Beginner Advice

Casey-Ryan · Jul 31, 2013

Well a lot of guys end up looking for smaller bikes so you are actually in luck there are ussally a bunch of frames out there. It also depends on your riding style if you want to be more over the frame or if you like the slacked feeling when your riding a bike. If you are just starting out I would look for a used Kona Stinky, the bikes are bomb proof and readily available for good money. When you build up your riding style preference and put some more money away, you can look into getting something that suits you better but for now that is what I would sugest.

Its the same reason why you never by a new driver a new car they are definitly going to crash it

atrokz · Jul 31, 2013

Large to XL. I'm 6'1" but with long arms (77" reach), and I'm comfortable on most larges, XL in some instances. I went from the old school of thought where smaller frames were better, rode a medium, then switched to a large in 2006 and haven't looked back. Go large. Don't go medium unless you like the feeling of getting bucked at speed.

With regards to frames, look on Pinkbike, Europe section of the buy and sell. 1000 might not get you much, but it's a start. Focus on finding a decent frame with decent suspension and you can upgrade all the other bits later on as you break/wear them out.

Cheers, and enjoy the best sport in the world.

slyfink · Jul 31, 2013

If by "North Shore", you mean North Vancouver, have a look at nsmb.com. I think they have an active local community, group rides, and are generally pretty welcoming. I think. And yeah, the buy n' sell on Pinkbike is pretty good.

blindboxx2334 · Jul 31, 2013

atrokz said:
With regards to frames, look on Pinkbike, Europe section of the buy and sell. 1000 might not get you much, but it's a start. Focus on finding a decent frame with decent suspension and you can upgrade all the other bits later on as you break/wear them out.

i hope you mean canada.. i wouldnt even want to imagine what shipping a frame from euro land to our side of the world costs..

atrokz · Jul 31, 2013

Ha, I didn't register that. I just looked at his location. Welcome to Canada!

Tons of bikes for sale out there. 1000 will get you a used entry level stinky or something similar. Try to up it to the 1500-2000 region and you can get a lot more.

Also, consider a burly trail bike if this is your only steed, as there are TONS of great trails out there that you've got to pedal around on. More options in the trailbike category, for cheaper.

atrokz · Jul 31, 2013

blindboxx2334 said:
i hope you mean canada.. i wouldnt even want to imagine what shipping a frame from euro land to our side of the world costs..

Used to cost me about 150 Euros from Germany to Toronto back in 2004. I've imported a few of them....

rockofullr · Jul 31, 2013

Ok you'll need one of these

That's about $450

Gotta protect the eyes so...

going for $170

Then you are gonna need a sweet kit.

That will run you about $230

Some sick kicks come next.

Only $130

After that you have about $20 left for a Monster Energy hat!!!

Now you are ready to ride!!

Oh sh!t, you wanted a bike? Well looks like you are out of luck.

atrokz · Jul 31, 2013

rockofullr said:
Then you are gonna need a sweet kit.

That will run you about $230

Well he could rock this sweet kit, as it's cheaper

boylagz · Jul 31, 2013

Haha well played rockofullr. Well played.

blindboxx2334 · Jul 31, 2013

atrokz said:
Used to cost me about 150 Euros from Germany to Toronto back in 2004. I've imported a few of them....

that is the equivalent of 200 US doll hairs.. definitely more than id ever pay for shipping. ouch!

boxierrric · Jul 31, 2013

I can vouch for kona stinkys if you don't mind the weight - good when your going down but hard when your going up. When you go second hand, tread carefully. I baught my kona stinky deluxe 2007 for £450. cheap price but some part were very old. But still love the thing.

Da Peach · Aug 1, 2013

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1387968/

I sure wouldn't want to pedal it anywhere, but this would do the job. A little steep on price, and who knows what kind of componentry is on it...might be negotiable...

I started out buying one of the Whistler rental fleet bikes for about $1,600 a few years ago. Some of the parts needed replacing right off the bat, so beware.

Downhill is pretty spendy, especially when you're starting. I'd go through derailleurs and hangers like nobody's business. I've gotten a little less hack-y since.

It's funny. I don't know if it's just age catching up with me, but I've been getting a lot more pleasure out of trail/xc type riding over DH. You get way more time in the saddle, and you're less dependent on your riding buddies getting their act together to run shuttles.

In North Van, you'd be able to pedal to the trails, pedal up some reasonable climbs, then ride down some pretty damned good descents with a 5-6" travel bike.

As mentioned above, check nsmb.com buy and sell. There are a lot of people with nice bikes around here, so the used market is rich with pretty blingy rides. $1,000 won't go all that far though. Keep saving.

Sandro · Aug 1, 2013

If you're not going to rely on lift access/shuttling, i'd consider something like these:

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1372678/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1395813/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1395727/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1395231/

Will get you to the top with some effort and are still really capable when going back down.

As others have mentioned, in that price range you're looking at fairly old bikes that will probably need some maintenance, so you might want to set aside some money for that.

UncleHowie · Aug 1, 2013

blindboxx2334 said:
that is the equivalent of 200 US doll hairs.. definitely more than id ever pay for shipping. ouch!

Not when you save 1000$ on the frame

norbar · Aug 1, 2013

Casey-Ryan said:
Well a lot of guys end up looking for smaller bikes so you are actually in luck there are ussally a bunch of frames out there. It also depends on your riding style if you want to be more over the frame or if you like the slacked feeling when your riding a bike. If you are just starting out I would look for a used Kona Stinky, the bikes are bomb proof and readily available for good money. When you build up your riding style preference and put some more money away, you can look into getting something that suits you better but for now that is what I would sugest.

Its the same reason why you never by a new driver a new car they are definitly going to crash it

Are you nuts? Kona Stinky? For that price he can get an old glory which is way more durable, has better geo and better susp even if a bit heavy.

Also yeah go to nsmb

Casey-Ryan · Aug 2, 2013

norbar said:
Are you nuts? Kona Stinky? For that price he can get an old glory which is way more durable, has better geo and better susp even if a bit heavy.

Also yeah go to nsmb

I wasn't saying break the bank on a stinky, I was saying get something cheap he can beat the snot out of till he figures out what he wants. Busted bike parts add up fast and he is looking for more a all-rounder not necessarily just a DH bike.

Da Peach · Aug 2, 2013

Sanat Cruz Nomad
Santa Cruz Bullet
Santa Cruz Heckler
Spec Stumpjumper
Spec Enduro
Giant Reign
Trek Remedy
Kona Coiler

Da Peach · Aug 2, 2013

conor said:
Thanks again! I'll look into them.

Oh yeah, I forgot about Norcos

The Fluid LT would be a good option too if you could find one.
Rocky mountain slayers would also do the job....

I really like this ad for RMB. Goes to show that you don't need a big bike for shore riding...

Beginner Advice

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