Here's what I ride on the Northshore Trails:

2000 Kona "Chute" shown above (stock configuration)

Mine has the following modifications:

• Marzocchi Z-1 "drop-off" front fork with 5 inches travel
• 2.7 inch Maxxis Mobster front tire
• 2.35 inch Kujo rear tire
• Mavis 321D downhill rims
• Raceface crank arms
• Cheapo flat pedals from Mountain Equip. Co-op
• 6" front & rear Hayes hydraulic disc brakes
• XTR rear derailleur
• XT front derailleur
• XT front disc hub
• XT rear disc hub
• Raceface wide riser handlebars
• Amoeba hi-riser bar clamp
• SKS Equip. front/rear mudflaps

If you are a super-crazy serious downhill rider consider a full-suspension bike and think about plopping down $5k.

I prefer to buy my bikes used. 1 or 2 yrs old. It's less than 1/2 price that way.

Here's what my lucky brother-in-law rides (in dark blue):

Copyright 2001-2003  Peter Ferlow