What bike for Mega Avalanche 2008?
Discussion
Fancy a new toy to use for the Mega Avalanche. Some options...
1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
For the qualifier, something big. I'd ride my Socom on that bit.
For the main event, I reckon you couldn't go wrong with a Blur 4X. Feels like a mini DH bike, weighs bugger all, stick a 150mm air fork on the front & let rip down the mountain.
Damn them for changing the dates this year, i'm still p*ssed about that :@
For the main event, I reckon you couldn't go wrong with a Blur 4X. Feels like a mini DH bike, weighs bugger all, stick a 150mm air fork on the front & let rip down the mountain.
Damn them for changing the dates this year, i'm still p*ssed about that :@
i have a 17" 224 for sale that'd be right up your street! £1500 and for £1600 you can have as many or as few of the spares as you want, inc carbon troy lee classic 07 design and loads more...
custom painted in kawasaki green and maintained by an orange mechanic!...go on! id like it to have a good home and to know its gonna get used!
would obviously sort out stickers on downtube
custom painted in kawasaki green and maintained by an orange mechanic!...go on! id like it to have a good home and to know its gonna get used!
would obviously sort out stickers on downtube
Edited by mark.h on Thursday 31st January 17:16
For the main event you want something that is set up to do enduro riding, not a downhill rig. There's too much uphill and XC in it to say a downhill bike would be an efficient choice.
I used a Patriot last year with a triple chain ring and it worked well, but something less heavy and more suited to covering distance wouldn't go amiss either.
The qualifier was harder and I felt that it required a bigger bike than the main event. I was running the original Fox 125 forks on mine, and would suggest more travel, so 6" plus would be ideal.
I used a Patriot last year with a triple chain ring and it worked well, but something less heavy and more suited to covering distance wouldn't go amiss either.
The qualifier was harder and I felt that it required a bigger bike than the main event. I was running the original Fox 125 forks on mine, and would suggest more travel, so 6" plus would be ideal.
Rico said:
Fancy a new toy to use for the Mega Avalanche. Some options...
1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
Rico - I've got an 08 Meta 666 with Fox 36 Van R's1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
It is absolutely superb and I will be running it at the mega this year. I use it all year round including the fairly flat surrey hills and all the usual welsh/scottish trail centers. It climbs superbly and descends like its got much more travel
AbarthChris said:
Rico said:
Fancy a new toy to use for the Mega Avalanche. Some options...
1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
Rico - I've got an 08 Meta 666 with Fox 36 Van R's1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
It is absolutely superb and I will be running it at the mega this year. I use it all year round including the fairly flat surrey hills and all the usual welsh/scottish trail centers. It climbs superbly and descends like its got much more travel
hondafanatic said:
AbarthChris said:
Rico said:
Fancy a new toy to use for the Mega Avalanche. Some options...
1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
Rico - I've got an 08 Meta 666 with Fox 36 Van R's1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
It is absolutely superb and I will be running it at the mega this year. I use it all year round including the fairly flat surrey hills and all the usual welsh/scottish trail centers. It climbs superbly and descends like its got much more travel
neil_bolton said:
hondafanatic said:
AbarthChris said:
Rico said:
Fancy a new toy to use for the Mega Avalanche. Some options...
1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
Rico - I've got an 08 Meta 666 with Fox 36 Van R's1) Use a mate's Commencal SupremeDH. Would lighten it up as much as possible for a DH bike. Boxxer WCs or similar. Upside is its a very fun DH bike to ride, but it would involve pushing on the uphills. Price is good as its ZERO as I'd borrow it
2) Intense Socom with light DH forks. Similar to above but would involve quite significant outlay.. £2k for frame alone. Upside is its the best bike I've ever ridden and would be mint for UK downhilling.
3) Commencal Mega 666. Their 'mega avalanche' frame. 6in of travel. This would replace my current Supernormal as an XC bike / do-it-all bike. (bonus as can sell Supernormal to make it easier on el wallet). Would run some 6in travel lightish forks (Marzocchi 55s etc) on the front. Not as good as Socom/Supreme for downhills, but would enable me to cycle up the hills.
4) Something else?
Whatcha reckon?
It is absolutely superb and I will be running it at the mega this year. I use it all year round including the fairly flat surrey hills and all the usual welsh/scottish trail centers. It climbs superbly and descends like its got much more travel
wow, i feel like a right tit.
I looked at the dates and thought that was posted a couple of weeks ago
excuse me 
threesixty said:
Dh bike.
Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
Not on the actual race matey.Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
For the qualifying, yes, but on the climbs and singletrack on the race course, its absolute hell. Trust me, you want a FR bike for the race actual.
threesixty said:
Dh bike.
Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
Or, as i suspect a few one here will have, you've got a selection of bikes for different event's or training. Different tools for different jobs and all that...Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
hondafanatic said:
threesixty said:
Dh bike.
Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
Or, as i suspect a few one here will have, you've got a selection of bikes for different event's or training. Different tools for different jobs and all that...Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
I will always take two bikes now - especially when competing in the Sprint Oz race midweek - a pure out and out DH race.
neil_bolton said:
threesixty said:
Dh bike.
Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
Not on the actual race matey.Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
For the qualifying, yes, but on the climbs and singletrack on the race course, its absolute hell. Trust me, you want a FR bike for the race actual.
Honestly wouldn't use anything else, sure the bottom of the race course is more suited to a FR type bike, but by that stage the comfort of the dh bike and the ability to get away with mistakes comes in very handy.
threesixty said:
neil_bolton said:
threesixty said:
Dh bike.
Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
Not on the actual race matey.Unless you're gunning for top 50 or so I dont know why anyone would want to sacrafice fun and games on the down bits for saving a couple of minutes on their overall time?
For the qualifying, yes, but on the climbs and singletrack on the race course, its absolute hell. Trust me, you want a FR bike for the race actual.
Honestly wouldn't use anything else, sure the bottom of the race course is more suited to a FR type bike, but by that stage the comfort of the dh bike and the ability to get away with mistakes comes in very handy.
However, the key in this is that it is a race. If I wanted to muck about on the downs, I'd just go riding with a bunch of mates in the Alps.
However, I'm keen to do better than I did last year, and I want to find the right bike to do it with - a DH bike IS perfect for the qualifying race, however, the sheer amount of fireroad, climbing and general need to heft a bike around in the actual race means that taking my Supreme DH with 888's in it would be ludicrous - and wouldn't help at all.
my bro did on a GT DHi last year running single speed with 888's up front and qualified, it is possible to do it on a DH rig but like has already been said you need an FR/AM bike for it. Saying that though my bro said all the AM boys where pissing him off on the more technical DH parts.
vz-r_dave said:
my bro did on a GT DHi last year running single speed with 888's up front and qualified, it is possible to do it on a DH rig but like has already been said you need an FR/AM bike for it. Saying that though my bro said all the AM boys where pissing him off on the more technical DH parts.
possible to do it?Jim came 40th on a bike that weighed 50 odd pounds one year.
Im not saying dont buy whatever shiny bits you want but I do get pissed off with the whole "you need X to do Y" attitude in mountain biking sometimes.
threesixty said:
vz-r_dave said:
my bro did on a GT DHi last year running single speed with 888's up front and qualified, it is possible to do it on a DH rig but like has already been said you need an FR/AM bike for it. Saying that though my bro said all the AM boys where pissing him off on the more technical DH parts.
possible to do it?Jim came 40th on a bike that weighed 50 odd pounds one year.
Im not saying dont buy whatever shiny bits you want but I do get pissed off with the whole "you need X to do Y" attitude in mountain biking sometimes.
What I mean by possible is you can ride anything but to really compete your going to need something more suited to the up hill's as well.
Congrats on Jim, if had been riding a bike more suited I would have thought it would have been quicker then 40th.
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