New or Used

[Graphics]

so i have a friend who wants to get into mtn biking. he is in the market for buying a bike. we have gone back and forth about buying online via ebay or craigslist versus a lbs. i insist that since he doesn't know much about bikes, with no warranty online or proper fitting, he'd be better off going to a lbs. he's insistent on finding "the deal".

he can afford between $500 and $700.

what are you're thoughts?

on a side note...all i can think about is my $500 bike at the lbs had to have the wheel trued and it was free of charge. what are the chances of him having to have some work done on the bike and no free of charge cause he got it online?



edit: his biggest concern is that he is a big guy and is concerned that he can't find a reasonable bike in that price range that can "support" him.

[strangeland2]

I would say stay away from ebay. If he doesnt know what to look for he could get screwwed pretty good. Atleast on CL he can go and look at the bikes with out commiting to them. LBS is the best bet though.

[Reptilzs]

i would go used on craiglist list so you can what you are getting. if you dont know what you are looking for on a mechanical sense i would not get a used bike. but some things to look for are loose bushings in a fork, loose headset, worn cassette/chainring, sloppy bottom bracket, working brakes, shifts well, twue wheels, etc. for a bigger person most things will hold up ok but parts generally wear out faster. might want to get some beefier wheels, the drive train will just wear out faster. i would go LBS for the first bike then when he gets more familiar move on to a used bike later

[Plywood]

i agree and u should try out as many bikes as u can. like go to demos and stuff too.

i def say new bike. then if u wanted to get a used one down the road. that way u have 2 bikes :)

[bdee]

Complete noobs are really better off going through a good LBS. Think about how much crap you trashed in your first year or so of riding. Considering this guys size (Clydesdale?) all signs point towards local support. A bike bought off of CL or Ebay requires knowledge gained through years or riding, or working in your local LBS, or working on your own bikes etc.. $700 spent at the LBS will get him a bike, helmet, shorts, gloves and most importantly a warranty and service.

Craigslist is just as full of crappy scams and POS bikes as Ebay. IMO CL is like the new Ebay. Everyone feels like they're getting a deal just because it's on CL. Sort of the way people could unload pure crap on Ebay for a while in it's heyday. I could pick the rip offs just off of Boston and Providence CL from any given week and list them here, but I might run out of room.

Case(s) in point:

This one is my recent fave: http://providence.craigslist.org/bik/641659642.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/643838614.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/bik/643293558.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/641698686.html - go buy a new one for a little more..

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/643683332.html - $1500 for V brakes and old school tech - where do I sign up? ;)

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/642620135.html - Death trap... or at least a disclocated shoulder someday.

This one might actually be a good deal: http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/bik/643399404.html

[heckler]

I have to agree with the masses here. CL is great if you have someone along who knows bikes! If you don't know what you are looking at then you are asking for troubles.

having said that though, this forum has bikes for sale. Don't know if they meet the needs but at least you might even know (of) the person selling the bike.

Also, word of mouth about bikes for sale can be a huge help.

Without the knowledge base the LBS, although more expensive by 50-100% should give more satisfaction for the newbie.

[woodsguy]

I agree, a lbs is his best bet. They can swap parts like stem, seat, pedals, tires, etc to suit him.

[Graphics]

wow...i feel i'm moving up in the noob world - i finally gave good, sound, biking advice. :rad:

i also mentioned to him this site would be a great place for him to get some good feedback as well as the ability to buy a bike from someone here. i made him register...so he should start piping in in about 5....4...3...


:D

[Hampton]

Hi everybody - I'm the newbie that Graphics is talking about. I appreciate your assistance, thank you very much. It looks like I'm going to a LBS. lol You all make very good points and to save a little money, it's probably not worth it.

I'm a tad bit obsessive so I already have an idea of what bike I want, I just need somebody at a LBS to confirm. That's really what we want when we ask opinions anyway, isn't it? Somebody to confirm what we already want to do. ;)

I'm thinking seriously about a Trek 6500. Does anybody have experience with that bike? It seems to be rugged enough for me since I'm big fat a$$ :) - as opposed to the 4300 - and is still in my price range neighborhood.

Thanks again everybody!

[Jisch]

Looks like a pretty nice bike for the $$! That's probably a good bike where if you end up loving mountain biking you can use it for a long time, and replace components as they fail - everything fails eventually in this MTB world.

John

[MMcG]

Are you in CT - I assume you are. Might want to consider the Kona Hoss series of hardtails if you can locate a Kona dealer near you.

[MMcG]

[QUOTE=bdee;159234]
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/641698686.html - go buy a new one for a little more..

If you were to go to simple living cycles in Framingham you could actually buy a brand new one for LESS I bet!

That guy has insane prices.

[Graphics]

Hi everybody - I'm the newbie that Graphics is talking about. I appreciate your assistance, thank you very much. It looks like I'm going to a LBS. lol You all make very good points and to save a little money, it's probably not worth it.

I'm a tad bit obsessive so I already have an idea of what bike I want, I just need somebody at a LBS to confirm. That's really what we want when we ask opinions anyway, isn't it? Somebody to confirm what we already want to do. ;)

I'm thinking seriously about a Trek 6500. Does anybody have experience with that bike? It seems to be rugged enough for me since I'm big fat a$$ :) - as opposed to the 4300 - and is still in my price range neighborhood.

Thanks again everybody!

ghey!! :rad:


everyone Hampton...Hampton everyone. :D

don't let the niceties fool ya. he's a royal PITA. (the lbs guy is gonna have a field day with two noobs)

[Hampton]

Thanks John and MMc, I will check that out as well. Yes, I am in CT...born a Westchester boy. I think I'll start out on the trails in Shelton/Huntington since I'm somewhat familiar with them. I used to walk my dog in those trails. I'll see how bad I can hurt myself and go from there.

Don't listen to everything Graphics says by the way. (*whisper* she drinks during the day, the poor thing).

[9.8m/s/s]

Thanks John and MMc, I will check that out as well. Yes, I am in CT...born a Westchester boy. I think I'll start out on the trails in Shelton/Huntington since I'm somewhat familiar with them. I used to walk my dog in those trails. I'll see how bad I can hurt myself and go from there.

Don't listen to everything Graphics says by the way. (*whisper* she drinks during the day, the poor thing).


I thought there was something I liked about her. :p

My only advice would be to see if you can find a leftover 07 to stretch your money the farthest. And don't buy a Trek.

(Just kidding. I just hate them because I broke a bunch of bones on one in the early 90's. And, yea, most peoples likes and dislikes of bike companies are about as rational as mine, for whatever that's worth)

[Ridge Wrecker]

I'm thinking seriously about a Trek 6500. Does anybody have experience with that bike? It seems to be rugged enough for me since I'm big fat a$$ :) - as opposed to the 4300 - and is still in my price range neighborhood.

Thanks again everybody!

Sounds like you've got your mind made up about what you want but just in case you have any doubts...

Definetely steer clear of the 4300. While it was a fine first bike for someone like me (5' tall) I know someone else who had the same bike and he was 6' 2" about 200lbs. He had the bike absolutely trashed in no time and was constantly in the shop for repairs. That bike just isn't designed to take trail beatings.

I don't own a Trek anymore but it seems like they're a good company to deal with. I know someone who's broken his frame several times and never had an issue getting a replacement. In fact, his frame was upgraded each time...

[Hampton]

LOL, thanks 9.8. I would love to get an '07 Trek 6000 and save a few dollars. As corny as it might be, I like the color scheme of the '07 6000 but not the '08 6000. That's one reason I was leaning toward the 6500. Warped...I know.

Thanks Ridge Wrecker, I guess that confirms the advice I received from a lbs in Stamford about the 4300. I really don't expect to put a beatin' on a bike in my first few months, but being a big guy...I'd rather not even take the chance.

Thanks again!