9/13/2018 7:56 AM
Edited Date/Time: 9/13/2018 7:58 AM
Good question.
In a word "Yes".
But this doesn't end with DH bikes, trail bikes, XC bikes, all bikes are more betterer (technical term) at a much lower price point than ever before. Part of the reason for that is technology is really getting to a place where it isn't getting that much better, so the next most logical place to apply engineering is "how to we make this rad thing better for less".
5 years ago I would notice a big difference in overall "ride experience" on a $10,000 bling machine and a $2500-3000 bike.
These days, so long as we equalize for tires, I bet money I'm going just as fast, at least in the gravity fed direction, on the "cheap" bike as I am the high end bike.
Sure, those higher end parts such as shifters, brakes with more adjustment, wheels with higher engagement, carbon fiber frames bla bla bla are nice, and have a "so choice" feel to them but they don't add up to much on the trail (my opinion)
David's comment about the new Tues Aluminum is spot on. Make Gwin build one and race one at a world cup. Just make sure he has the right springs, right tires. He'd go a little slower, but we're talking MAYBE 1%? Maybe!?
Fox's GRIP damper was so good they made GRIP2, just an IFP based damper with more adjustments, which most (myself included don't need).
RS's lower end coil shocks kick butt.
Bottom of the barrel Code brakes are some of my favorite.They just plain work.
Geometry costs nothing to integrate
Kinematics trickle down from the high end stuff.
Shifting, hub engagement, etc is kind of an afterthought IMO. I don't shift much anyway going downhill. I dump a bunch of gears, mash pedals, then I do the opposite when a hill comes at me. So long as it holds the gear and gets me there semi-fast, I'm good with it.
I'm a bike tester and would happily buy a sub $4000 bike these days. In fact, I'm okay having no sponsorships, running whatever the hell I want, and calling it a day. This coming from one of the most neurotic bike riders you will ever meet.
Good times we are living in.
To bring this full circle, and directly back to the poster's question. As a tall guy a 'bottom of the barrel' DH bike will outrun a full on bling machine from even 3 years ago. Most of the modern geo, with respect to reach, is fairly new. That stuff has been a game changer for me. Far more important than the other bits hanging off the frame...