its an intensly personal decision. hmmmm. my general consesus, and that of the entirety of the pinkbike community which is a paradox in itself as few pink bike members have pink bikes of the mountain nature, taking the average opinion of the entire decenders of large inclines believe it is an endorphine rush which stimulates more hormones to reach the brain. on the opposing hypotenuse the riders that dont play to the obligations of the biking community that is pinkbike would say that freeride is the better choice due to hte weightless feeling felt when decending off drops,
if you just ride your bike why pigeon hole yourself,i ride everything and anything.
Perhaps the best response to this ridiculously stupid thread.
I have never raced dh but i ride dh,i ride xc but never race i ride freeride but can't do tricks for honey,i ride and smile and just enjoy what i do oh and the most important ingredient i have FUN.