DH Bike vs Trek Rail

[JohnDeere]

Hello,

I’ve been contemplating which direction to go since I plan to hit local bike parks about 6-10 times a year. I went from using a SC Tallboy to the rail 9.8xt and absolutely love it on local trails as well as at the park. I ride blues and starting to try out black trails (Lots of rocks!). I do remove the battery on park days.

I am contemplating getting a smashpot for the zeb and a coil for the rear to help handle the rocky terrain at the parks. The question is should I spend the money to upgrade the rail or purchase a used DH bike in the $2k range.

Pros of DH bike
Easier to recoup money by selling the bike after a couple years.
Risking a $2k bike vs $10k
I’d imagine would handle the park better

Pros of using rail
1 less bike to store and maintain
Cheaper upfront
Already have experience enjoying it at the parks.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Sherman]

For park riding a cheaper and bomb proof dh bike is the way to go.

 

[JP-NZ]

For park riding a cheaper and bomb proof dh bike is the way to go.

For a guy like me thats been in the same situation, get a DH bike. They are built for days on days of park riding. It will handle it much better and as you get better and ride harder trails the DH bike will keep up with you.

 

[Bummers]

Second bike is always the better option. I'm keeping my old Amish enduro for precisely that reason. I've had a good few crashes at uplift places and I don't want to worry about damaging an expensive e-bike.

 

[Endoguru]

Hello,

I’ve been contemplating which direction to go since I plan to hit local bike parks about 6-10 times a year. I went from using a SC Tallboy to the rail 9.8xt and absolutely love it on local trails as well as at the park. I ride blues and starting to try out black trails (Lots of rocks!). I do remove the battery on park days.

I am contemplating getting a smashpot for the zeb and a coil for the rear to help handle the rocky terrain at the parks. The question is should I spend the money to upgrade the rail or purchase a used DH bike in the $2k range.

Pros of DH bike
Easier to recoup money by selling the bike after a couple years.
Risking a $2k bike vs $10k
I’d imagine would handle the park better

Pros of using rail
1 less bike to store and maintain
Cheaper upfront
Already have experience enjoying it at the parks.

Any help is appreciated.

Agree 100% with all the opinions. My Kenevo SL works very well in the Bike Park, but nothing beats a true DH bike.The faster you go the better they (and you) get and they are indestructible in aluminium. I‘m waiting for the new Commencal Supreme before I pull the trigger.

 

[JohnDeere]

Thank you for all the advice. I’m going to rent the next time a go to solidify if that’s the path I want to go. I’m expecting after adjusting to the rental I’ll enjoy riding that much better on the chunky stuff.