Thread: Dirt series Camp @ Kicking Horse

Mrs. Chief is going to this camp in Golden, Any recommendations on a shop to rent a real big bike from?

She has a demo 8 lined up but think it won't fit her, she is also relying on the camp to demo a rocky mountain bike but I am skeptical she would get to ride the Flatline long enough to see if she would rather have a freeride bike or a DH sled.

The Demo 8 rental is over a 100.00 dollars a day from the mountain, it seems expensive and have only seen clapped out beat to snot bikes in mtn. rental fleets, so I am hoping a little local direction may point her to a solid bike to get a feel for the difference between a freeride bike and a DH sled. Mostly I want her to focus on the skills she'll be learning, not focusing on the equipment she is riding.

Does anyone know which local shops might rent a quality freeride DH bike for a petite lady that's only 5' 3"?

My $.01...

I did dirt series in Santa Cruz.
It wasn't at a lift served resort and I don't ride a dh bike (paging Altagirl and the other UT ladies).

During the am sessions she'll be working on skills like high speed cornering, manualing, ascending/descending, riding skinnies, teeter totters, etc. I think if she has an option, an AM bike will be better if she's new to these skills. And especially a bike that fits her will be better.

She'll probably be able to check out a RM for a day but maybe not 2 days. Make sure she gets on the list to check one out. If she does end up with a bike that isn't working for her, the coaches are great about sharing their bikes during the skills part (as long as it fits) but that's not something I would plan on.

I'm 6' and my medium demo 8 is at the large end of a good fit for me... I'd think even a small demo would be too big for a 5'3 girl. Specialized frames run bigger than most brands. (But, I like smaller fitting bikes)

Yeah, you don't actually want a DH bike for the skills sessions (maybe/maybe not for the afternoon rides - ask the coaches what is best. I don't know what they're riding up there.) It would be a lot harder to learn the morning skills stuff on a DH bike. I rode mine on the lift served day last year but didn't really need it - I would have been fine with my trail bike. Maybe that would be different with different people in the group/different terrain though.

And they usually have a decent amount of demo bikes and if you sign up early and show up early in the mornings, getting one is not a problem. But it's a good idea to have one reserved with the mountain just in case.

call some of the stores in town and ask

also the cacasion asian lives in town, ask him who to talk to

The Demo 8's on the mtn aren't beat. My roommate (female) rode one the other day with no problem at all and it was in good shape.

You could also try Selkirk sports, they are right next to Canyon Creek Outfitters (mtn rental shop), they rent A-lines and I know they have all sizes. Don't know if any other shop in town rent, I know 180 does not, maybe Summit though.

She called around and found the A-Line, it has a two frame size bike S/M and M/L. I'm doubtful it will fit her and getting it from the shop to the mountain sounds like a pain, so she reserved a 24in wheel big hit for the first day and a RM Flatline for Sunday. wish should could get a spin on a siren.

Originally Posted by SuperChief

She called around and found the A-Line, it has a two frame size bike S/M and M/L. I'm doubtful it will fit her and getting it from the shop to the mountain sounds like a pain, so she reserved a 24in wheel big hit for the first day and a RM Flatline for Sunday. wish should could get a spin on a siren.

Selkirk is ON the mtn. 50 feet from the base of the gondola. I am 5'7 and the small is way too small for me to even ride around the base area. It is a truly small frame. I know the tech there. Want me to talk to him for ya?