beginner/entry level downhill mountain bike

[Castle of Glass]

hi everyone. a lot of you might know that i am into mountain biking, specifically cross country mountain biking, but as with all mountain biking, you have to ride down hills, but i have a hard tail so it is kind uncomfortable, but i want to get into down hill mountain biking. so i was wondering do any of you know of any good entry level or beginner downhill bikes. also preferably under 2000 USD. Thanks everyone

[PinkFloyd]

Specialized
Trek
diamondback

[Castle of Glass]

Specialized
Trek
diamondback

hey rob, do you think one of these would work as downhill bikes?
first one (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1110743_-1_400308_400001_400329)
second one (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1117685_-1_400308_400001_400329)
third one (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/statusfsr/statusi)

[PinkFloyd]

well i dont do downhill mountain biking that mutch any more but i had a specialized and it was excellent. sorry i cant remember the model...

[Mikedamaniak]

The new Kona Fire Mountain is pretty good. I rented one when I was at Hornby Island (you may have heard about this place since ur into MTB) Also this new brand Jamis is good. This one I have has really good suspension on it, and is also lockout. Both bikes are around $600

[Castle of Glass]

The new Kona Fire Mountain is pretty good. I rented one when I was at Hornby Island (you may have heard about this place since ur into MTB) Also this new brand Jamis is good. This one I have has really good suspension on it, and is also lockout. Both bikes are around $600
The Kona Fire Mountain looks good, but i already have a hard tail, GT avalanche 2.0. haven't heard about Hornby Island but have heard that British Columbia has some awesome places to ride. also which Jamis is it? cuz i am looking for a downhill mountain bike. and all of their downhill ones are over $3000.

probably going to wait a couple months, see if i win 220lb fresh/soph league where i here in LA. cuz if i do, might be able to get my parents to buy me a winning gift.

[Wakesetter03]

If you're looking for a cheap downhill bike, go a Specialized Status. This was made to be the big hits little brother in Specialized downhill bikes. Price changes depending on your state.
If you're looking for something that can do climbing as well (as you'll find many downhill bikes have too much weight, and too soft suspension for climbing) you can go for an all mountain bike.
There are literally hundreds on the market in that range.
I've been riding a Santa Cruz Bullit for the past few years as it is, in my opinion, one of the most versatile frames ever made.
Recently though when the 2013 models were released I went around to my LBS and test road about 20 bikes, and I was invited to a couple of model releases.
I have been curious about 29ers recently as I don't do the sort of stuff I did when I raced, but in all reality, the 29 inch wheel isn't for downhill.

Anyways, long story short, I am awaiting my 2013 Specialized Enduro.
This was the best bike I rode, and I wouldn't have looked at it if I wasn't at the release. My advice, ride as many bikes as you can, and pick the best for you.

[Castle of Glass]

If you're looking for a cheap downhill bike, go a Specialized Status.
Price changes depending on your state.
If you're looking for something that can do climbing as well (as you'll find many downhill bikes have too much weight, and too soft suspension for climbing) you can go for an all mountain bike.
I've been riding a Santa Cruz Bullit for the past few years as it is, in my opinion, one of the most versatile frames ever made.

yea i have looked at the Specialized Status I, but it is a bit too expensive. from the three options i have posted above, are the first two all mountain bikes? and can you ride downhill well with all mountain bikes? might look into the bullit. also do you know of any downhill bikes or all mountain bikes(that are more for downhill) that are under MSRP $2000

[Wakesetter03]

yea i have looked at the Specialized Status I, but it is a bit too expensive. from the three options i have posted above, are the first two all mountain bikes? and can you ride downhill well with all mountain bikes? might look into the bullit. also do you know of any downhill bikes or all mountain bikes(that are more for downhill) that are under MSRP $2000

Is your budget really $2,000? Because the bikes you've listed (apart from the Status) are, to be honest, rubbish.
I can guarantee you that you will not find a decent downhill bike for under $1,000 brand new.
Immediately eliminate the Recoil Comp 29er, 29ers feel sluggish and don't change direction well when really pushing downhill. 26ers are the go for downhill.
Now the Recoil 26er you posted will not go downhill. That isn't even an XC bike, let alone All Mountain or downhill.
First on that bike, you have Shimano Acera gears - they'll be out of adjustment by the time you leave the car park.
Second, the Tektro Novella brakes. Not only are these cable brakes (90% of them are crap, only good cable brakes are Hayes and Avid). Tektro brakes will struggle to stop any bike on the road, let alone off road with dust and water in the equation.
Third, the wheels wouldn't last to your first drop off. You'd buckle it mounting a curb.
Finally, you have an SR Suntour fork, in 100mm length, and I doubt the stanions would be 32mm.
The absolute bare minimum I'd recommend in a downhill bike for suspension travel is 120, and that is still not enough. SR Suntour forks will at least pop a seal with any off road use, possibly worse.

Now, I don't say all of this to be an arsehole and bag out the bike, but at the end of the day, just because it has dual suspension, doesn't mean its a downhill bike.
Even with the right components, Fox/RockShox shocks (front and rear), Avid/Hayes/Magura brakes, a decent wheelset and a proper drivetrain (High end Shimano and SRAM), then there is the consideration of geometry. A downhill bike needs aggressive geometry and a particular suspension set up.

Now if you really have $2,000, you can buy a half decent bike which will do downhill, but you will possibly need to replace some parts. If not, you would be better off buying a better hardtail with decent components and an aggressive geometry than a cheap dually.

I'm sorry if I've come across as an arsehole, that's not my intention. I just don't want you to buy the wrong bike. Feel free to ask anymore questions.

[Castle of Glass]

Is your budget really $2,000? Because the bikes you've listed (apart from the Status) are, to be honest, rubbish.
I can guarantee you that you will not find a decent downhill bike for under $1,000 brand new.

Now, I don't say all of this to be an arsehole and bag out the bike, but at the end of the day, just because it has dual suspension, doesn't mean its a downhill bike.

budget is at max $2000, but the bike doesn't have to be the latest model or even new, but not too old. i know that just because it has full suspension, it is a downhill bike, but i asked, because that was in the section where the downhill bikes were.

might try and see if i find a santa cruz 2012 bullit. but if all else fails will most likely get the Specialized Status.

[Wakesetter03]

You won't get a 2012 Bullit, the frame was discontinued in '08, and they definitely won't be under $2,000, they are rare now and brand new, depending on the build, they were $4,000+ brand new.
Specialized have only just brought the 2013 models out, you might get a 2012 model for under $2,000.
Spend a little bit extra and get something proper. I rode the new Status and its a great descent bike, but climbing isn't its forte. To be fair though, it's not the worse climber, I rode a lot worse when I was looking,

[Castle of Glass]

You won't get a 2012 Bullit, the frame was discontinued in '08, and they definitely won't be under $2,000, they are rare now and brand new, depending on the build, they were $4,000+ brand new.
Specialized have only just brought the 2013 models out, you might get a 2012 model for under $2,000.
Spend a little bit extra and get something proper. I rode the new Status and its a great descent bike, but climbing isn't its forte. To be fair though, it's not the worse climber, I rode a lot worse when I was looking,
oh, ok. Just found a specialized 2012 status for $2300, new. but i am going to continue looks. gonna go check out my locale bike store next weekend. but this is my plan: first get into wrestling class 220LB, get into top 5 during league finals, and see if my parents are willing to get me a gift. A 2012 status. but time to go do some xc on my hard tail.

[thesurferdude]

The best way to make your bike cheap is to buy a hardtail or used. But i would go dual suspension all the way. Go to some local bike stores pick out your fav models look em up online used. REI is a great store. $2000 is about as cheap as it gets for a good dual suspension bike. Good luck bikeing its so fun.

[Castle of Glass]

The best way to make your bike cheap is to buy a hardtail or used. But i would go dual suspension all the way. Go to some local bike stores pick out your fav models look em up online used. REI is a great store. $2000 is about as cheap as it gets for a good dual suspension bike. Good luck bikeing its so fun.
already have a hardtail for xc riding. going to try and find a Specialized 2012 Status, as now that the 2013 models are coming out, they want to get rid of the 2012 models, so they go on sale. thats how i got my current bike.

[Mikedamaniak]

If your budget is $2000, than you should stick to the hardtails untill you can afford one for $2500. See, starting at around $1500, you get into non-hardtails. You pay that extra to have a rear suspension. However, until you get to around $2500, the rear suspension, and probably all the other components wont be very good. With the $600+ hardtails, you can afford to have really nice everything by not having rear suspension. Hope this helps.

[Castle of Glass]

If your budget is $2000, than you should stick to the hardtails untill you can afford one for $2500. See, starting at around $1500, you get into non-hardtails. You pay that extra to have a rear suspension. However, until you get to around $2500, the rear suspension, and probably all the other components wont be very good. With the $600+ hardtails, you can afford to have really nice everything by not having rear suspension. Hope this helps.

i am going this weekend to a couple local bike stores to see if they have Specialized Status 2012 on sale.

[Wakesetter03]

Make sure you actually ride it man, particularly see if they have a demo so you can ride better than around the car park.
If it isn't the right bike for you, walk away and post in here again, and I'm sure we'll find another option.

[Castle of Glass]

ok thanks man. I will be going this weekends. too much shit to do it on the week. also going for a 20 mile xc ride this weekend to build up stamina and get in shape for wrestling and riding.