You get a premium carbon fiber frame with Race Face wheels, SRAM Code brakes, the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, and other equally well-selected components. Rear suspensions use either coil shocks or air shocks. … In the early days of mountain biking, everybody rode hardtails, and they rode some very gnarly hills! A bike’s drivetrain is the group of components that brings power from the pedals to the rear wheel. Full suspension, however, can offer more comfort and control. The Hawk Hill 1 is one of our favorite mountain bikes, period. It gets larger wheels, which roll over rocks and other features more easily and add some stability as you pick up speed. Huck it off the gnarliest drop and ride it up the other side if there’s no lift to get you back to the top: the SB165 won’t be out of place going in either direction. Classic Iron Horse Gspot downhill mountain bike. Enthusiasts will argue for hours over which is better but both companies make excellent products that will deliver the quality you need. There was a time when downhill riders wouldn’t dream of using 29” wheels, but that time is long past and even competitive racers are now adopting the big hoops. The result is a superb all-around trail bike that’s ready to step up to a Black Diamond park trail or a DH racecourse any time you are! Wheels Downhill bikes were the last safe haven of the 26 inch wheel, but even these are starting to disappear now – in fact a 26 inch bike hasn’t won a World Cup race for two years. If a build has “GX Eagle” in its name it uses the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain; if it uses “XT” or “SLX” it will use the corresponding Shimano parts. Remember that braking technique is just as important as stopping power! But this utilitarian aluminum hardtail got some upgrades for 2020, including more travel in the form of a 130mm Suntour fork and 29-inch wheels. The SB 165 uses that feature on an all-around gravity sled that is at home on a racetrack, a bike park, or on an extended trail ride. It’s the GMBN presenter challenge that you’ve all been waiting for. The 15 Best Cheap Mountain Bikes From full-suspension models to sub-$1,000 hardtails, these are the most affordable mountain bikes that shred. Best electric mountain bike 2020: uphill is easy with the best E-MTB. That’s not to say short-travel bikes can’t take hits: the knee is the original rear suspension and skilled riders can take huge hits on a hardtail. Combined with 27.5-inch wheels and 2.3-inch tires, this Marin is ready for both trail days and bike park sessions, and the Shimano 1x10-speed drivetrain offers a wide range of gears. This involves a crank, one or more front chainrings, a chain, a group of rear rings (often called a cassette or sprocket), and derailleurs, which move the chain from one ring to another. Exclusive MTB technologies, from incredibly advanced suspension to frames that let you fine-tune your mountain bike geometry for better control, make these the lightest, toughest DH bikes on the mountain. Geometry tweaks and component upgrades have modernized the KHS Aguila, keeping pace with current trends in off-road design. Some of us are lucky enough to have a racecourse or a bike park close enough for a day trip, others have to make do with whatever trails are nearby. Air shocks are lighter and can be tuned to a wider rider weight range by adding or removing air pressure. Consider buying from your local bike shop, one of our favorite mountain bikes, period, The Best Cheap Road Bikes—All Around $1K or Less, Incredible value for this level of capability, SRAM SX Eagle doesn't shift as crisply as higher-priced drivetrains, SRAM SX shifting isn’t as refined as higher-level SRAM groupsets, 120mm RockShox Judy Silver fork (100mm for size XS), 32 pounds is on the heavy side for a hardtail, 100MM RockShox 30 Silver TK Solo Air Fork, Some riders may prefer a tire with a more aggressive tread pattern, Slow handling makes it tough to navigate technical trails, SRAM NX drivetrain isn’t as smooth as GX or higher groupsets. Sag is the extent to which rear suspension is activated by the rider’s weight. Now more than ever, there are tons of great mountain bikes that aren’t just capable, reliable, and fun; they’re affordable, too. We’ve tried to keep it simple, but if you see terms that you don’t understand, check the explanatory sections that follow the reviews. We also love the 100mm dropper post, which is a great addition to a bike at this price. Kona’s flagship DH race bike jumps solidly onto the 29”-wheeled DH race bike bandwagon, matching a traditional RockShox Boxxer double crown DH fork with a pair of 29” wheels. A bike with one front ring and 11 rear rings is said to have a 1×11 drivetrain. The Stowabike 26” MTB V2 might be the best option for a cheap full suspension mountain bike for those of us with little space. Some people will tell you that you can’t “do DH” on a hardtail. The 68.5-degree head angle and 120mm Manitou Machete Comp fork, to say nothing of the massive three-inch-wide Maxxis Minion DHF tires wrapped around 29-inch wheels appear ready to take on just about anything a trail can throw at you, especially when it comes to the descents. The Shimano 2x9 drivetrain comes with an 11-36 cassette and 22/36 chainrings up front, giving riders a wide range of gears that’s good for both hauling the mail on pavement and noodling up long, steep climbs. Downhill bikes are typically made of either aluminum or carbon fiber. Riders who like to pedal fast will appreciate its steep, aggressive head and seat angles and a high bottom bracket that offers decent pedal clearance on the trail. Both are used to build bikes at all price levels, but carbon bikes are moving into a preferred position in the high-end market as new molding technologies produce lighter and stronger frames. Whistler bike rentals include DH, Enduro, Recreational, Tandem and Kids Bikes. For most of these purposes, a trail bike that leans toward the steep side will be a perfectly adequate tool. 99 Bikes carry a wide range of downhill mountain bikes from some of the world's best mountain bike brands, including Norco, Merida, and GT at Australia's best cheapest prices. We can Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. The most expensive production downhill mountain bike on the market is the Trek Session 9.9 at £7,300 but there are a whole host of others not far behind. Walmart mountain bikes are not made for downhill MTB trails. Plus-size tires have their place, and they work really well on bikes like the Trek Roscoe 7 Women’s and the Rocky Mountain Growler, but we appreciated the faster tires on this bike. Fezzari bikes are sold direct, and the online customization lets you pick options and upgrades. It shares many of the same attributes as the Marlin, but a shorter reach and lower stack make it a good alternative for riders who want a more upright and comfortable riding position. Downhill mountain bikes, or gravity bikes, are the furthest away from the Cheapism cost ceiling. From full-suspension models to sub-$1,000 hardtails, these are the most affordable mountain bikes that shred. The suspension is good enough to smooth out rocks and bumps, and the whole thing is damn light—30 pounds for a size small. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Letting gravity take over brings a primal thrill you can’t get any other way, and some riders are quickly addicted to riding down the steepest and roughest slopes they can manage. Shimano MT400 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm and 160mm respective front and rear rotors provide good stopping power. We’ve provided more detail on every term we discuss here, and there are links you can read for more information. As a general rule 29” wheels are still better suited to trails where you roll over obstacles and 27.5” wheels to trails where agility is required to dodge around obstacles, but the lines are increasingly blurred and bikes in both categories can be very good for many different types of riding. Lots of bikes go low and slack, but the SB165 hits the drops with a minimal 63.5° head tube angle and a build that’s designed to fly as much as it is to roll. Rocky Mountain Reaper Depending on which size frame you choose, the Reaper can take 24-inch, 26-inch, and 27.5 inch wheels. Factor in the wheels and drivetrain, and you have a special bike on your hands. These drivetrains are simpler, lower maintenance, quieter, and less likely to drop the chain. Downhill mountain bikes for gnarly, technical terrain. The Aguila also gets new rubber in the form of 2.2-inch Kenda Havok tires wrapped around 27.5–inch wheels on the smallest size and 29-inch hoops for M, L, and XL. Many manufacturers use proprietary carbon fabrication processes like Yeti’s Turq and Niner’s RDO carbon to deliver the best possible strength-to-weight ratios. The head tube angle makes a good overall measurement for a scale of steep to slack angles. Get the best deals on Bike Frames for Downhill Bike when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. The Shimano 1 x 10-speed drivetrain offers crisp and reliable shifting, as well as the simplicity that comes with a single chainring. Brake rotors come in sizes from 160mm up to 200mm. It’s easy to watch a World Cup downhill race or Red Bull Rampage event and think “I want to do that”. Downhill bikes take significant impacts and need to have high-quality wheelsets. They are preferred by all major manufacturers and most users. Disadvantages include added weight, decreased clearance, more chances for something to break, and less-reliable shifts (because your chain has more front rings to move on). The 100mm RockShox XC 30 fork is one of the best coil-sprung forks you’ll find—it does a remarkable job on rough, rugged trails. This bruiser of a bike from Motobecane blends 90’s style with modern mountain bike technology. For 2020 Whistler Sports has a high-performance option in our downhill rental fleet. Most brands offer at least one, if not many, cheap option in their lineup, and the majority of bikes on this list cost under a grand. The result is a wildly plush big wheel bike that’s ready to roll over everything and soak up the big hits whenever they arrive. Post your items for free. Downhill Bike Specifications Downhill bikes are quite possibly one of the most specialised types of mountain bikes. The reason why it’s called Stowabike is that this bike is also a folding bike. Hills and bicycles make a natural combination. Marin built this affordable bike with sturdy components and the slack geometry normally found on DH race bikes. It’s an excellent combination: The bike rides better than you’d expect out of any $1,550 full-suspension bike, let alone those that cost far more. In general, 120-140mm of suspension travel indicates a cross country bike, 140-160mm indicates a trail to enduro bike, and anything over 160mm suggests a big-hit downhill or freeride design, but there will always be exceptions! Rigid seatposts are strong and inexpensive but changing the seat height means stopping and getting off the bike. It has a 2x9-speed Shimano drivetrain, which strays from the single-chainring trend that’s popular on off-road bikes at the moment but also provides a wide range of gearing. There’s also a trick up the Operator’s sleeve: throw on a pair of 27.5” wheels and flip the suspension’s geometry chip and the bike transforms into a freeriding park bike, ready to show off the tricks and rip the berms. Fox and RockShox are the dominant suspension manufacturers, and their higher-end models are preferred by most customers and manufacturers. Bike geometry is a complex subject. To reduce it to the basics, “slack” geometry places the front wheel farther in front of the handlebars and the seat farther back, allowing stability on steep slopes and big drops. For those addicted to the thrill, it’s worth it! The rest of the bikes here are equipped with 2x or 3x drivetrains paired with eight, nine, and 10-speed cassettes (the cluster of cogs at the rear axle). Its 1x10-speed gear range lets you haul ass on packed snow and plow through the deep stuff. Disclaimer: Downhill riding requires appropriate skills and appropriate gear. And its 120mm X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock is ready to absorb big hits. Most direct-to-consumer brands make their bikes easy to assemble, with tools included and helpful online videos. Disclaimer: Modern mountain bikes are complicated, and the jargon can be confusing at first! A 1x10-speed drivetrain simplifies shifting decisions and offers plenty of gearing choices at both the low and high end. Get the best you can afford and focus on building skills. And the Mahuna comes with flat pedals, so it’s ready to go right out of the box. Whether its to race or just ride, here are the bare essentials you should know about downhill bikes. In reality, most manufacturers deliver perfectly functional parts at the mid to lower end of the spectrum. Some bikes have sag indicators to show you at a glance how much sag your rear suspension has. So be sure you’re factoring in any shipping and assembly costs when comparing prices. 68° or above indicates a climb-oriented cross country bike. We don’t know how long this deal will be available (and we’ll try to remove it as soon as it’s not), but it’s too good not to pass on while we can! Resist the urge to go to a big-box store and pull a mountain bike off the rack. Interestingly, there’s very few direct sale bikes above £5k, simply because their reduced costs mean they don’t have to charge so much. Free shipping on orders over $150. It has a sturdy hinge in the middle of the Y-shaped frame so you can neatly stow the bike away. If you visit a local downhill race and check out the riders in the beginner bracket you’ll see that plenty of them aren’t riding race-specific bikes. Cheap MTB helmets: Today's best deals on mountain bike helmets By Graham Cottingham 24 November 2020 A good quality helmet is a must but it needn't cost the earth, here are the best MTB helmet sales to keep you safe on the trails SRAM and Shimano are the dominant drivetrain manufacturers and their products are used on most quality mountain bikes. The 27.5-inch wheels are good in tight, technical terrain, and the SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain—with a 30t chainring and 10-50 cassette—provides a massive gear range with plenty of low options for climbing. Many bikes use larger rotors on the front wheel, where stopping requires more power, and smaller ones on the rear. Shipping and local meet-up options available. The end result is an all-around 29” mountain bike that’s at home on gnarly trails, bike parks, or flat out DH racecourses. Downhill racing is all about rampaging down a mountain at breakneck speeds and bulldozing through the roughest, most gnarled terrain thinkable. A 1x drivetrain, dropper post, hydraulic disc brakes, and tubeless-ready wheels make the Rift Zone 2 stand out—few bikes at this price include all these features. Consult the specifications for your shock before setting the sag. These are often run along the tubes and secured by cable ties. However, the 28x42 lowest combination will come in handy when the trail points up because, at 32.7 pounds (for an XL bike), it has some extra heft you’ll have to haul up the hill. Want to learn more about a technical term? The end result is an all-around 29” mountain bike that’s at home on gnarly trails, bike parks, or flat out DH racecourses. Buy and sell almost anything on Gumtree classifieds. These bikes have been ridden, and ridden hard, by our team of test editors. If you’re like most of us, most of your riding will be done near your home. The Mahuna is an aluminum-framed hardtail with a RockShox 30 Silver TK Solo Air fork that masterfully handled all but the most technical of trails. Eminent Cycles may not be a household name, but the numbers on this gravity-driven ride speak for themselves. In deep, loose gravel, they maintain grip without forgoing the fun of drifting. He owns an outdoor shop, accumulates excessive quantities of gear, and occasionally throws shields around. Modern hydraulic brakes are very reliable and require very little maintenance. Dirt Mountainbike offers more specific advice on choosing a downhill bike. Schwinn High Timber Youth/Adult Mountain Bike, Aluminum and Steel Frame Options, 7-21 Speeds O… Most modern mountain bikes now use a single front chainring and no front derailleur, with anywhere from 9 to 12 rear rings. Its cables are internally routed, too, which isn’t common on bikes at this price. The Californian brand isn’t afraid of trying new technologies and over its lifecycle (since 2002), the V10 downhill bike has been a tr… Given the way it rides, we were surprised to learn that the bike weighs 31 pounds. But those are only some of the reasons why we fell for it. Tektro has staked out a position at the lower end of the market but most higher-end bikes will use SRAM or Shimano brakes. The unicorn of affordable mountain bikes, the Rockhopper Expert boasts three key components—tubeless-ready wheels and tires, a 1 x 12-speed drivetrain, and an air spring fork—so rare in this category that the presence of just one would be enough to set a rig apart from the $1,000 pack. Downhill bikes are built to go big and shred hard, whether you're ripping a World Cup downhill or charging through the gravity park. And for most of us, improving our riding is more about better legs, lungs, and skills than better drivetrains, wheelsets, or forks! Check out our, Quick Answer - The Best Downhill Mountain Bikes, Comparison Table - Best Downhill Mountain Bike, Reviews - The Best Bikes for Downhill Mountain Biking, THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE, For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out the, For more on the details of mountain bikes in general, REI has an excellent. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. We’ve loved the Stance with 27.5-inch wheels, and we’re stoked to see that Giant is now offering the low-cost full-suspension bike with smoother-rolling 29-inch wheels. Get the App! This ride features 170mm of impact-eating front travel and 160mm in the rear, matched to a high-strength carbon fiber frame with an aggressively slack front end that’s just waiting to be pointed at something steep. Our bikes benefit from innovations that draw on a fanatical devotion to the ride. The V10 doesn’t come cheap, but you get a lot of bike for your money, and resale value on Santa Cruz bikes is considerably higher than direct-sales brands. The 130mm SR Suntour XCR Air is a buy-up fork on a sub-$1,000 bike, and the Shimano 1x10 drivetrain offers simple shifting with a generous gear range. If you’re looking to ride outside the tape and if your idea of riding involves touching the ground as seldom as possible, here’s your bike! The price tag can be appealing, but those bikes are often poorly built with unreliable components by people who lack the expertise to safely assemble them. Suspension forks are either coil- or air-sprung, the latter of which provides more tuning options to dial in the resistance level. The Growler 20 isn’t flashy, or extra light, or super fast. 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