After reading for hours and days on this board, I put together list for someone wanting to get into DH racing (namely me). I still have some questions at the end.
Bike: Used. You will crash and break stuff. If you get hooked by the DH bug, buy a nice bike later. (and when you quit crashing multiple times a run)
Bikes most often mentioned (sub 2k range used) Kona Stinky, Santa Cruz Bullit. Specialized Demo/Big Hit, Intense M1
Armor: Yes. (Double Yes for those of us who have to work and feed our family come monday)
Breathe. Do not forget to breathe
Pedal: Pedal in the flats, resist the urge to relax and coast
Brakes: Those are for avoiding roadies duck walking in their carbon soled shoes on the sidewalk outside Pete's coffee. No business on the race course.
Look: Look ahead at the course, not at what your tire is going over
Walk: Walk the course first.
Warm up: Just like in a XC or roadie race, get your heart moving before your run
Fun: Ride to have fun, do not ride out of your comfort zone (by too much)
Camel back (unless you have your own SAG)
Tires: Set pressure when you first get there and leave it.
No partial runs: Your practice runs, do the whole course, concentrate on the on the sketchy sections, but ride it all to the bottom
Anymore I missed?
Okies, my questions:
1st: I am in between sizes on bike. I could ride a M or a L. Which way would you lean in regards to DH sizing?
2nd: Another fit question. I am so used to riding so far bent over (aka roadie/XC) that my vision blurs from the blood pooling in my cranium, that anytime I try out a DH rig, if I sit down, I look like a 5 year old trying to learn to ride with no training wheels. What are the "fit rules" I amm used to: 3- drop from seat to stem. full leg extension, knee over pedal at 3 o'clock position, bars intersect front hub line of sight etc. etc.. I have not found, or just missed finding a starting guide for fit.
Thank you all in advance for any comments, flames or answers.
Bike: Used. You will crash and break stuff. If you get hooked by the DH bug, buy a nice bike later. (and when you quit crashing multiple times a run)
Bikes most often mentioned (sub 2k range used) Kona Stinky, Santa Cruz Bullit. Specialized Demo/Big Hit, Intense M1
Armor: Yes. (Double Yes for those of us who have to work and feed our family come monday)
Breathe. Do not forget to breathe
Pedal: Pedal in the flats, resist the urge to relax and coast
Brakes: Those are for avoiding roadies duck walking in their carbon soled shoes on the sidewalk outside Pete's coffee. No business on the race course.
Look: Look ahead at the course, not at what your tire is going over
Walk: Walk the course first.
Warm up: Just like in a XC or roadie race, get your heart moving before your run
Fun: Ride to have fun, do not ride out of your comfort zone (by too much)
Camel back (unless you have your own SAG)
Tires: Set pressure when you first get there and leave it.
No partial runs: Your practice runs, do the whole course, concentrate on the on the sketchy sections, but ride it all to the bottom
Anymore I missed?
Okies, my questions:
1st: I am in between sizes on bike. I could ride a M or a L. Which way would you lean in regards to DH sizing?
2nd: Another fit question. I am so used to riding so far bent over (aka roadie/XC) that my vision blurs from the blood pooling in my cranium, that anytime I try out a DH rig, if I sit down, I look like a 5 year old trying to learn to ride with no training wheels. What are the "fit rules" I amm used to: 3- drop from seat to stem. full leg extension, knee over pedal at 3 o'clock position, bars intersect front hub line of sight etc. etc.. I have not found, or just missed finding a starting guide for fit.
Thank you all in advance for any comments, flames or answers.