Downhill (>180mm)

THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF A DOWNHILL BIKE

Visually, the downhill bike already has enormous differences to conventional mountain bikes. The striking design is based on an extremely stable construction, which guarantees you maximum safety in the bike park and during races. Fat gaps and long jumps have no effect on the material, nor can rocky passages and root fields. True to the motto “Point and kill it”, you can hunt mercilessly over the trails. This is also ensured by the extremely flat steering angle, which in combination with the long wheelbase ensures absolute smoothness. Even at top speed, the downhill bullet feels like a board. Of course, the fantastically appealing chassis with at least 200 mm of suspension travel plays a crucial role here. Depending on the manufacturer, we have different suspension systems available for you in the shop, from multi-link to four-link to Virtual Point (VPP) based models.

The single-joint models are simple and functional. The uncomplicated construction enables the manufacturers to produce very inexpensively, which is of course also reflected in the purchase price of the bike. The disadvantages of the system, however, are the so-called brake stamping and the higher load on the damper. Multi-joint vehicles, also known as supported single-joint vehicles, address these problems with clever linkage. The proven four-bar linkage with Horst link promises convincing drive neutrality due to its design. A characteristic feature of this system is the additional bearing in the chainstay below the hub. The downhill bikes with Virtual Point suspension system ensure great responsiveness. The rear triangle responds extremely sensitively; the kinematics prevent rocking when riding out of the saddle. Unfortunately, the disadvantage is the slightly higher purchase price. Anyone who has already ridden a VPP-based bike will not want anything else.

Of course, the parts and components installed must not be inferior to the downhill frame! The double bridge suspension forks are very torsion-resistant and ensure ideal front wheel guidance. The current wheel size is 27.5", but some manufacturers already offer downhill bikes with 29". The advantage of the larger wheels is the even better rollover behavior. The larger wheels are particularly popular with tall riders. Last year the Santa Cruz Syndicate DH team impressively demonstrated how fast 29” downhill bikes can be. The US cult manufacturer Trek is one of the first manufacturers to use 29” in the series. For added stability, the bikes also have wider hubs and thru axles. The high speeds of downhill also require top brakes with large brake discs.

OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGIES: WITH THESE MANUFACTURERS YOU WILL SET THE BEST DOWNHILL TIMES

With the VPP rear triangle, the US bike manufacturer Santa Cruz has developed one of the best and most modern suspension systems. Many other manufacturers have taken up this extraordinary concept and installed it in their bikes under a different name. Of course, the VPP system is also used in the Santa Cruz V10 downhill bullet. In collaboration with the world-famous downhill professionals Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar and Josh Bryceland, a full carbon competition machine with an incredible 216 millimeters of suspension travel was created that only has one goal: win races! Thanks to two adjustable geometry options, you can adapt the Santa Cruz V10 perfectly to you and your requirements. As usual with Santa Cruz, you have the choice between a fine Carbon C or a high-end Carbon CC frame.

The cult manufacturer Trek, also from the USA, has become an integral part of downhill racing. Sporting passion, state-of-the-art materials and technical perfection run like a common thread through the entire product range. Despite its huge success, Trek always takes one step forward and ultimately sets new standards. The best example of this is certainly the Trek Session with 210 mm travel, which is now also available as a 29” version. In our brand shop we have the latest and most modern form of this exclusive downhill racing car available for you as a frame set for individual construction. Of course, the Trek Session is still available as an extremely fast 27.5” version. The frames are made from the highest quality OCLV Mountain Carbon. Trek's patented OCLV is one of the best frame materials on the market. Completed with the highest quality parts, the Trek Session is a guarantee for best times!

With the Cube Two15 the name says it all! A whopping 215 millimeters of suspension travel work on the rear of the very agile downhill bike. In order to be able to achieve this enormous handling, the frame designers adopted the suspension characteristics of the Cube Trail Bikes. The hydroformed aluminum frame was also made extremely light thanks to the triple-butted tubes. The Efficient Trail Control Kinematics ETC ensures fantastic grip and maximum efficiency on all slopes in the world. Perfect shifting is a given thanks to the internal cable routing on the Cube Two15. With us you will find the racing bullet as a complete bike or frame set that you can build yourself.

Behind the unmistakable design of Mondraker bikes lies the perfect symbiosis of efficiency, performance and traction. With the Summum, the Spanish bike manufacturer Mondraker offers an impressive downhill bike that heralds a new era in downhill sports, both technically and visually. The rear end with a virtual pivot point ensures a very responsive 205 millimeter chassis. Other features of this racer include the steering angle adjustment and the forward geometry for even better handling. The weight of the bike is also world-class: the Summum is one of the lightweights in the Downhill World Cup. The Summum is available with a carbon or aluminum frame.

THE BATTLE AGAINST THE CLOCK: INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES GUARANTEE FAST DEPARTURES

The frames are made of high-quality aluminum or carbon. The hydroformed aluminum frames offer enormous lateral rigidity, maximum stability and low weight in equal measure. For these reasons, the majority of manufacturers use aluminum. Another advantage is the fairly affordable price. Frames made of high-end carbon are even lighter. Carbon frames are particularly popular in the professional sector. Innovative carbon technologies ensure maximum driving performance and stability. At Liquid-Life we ​​offer you the material and technology of the professionals. With a top downhill bike from our shop, you don't leave your success to chance!

THE DIFFERENCES FROM OTHER MOUNTAIN BIKES

The downhill bike is uncompromisingly tailored to downhill sports down to the smallest detail. Some areas of mountain biking cannot be covered or can only be covered inadequately due to the design. Neither the seating position nor the gear ratio allow for tours or even uphill rides. If you value these features, you should think about an enduro bike. This very modern type of bicycle shines with good to very good downhill qualities, but also impresses with its enormous climbing abilities. Sensitive chassis with 160 millimeters of suspension travel guarantee an exceptionally high fun factor without you having to forego suitability for everyday use. So you don't have to rely on a chairlift or a shuttle service. With an enduro bike you can turn the hinterland into your own bike park - completely individually and independently! A freeride bike is also ideal for big jump sessions in the bike park. With 190 to 200 millimeters of suspension travel, the chassis can easily handle hard landings. In contrast to the downhill bike, there is no double bridge fork installed to allow for more trick options.

ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT FOR DOWNHILL SPORTS

With various parts you can go even faster on downhill! Installing a downhill mudguard is particularly recommended on muddy routes. Depending on the model, these special mudguards made of plastic or carbon are attached to the down tube or to the fork bridge and thus effectively keep dirt and dirt out of your field of vision. So you don't have to have sprayed goggles and the associated blind flight! We also don't want to leave another point unmentioned: downhill skiing is dangerous - we make no secret of that! High-quality protective equipment from the Liquid-Lif Shop can often prevent something worse from happening in the event of a fall. A full-face helmet, as well as knee pads, back armor and neck brace, are part of the standard equipment of every downhill rider! Anyone who forgoes protectors and protective equipment is taking an incalculable and unnecessary risk!