need help

Asano

i live in north london and i want to buy my first bike. but i completly don't know what to buy and where. i want to try myself in downhill but i don't want to buy something only for this kind of cycling. if somebody can tell me where to go and what to buy i will be grateful.
thanks

MTBAU

Hey Mate,

Well to tell the truth, as much as bikes are marketed to take the big hits on the downhill but be easy to ride up the hill, its a load of crap.

If you want to race downhill you would want to buy something in the vicinity of 4" plus travel front and back. Of course this will mean that it wont be as enjoyable to ride up hills, but.....it doesn't mean they wont ride up hills. You can pedal a short travel downhill bike up a hill easier than you might think, but it is not what they are intended to do.

On what bike to get it all depends on the money you have, what is the ball park you are looking at? Then i could throw a few model names your way. Also, what other riding do you want to do?? I myself have a jumping hardtail bike that works well trail riding, jumping, urban assault etc. but i also plan to race it downhill this upcoming season in the hard tail class. Mightn't be your thing to get a hardtail, but they are pretty versatile and you would be suprised how many rides with downhill duellies you will beat down hills if you have the skills.

Cheers,

Ken