rockshock downhill at southridge Fontana

[slowrabbit]

I raced the Super D event in both of the January events at southridge and was wondering about racing the downhill event on a trail bike with 5" in of travel front and rear. I've watched riders roll down with single crown fork's on the course and I have been down the rock garden on the first race of the season of the Super D and was a little unsure of my performance, but had a blast going down hill! Not up hill. It's a week away. what do you think.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by slowrabbit

wondering about racing the downhill event on a trail bike with 5" in of travel front and rear.

I did a DH race there with my 5 spot (5" trail bike) before I bought a DH bike. I was running a Pike fork and big tires (I think 2.5/2.35 DH casing) it worked, but I wouldn't recommend it personally especially if you plan on jumping or hucking any obstacles/features. There is one guy who has raced DH pro or semi-pro out there on a 5-spot, but he has 'mad skillz'.

You can always pre-ride the course, so maybe go check it out and see if you get the warm fuzzies on a pre-run. I plan on doing this, will be running a IH 7 point for DH and 5-spot for Super-D. XC is a maybe right now.

[DISCO]

It depends on the bike, if you are sporting a 68 or slacker head angle than it is possible to plow over nearly anything with confidence. A more race oriented frame could be corrected with a longer travel fork. Back in the day us old timers only rode hard tails and it was geometry that made all the difference. All the added weight and slop of lots of travel just makes it harder to English the bike.

Whatever I or anyone else says just listen to your gut, and don't consider the effect that spending will make on your ability to have fun.

[dhmike]

man up and do it , just have fun trying it with 5" of travel , heck you might win it !

[jfromlv]

Go out and have fun, if you want to give it a go, then go for it. The Nationals are a bit more expensive than the Southridge races, but if you're thinking about it, I say go for it! The cool thing about DH racing is the only pressure you have is what you put on yourself! (Unless the guy behind you catches you!)

[2wheel_lee]

As jfromlv said, just go out there an have fun with the bike you have. Your 5" bike will work fine - the courses generally are not that difficult. If you enjoy that kind of racing, you can later get a bigger bike, but you'll be better off having had experience on the shorter travel bike. There are many people who race competitively on 5-6" travel bikes and even a hardtail here and there.

In fact, your bike will have some significant advantages over some of the big bikes on some sections of the course.

[thephat]

[quote=2wheel_lee;241410]
and even a hardtail here and there.


quote]

Smug blasterd.

JK

You rule.

[andy aka rut]

I have raced on my Nomad in the Super D series at Fontana. I have also raced on my Niner SIR9 (hardtail.) Personally I prefer the Niner, but its up to you.

As Niner says, "Pedal Damn It!" and as The Path says, "Enjoy the Ride!"

Two quotes I try to live by!

[pmortuary]

Speaking of, just how does the format work? Do i need to sign up with NMBS. Or is this just a SCR event tacked on the end of the national event? I've read and rear even red some too and still really don't get it. Since the full schedule only list pro & semi-pro DH racing I assume it's an SCR event. But then the schedule also list inspection & practice for the rest of the racers. Damn I'm confused. This will be only my second race but I don't want to get caught out in the dust.

[Lor]

You'll be fine on your 5" bike. Just have to pick your way through if they run it through a really rocky section. Stop by the INCYCLE EZup if your out for the nationals.
Good luck!