Downhill bike for newbie girl

[trondh]

Hi,
I friend of mine is getting into downhill mountain biking. Do you guys have any recommendations on easy-ridden downhill bikes? We are probably getting her a second-hand 07 or 06 bike. I've always ridden specialized bikes myself, but some input on other tips would be super.

Thanx!

-Trond

[FlipSide]

I'd advise learning on a smaller-travel bike (like 6-7") rather than a full-blown DH bike. She'll better learn how to pick-up good lines and she'll develop a better technique overall.

My recommendation would be a Devinci Frantik. It has a DH geometry with 6.5" of travel.

A Spesh SXTrail or a Giant ReignX could be good options too.

[Bryce]

honestly, I'd probably put a newbie girl onto a shorter travel lighter bike. Something like a Nomad with a rear coil and maybe even a 6" single crown. I would think that a 30-35 lb bike with 6" of travel would be a better starting point than a 40-45 lb 8" bike. And when she's ready to move up you'd have no trouble selling a 6" bike

edit - I think the Frantik is a little over 7" this year but still a good option. The Hectik is like 160mm I think

[sAFETY]

My first thougt was an 07 Damien. Or maybe a Bullit? I'm assuming you mean freeriding and not DH racing.

It would help to know how tall she was (5'8 is a lot easier to fit than 5'1).

[seand]

is she new to riding or is seasoned in riding but looking to get into dh? and do you really mean dh or are you calling freeride dh?

[trondh]

Hi, she's new to riding altogether. Dont know her exact height. We're gonna stay around Whistler and the rest of BC for the summer. Thanks for the tips, I'll see if I can find her a medium travel bike to start off with.

Thanks!

[cyclist.ca]

is she new to riding or is seasoned in riding but looking to get into dh? and do you really mean dh or are you calling freeride dh?

that ^^^ and where is she planning on riding? What kind of trails? A lot depends on the trails, bigger bikes are more forgiving... smaller bikes are easier to learn on (I am newbie too, so I've been told).

I ride SX Trail and I just got into the whole FR/DH riding and it seems like a really good do it all bike.

Edit (never mind the questions, you answered as I was typing):
If she is new altogether, maybe a cheaper bike to find out if she is actually enjoying the sport? How about something like BigHit? Just a thought.

[TheGiggler]

5-6" range would be best

[big ben]

Seems like a secondhand Norco Six would be pretty awesome from what you've described.

[seand]

Get that girl on a budget hardtail for trail riding and a light-ish smaller travel bike (enduro comes to mind) for the bike park. By the end of the season you will be looking at bigger travel bikes with her...whistler has that effect on people!

[bighitter]

if i could only have one bike...demo 7

[nouseforaname]

SX Trail with a boxxer is my favourite "chick DH" bike. Slackens the HA by a degree, adds an inch of travel up front where it matters and is still light enough for her to feel comfortable riding it all day.
If she can't do it on an SX chances are she shouldn't be doing it.

One question that no one has asked that i think can make a HUGE difference in the what bike stakes

- Has she ever done any speed/adrenaline sports before i.e - Ski, Snowboard, Moto etc.
I know of a girl who dropped the Piledriver on Boogyman on her first MTB ride. She's an extreme skier originally, pretty good example of how a 10ft drop can seem less than intimidating if you have the right background.

[woodlotrider]

Get that girl on a budget hardtail for trail riding and a light-ish smaller travel bike (enduro comes to mind) for the bike park. By the end of the season you will be looking at bigger travel bikes with her...whistler has that effect on people!

I agree. However, when deciding between an HT or fully, I think it depends on the mindset of the person getting into the sport. If they're getting into the sport and are going to be all gung-ho, and willing to struglle a bit at first, they'll likely end up a better rider starting out on an HT if they stick to it. However, if they are looking to have fun with friends who are already decent riders as soon as possible, IMO a short travel fully might allow your friend to get up to speed a bit quicker.

[Knnn]

I know of a girl who dropped the Piledriver on Boogyman on her first MTB ride. She's an extreme skier originally, pretty good example of how a 10ft drop can seem less than intimidating if you have the right background.

Gulp! I thought that was a 16 foot drop, just goes to show how intimidated I am.

http://buysell.nsmb.com/showproduct.php/product/15521/cat/13
http://buysell.nsmb.com/showproduct.php/product/15567/cat/13

[Uncle Duke]

norco six or fluid..best bang for the buck..

[NSTP]

it's not even 10ft. but really it's a big drop, very impressive for someone's first ride. Sounds like trondh has lots of good suggestions. I'd be interested to see what they choose. You might want to go to some bike shops to actually get her to pedal some bikes around. You might also have some questions that come up that you didn't think to ask or haven't been answered on here. That might help you decide between something like a reign x, and a frantik, bullit, or norco six type option

[redneck jeff]

uncle duke..best bang for the buck..

fixed that for ya dy

[big_perm]

we need to see a picture of her to give a better idea of a bike best suited to her

[Shaker666]

After riding fully for starters and then building up a FR HT later, I would highly recommend that all mountain bikers start on a hardtail. I find that the Norco Sasquatch (and other related frames) have brilliant geometry for the Shore and are super fun to ride. I've learned more about bike handling, jumping, and other technical skills on my HT than my fullies. The fullies are for when you're ready to dive into some seriously gnar bar DH riding and are committed to mountain biking, considering their cost. I built my Sasquatch (small frame) by buying the frame used from someone on this forum for $80. The wheels cost me about $200 (one used, the other built new using a budget hub). I put a Dirt Jumper 3 fork on it (new for $275) and had some spare mechanical Shimano 6" binders hanging around. It's a really great ride and didn't cost much to build considering what it's capable of.

[walleater]

I'm quite surprised that other people recommend a hardtail, but I agree. If she's in it for the long term and wants to become a good rider, she'll never get there on a Giant Glory or the like. However, it will be frustrating for her, especially if she rides with people on full floaters.

Another option would be something like a Giant Trance with a longish fork. Pretty bombproof frame with enough travel to be forgiving but not so much as to turn into a talent compensator. A slackish front end would make it nice and stable (maybe not a Super Monster though....)

I remember guiding people around River Runs Through It last year and a bloke had got his missus into 'freeriding' and got her to buy an old school Big Hit as a first bike!! The poor girl could hardly pedal it. I ended up riding the fecking thing while she rode my hardtail....

[NSTP]

I agree a hardtail gives you the best opportunity to develope skills that will later put you much further ahead when moving into a dually. however, a lot of people do have the skills from other related sports, and pick-up fast or find that a dually allows then to jump into riding and enjoy the learning curve of the sport more because the bike makes it easier.

[Farmer]

PM sent

[cdn_rider]

i started my wife off on a Norco 4dy but that was about 4 years ago ... and it was for whistler only really .. at the time i think she was 130lbs or less and seemed to fit the frame well and it was a 4.5 inch rear travel bike with a shiver sc at 120mm as well
most norco 4bys are cheap right now ... also seen a few ladys on Brodie damin or devos bikes last year low stantover maybe ?

[Shaker666]

i started my wife off on a Norco 4dy but that was about 4 years ago ... and it was for whistler only really .. at the time i think she was 130lbs or less and seemed to fit the frame well and it was a 4.5 inch rear travel bike with a shiver sc at 120mm as well
most norco 4bys are cheap right now ... also seen a few ladys on Brodie damin or devos bikes last year low stantover maybe ?

What is she like 240 now? :lol:

[zahgurim]

Have her sit on a few bikes in shops.
Definately do a few rental or demo rides first to sort out what size is good for her, and to see if she's actually into it. I've seen more than a few girls who have gotten equipment to make their boyfriend happy, only to have the new gear collect dust in a garage.

Also, what she weighs should be a big consideration. If she's tiny a full on DH bike, or even a mid-travel, will be way too much for her if it's not valved/sprung right.
You didn't mention her size/height, so it's not easy to make a recomendation.

If standover is an issue maybe check out the Transition Syren once she seems into the sport. Cool bike for women, and pricing is decent.

[Dantes Inferno]

Santacruz Bullit

/thread.

[Dantes Inferno]

Have her sit on a few bikes in shops.
Definately do a few rental or demo rides first to sort out what size is good for her, and to see if she's actually into it. I've seen more than a few girls who have gotten equipment to make their boyfriend happy, only to have the new gear collect dust in a garage.

Also, what she weighs should be a big consideration. If she's tiny a full on DH bike, or even a mid-travel, will be way too much for her if it's not valved/sprung right.
You didn't mention her size/height, so it's not easy to make a recomendation.

If standover is an issue maybe check out the Transition Syren once she seems into the sport. Cool bike for women, and pricing is decent.

Umm, all this is way over the top.

A bike that feels good to ride around the shop is that cruiser sitting in the back corner. Not like a newby would know what a good feeling bike is like anyway?

Just buy something cheap like an older bullit, make it looks nice so she feels its a super nice bike, and take all the squeeks out of it. The next step is to get said girl out on the trails. Draggin a girl around getting here suspension perfectly tuned can be a very big turn off into the sport. She hasnt even really started the sport yet and already dealing with stuff most riders just start with 5 years in or even NEVER.

oh, and totally skip the hardtail thing ignore it like it never happened.

[walleater]

Umm, all this is way over the top.

A bike that feels good to ride around the shop is that cruiser sitting in the back corner. Not like a newby would know what a good feeling bike is like anyway?

Just buy something cheap like an older bullit, make it looks nice so she feels its a super nice bike, and take all the squeeks out of it. The next step is to get said girl out on the trails. Draggin a girl around getting here suspension perfectly tuned can be a very big turn off into the sport. She hasnt even really started the sport yet and already dealing with stuff most riders just start with 5 years in or even NEVER.

oh, and totally skip the hardtail thing ignore it like it never happened.

Well as the owner of an older Bullit and a burly HT, I know which I prefer riding unless the trails are super gnar...I'll go bigger and faster on the talent compensator, but I always finish the day with a bigger smile after ragging the hardtail. It's all about riding a bike, not having a bike transport you....a shortish travel full floater would be the compromise IMHO but we are different.

"make it looks nice" - I didn't think old Bullits came in pink ;-)

[gtse]

Draggin a girl around getting here suspension perfectly tuned can be a very big turn off into the sport. She hasnt even really started the sport yet and already dealing with stuff most riders just start with 5 years in or even NEVER.

oh, and totally skip the hardtail thing ignore it like it never happened.

agree and agree.

i made the said mistake and took the missus to harder single track trails and she hated every minute of it. it wasn't north shore style but it wasn't ubc either (which is what she was used to). she spent 75% of the time pushing her bike around the bushes.

i wish i found this place before i bought my first two bikes (hardtail then freeride)......woulda saved me some money and a whole lot of pain. both bikes are great but the tips here woulda change my mind on a lot of things.

good luck.

[Shaker666]

Well as the owner of an older Bullit and a burly HT, I know which I prefer riding unless the trails are super gnar...I'll go bigger and faster on the talent compensator, but I always finish the day with a bigger smile after ragging the hardtail. It's all about riding a bike, not having a bike transport you....

True dat!

[nouseforaname]

Yeah that'll be tonnes of fun for your newbie DH chick - everyone else is riding around on fullys and she is being told "no, you have to suffer for a couple of years just like we did, THEN you can have fun like we are having".

And by suffer i mean "ragging the hardtail" or whatever. Unless you and all the people she is going to be riding with are going to ride hardtails with her, don't bother forcing her to ride one.

[Lady Gravity]

Yeah that'll be tonnes of fun for your newbie DH chick - everyone else is riding around on fullys and she is being told "no, you have to suffer for a couple of years just like we did, THEN you can have fun like we are having".

And by suffer i mean "ragging the hardtail" or whatever. Unless you and all the people she is going to be riding with are going to ride hardtails with her, don't bother forcing her to ride one.

i agree. get her a decent short travel fully.

[Shaker666]

Alright, let's keep it civil here and not get into a fully vs HT debate. The issue at hand is what type of rig to start out on. The fully will allow you to push yourself to the limits, but you can only attempt to do that once you've got some basic skills. If money is no object, buying a fully might be a good choice, but skill development might be a bit slower.

[Lady Gravity]

Alright, let's keep it civil here and not get into a fully vs HT debate. The issue at hand is what type of rig to start out on. The fully will allow you to push yourself to the limits, but you can only attempt to do that once you've got some basic skills. If money is no object, buying a fully might be a good choice, but skill development might be a bit slower.

you don't really understand women. it needs to be fun, and it's no fun being on a ht at the back of the group because a) you're a newb and are learning so you pick your lines, b) a ht is a lot harder on the body than a fully ie no one likes pain (if she's a newb she's going to be falling down anyways) and c) MOST people (especially newbs) are slower on a ht just because.

dont get me wrong, i love my ht, but i started out on a fully and dont regret it (altho that bike is long since gone).

[Bryce]

I know of a girl who dropped the Piledriver on Boogyman on her first MTB ride. She's an extreme skier originally, pretty good example of how a 10ft drop can seem less than intimidating if you have the right background.

...or if you think dirt/trees/rocks are as forgiving as snow :grinno:

[walleater]

Just get her a new iron!

Runs for cover very quickly.....

[FullMonty]

Just get her a new iron!

Runs for cover very quickly.....

or casserole pan... :high:

but seriously, just get her to sit on bikes in the burlier 6" travel range. all other things being relatively equal, whatever fits well, go with.

[trondh]

Hi all,
THanks for all your replies.

I'll be taking her to a "kind" resort first (possible flatrock, utah) to teach her the basics, after that I'm gonna kick her of the tracks around whistler.

I definitely see the point in starting on a HT, but that's not gonna be an option. A beefed-up SX is a good tip, I could start her off with a stock 66 fork or something the first weeks, and then bump it up to a more DH-ish feel after that.

I'll be looking at second-hand bikes that could fit, thanks again for your help!

[Dantes Inferno]

Hi all,
THanks for all your replies.

I'll be taking her to a "kind" resort first (possible flatrock, utah) to teach her the basics, after that I'm gonna kick her of the tracks around whistler.

I definitely see the point in starting on a HT, but that's not gonna be an option. A beefed-up SX is a good tip, I could start her off with a stock 66 fork or something the first weeks, and then bump it up to a more DH-ish feel after that.

I'll be looking at second-hand bikes that could fit, thanks again for your help!

Personnally, I would skip the SX. I would buy an older used 6-7" travel bike. Something without a pedalling platform in the shock. And stick a dual crown fork with some tall bars. Make the bike squishy, make it inspire confidents. Big tires help too. My experiance with an SX trail is good, but I can see it getting squirly real quick.

[big ben]

Make the bike squishy, make it inspire confidents.

You should listen to this guy, he has many intelligents.

[drezy]

I just sold the wife's heckler and picked her up a used bullit for $1350 complete. It's probably a bit of overkill for what she's doing right now, but she should feel a lot more comfortable with the slacker head angle. Plus, now I have another option on those days where my DH is looking aweful heavy.:)

[Dantes Inferno]

I just sold the wife's heckler and picked her up a used bullit for $1350 complete. It's probably a bit of overkill for what she's doing right now, but she should feel a lot more comfortable with the slacker head angle. Plus, now I have another option on those days where my DH is looking aweful heavy.:)

perfect choice.

[ESHER SHORE]

i would advise a novice rider to steer well clear of the SX Trail ;)

its the kind of bike that in the right hands, could work out well, as long as you are not going big / super tech or riding too much gnarl

I had the "pleasure" of riding a SX Trail I as part of a bike grouptest for a UK magazine this week, and out of the 4 bikes on test (Banshee / Iron horse / Norco) it felt very sketchy on the steeps and at high speed, kept feeling i was going to get thrown forward over the bars

the SX seems to have a very stretched out, steep head angle, low front end setup, which doesn't inspire confidence - hell I found it sketchy and i've been riding bikes for years....


...all the guys I know who ride them, put 66, Totems or Fox 40 (reduced to 7") on their SX Trails to try and slacken things, lift the b/b and give a bit more accident insurance

the Demo 7 on the other hand, would be ideal...really nice geometry and feels much more confidence inspiring