hey I have been riding cc for about 5 years now and after doing some downhill and some drops I decided that I want to get into freeride and I wanted to know what you should really have to freeride. (bike, protective gear, clip in pedals or not that kind of stuff) Specific products would be highly appreciated especially for the bike. Thanks!
As for bike, since you're new and will crash a lot go for a used bike. A Kona stinky, Specialized big hit, or a Iron Horse 7 point would be great choices but there are plenty others out there. Ride clipless if you're used to it and comfortable with it, but you might want to learn on platform pedals. Get yourself a full face, and at least knee/shin protection. Arm protection and goggles are also good ideas but not entirely necessary (I usually crash on my legs).
As far as specific companies go for suspension, components, and gear go... everyone is going to have their own opinion and tell you what you should get based off of that. Look into it and other brands will slowly appear. Since you're new I would focus more on durable parts over light weight (and often more expensive) fancy boutique parts.
If your just getting into freeriding I would steer clear of clips(even if that's what your use to riding with). Your new, bound to make mistakes and clips are gona make crashing worse. Use platforms with normal skate shoes or 5.10's.
Jettj45 has a good point about the clipless pedals, BUT... you're a Cycle Cross guy, and very familiar with clips. So you may want to stay with them unless you prefer the ability to "eject" at a whim.
Just my $0.02. I've been riding clips for Freeride/DH for almost 2 years now and I love them.
Just remember that the more protection you wear lets you ride another day!!! Fr/DH takes atoll on the body so don't underestimate anything small or big. Pick up some sort of DH suit to protect your back and chest. You never know when you are going down so best be prepared till you are comfortable and willing to live with consequences of not wear any protective gear!
Plus wearing the right gear will ensure that you will have fun riding and not too worried of crashing and hurting yourself. Don't let a big crash be your life lesson in to wearing protective gear.
P.S. always, always keep your front up and keep the rubber side down!!
Bike wise, get something used, burly AM bike or freeride, depending on your weight, I would consider a burly AM ride since coming from XC you might be a little surprised by the weight/geo. See if you can check some out, people tend to underestimate what a bike is capable of too, you don't need a "full on" free ride rig to have fun and progress, it also means you have a bike that you can ride normally too
Ride with flats, esp if you are going to be doing skinnies etc
If riding with flats, or in general get at minimum elbow and knee/shin protection. I ride with 661 4X4 and 4X2 pads, they are a semi soft pad, comfortable to wear and breath well, and they have saved me from serious injury many times. Most important being that they are comfortable, no point in getting the best protection that you don't wear because its uncomfortable.
As for bike, since you're new and will crash a lot go for a used bike. A Kona stinky, Specialized big hit, or a Iron Horse 7 point would be great choices but there are plenty others out there. Ride clipless if you're used to it and comfortable with it, but you might want to learn on platform pedals. Get yourself a full face, and at least knee/shin protection. Arm protection and goggles are also good ideas but not entirely necessary (I usually crash on my legs).
As far as specific companies go for suspension, components, and gear go... everyone is going to have their own opinion and tell you what you should get based off of that. Look into it and other brands will slowly appear. Since you're new I would focus more on durable parts over light weight (and often more expensive) fancy boutique parts.
Bike wise, get something used, burly AM bike or freeride, depending on your weight, I would consider a burly AM ride since coming from XC you might be a little surprised by the weight/geo. See if you can check some out, people tend to underestimate what a bike is capable of too, you don't need a "full on" free ride rig to have fun and progress, it also means you have a bike that you can ride normally too
Ride with flats, esp if you are going to be doing skinnies etc
If riding with flats, or in general get at minimum elbow and knee/shin protection. I ride with 661 4X4 and 4X2 pads, they are a semi soft pad, comfortable to wear and breath well, and they have saved me from serious injury many times. Most important being that they are comfortable, no point in getting the best protection that you don't wear because its uncomfortable.
These two pretty much said it all.
My take on the pedals; platforms are probably the best choice, BUT if you are that comfortable with clipless and can unclip quick enough if you take a spill/dive, stick with those. Albeit I would still encourage at least trying out platform pedals.
As for a bike, like 'eat my stuff' says, start with an all-mountain bike. I started with an '03 Rocky Mountain Edge. It's listed as an A/M bike and it's withstood everything I've subjected it too, including 9 foot drops and 15 foot gaps.
As far as suspension goes, that's up to you. A hardtail might be a bit lighter and less flexy, but you will be absorbing hits with your knees and ankles, so be ready for that. A fully is a bit more squishy but will absorb hits and save your joints. A HT or FS is a personal choice. Decide what's more comfortable for you and what you think your body can withstand. There are plenty of great bikes out there for these applications within a fairly wide price range.
Helmets: once again a personal preference. I will not ride anything other than a full face helmet on this stuff (although I wear a light XC helmet for just trail riding). Some wear skate lids, that's their choice. I would rather not bust open my chin.
I also always ride with gloves and shin guards. If I'm riding big stuff, or stuff I'm not familiar with, I'll put on my vest (2008 Rockgardn flak jacket).
Other than that, once you got your gear, get out there and ride some stuff. A lot of this stuff is fairly easy from a physical standpoint; it's getting over your initial fears, growing some cojones and just going for it that's the hard part.
RockGardn FlackJacket and shinguards..the lizardskin ones are pretty rad no complaints so far from them.
shoes if you dont have the money for 510s VANS skate shoes work great and cost half as much
As for bike, since you're new and will crash a lot then you should go for a used bike. A Kona stinky, Specialized big hit, or a Iron Horse 7 point would be great choices but there are plenty others out there. Ride clipless if you're used to it and comfortable with it, but you might want to learn on platform pedals. Get yourself a full face, and at least knee/shin protection. Arm protection and goggles are also good ideas but not entirely necessary (I usually crash on my legs).
As far as specific companies go for suspension, components, and gear go... everyone is going to have their own opinion and tell you what you should get based off of that. Look into it and other brands will slowly appear. Since you're new I would focus more on durable parts over light weight (and often more expensive) fancy boutique parts.
Check out Pinkbike.com, look at their Buy/Sell listings, you'll find bargains. I picked up an 05 Norco Shore last year for about $850 USD, well spec'd. To buy an equivalent new bike would have probably cost me close to $3k. If you aren't sure about which frames to purchase get back to us with a new thread about what your looking at and we'll weigh in on whats good and what you should steer clear of.
As for the pedal thing, you really will want to go with flats. I was completely reliant on clipless pedals for years to stay attached to my bikes and I spent a few months last year on flats to try and re-learn that discipline. It's worth it, makes you a much better rider, especially when you get airborne IMO. It actually makes riding gnarly terrain much more fun for me. I don't think bailing is an issue with clipless but flats make you ride the bike completely different, I feel it makes me ride smoother personally.
Try out some platforms and see if you can bunnyhop easily on them. If not, keep using them because you're picking up with your legs too much and IMHO you'll get better at preloading the suspension and picking the front end up with plats. If they hop just fine then ride whatever you're comfortable with. I know I wouldn't touch some skinnies or logrides on clips, but some do. I rode clips for years and now couldn't imagine it, even for pedaly rides.
Shin armor most definitely, I didn't get a jacket until I separated my shoulder and I still hate wearing it. Only really do so on really fast or jump heavy shuttle runs/lift served.
Full face helmet is a must. One of my riding buddies SMASHED his face last summer on a trail we've ridden all the time for the past 3 years. Not even that technical a spot. Had a skidlid on, his fullface was in the truck... Literally broke his jaw and the skull around one eyball. Couple inches off and he'd probably be a vegetable.
Get a used bike, the call to get one smaller than you're used to is a good one. I'm 6'3" and my first freeride bike was a medium.
Full face helmet is a must. One of my riding buddies SMASHED his face last summer on a trail we've ridden all the time for the past 3 years. Not even that technical a spot. Had a skidlid on, his fullface was in the truck... Literally broke his jaw and the skull around one eyball. Couple inches off and he'd probably be a vegetable.
Does your friend wear a full face helmet all the time now?
I've tried convincing skate lid wearers to go full face but it's a moot point. I've come to the conclusion that skate lid wearers are the people who have to learn **** the hard way.
Get a used bike, the call to get one smaller than you're used to is a good one. I'm 6'3" and my first freeride bike was a medium.
While I can see your point there, if that were the case with me, I'd just go get a BMX bike. I'm between 5'11"-6', my RM Edge is an 18" frame and my BR is a medium. Neither of which feel too small for me. My friend Erik, who is like 5'7" and 125 lbs, has a small Kona Cowan DS with 24" wheels on it. It's a neat little bike but everytime I get on it, it feels like a BMX bike. And I look like a monkey ****ing a football on it.
Does your friend wear a full face helmet all the time now?
I've tried convincing skate lid wearers to go full face but it's a moot point. I've come to the conclusion that skate lid wearers are the people who have to learn **** the hard way.
While I can see your point there, if that were the case with me, I'd just go get a BMX bike. I'm between 5'11"-6', my RM Edge is an 18" frame and my BR is a medium. Neither of which feel too small for me. My friend Erik, who is like 5'7" and 125 lbs, has a small Kona Cowan DS with 24" wheels on it. It's a neat little bike but everytime I get on it, it feels like a BMX bike. And I look like a monkey ****ing a football on it.
Yeah buddy wears a full face all the time, and I wear a skid lid only for DJs these days.
As for the smaller frame, I mean smaller than you're used to for XC riding. I ride a LG BR and love the size. My first freeride bike was a medium (18") rocky mountain flow hardtail. I went to that from like a 22" XC hardtail and the advantage I gained in maneuvering the bike was noticeable. Not saying ride a clown bike, just a size smaller than you would if you were going for ideal pedaling efficiency. Oh, speaking of monkeys, footballs, and BMX you should see my fat ass on my BMXer, THAT looks funny.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
15.4M posts
515.2K members
Since 1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!