Mountain Bikes

[BruiseLee]

A friend of mine wants to sell me his old mountain bike. I don't know squat about bikes, I'm still riding the old 10-speed my father got me back in 1976!!

The bike is as follows:

Diamond Back Apex
Shimano Deore DX component set
Avocet Cross Tires

toe clips

new: chain, hand grips, break pads
one year old bearings

He's asking $125 dollars for it. New, I think they sold for around $650.

He thinks he bought the bike around 1993, and he has ridden it A LOT. He lives in Burbank, and works in Pasadena and would ride that thing to and from work everyday - a distance of maybe 25 miles round trip?

The frame is a little big for me - my manhood makes contact with the top tube of the frame when standing, though I'm not actually sitting on the frame. I don't plan on using the bike for any serious mountain bike type activity, just biking to the post office, local stores, and nearby friends homes.

I've ridden the bike, and it feels and rides pretty good - much better than my old 10-speed. Is this a good buy, or should I get something else?

Bruise

 

[raggie33]

lol id never buy a moutain bike thats to big!!!! i like em about 4 inches below my inseam but when i rode i rode hard trails

 

[pedalinbob]

the price isnt too bad, but the bike and components are old, and probably worn out.

size-wise, the rule of thumb is to have crotch clearance of 1"-3", for any bike.

a mountainbike is an excellent choice for an all around ride. you can take it anywhere in a pinch, and the riding position, combined with fat tires, makes for a more comfy ride.

a few years ago, i purchased a bike for a friend's retirement. the cost was about $280, and came with a nice warranty/free tune ups, and full shop support.

i recommend saving your pennies, going to your local bike shop, and investing $200-$300 on either a mountainbike or "hybrid" if you are sure you wont be going off-road.

in general, Giant, Fuji, Jamis (and a few others i cant think of right now) give a lot of bang-for-the-buck.

good luck!

Bob

 

[Shanghaied]

Mountain bikes (esp. high-end ones) depreciate incredibly in value. So a 10 year-old bike that has probably have gone through over 200 000 miles might not be that good a deal even though it's from a friend (unless you like to accumulate old bikes, 'cause some of them can be increibly nice, with all the cool old parts from the early 90's, but that's beside the point here.)

Keep in mind for example that the chainrings and cogs also have to be replaced if they have a few years on them, as new chains and old cogs don't go well together. I'd guess it's also a six or seven speed cog at the back, and those can be hard to find nowadays. Early 90's is also the time when oddball parts flourished, like strange headset sizes (eg 1.25 inch), or large seatpost sizes. So if you have those you are pretty much stuck with them.

I guess I'll have to go with Bob on this one, go to a local bike shop (not walmart or what not) and pay around 300 dollars for a new bike. The value you get from budget bikes nowadays are just incredible. Also you'll get a NEW bike put together by pros and support a local small business.

And from what you said I think a hybrid will probably serve you better on the pavement. The brands Bob mentioned are all very good value for your money.

Hope that was not too long..

 

[pedalinbob]

forgot to mention--feel free to post follow up questions. there are many avid cyclists here (including myself) that can give great advice.

that is the greatest thing about this board: many, many truly good people that are always willing to lend a hand (or advice).

oh, and like shanghaied stated: these new gen bikes are impressive. trickle-down technology has resulted in fantastic frames, suspension and drivetrains--even on budget bikes!

Bob

 

[Flatscan]

I haven't seen anyone mention this, so I'll throw it in: aluminum frames wear out. This won't affect most people because they don't ride their bikes long or hard enough before upgrading, but it should always be a concern when buying used.

That said, my guess is that the offered bike's frame is cro-moly steel, given its year and price point. I seem to remember aluminum getting big in 97-98.

Oh, direct-pull (e.g. V-brakes) >> cantilever brakes. The more recent brakes have a lot more power and are much easier to adjust.

 

[Frank]

Mountain bikes are for wussies /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Get an Electra Sunny Garcia and chicks will flock to you. http://www.electrabike.com/04/bikes/sunny/sunny_1.html

 

[Shanghaied]

Oh damn, forgot about cruisers /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif.

Should work like a charm for you if you are only popping down to the shop or a friend's house.

This one's my favourite /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif:

http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/citybike/woody.jsp#largerview

Love the retro look and the colour, and it's only $329.99 (two surefires), advertised price. Should be even cheaper at a shop if you can get a deal. Shame it's not available where I live /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

P.S. Frank I think mine is much cooler than yours! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dandruff]

im no expert but here is what i think:

if you're gonna use it for serious stuff then sizing is v important. if it is too big forget about it. seriously.
a decent correct-sized bike is infinitely better than superduper expensive ill-fitting bike

if its just for heading over to the nearby 7-eleven then it should be ok.

how tall are you? what size is the bike?

important thing is to test ride a lot and make sure u feel comfortable with it.

my 2cents /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tony2001]

What I would do...Talk my friend down to $100, it's not like your going to use it for mountain biking anyway, just a commuter, so why spend more money. Save your bux, buy the bike and enjoy. Now if you were going to use the dam thing on trails, I would tell you different, but for your uses, it seems like a decent deal.

 

[BentHeadTX]

Bruise,
That will be your actual name if you slam your manhood into the top bar of the frame. It would depend if you are still growing, I grew into my first "real" bike that I bought from my brother. Nothing like some good lugged Reynolds 531 frame tubing.
Been riding now for 34 years, I find the most interesting bike for the females is the recumbent type. Bought my short wheel base, fully suspended "bent" back in Feb 1999 and women would wave me over to ask about it. Should of built one when I was single!
My old 1988 Specialized Rock Hopper Comp will be reborn next year as an urban assult vehicle for my son. Already has extended handlebars for multiple hand positions but could use a new seat. Brooks leather saddle with springs will be the most comfortable and will last for decades. Shimano is coming out with an 8-speed rear hub with built in brakes so it will be added.
It will be pretty cool to watch my son blasting down the road, jumping curbs and screwing around on a 17 year old MTB. He likes the idea of internally geared hubs and drum brakes on the back so he won't have to adjust it, just ride.
To sum it up, depends if you are still growing, if not, pass on it. The heart and soul of a bike is the frame, not the components.

 

[BruiseLee]

[ QUOTE ]
BentHeadTX said:
To sum it up, depends if you are still growing, if not, pass on it.

[/ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately, I think the chances of me growing in height are about zip. I'm only 5' 6", and my friend is about 5'10", thus the size difference in the frame.

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to write and for your good advice. Or, perhaps I should say my balls thank you! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I think I will pick up a new bike, since even my friend's 10 year old bike is light years ahead of my old mid 1970's ten speed! Plus, I'm getting so old now that the running portion of my workout hurts my shins and knee!

Any brand or model recommendations? Like I said, I don't plan on doing any heavy trail riding, mainly just riding around town to local stores and around the hood for some exercise.

Bruise

 

[pedalinbob]

well, there are many to choose from.

first, decide how much you can spend, then go to your local bike shop, and look around.

they can help you find the right bike for your needs.
focus on FIT! as long as standover is good, the rest of the dimensions can be tweaked (saddle height/tilt/fore-aft, reach to bars/bar height) for best comfort.

any of the "lower-end" bikes should be great for your needs (lower end does not mean cheap!). Giant, Trek, Jamis and others have great bang for the buck, due to high volume production and trickle-down technology.

we sold a LOT of Giants and Trek. you can easily get a nice bike for $300 or less.

if you have access to Giant consider: Yukon, Rincon, Iguana or Boulder. these are more mountainbike oriented, but are still excellent all-arounders. prices range from <$300-$600.

more city-oriented (labeled "comfort" bikes) are the Sedona (26" wheels) and Cypress (29" wheels). priced from about $250-$400.

we sold a LOT of the Cypress--and people love them for criusing around Ann Arbor. the big wheels roll nicely, and tend to flatten bumps a bit. they also have (had?) multi-adjust stems to easily dial in a comfortable position)
*with your height, you may be more comfortable on a 26" wheel.

anyway: find the right fit, and do a lot of test rides. one or more of them will "speak" to you. you will feel comfortable on it.

if you find a particular bike you like, but have questions, re-post and we will all be happy to help.

good luck!

Bob

 

[Frank]

[ QUOTE ]
Shanghaied said:
P.S. Frank I think mine is much cooler than yours! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]You may be cooler than me but MY BIKE RULES!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I would definately go with pedalinbob's advice to go to a bike shop. Any extra money you spend will be worth it in the long run. I'm lucky - there are 3 good shops within a mile of my house. The sales peopla and mechanics are all very proffesional.

 

[eebowler]

You said that your friend wants to sell you a bike ; do you acutally want one? Personally, I think a bike that old is too much trouble. You will be better off buying a new one. What do you plan to use the bike for if it is purchased? Road, getting from here to there, trail:D?