So, downhill ‘stuff’ is damn expensive, no news there really, but so are most things these days or maybe I’m just getting old and cynical? Downhill bikes and related products have often been out of reach for a lot of people looking to get into riding. The financial investment required to do a sport like this can be intimidating and often the first step that many are not willing to take.

This is probably me telling you how to suck eggs, but the biggest obstacle in pricing specialist kit like downhill bikes, is that they are just not sold in the quantities that other bicycles are sold in. There also designed to withstand both the hazardous environment in which they operate in and get through the dreaded magazine reviews that help sell them.

Meeting these targets can be costly for the manufacturers and if it’s costly for them, it’s going to be costly for you too. But this is mostly for good measure as no one wants their weekend ruined by an inferior product and when you have the misfortune of something failing mid ride, how many of you in hindsight would have stumped up the extra cash for the better part?

Times are changing though and for the better. Recently cycling has been going through a renaissance with more and more people buying bicycles both as a means of transportation and as a form of recreation. Although this sales boom is across the board and mostly with cheaper multi purpose bikes, what it does do is shift people’s perception of cycling past that of a child’s toy or a non-drivers vehicle of circumstance.

What has this boom meant for mountain biking and downhill? Races here in the UK, like festival tickets, sell out in a matter of days (2011 BDS races spring to mind – crazy)! Every weekend the amount of riders at local tracks and trails grows and the number of marked and sanctioned trails is also on the up. The growth is there for all to see and is in part due to the sport becoming more accessible and ultimately more affordable.

As the technology trickles down through the manufacturers cost brackets, getting a bike that does the job well for not much money is always going to be a winner. So what am I talking about here? Examples I hear you say, what downhill bikes could you buy for a bargain price that won’t make you feel like you’ve gone ‘bargain basement’.

The Kona Operator DH, complete bike for £2100

The two that stand out, are the Kona Operator DH, at an unbelievable £2100 and the Saracen Myst at £2300. Both have Rock Shox Boxxers, Fox Shox rear shocks, Maxxis super tacky tyres, good brakes, wheels, gears and chain guide system with a pretty much, ready to ‘rock’ package. Having ridden the Saracen and spent sometime looking on Kona’s site, these bikes have got better geometry than frames that cost more than these bikes do complete!

The Saracen Myst, complete bike for £2300

More manufacturers from around the world are realizing that people want quality, affordable product and customers who aren’t that bothered about marketing ‘bells and whistles’. Check out German brand YT Industries for example, another brand without the big names and a race team, but the bikes look legit, fun and really well priced too.

These bikes are cheap for downhill bikes and their prices obviously reflect their component spec, but both bikes have got the raw materials to do the job and do it well. Maybe the stock suspension units lack the damping characteristics that some of the pricier models, but upgrading a bike that’s cost less than most frames do, is neither here nor there.

It doesn’t end with complete bikes; the protection and apparel manufacturers are also producing quality kit at great prices, namely Sixsixone and Fox. Component companies like Nukeproof and Superstar components are producing top quality gear at unbelievable prices. Its also worth mentioning Nukeproof’s Scalp downhill frame coming in at £1500 with a Rock Shox Vivid shock, which is insanely good value! Its never been this good for the aspiring gravity rider regardless of budget and economic downturn.

What these bikes represent is more than just great value for money, they represent a shift in the sport that will push downhill riding further and faster than any other technical achievement in bicycle technology. It doesn’t matter how advanced these bikes are, they’re still bicycles at the end of the day, nothing more than the sum of their parts and nothing without people actually on them. Making bikes that are affordable and capable of doing the task at hand is key to getting more people involved in this great sport.

The limited edition Yeti 303 DH frame, only £4000!

At the other end of the spectrum boutique manufacturers are also shifting their direction, quite literally in the opposite direction to Kona and Saracen. Yeti for example has produced a replica of their 2010 team frame the 303 DH limited edition, and although stunning, the frame alone retails for £4000! To build this up would be a frightening task to anyone other than the rich and die hard ‘Yeti Fans’.

Makes you think doesn’t it? You could buy the Kona and live in the Alps for a few weeks for the same price as the Yeti frame and come back with one hell of a smile on your face and some serious skills to show your mates down the local trails. But would you be happier? Everyone’s different and having a bike that’s yours and unique to you can often be worth paying through the nose for.

Manufacturers like Yeti, Santa Cruz, Turner and Intense are constantly pushing the technical boundaries of our sport through design, manufacturing and re investing with race teams and athlete support. Mountain biking needs both the affordable and the boutique to go forwards. We’ve always had the one and maybe now is the time to embrace the other without the fear of selling ourselves short.

Mountain biking like most action sports, is fed from its participants buying what they need to do what they love. Our sport is pushed by the industry that make us the ‘stuff’ we need. You can’t get away from this, building something in the shed will only work if you’ve got the skills and the time. The word ‘need’ is a strong word, but this is a product based sport and you can’t get away from the fact that you need product to do it.

Hopefully in five years we’ll have carbon and advanced damping on bikes for less than £3000, it’s not impossible. I also don’t think that for the most part, mountain bikers are materialistic people, far from it. I know many who make financial sacrifices to do this costly sport and that’s what I like about it.

People who ride mountain bikes, Moto, or go skiing, boarding, aren’t always financially well off but they are always passionate about their sport and work hard Monday to Friday to enjoy riding at the weekend. Mountain bikers and extreme sports people have these admirable qualities and that’s what gives most of us a common bond past the cars we drive and the football team we support. Sports like ours are a lifestyle choice, a sport away from the mainstream and the bullshit of every day life.

So there you go food for thought maybe, but it is apparent that downhill gear and indeed mountain bike gear across the board is getting cheaper and better quality all the time. The ‘top end’ stuff is going off too, pushing the technology and style envelope even further and giving everyone something to aspire to. Exciting times for our sport, quality bikes and gear for anyone to get into the outdoors and shred their local riding spots. Happy trails.

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