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Hey, complete newbie here...
I've ridden bikes before but 99% of the time they have an engine, I've just gotten back from Thailand, whilst out there I don't a downhill mountain biking say and massively loved it I need that excitement in my life again! Can anyone give me advice on the sort of bike I should be buying. I can get a bike using the cycle to work scheme from loads of different shops and would happily spend a mini fortune to fund my adrenaline rush!!

Welcome along to the forum, where abouts are you based? Most people on here that ride DH tend to buy a scott voltage (wide build/price range to suit all budgets) but you will be surprised what you can do on an all mountain rig

Hey mate I live in Romford area and can I buy one of these from pretty much any shop?
Is that a hard tail or full suspension? And how much roughly should I buy one for?
I drive as well so would be able to get different areas

http://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/produ ... R-20-Bike/

Not sure where would be the best place to go for the voltage but could try les's cycles @ canvy island as i know they have stocked them in the past. Because its a dh bike and you live in one of the flatter parts of the country you may have to travel a bit to get what you want. It is a full sus bike running 180mm both ends but can be changed to run less or more travel. Danbury is the locallest dh spot which you really don't need a big bike for, PORC or chicksands or Aston hill are the nearest proper dh spot which a dh bike starts making sence.

Not many local shops will have a big range of DH bikes as they are quite specialist, not too mention pricey (most shops it seems would rather have a bigger range or low/mid priced all round/general use bikes).

Whether you go for a full-on DH bike with 200mm travel or something a bit less is upto you. Bear in mind a full on DH bike is really only suitable for DH runs and is a bit of a pain for local woods/trails, etc. Hence why many havce more than one bike or go for an All Mountain bike with reasonable suspension 160mm plus that can handle a bit of everything (I changed from a Commencal Supreme DH model to their newer Freeride model which is a bit more of an all rounder > http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/comm ... -prod83534)

As for cost you are not going to get anything new for less than 2 grand and maybe a lot more, check out YT Industries which make full bikes for silly prices;

Hey i just want something i can have a bit of fun on, obviously don't know sod all about mountain biking but wana get in to it

Read up on the different types of bikes, many magazines out there can explain all the differences and point you in the right direction, depending on the type of riding you want to do.

The most important thing is budget, the more you spend the better bike you are likely to get? how what can you realistically expect to be able to spend? also taking into account a bit of money for helmet (minimum) and other protection and cloths ect

As andy says, a 160mm travel trail bike would get you started quiet nicely rather than go for a one trick pony dh bike

Including accessories and helmet and all that kind of stuff i reckon no more than £800. surely that would be enough wouldn't it? I'm not expecting to be no pro or nothing i just want to have a laugh, i do like to do some crazy sh*t though and wana put my bike through some hard riding

£800 does not get you much brand new I'm afraid, would be better off looking at second hand for that price..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NS-Bikes-Soda ... 4ad687a39c something like this would be perfect

Def go second hand mate.
Maybe have a look at a kona stinky, they can be had quite cheap these days

I was going to say 2nd hand too but obv you cant use the cycle to work scheme discount.

I bought my frame new but many parts, Forks, Wheels, etc are 2nd hand and keeps the price down.

Guess I don't have to use that cycle to work scheme I just thought that would be best.
I've been looking at accessories as well what sort of protection would I need and would anyone recommend a full face lid or standard type one?