Sensible second-hand buys?

[mrmacmusic]

Right now I'm somewhat frustrated with myself for selling my 2006 Trek 6500 in the Summer to replace it with a road-friendly hybrid (Ridgeback Flight), rather than just buy a second-hand road bike. OK, so I've covered 1800 mls on the hybrid since then and was commuting 5 days until we went on holiday 4 weeks ago and I took ill and then the snow and ice came......

Anyhoo.... I want my old bike back, or more specifically I want a half-decent MTB for winter weekend riding (on- and off-road), but I reckon I can only get away with spending £200-300. Should I:

1) really be trying to get my old bike back? I've seen a few old 6500's come up already (none local enough or with shipping) although the price is about right;

2) go less well specced and a bit newer, e.g. 2009/10 Trek 4500 or 6000;

3) try a different brand, but similar spec, e.g. Rockhopper Pro;

4) go cheap and new?

What would you do? I really loved the feel of the Trek (yes, I know, I'm kicking myself now) – it was light and responsive enough for me to forgive the orange paint job, and I just don't think I would enjoy riding a lesser specced newer bike. Equally though, I'm not familiar with the specs and comparable quality of other brands (namely Specialized, Giant, Scott, Cannondale etc, all of which have caught my eye in the second-hand market).

Also, what should I be looking out for damage wise or mechanically on a used MTB? I'm guessing that a well used and maintained, but possibly slightly rough around the edges mid-range bike would be better than one that's all shiny and immaculate but has lay unused and un-serviced in a shed for years? Or is that tosh, and I'm going to be looking at replacing all sorts of bits and pieces on pretty much any second-hand buy?

Sorry for all the questions in one post... any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[Zoiders]

80's/early 90's rigid steel MTB's.

4130 Chromoly Steel, it will often be Columbus, Reynolds or Tange.

They make brilliant commuting bikes as they have all the braze on's, they also offer excellent backwards compatibilty with old kit off fleabay or from the jumble as well as being easy to patch up with new low end kit if needed. Prices are on the up though.

 

[Alembicbassman]

Check to see if you have a local message board. We have Sheffield Forum, bought a few bike things off there. This Kona sold for £200,

Fleabay is a bit silly now, too many idiots bidding, shill bidding and the like, bidder IDs are now concealed from other bidders so you cannot see who you're bidding against.

Local Gumtree is OK too (lots of nicked stuff in London though)

Decathlon have a few deals on MTBs, got mine from there for £180 (Full Acera, functional forks)

Plenty of bargains out there, just be patient.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Check to see if you have a local message board. We have Sheffield Forum, bought a few bike things off there.

To be honest, I wouldn't know where to start looking?! Don't think there's a Central Scotland forum...

Fleabay is a bit silly now, too many idiots bidding, shill bidding and the like, bidder IDs are now concealed from other bidders so you cannot see who you're bidding against. Local Gumtree is OK too (lots of nicked stuff in London though)

I'm watching a few eBay auctions at the moment – Trek 6500, Rockhoppers etc. – but I agree about the bidding issues. It's also funny how shops will tell you a 5 year old bike is worth pennies, yet they'll still fetch silly money. I also don't want to get into any last minute bidding frenzies and end up paying over the odds for a pile of junk that looked great in the photos.

Gumtree has turned up a local 2009 Trek 4500 (with Deore mech and Rock Shox forks). I'm tempted, but something's putting me off it... I might go and see it this weekend if it's still for sale..

Decathlon have a few deals on MTBs, got mine from there for £180 (Full Acera, functional forks)
Plenty of bargains out there, just be patient.

Interesting. I don't see that particular bike for £180, but they have a few others a bit cheaper or a bit more expensive. I wonder how it would feel in comparison to the 6500 I was used to?

 

[Alembicbassman]

Mine was the 2010 model on clearance. The new model is the same spec, just a different frame design. £229 I think.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

What would you do? I really loved the feel of the Trek (yes, I know, I'm kicking myself now) – it was light and responsive enough for me to forgive the orange paint job, and I just don't think I would enjoy riding a lesser specced newer bike. Equally though, I'm not familiar with the specs and comparable quality of other brands (namely Specialized, Giant, Scott, Cannondale etc, all of which have caught my eye in the second-hand market).

Also, what should I be looking out for damage wise or mechanically on a used MTB? I'm guessing that a well used and maintained, but possibly slightly rough around the edges mid-range bike would be better than one that's all shiny and immaculate but has lay unused and un-serviced in a shed for years? Or is that tosh, and I'm going to be looking at replacing all sorts of bits and pieces on pretty much any second-hand buy?

Sorry for all the questions in one post... any advice would be gratefully received.

A very interesting question, I think. I suspect a Trek 6500 was probably selling for around £700 new 10 or so years ago, and imho whatever progress that has happened in the industry in the intervening years, bike lightness and liveliness has not migrated to any new hardtail costing £300 today. In fact I think to buy new you will have to spend the same (for a Boardman HT Comp e.g.) for similar-ish experience.

It is probably foolhardy for me to generalise, for secondhand I think some makes are more likely to meet your expectation than the others. Unless you manage to get a really high end model I would avoid Specialized or Giant (even their mid range hardtails are heavy bikes). In their places I would put Kona and Marin on your watch list.

In terms of things to watch out for, unless obviously worn out, ime drivetrains are rarely a big issue (chain, gears and wheel wear can be spotted quickly, and worthwhile learning how to M check a bike if you don't know already). Forks and shocks however can be expensive/time consuming to service and expensive to replace (with quality kit). In terms of brakes Vs are a doddle to make good/replace, but disc brakes, especially hydraulic ones, could easily be a pain.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Thanks for the reply

A very interesting question, I think. I suspect a Trek 6500 was probably selling for around £700 new 10 or so years ago, and imho whatever progress that has happened in the industry in the intervening years, bike lightness and liveliness has not migrated to any new hardtail costing £300 today. In fact I think to buy new you will have to spend the same (for a Boardman HT Comp e.g.) for similar-ish experience.

It seems to me looking at new bikes that they have become less well specified over the years and more expensive! The current 6500 is £1200 IIRC...

It is probably foolhardy for me to generalise, for secondhand I think some makes are more likely to meet your expectation than the others. Unless you manage to get a really high end model I would avoid Specialized or Giant (even their mid range hardtails are heavy bikes). In their places I would put Kona and Marin on your watch list.

Interesting... I hadn't been looking at Kona or Marin (although I remember those names from when I was a teenager, er, a long time ago ). Have to say that a Specialized Rockhopper Pro has fallen under my radar, but I do think I'd prefer to stick with Trek.... rightly or wrongly, my old (teenage years) bike was Trek and my first "proper nice" bike was the 6500 that I foolishly sold earlier this year.

In terms of things to watch out for, unless obviously worn out, ime drivetrains are rarely a big issue (chain, gears and wheel wear can be spotted quickly, and worthwhile learning how to M check a bike if you don't know already). Forks and shocks however can be expensive/time consuming to service and expensive to replace (with quality kit). In terms of brakes Vs are a doddle to make good/replace, but disc brakes, especially hydraulic ones, could easily be a pain.

Never had disc brakes of any variety, and yes, I did also wonder about maintenance on a suspension fork. Ultimately, I guess buying anything second-hand over the internet is going to be a bit of a gamble, unless of course it comes from the "Classified section of the Cycle-chat website"

 

[Zoiders]

Avoid Kona's from about the year 2000 onwards.

They have some of the worst spec for the price in mid range bikes.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Avoid Kona's from about the year 2000 onwards.

They have some of the worst spec for the price in mid range bikes.

Thanks Zoiders