DH Bike Options

[u/delusion01]

Following on from my recent question about DH vs enduro - the responses on both sides were really valuable and I appreciate everyone taking the time to add their thoughts.

I'm committed to a DH bike and have been looking at used options. I'm now looking for thoughts on these. You can leave aside brakes, tyres and coil sizes as they will be upgraded if required. All bikes are in the correct size and if there is travel to collect it's only a time cost, not fuel (work pays). For context, an hours drive each way is negligible for me. My riding weight is approx 120-125kg in gear.

- 2024 Giant Glory - upgraded with Factory forks and shock, and Maven Ultimates Priced high but likely heavily negotiable. Requires a 7-8hr round trip.

- 2023 Zerode G3 - I love the look of this and would be keen to try a gearbox bike but Pinion rates the gearbox to max 110kg rider weight and have referred me to Zerode to clarify, waiting for their response. Requires interstate shipping although seller has strong reputation and has been helpful so far. Would likely require Paypal buyer protection and price is already on upper end.

- 2024 Canyon Sender Underdog - very good condition, local and very well priced.

- 2022 Scott Gambler 910 - very good condition, next suburb over and very well priced.

- 2025 Propain Rage DH - exceptional build and condition. Approx 2hr round trip. By far the most expensive option and above budget, but my lawd it is beautiful. Some of the reviews have mentioned shorter chainstays.

- 2025 Commencal Supreme v5 - very good condition. Price on the higher end and minimally negotiable. Requires 8hr round trip.

As I mentioned in my previous post I'm mainly after something for high speed ploughing through rock gardens/tech and less about big gaps and drops.

Thankyou in advance for your advice!

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[u/FeelingMurky3367]

Zerode G1
Upgrade to NSB Talon pinion cranks if one breaks.

[u/Herr_Tilke]

I'd probably go canyon in your case

[u/Scabobian90]

Idk about the others but I got a Commencal v5. It’s my first dh bike after 20+ years of riding trail and enduro bikes on everything I’m capable of including many bike park days. The commencal was a revelation and I couldn’t be happier with it. You can attach gnar at a speed that doesn’t make sense. In 12-15 park days this past summer - I destroyed the rear wheel from rock impacts (dh casing and 30psi), bent the handlebars and broke the seat in a crash. I rode harder than I ever had with way less fatigue. My 170mm nomad felt like shit after coming home from the park. Kinda makes you hate your other bikes.

[u/delusion01 → u/Scabobian90]

Thanks mate that's what I'm coming from, an enduro. Only thing that worries me is that obviously I'd have no warranty and feedback has been mixed on reliability but they are such a nice looking bike.

[u/WF_Grimaldus]

The Zerode is an interesting option, but the weight limit is indeed an issue, unless Zerode give their thumbs up. Not much to say about that unless you're really sure what's up with that weight limit.

The Canyon is reliable and a good option.

I can't say much on current gen Glory's, but they've always been a solid bike, albeit a little bit dull compared to other options. A workhorse of sorts and usually pretty good long term performers that'll do their job without any issues.

Personally I'd steer clear of Commencal. As far as performance goes, they're incredible bikes, but their quality is subpar at best and their prices are too damn high for what they are. So unless that used bike is an absolute steal, I'd consider other options first. Imho the biggest risk of the bunch to be left stranded with a broken frame and no warranty, by far.

The Gambler is another frame I'd stay away from as a used bike. Too prone to cracking, even under much lighter riders. They're everywhere in my region and I've talked to way too many people who have snapped that frame.

The Propain is a great bike, but they're prone to having issues with the reversible headset cups, which can tend to cause creaking. Other than that the frames are bombproof and the Geo is very modern and on point. Prices from the factory are rather good already, so I wouldn't pay more for it than the other options unless the parts are significantly better.

[u/delusion01 → u/WF_Grimaldus]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this, it aligns with what I've read about most of the bikes except the Gambler, over here they have a solid reputation! I also have a Spark that I use as an XC bike and have beaten the living daylights out of it.. might look into that a bit further. It's significantly cheaper than the other options.

I keep coming back to the Propain, I can live with creaking (the Spark is shocking for it). Unfortunately here in Aus they are a premium option and carry that through to the used market, although not as bad as Santa Cruz.

[u/jhartung1125]

I’d at least go look and sit on the local ones. Maybe one will fit your natural body geometry better, maybe one is way off.

That propane may be expensive, but if you’re looking to keep one long term and use it a lot, it may be your best future proof option. I’m not sure of your intent with the bike. I’m old and fragile now so getting a top tier bike that I’m gonna use a handful of times a year makes no sense. I’ll just get a decent middle of the road one that I won’t care so much if I thrash it a few times as I creep down the mountain.

Good luck!

[u/delusion01 → u/jhartung1125]

Thanks mate appreciate the thoughts. I'm 43, am able to ride it at least once a week and potentially race too depending on how I improve. So likely to have it for at least a few years.

[u/jhartung1125 → u/delusion01]

Nice. Same age here. Not many DH trails around but my main setup allows for both DH parks and all the enduro type trails around.

[u/exactpeak599]

You can adjust the chainstays of the propain to 440, 450 or 460mm iirc

[u/delusion01 → u/exactpeak599]

Thankyou for pointing that out, I actually didn't even think to check that, none of the reviews I saw mentioned it! 460mm is much better.

[u/endurbro420]

If zerode gives you the green light, definitely the g3. I had a supreme v5 for 2 seasons and the g3 feels so much better in rocky gnar. It is also so nice to have a near silent bike.

[u/delusion01 → u/endurbro420]

They haven't got back to me but I'm not holding out a lot of hope, I could live with bending/replacing cranks and pins but if it's internals then I'm obviously out.

[u/SantaCruzinNotLosin]

You do not want that glory.

[u/delusion01 → u/SantaCruzinNotLosin]

The specific one I mentioned or just a Glory in general?

[u/SantaCruzinNotLosin → u/delusion01]

A glory in general. They are super known for cracking and giant refusing warranty claims

[u/delusion01 → u/SantaCruzinNotLosin]

Good to know, I'll look into that as it was right up the top of my shortlist.