the sad demise of old dh bikes

[nathanm]

So we all know the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result. Well I went and bought yet another old DH rig, despite losing around $1k in the past 12 months trying to resurrect old clunkers that were terminal. This time its a 2006 Giant Faith 2, that was a barn find and had been sitting in a shed for 3 years.

She's faded, dusty and home to 3 generations of redback spiders. It would have been great to pump a couple of hundred into it and return it to its former glory but sadly it's going to be raided for parts as it is worth more individually than as a whole and there's no real call for this mid-school classics.

It does make me lament though that these bikes we once coveted and saw our favourite riders do insane things on down steep hills are now worth less than a bottle of bourbon and a pack of winnie blues. Although with their weight and cost of scrap metal I may actually have a fortune sitting in my garage.

 

[leitch]

To be fair, I’m not sure I’d ever have defined a Faith 2 as “coveted” Find an old blue TeamDH with Dorados and I’ll pour one out with you.

 

[Scotty T]

They're just a bit horrible to ride down hills compared to modern bikes.

66.8 head angle, 65.2 seat angle! New "downcountry" bikes (even the least progressive ones) have slacker head angles and would probably get you down most hills faster and more confidently.

 

[fatboyonabike]

do a mullet conversion to slacken it out a tad, might be somewhat ridable...or go full gonzo and stich a 29er on the front

 

[Dales Cannon]

It is not sad, it is progress. Some old stuff is worth preserving and enjoying, like a 3.8L xke Jaguar or 365 gtb4 Ferrari. A shitty old Giant I didn't want when it was new? Nah. Better off with a Austin 1800 at least you can sell the engine to an mgb owner.

 

[The Dude]

Austin 1800 at least you can sell the engine to an mgb owner.

Shirley the Rover 3.5 V8 is the better option?

 

[Calvin27]

It is not sad, it is progress

Agree. I look at this and then road bikes and think, man we made huge progress compared to the tightly controlled road bike. At the same time half the useless standards can go screw themselves.

 

[Dales Cannon]

Shirley the Rover 3.5 V8 is the better option?

Go the whole hog and keep the whole Buick.

 

[beeb]

It would have been great to pump a couple of hundred into it and return it to its former glory but sadly it's going to be raided for parts as it is worth more individually than as a whole and there's no real call for this mid-school classics.

If you like the bike, what does the value of the parts matter?

 

[nathanm]

If you like the bike, what does the value of the parts matter?

I guess I'm just being a grumpy old man but it's more that they are still perfectly serviceable bikes that deserve to be ridden.
I just see it as a shame they are worth more as scrap metal as no one wants to ride anything pre 2018.
Mid covid it probably would have sold for $1k

 

[Asininedrivel]

I guess I'm just being a grumpy old man but it's more that they are still perfectly serviceable bikes that deserve to be ridden.

Serious question: is it actually rideable though?

I think you can make a serious case for a 10 year + old XC bike given they're naturally pretty efficient things and will always be at home on mellow flow trails, old skool narrow singletrack and firetrails. Even commuting they're a great option. But a similar age DH bike? Presumably a boat anchor to pedal and outshone by even a middling mid travel reasonably modern anything on literally any descent if you're on the taller side given they're all tiny.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but it seems that unless they can be made to pedal well there's many good reasons why they're no longer coveted.

 

[jrewing]

But I would enjoy seeing someone fast race one and put all the gear no idea riders to shame.

 

[Mr Crudley]

I guess I'm just being a grumpy old man but it's more that they are still perfectly serviceable bikes that deserve to be ridden.
I just see it as a shame they are worth more as scrap metal as no one wants to ride anything pre 2018.
Mid covid it probably would have sold for $1k

I do see where you are coming from but time moves on and every season something new will pop up. 'New' isn't 'new' for long.
Newer bikes are definitely more capable and feel well put together but I don't always need that anyhow.

Just keep it simple, if *you* like to ride then ride it. It all doesn't matter that much when you are out there amongst the trees.
Pissing contests are best kept for the carpark and cafe / brewery. It MTB'ing gets too hung up on what you ride then it is heading down an unfortunate path.

 

[Nambra]

But I would enjoy seeing someone fast race one and put all the gear no idea riders to shame.

Did you see the YT vid of Peaty doing back to back runs on 2006 and 2021 V10s? He wasn't significantly slower on the old bike.

 

[pink poodle]

I owned one of these when they were new stock. I enjoyed it until a gasser stole it. I also recall seeing a very large muscly man ride one as an xc bike on the ourimbah trails over the years.


With some fucking around and cash dropped I reckon it could be made into a rideable option for a youngster. Angle set (head tube is 1.5), offset bushings, 165mm crank, 27.5 fork and wheel, shorter stroke/body rear shock, and air everywhere. Until the frame cracks from being a giant.

 

[jrewing]

I think the title should be the sad demise of DH thinking about it.

 

[Mattyp]

I think the title should be the sad demise of DH thinking about it.

Lol wut?

Le triplé français en DH aux Championnats du Monde de VTT qui se déroulent en ce moment en France Les Gets - Page Officielle Alors oui, c’est pas... | By La Chaine Du Triathlon | Facebook

Le triplé français en DH aux Championnats du Monde de VTT qui se déroulent en ce moment en France Les Gets - Page Officielle Alors oui, c’est pas...

fb.watch

 

[moorey]

I think the title should be the sad demise of DH thinking about it.

Try entering a Victorian race 30 minutes after registration opens. You’ll find yourself on a long wait list.

 

[jrewing]

Try entering a Victorian race 30 minutes after registration opens. You’ll find yourself on a long wait list.

I live in the wrong state obviously. Vic DH has always been strong.

 

[beeb]

I live in the wrong state obviously. Vic DH has always been strong.

Unlike our track options.

[Ducks behind couch]