Second hand bicycles?

Gaijin · 31 Jul 2007 at 13:08

Hello chaps

I was thinking of buying a full suspension bike to aid in my CV exercise as i'm rather unfit and enjoy cycling.

Would really prefer a full suspension if i'm honest although i might be persuaded by a decent spec hardtail.

I'd do a bit of road but love having a blast down some tracky/DH sections.

Thing is, i'd rather not spend that much money on it. So i'm leaning towards getting a fairly decently specified second hand bike opposed to a new, not-so-well-specified one. Is this a bad idea? Aren't bikes generally sturdy these days? Anything is a step up from an Apollo Kalamunda!!! :eek:

I'd appreciate your comments, however i'd politely ask that you please retain perspective, I'm not a pro rider, nor do I need anything overtly fancy. I know because in terms of cars and computers, i'm always trying to get friends to buy decent stuff they dont really need!!!

Budget is in the realms of £200-£300 at the very most.

Thanks in advance!

Raymond Lin · 31 Jul 2007 at 14:03

Spez Hard rock or get a 2006 Spez Rockhopper or a Giant XTC SE 2006 would be best.

Getting a £300 full susser will have you in the hospital doing DH stuff ! All those plastic parts bound to snap sooner than later.

Gaijin · 31 Jul 2007 at 14:32

Thanks for your reply, I won't be doing anything too mental, when I say DH I mean a few bumpy paths - not the near vertical suicide missions the pro's do!

PlatinumFX · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:29

Gaijin said:
I mean a few bumpy paths

I wouldn't do those on a cheap bike. Your plan to spend £300 on a second hand bike sounds best. Buying a hard tail will get you a good bike if you can find a big name brand one. Think Cannondale, Trek, GT, Giant, Specialised, Jamis, Orange ect...

Full suspension even 2nd hand and at that price will be sloppy.

Oh and dont underestimate the warnings about cheap full suspension bikes. I have experienced them myself on technical, all mountain type terrain (not cross country, but not pure dh either) and it was scary frankly. Read this for details:http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9319081&postcount=16

PlatinumFX · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:33

Oh I few things you might want to think about when viewing potential purchases:

- Where possible, ask to see the purchase reciept to give you more certainty that its not a stolen bike your buying.

- Be suspecious of touched up paint work. They might be covering up damage to the frame.

- Dents in the frame can severely impact its strength. If there is any dents and using your common sense its in a place and/or is large enough to concern you, walk away. You'll find something else that could last you ten or twenty years.

This is not an exhaustive list and I am sure others can think of stuff to add.

Gaijin · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:23

Many thanks for your input and especially your buying tips, incidentally, I have been looking at Specialized, Giant and GT bikes.

A lot of the older full suspension bikes had chunkier "Y Frames" but I see now that many have thinner frames. Any particular reasons for this?

I appreciate what you are saying with regards to frame strength but surely a decent brand even second hand will last!

My Apollo Kalamunda is still going and its about 10 years old! ( I think thats the biggest indicator of the type of terrain I go on and my ability/bottle

)

PlatinumFX · 31 Jul 2007 at 23:35

Gaijin said:
A lot of the older full suspension bikes had chunkier "Y Frames" but I see now that many have thinner frames. Any particular reasons for this?

I don't know. Personally I wouldn't touch any with a long stick.

Gaijin said:
I appreciate what you are saying with regards to frame strength but surely a decent brand even second hand will last!

My Apollo Kalamunda is still going and its about 10 years old! ( I think thats the biggest indicator of the type of terrain I go on and my ability/bottle

Especially if its steel, a well made bike and maintained bike can last many decades. But a dent might just ruin your day if its in a critical place and / or its big enough.