Author Topic: Buying a secondhand MTB  (Read 12956 times)

Buying a secondhand MTB
« on: 23 November, 2012, 08:52:33 pm »
Hi
I'm scouring Ebay for a bargain, and then I realised I might be approaching things from the wrong angle.
My budget is only 250 ish, so I'm limited to 10 year old quality bikes, or recent cheap bikes. I had been assuming an old Stumpjumper would be a better bet than a recent Hardrock (to use the Specialized range as examples). Has progress in components and frames come so far that these are essentially equivalent?
I'm going to be using it as a commuter bike mainly, though I'd like to be able to take it off road given the opportunity. It's going to replace a raleigh 3 speed, so I'll need to be able to fit mudguards and a rack, and it's got to be light ish to justify the change. I'd love a nice steel frame and alfine gears, but my budget just doesn't go that far.:-\ I've given up on three idea of a nice 80s steel frame as retro kit seems to have a massive premium on it...
Any help or guidance would be gratefully appreciated
Cheers
Duncan

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #1 on: 23 November, 2012, 10:07:11 pm »
Timing is everything. End of season bargains should be manifold atm.

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/g/61/Mountain-Bikes.html
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #2 on: 24 November, 2012, 09:14:38 am »
I guess what I'm asking is, will one of those Diamondbacks, or the GT here http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p3348
Be better than a 2000 top bike like a stumpjumper or a Klein attitude?

PaulF

  • "World's Scariest Barman"
  • It's only impossible if you stop to think about it
Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #3 on: 24 November, 2012, 09:44:40 am »
I guess what I'm asking is, will one of those Diamondbacks, or the GT here http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p3348
Be better than a 2000 top bike like a stumpjumper or a Klein attitude?

I would say yes, a 12 year old bike at that price is likely to need new brakes and shock (or servicing at least) plus they will have  a newer geometry and probably be a better ride

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #4 on: 24 November, 2012, 02:00:24 pm »
I've seen a Carrera Fury at 275  does that seem like a good compromise? A couple of years old, so modern kit and geometry, but still half price of new...

PaulF

  • "World's Scariest Barman"
  • It's only impossible if you stop to think about it
Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #5 on: 24 November, 2012, 04:04:41 pm »
I've seen a Carrera Fury at 275  does that seem like a good compromise? A couple of years old, so modern kit and geometry, but still half price of new...

What's the spec on it?

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #6 on: 24 November, 2012, 04:25:48 pm »
24 speed x5 gears, disks (I think hydraulic), Epicon lockout forks, decent wheels with mavic x317 disk rims. You can see it on this page:

http://www.oxfordbicycles.co.uk/adult-bikes.php?sort=price%20asc&pageno=13

PaulF

  • "World's Scariest Barman"
  • It's only impossible if you stop to think about it
Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #7 on: 24 November, 2012, 04:51:36 pm »
24 speed x5 gears, disks (I think hydraulic), Epicon lockout forks, decent wheels with mavic x317 disk rims. You can see it on this page:

http://www.oxfordbicycles.co.uk/adult-bikes.php?sort=price%20asc&pageno=13

Assuming the condition's OK I'd say you should be OK with that

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #8 on: 24 November, 2012, 05:42:06 pm »
Cool, thanks for your advice. :)):)

PaulF

  • "World's Scariest Barman"
  • It's only impossible if you stop to think about it
Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #9 on: 24 November, 2012, 05:55:28 pm »
Cool, thanks for your advice. :)):)

No problem!

Just seen that you're relatively local - if you fancy 'blooding' it on The Ridgeway one weekend let me know. Although at the moment I think kayaks are more appropriate up there than bikes...

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #10 on: 24 November, 2012, 07:22:28 pm »
Sounds like fun. :)
I might take you up on that offer - I don't really know any trails locally.
Thanks. :)

TheLurker

  • Goes well with magnolia.
Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #11 on: 24 November, 2012, 09:05:27 pm »
Noooo Dunc! Don't buy a tractor:)

Τα πιο όμορφα ταξίδια γίνονται με τις δικές μας δυνάμεις - Φίλοι του Ποδήλατου

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #12 on: 24 November, 2012, 09:49:15 pm »
It's only to replace the clunker. The fixie and Peugeot are staying.  :)

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #13 on: 01 December, 2012, 06:39:24 pm »
I bought that Fury. :)
Traded the clunker, but kept my Brooks Flyer. The guy threw in 2 new road tyres,a new front mudguard and a secondhand rack and rear mudguard, so it feels like a bit of a bargain. :)
Now all I need to do is fit all that stuff, plus my lights, and then ride it. :)
Hydraulic disks are awesome...

Lurk - seller was in Cote, that's not too far from you is it?

TheLurker

  • Goes well with magnolia.
Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #14 on: 01 December, 2012, 08:28:57 pm »
*Sigh* Another one lost to the one true skinny tyred faith :)

Cote? Well there's Cote Mill not so far away.
Τα πιο όμορφα ταξίδια γίνονται με τις δικές μας δυνάμεις - Φίλοι του Ποδήλατου

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #15 on: 02 December, 2012, 09:22:38 pm »
Lights and Brooks on, front guard is tricky, and rack doesn't fit (needs longer front extensions).
So usable, but not yet ideal. :) Will try it on Tuesday if I'm feeling ok.

Lurk
This Cote is the one near Aston and Bampton. And the clunker was hardly a true skinny tyred bike. ;)

Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #16 on: 09 December, 2012, 07:24:13 pm »
I changed the front tyre today, so it's set up for the road. What a hassle - I've never even seen a through-axle fork/wheel combo. It should be a lot easier now I know how it works tho! ;)

Dibdib

  • Fat'n'slow
Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #17 on: 04 November, 2014, 12:36:24 am »
Threadcromancy!

I'm thinking of buying a second hand full susser from a friend, and wondered if there was anything i should watch out for. I'm getting the full spec from him but it's a Giant XtC 950 from about 2003 i think, with a Marzocchi fork and Rockshox SID rear shock, hydraulic disc brakes and, I think, some upgraded wheels (a Hope rear hub at least, I've heard it). I know it's got a dodgy left crank but other than that it seems sound.

He's mentioned he'd like £200 for it. I know next to nothing about MTBs but does that sound fair?

PaulF

  • "World's Scariest Barman"
  • It's only impossible if you stop to think about it
Re: Buying a secondhand MTB
« Reply #18 on: 04 November, 2014, 05:59:06 am »
Would  really depend on the condition and how well it's been maintained. Look at the shock bushings to see if there's any play and see how smooth the fork is