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This section contains a list of products which I have seen or have used along with some info either for or against each of these. If you have any products that you like or dislike please let me know by email.
IRC tires and tubes:
I have some mixed reviews on these. I have
used irc missile tires for D/H and they are very good for most D/H activities
however they do tend to get full of mud in really wet conditions. Also
note that because they are very heavy they are not ideal fro cross country
or for climbing. Mind you, I have used these tires for all my off road
riding and although they add some weight to the bike they make up
for it with better traction and over all control.
Irc also makes tubes which are double thickness. Stay away from these unless
you want to give away money. I have used these. On my first ride out the
valve popped right off of the tube. If you want to get a good set of tubes,
do not get these.
Anyone who rides off road should not use regular tubes. A normal tube will
tend to puncture under the load of off road riding and you will be spending
a great deal of time fixing flats. Get a puncture resistant at all cost.
Even if your wheels may get a bit heavy, you save on time by not having
to fix a flat.
My personal pick is the puncture resistant tube you can get from CCM at
Canada tire. Yes I use 60$ D/H tires with these CCM tubes but the fact
is that they have never busted on me yet and all the others have. (well
the irc ones didn't bust, the valves popped off. I still had to walk the
bike down the #@#$% hill......)
V Brakes.
This one is easy. GET THEM. V-brakes pull a wire across the top of the
brake lever which gives use much more power. I have XT v-brakes and I can
lock my wheels going D/H using just my index finger. (it's not easy but
it can be done) This means that the rest of my hand is holding the handle
bar and I have better power and control when I hit rocks and the like.
These things are as good as you will need unless you are in pro-racing.
And if you are in pro-racing they company will pay for you and you will
use their product anyway. ;))) hehe such is life.
Mavic 217 wheels.
These are great wheels. I have used them for both cross country and down hill. In actual fact these wheel are made for xc and are less then 500grams. I needed to use these on my bike because I have v-brakes and wanted to be able to change back to my old wheels when I took the bike on the road. So far I have put these wheels through several full days at Bromont and they still run true enough to be used with v-brakes. If you don't want to go for a wider and heavier DH wheel this is probably the next best thing. For wheels, Shimano XT hubs, Xt cassette and a set of irc tires, it cost a little over $600.
OK I have just one thing to say.
FH0
I just got a Gary Fisher FH0. I was going to build my own bike and then I got to ride this thing. The bike sells itself. This bike is great for DH with 4" travel front 5" back. It has discs front and back and is very light for a double susp. bike. It's a free ride type bike so it can do a lot more then DH. It is great on XC although a hardtail is just a bit faster.
What really is great about this bike is that you can climb with it. I don't mean just a little climb. I mean climb Bromont type climb. Climbing with a hard tail is still easier, but if you want an all around free ride bike this thing is great!
Future products will be listed.
