Mountain bike I'm thinking of buying

[Patt]

So, my mother-in-law bought a bike a couple of years back, but has rarely used it, and complains of it being too large. I am 5'9" tall, and can ride this bike comfortably, although I think I'll need a longer seat tube than the stock one. If anyone with bike knowledge (I'm a n00b) can have a quick look at these specs and let me know if it is good for riding in the hills around here I'd appreciate it. I want something fairly rugged, but won't be doing anything too retarded on it (intentionally anyway).

She is willing to sell it to me for probably $500 CDN, whereas the retail price was originally $1300, and she has had it serviced very regularly. Oh, and also, how do you size yourself for a bike ... my inseam is 30" if that helps with the frame specs.

The bike in question.

Specs:

Frame Square to round Butted Shore design with AFS Stays
Fork Marzocchi DJ3 5" travel
Headset FSA 872 chromoly deep cup
Cranks Truvativ Hussefelt DH dble 32/22T bashgrd
Bottom Bracket Truvativ SL 113mm ISIS
Pedals Wellgo BMX
Chain KMC Z72 8 speed
Freewheel SRAM PG 3.0 8 speed 11-32T
Front Changer Shimano Alivio 34.9mm top pull
Rear Changer Shimano Deore 9 speed long cage
Front Shifter Shimano Alivio 3 speed
Rear Shifter Shimano Alivio 8 speed
Bar Aricle DH alloy 25.4mm
Stem Aricle DH 25.4mm
Front Brake Hayes 8" HMX 1 mechanical
Rear Brake Hayes 8" HMX 1 mechanical
Brake Levers Shimano Alivio
Front Hub Shimano Deore disk STD axle
Rear Hub Shimano Deore disk 9 speed
Rims Alex MX-22 26/26" 32 hole
Spokes 2.0 stainless black
Tires Kenda Kinetic 2.35"
Saddle Setlaz FR
Seat Post Axiom 30.0mm

Colours Cool Grey Size M

Geometry:

mm/inches

S C-T 420/16.53
TTT 595/23.43
TT 565/22.24
HT 130/5.12
RC 420/16.53
FC 678/26.69
WB 1098/43.23
FF 511/20.12
BB 325/12.79
HA 67.2
SA 71.3

S Seat tube
TTT Theoretical top tube length
TT Top tube length center to center
FC Front center
WB Wheelbase
HA Head tube angle
SA Seat tube angle
RC Rear center
BB BB height
HT Head tube length

 

[Fausto]

If it's comfortable, that's definitely a good deal. I'd go for it.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

nice bike

 

[Patt]

Originally posted by: Fausto
If it's comfortable, that's definitely a good deal. I'd go for it.

I'm a bit worried about the sizing ... you can buy longer seat tubes I'm assuming? I put her seat up, and of course to make it really comfy it is above the 'recommended' insert point on the tube. It is comfy though, and I'm raring to go. Comfort is the most important thing then?

 

[notfred]

That bike is built to do jumps and drops off of high places and other stuff like that. It means that it's probably an overbuilt bike for what you want to do with it, which isn't really a bad thing except that it will be a bit heavier.

 

[Patt]

Yeah, I figured it might be a bit more than what I need, but it is still significantly lighter than my old bike, plus it is the first bike (other than test rides) that I've ridden with the front shocks ... very pleasant. Better to have more than I need I suppose, than less. Thanks for the comment.

 

[Conky]

It's no "Sledgehammer" but I bet you could take it off on some sweet jumps anyway. :thumbsup:

:beer:

 

[Scarpozzi]

Just make sure there's about a 3-5 inch clearance between the top bar and your crotch... You can always make the seat higher, but you should be able to stand over that bar.

 

[Patt]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Just make sure there's about a 3-5 inch clearance between the top bar and your crotch... You can always make the seat higher, but you should be able to stand over that bar.

Sweet ... yeah, there is actually about 5 inches of clearance at the mid-point of the bar.

 

[Patt]

Sweet, just checked with the bike shop and they have some replacement tires I'll need to get, and I'm picking it up on my way home from work tomorrow! Now I'll have to train my dog not to run out in front of me when I'm riding, and we'll both be getting more exercise!