Oz at ski area?

[Dennis]

question for Oz dudes:
before I go out and blow big money on a FR/DH type bike to take to ski areas a few times a year, I am wondering if any of you ever did this with your Oz?
I am thinking that with almost 5" of travel in the rear and 5" out of my Fox Talas that I could use the Oz in this application the few times I would go to a ski area each year for shuttle runs.
what do you guys think? would that be a crazy idea?
It may be too big a risk, but what do you think?
I am itching to blow thousands on a DH-type bike but am thinking that saving that money might be a better option, but since the most fun I ever had a bike was doing the DH thing at Killington a while back (on a hardtail, no less) that a DH bike would be sooo cool.
help!! I think I need to be saved from myself.
[smiley=groucho.gif]
[smiley=groucho.gif]

[Matno]

Yes, you do need to be saved from yourself!!!

5" of travel on your Oz should be more than enough to make you thoroughly enjoy downhilling at a ski resort. You could tell yourself that a dedicated downhill bike will be more fun with an extra 2 or 3 inches, but try to be honest when you tell yourself how many times a year you're actually going to go to the ski resorts to ride...

I've ridden lots of ski resort trails in Utah on both a hardtail and my 4 inch EVO. The EVO was definitely better than the hardtail, and I rarely felt like I needed more travel. With 5 inches, you should be very happy.

Stop the spending madness.  

(In lieu of a DH rig, you can donate to my as yet non-existant single speed fund...)

[Dennis]

Matno,
ah, the voice of reason. so, if you are against spending even more money on bikes, why do you have a single speed fund?

thanks for the  input. I have been thinking about scaling back my bike spending habits anyway.

one road bike, one mtb, just ride, ride, ride!!!

so, the Giant ht has not arrived yet. not even shipped yet. I paid for it over a month ago!! I think I am getting ripped off. I am going to try to get my money back. the Oz is more than enough bike for me.

have a great day,
I am off for an Oz-some ride!
[smiley=groucho.gif]

[Old Proflexer]

i'm not a downhiller by any means so anything i could say should be taken with a grain of salt but - - -

i'd run my fork at 5"
put a 7.75 or 7.875" coil shock on the back both to help slacken the head angle

drop my seat post and angle the nose on the seat up - shorten the stem

put on some flat pedals and take an extra set of pads for your rear disc brakes, some bandaids then go have some fun

OP

SPENDING!!!

[Matno]

ah, the voice of reason. so, if you are against spending even more money on bikes, why do you have a single speed fund?[smiley=groucho.gif]

I wish. My wife authorized $25 for another bike. Mostly, she's opposed to the very idea of another bike, even if it were free. She seems to think that one road bike and one mountain bike are enough!

I'm actually probably going to try to hit some police auctions or something like that for a deal on a cheap bike to use as a frame/wheelset. Brakes would have to be decent ones, so I'll probably swap those out for some "high quality" deores or something. I already bought a set of nice Bontrager cranks (new) for $11 on eBay.

[Carbon_Angus]

i'd just take the bike as she is and have fun, unless you are catching some real air....just be sure your tires are good to go for the type of terrain and RIDE.

set her up softer spring wise and lower your seatpost a little, too.....

[smiley=beer.gif]

[jimbo]

Rent a FR/DH bike.   If you only go a few time a year, it won't cost you a fortune.  If you really like it, you can buy your own.  Some friends were at Whistler Bike Park this summer.  One of them rented all kinds of bikes.  He said the Enduro felt like a hardtail at the park.  His best ride was the Big Hit.  He claimed the Big Hit was mistake proof on the drops.  He tried to rent a Bullit, but none were available.  He hopes to go back with his own Bullit next year.  Here's a pinkbike video of one of the trails he rode at Whistler.  It makes him vacation sick everytime he watches this video.  He remembers every drop, corner, etc.

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/vpspete.wmv

[numbnuts]

I agree with the renting idea if it is an option but it depends on how/what you want to ride. From what I've heard about Whistler[for example] it is not all total hi speed downhill or at least you can take your time on most of the trails, but if you want to drink Red Bull, haul ass and try some jumps and drops you really should be on a bike designed for it IMO, you don't want to break the Oz or yourself! If you just want to cruise around then you'll be fine on the Oz

[Dennis]

ah, rental bikes. it appears that wherever I would go DHing, they rent DH bikes. imagine that! what a concept!
thanks for the advice guys. I feel smarter, but also pretty dumb for not thinking of that myself. I guess I was in a spending haze or buying frenzy, whatever you choose to call it.
its just that I have this empty space on the wall next to where Blue Crush is hanging.... any thoughts?
[smiley=groucho.gif]

[Matno]

How about a big picture of your bikes? That way, even if the bikes get destroyed, you'll still be able to remember them in all their (life-sized) glory!