I need some help, im trying to decide on a bike for next year, I dont really have a budget, Im looking for something smaller as im only like 5'8 and like 150 pounds. I want the bike to still be great for dh though.

If you have any suggestions let me know!

trek session 88, FR or DH ive heard amazing revews about them and the components are unreal

These days big bulky downhill bikes are not the way to go in Ontario.

Look deeper into bikes like these and you will be more than happy





Now there are tons more: from Kona, Trek, Banshee has some good ones, Commencial etc but you get the point

Get something with 5-6inches of travel that is not too heavy and is right for most of the courses in Ontario. You will have alot more fun on a bike that can do two or three things well than a bike that is made for downhill, and you will save some cash too.

My advice, build up a bike yourself. Make it perfect for riding you plan on doing with every part you put on it.

Thanks guys, I was thinking of going with a smaller travel,like 5 or 6 inch bike, better for pedaling and lighter.
Ill prob. get something like the franitk, or maybe even a giant reign, and throw on a chain guide, my clipless pedals, wider bars and a few other mods. thanks guys

Matt, you have the frantik 3 am I right?
How much did you pay for it?

This is my bike, the Brodie Zealot. It's perfect! But for Fortune just to be safe I borrowed the Frantik from Brian Hunt, that bike is amazing aswell though very smooth.



Edit* as you can see the Zealot is completely built from ­frame­ up with parts I have chosen to fix my riding ­style­.
I actually just put Shimano lx brakes on it (finally! no more hayes )

all those i will have to agree would be a good way to spend some money for a new bike !
also just one more thing i would like to add, Specialized Demo 7. very nice bike, not all to heavy, very nice bike to ride and handles very well !

oh, haha i thought the frantik was yours.
anyways, zealot is sick

Yea I was also thinking of the demo 7 and getting a fox 40, or something like that and having the fork lowered to 7 inches to match the back, my friend josh has that and its a sick bike

You can't go wrong with two bikes. light weight 4-6 inch travel bike, then your 9 inch for west and east. Thats the path that I have chosen, and its worked out pretty well since.

P.S. The Wlsn mini, wth some new parts weighs in at 28lbs, i reckon I can get it down to 26lbs. I don't have any pics, but it looks wicked!

P.S.S. I finally bought a real dh bike, no pics though.

Freeridematt wrote:
These days big bulky downhill bikes are not the way to go in Ontario.

Look deeper into bikes like these and you will be more than happy





Now there are tons more: from Kona, Trek, Banshee has some good ones, Commencial etc but you get the point

Get something with 5-6inches of travel that is not too heavy and is right for most of the courses in Ontario. You will have alot more fun on a bike that can do two or three things well than a bike that is made for downhill, and you will save some cash too.

My advice, build up a bike yourself. Make it perfect for riding you plan on doing with every part you put on it.

I HAVE TO DISAGREE!!!!! the winners at every single Ontario cup are on a full size DH bikes... Wislons, Turners, Coves, Ironhorses... you get the point

Big bikes all the way, Wilson will be my trusty steed next season

Maybe.. BUT, usually the guys that do have the "big" bikes are always on that one bike and have the training and skill to win... chosing the right bike helps! but most of it, is the rider!!!

harrymccallum wrote:
Freeridematt wrote:
These days big bulky downhill bikes are not the way to go in Ontario.

Look deeper into bikes like these and you will be more than happy

Now there are tons more: from Kona, Trek, Banshee has some good ones, Commencial etc but you get the point

Get something with 5-6inches of travel that is not too heavy and is right for most of the courses in Ontario. You will have alot more fun on a bike that can do two or three things well than a bike that is made for downhill, and you will save some cash too.

My advice, build up a bike yourself. Make it perfect for riding you plan on doing with every part you put on it.

I HAVE TO DISAGREE!!!!! the winners at every single Ontario cup are on a full size DH bikes... Wislons, Turners, Coves, Ironhorses... you get the point

Big bikes all the way, Wilson will be my trusty steed next season

Riders win races, not the bike. You could put a couple of the top O-Cup riders on scooters and they would still win races.

Unfortunately, biking has become a specialized sport, which demands specialized equipments. If you buy a small travel DH/slope­style­ bike, you will be limited to the hills in Ontario. If you plan to make a trip to either Quebec or BC, you will need a full DH bike. Assess your needs first, and then purchase a bike that fits your needs. If I was riding ONLY Ontario and in my neighborhood, I would lean towards one of Matt's suggestions. The bike must fit the need of the rider…. it is that simple.

Yeah Harry it is the skill level and experience of the rider not the bike that wins the race. Plus he wants a bike he can race and ride. My person opinion was to get something like I posted because you can both race it and be competitive but rip through local pedal heavy trails and that sort of thing.

I can understand that the larger downhill specific bikes may give a slight advantage because of the geometry and extra suspension but I will stay will my opinion on this one.

P.S Harry Rob won the first Kelso on his Rampant, hardly a full size DH bike.

Freeridematt wrote:


P.S Harry Rob won the first Kelso on his Rampant, hardly a full size DH bike.

If I recall correctly, he also won a Canada Cup on a 6-inch travel slope ­style­ bike.

DHGuy wrote:
Freeridematt wrote:


P.S Harry Rob won the first Kelso on his Rampant, hardly a full size DH bike.

If I recall correctly, he also won a Canada Cup on a 6-inch travel slope ­style­ bike.

Yea, that backs up your argument really well. Rob has raw talent to finish 11th overall on a slope­style­ bike on a track like Tremblant!

But if your only buying one bike, get a real DH bike!!!!

im selling my 06 demo 8 one.....super awesome bike, its in the buy and sell on the site....sheck her out, shes good to go for dh/fr....reason for selling, just want some change, like a married couple getting divorced lol

harrymccallum wrote:

But if your only buying one bike, get a real DH bike!!!!

Harry, that advice works for you because it fits your needs. Your riding takes you outside of Ontario, therefore, a full DH bike makes sense.

The best advice is to assess your own needs, and get a bike that will meet those needs. I would also suggest that you buy a used bike because you are in a developmental stage of your riding career, therefore, your bike preferences/needs will change as you gain experience and you will find yourself changing bikes quite often.