Hi All,
I know this has been asked a few times, and the general answer seems to be a 160mm travel bike is recommended - which is neatly in between the two bikes I have.
So, I can either ride a Cannondale Prophet with a 130mm lefty MAX and a Fox DHX 4.0 coil on the back (140mm travel). wheels are UST running 8" rotors. I've used this bike for a week in the alps before, so it's 'robust' enough not to self-destruct even if the fork oil overheats a bit and the suspension gets quite stiff. I've riden courses like the Swiss National DH on it and didn't find it too bad, although a lot slower than a DH bike....
or, my DH bike.... a Cannondale judge with a double chain ring on the front.
bike is lightened as much as possible (gravity lite cranks, light seatpost/bars/cassette etc and Hope/EX827 UST wheels) running a marz 07 RCX2 888 and DHX 5.0 coil.
I've not done the Mega before, but I've been to the alps many times and used to race XC a few years back so I'm in it for a decent time rather than just to survive it!
I'm leaning towards the DH bike as a safer first-timer option, but I would like to do the most compeditive time I can. I've heard some guys qualify on a DH bike and race on a smaller travel bike. I'll be taking both bikes over to the alps as I'll be there for a couple of weeks anyway...
Any guidance from race 'veterans' would be most appreciated
I know this has been asked a few times, and the general answer seems to be a 160mm travel bike is recommended - which is neatly in between the two bikes I have.
So, I can either ride a Cannondale Prophet with a 130mm lefty MAX and a Fox DHX 4.0 coil on the back (140mm travel). wheels are UST running 8" rotors. I've used this bike for a week in the alps before, so it's 'robust' enough not to self-destruct even if the fork oil overheats a bit and the suspension gets quite stiff. I've riden courses like the Swiss National DH on it and didn't find it too bad, although a lot slower than a DH bike....
or, my DH bike.... a Cannondale judge with a double chain ring on the front.
bike is lightened as much as possible (gravity lite cranks, light seatpost/bars/cassette etc and Hope/EX827 UST wheels) running a marz 07 RCX2 888 and DHX 5.0 coil.
I've not done the Mega before, but I've been to the alps many times and used to race XC a few years back so I'm in it for a decent time rather than just to survive it!
I'm leaning towards the DH bike as a safer first-timer option, but I would like to do the most compeditive time I can. I've heard some guys qualify on a DH bike and race on a smaller travel bike. I'll be taking both bikes over to the alps as I'll be there for a couple of weeks anyway...
Any guidance from race 'veterans' would be most appreciated