL]

Stinky still does rampage style stuff just fine.
The amount of travel doesn't really matter. Shorter travel, do-it-all frames are in for now.
Geometry is more important than the amount of travel. The DH specific bikes have a lower BB height (lower center of gravity) and slacker angles (more high speed stability). FR bikes tend to have a little higher bottom bracket for more clearance, and the angles are tighter for more maneuverability.

 

[dogonfr]

It is what you want it to be. Because the manufacture markets it as a 8in DH or a 10in FR is kinda up to you. Some of the new young guns are running HT.
Yes the geometry BB height all make a differance in the way frames handle its still up to you, what makes you ride your best?

 

[gemini2000]

You will find many pros use less travel again , barrel was using 6" front and rear alot last year
peats orange only has 6" rear too , I guess the pros want a lighter nimbler frame they can throw around and they dont rely as much on suspension as us shmucks

 

[X-Vert]

It's not about the inches...

...it's about the quality. That and BB height, geometry, WB, etc...

 

[namaSSte]

both are right ...just different styles of bikes....doesn't really matter. Once you get around the 8 inch level for travel then pretty much all the things are the same if the bike is set up right

yeah, anything less is for xc only, right brother?

 

[Sombrio69]

Stinky still does rampage style stuff just fine.

im not sayin it cant, i said in my oppinion that is how it seems to me that they r marketing the bikes to ppl.

 

[bighit816]

I'm kinda curious. I'm gonna use two different companies: Kona and Specialized.
For specialized, their downhill race-oriented bike is the Demo 8 with 8" in the rear. Their more freeride-oriented bike (from what i've heard) is the Demo 9 with 9" in the rear. So from downhill to freeride, Specialized goes up an inch.
For Kona, their downhill bike the Stab has 8" in the rear and their freeride-oriented bike the Stinky has 7". So from downhill to freeride, Kona goes down an inch.
So my question is, who is right if anyone? Should they be going up an inch, down an inch, or staying the same from downhill racing to freeriding.
Now I know the bikes I've listed and the riding types can be mixed around (ex. Demo 8 used for freeriding instead of downhill racing or used for both) but the way i put the bikes in categories is from what i've read. Thanks.

Id say its not really too important, maybe more travel for downhilling, cause in most cases it makes u faster but only to a certain extent. However its not about the travel, its about what u can do with ur bike. Too many people think u need to have huge travel bikes to do huge stuff. Look at Wade Simmons 40 footer in nwd 3, he lands it fine the first time with 7 inchess. However when Bender goes to do it he does it three times with like 12 inchess and doesnt land it once. Then again its Bender. Im just saying i think u could still go huge on 6 and 7 inch bikes, it just shows that ur a better rider.