Freeride, Downhill (DH) and Enduro Hobby

Freeride, Downhill (DH) and Enduro Hobby

Freeride, Downhill (DH) and Enduro Hobby

Qualified alternative practices, both freeride and downhill are two practices, spectacular and very dangerous. They practiced on steep slopes, mostly in the mountains, and require the wearing of a helmet (motocross type) and many other protections (back, knee, elbow)

DH is an acronym from the word "Downhill", which means "descent". DH takes place on bumpy tracks, strongly sloping, and relatively short (rarely above 5 minutes downhill). The goal is to reach one point to another as quickly as possible. All competitors start one by one on the same track, and try to drive as fast to the finish, or they will be classified according to their time. Freeride is a very broad and many definitions practice. In freeride, no purpose, or may be that the pursuit of happiness and the maximum sensations. There can be no competitions freeride everyone down the tracks as they wish, the watchword is freedom!

Freeride, Downhill (DH) and Enduro Hobby

Enduro

It is him great skiing but also some mounted bike. It is a discipline that requires a lot of stamina to walk long distances on extreme terrain (mountain).

Rigid frame or suspended?

Everything depends on the track and you want to practice. A rigid frame has many advantages but also some disadvantages.

A rigid frame is lighter and more appropriate for beginners who wish to develop their mastery of freeride or downhill. It places to drive more "proper" than full suspension frame, because it is your body, and therefore your conduct and control of the bike, which will be privileged.

A bike with a rigid frame that can still pass a full suspension goes, if you have sufficient technical. If you start on a rigid frame, then you will drive much better on a full suspension a person who always rode a full suspension.

The disadvantages of the rigid frame is that your arms will be subjected to a lot more effort, and that you will generally slower than full suspension over long very bumpy track bikes.

The suspension frame, which therefore has a shock absorber, is interesting if you are driving on bumpy tracks and at full speed. Comfort is most important and the bike will generally be more stable than a rigid if you want to ski the mountain slopes very quickly.

How about the track (or what size) to the fork?

Freeride, Downhill (DH) and Enduro Hobby, theoretically, freeride is feasible with any type of ATV. If you still want to do at a fairly committed and correct, we recommend that you take a suspension fork.

For a bike with a rigid frame, the fork travel is generally between 100 and 150mm. For a full suspension bike, the fork is generally between 130 and 200mm.

Plus a fork is larger and comfort will be important, but it will be more cumbersome. If you're just down the mountains, and climb another gondola or chairlift, you can choose a bike with 150mm or more.

If you also ride and / or roll sometimes on the flat, down the slopes not necessarily very rough, it is better to have a smaller clearance between 100 and 150.

Brake disc or v-brake brake?

Disc brakes are more powerful and more progressive (more you press the brake, the bike slows more: it is thus assayed the brake and brake stronger or weaker depending on the circumstances). They are recommended in case you want to make the downhill or freeride.

It is advisable to use hydraulic disc brakes, rather than mechanical, for more information and power.

Thanks to bikemag.com for the pictures