Image via Complex Original
Here is what most great downhill bikes have in common—they have roughly eight inches of suspension travel front and rear, they look mean as hell, and they will set you back roughly the price of the security deposit on a decent NYC apartment. These are not bikes for the meek, nor for bike racks. Most of the bikes on this list simply do one thing exceedingly well, and that is get you from point A to point B, provided point A is atop a mountain and separated from point B by thousands of vertical feet and natural obstacles of all kinds.
There is a good reason that "downhill" is often replaced with "gravity" in bike literature—pedaling is not a key feature here, and chairlifts are generally utilized to get back to point A. So get your full-face helmet ready and check out The 10 Best Downhill Mountain Bikes Available Now.
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Rocky Mountain Flatline Park
Price: $3,100
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The best thing about Rocky Mountain by far is the fact that their website resides at "bikes.com." Their Flatline DH bike isn't half bad either, seeing that it's available as a rental at Whistler Bike Park in BC, where Rocky Mountain was founded three decades ago. For less than half the price of most bikes on this list, you get 7.8 inches of front and rear travel, World Cup proven geometry, SRAM shifting, Avid braking, and a whole mess of Race Face componentry. Get dirty.
Yeti 303 WC Race
Price: $5,900
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The "WC" in the Yeti 303 WC Race stands for "World Cup," which is a recurring theme in high-end downhill bikes (as you will see). You can buy the 303 WC Race as a frame only for $3,300, or kitted out for close to six grand. That extra $2,600 buys SRAM shifting (with Truvativ cranks), a DT Swiss wheelset and a Fox 40 RC2 Kashima fork. The black frame with Yeti's signature teal looks mean, but a reverse would be sick, too.
Giant Glory 0
Price: $6,400
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The Giant Glory 0 is indeed a Giant, which means you can expect some of the componentry to bear the Giant name. This is perfectly normal, and perfectly fine. Especially when you take into account the rest of the build, which features RockShox front and rear, DT Swiss wheels, Avid brakes and SRAM shifting.
Nukeproof Pulse Pro
Price: $6,640
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Nukeproof has been around for 20 years now, and to the best of our knowledge, the name has never been truly tested. We'll take their word for it. The Pulse Pro is their top-of-the-line downhill rig, complete with a hydroformed alloy frame, a Rock Shox BoXXer R2C2 fork, and a mix of SRAM/Avid and Nukeproof's own components.
Transition TR450 1
Price: $6,700
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Transition bikes is the relative newcomer here, but hit any chairlift run and chances are you'll see some of their bikes. The Transition TR450 1 is their flagship ride, and for under seven grand you can expect a full Shimano Saint build kit, Fox shocks front and rear, carbon bars, and even a Thomson Elite seatpost. Swag.
Kona Supreme Operator
Price: $7,000
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Seems like the little skate shop on Lafayette Street in NYC isn't the only place to pay a premium for the Supreme name—the $7k Kona Supreme Operator is just one of two bikes on this list with "Supreme" in the name that will set you back the cost of a decent used car. That said, the Supreme Operator provides you with way more than just some street cred. Kona has been on the cusp of downhill tech for over 20 years, and the Supreme Operator just keeps pushing things forward with its monocoque cockpit, Fox springs and mix of Shimano, Hope and Maxxis parts.
Commencal Supreme DH WC
Price: $7,900
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If there is one bike on this list whose look perfectly encapsulates the downhill aesthetic, it's the Commencal Supreme DH WC. That neon paint, that hardcore/death metal lettering, that stance—everything about it is perfect. Yes, it's the most expensive aluminum-framed bike you'll find on here, but the Fox cushioning front and rear, the race-proven geometry and the mix of SRAM shifting and Formula stopping makes it all worthwhile. Plus, just look at it again. Seriously.
Specialized S-Works Demo 8
Price: $8,500
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There's a lot of carbon on the Specialized S-Works Demo 8, from the frame to the bars to the crankset, which should be expected on an $8,500, team-level DH rocket. The Öhlins rear shock was developed in conjunction with the frame, which means everything should work perfectly. Pair that with a RockShox BoXXer up front and a comparitively minimal seven-speed rear cog (compared to 10 for many of its competitors) and the Demo 8 is ready to race right now.
GT Fury World Cup
Price: $8,800
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Full carbon frame? Check. Full-race Fox shocks front and rear? Check. Full Shimano Saint componentry, including an XTR chain and Dura Ace cogset? Check. World Cup proven? Check. The GT Fury World Cup isn't just a name, it's a resumé.
Trek Session 9.9
Price: $8,900
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Coming in just short of nine grand—eight percent sales tax will push it right over—the Trek Session 9.9 is not for the weak of heart (or bank account). But with an OCLV carbon frame, full-on DT Swiss wheelset, Fox shocks and Shimano everything else (almost), this bike is ready for anything including world-class competition. Are you?
