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Advice needed: buy used (top end) or new (lower end)?
Hi all,
I am looking to buy a full suspension mountain bike. At a local bike shop there is a Giant NRS 2 bike, about 4 or 5 years old. It is "fully loaded" as the saying goes, and to my untrained eyes looks to be in not too bad a shape, but needs some drive train components to be changed. The asking price is about CDN $500. Then there is a new Giant Warp DS2, which goes for CDN $950. The Warp has warranty and everything, but I don't intend to do much serious biking, so unless bikes ages rapidly (meaning a lot of expensive maintanance), I am more inclined to go with the NRS. I appreciate any advice on this issue. -Kamran |
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#2
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Advice needed: buy used (top end) or new (lower end)?
Kamran Karimi wrote:
Hi all, I am looking to buy a full suspension mountain bike. At a local bike shop there is a Giant NRS 2 bike, about 4 or 5 years old. It is "fully loaded" as the saying goes, and to my untrained eyes looks to be in not too bad a shape, but needs some drive train components to be changed. The asking price is about CDN $500. Then there is a new Giant Warp DS2, which goes for CDN $950. The Warp has warranty and everything, but I don't intend to do much serious biking, so unless bikes ages rapidly (meaning a lot of expensive maintanance), I am more inclined to go with the NRS. I appreciate any advice on this issue. -Kamran Not knowing specifics about those bikes, I wouldn't get either one. Full suspension designs have come a long way in 4 or 5 years. The designs of that time were often a lot flexier (laterally) and/or a lot less efficient to pedal and offered less travel than many of the current designs. Those things are key points for rider fatigue, comfort, and bike handling. I might buy a used FS if it was relatively new, like within a couple of years, and the price was attractive (and the bike checked out mechanically). Another rule of thumb is full suspension bikes under a grand or so generally aren't worth it, so that eliminates your second choice. So if I were you I'd spend more for a newer FS or get a quality hardtail (many good choices in the sub-$1000 range). Matt |
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Advice needed: buy used (top end) or new (lower end)?
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Advice needed: buy used (top end) or new (lower end)?
I checked the store again today, and it seems that the store people
made a mistake: The old Giant seems to be an XCX DS2. I did a google search and apparently this bike has been more available in Europe than North America. What should I look for when I am test riding an older bike? Any specific areas I should check out? About the Warp, I won't be riding the bike too agressively (no drops more than half a metre or so). Would that allow one to consider a cheaper dual suspension bike? -Kamran "MattB" wrote in message ... Kamran Karimi wrote: Hi all, I am looking to buy a full suspension mountain bike. At a local bike shop there is a Giant NRS 2 bike, about 4 or 5 years old. It is "fully loaded" as the saying goes, and to my untrained eyes looks to be in not too bad a shape, but needs some drive train components to be changed. The asking price is about CDN $500. Then there is a new Giant Warp DS2, which goes for CDN $950. The Warp has warranty and everything, but I don't intend to do much serious biking, so unless bikes ages rapidly (meaning a lot of expensive maintanance), I am more inclined to go with the NRS. I appreciate any advice on this issue. -Kamran Not knowing specifics about those bikes, I wouldn't get either one. Full suspension designs have come a long way in 4 or 5 years. The designs of that time were often a lot flexier (laterally) and/or a lot less efficient to pedal and offered less travel than many of the current designs. Those things are key points for rider fatigue, comfort, and bike handling. I might buy a used FS if it was relatively new, like within a couple of years, and the price was attractive (and the bike checked out mechanically). Another rule of thumb is full suspension bikes under a grand or so generally aren't worth it, so that eliminates your second choice. So if I were you I'd spend more for a newer FS or get a quality hardtail (many good choices in the sub-$1000 range). Matt |
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Advice needed: buy used (top end) or new (lower end)?
Here is a picture of the bike: http://www.monvelo.com/FicheXCXDS2.htm
I wonder if this bike frame has any known problems... -Kamran |
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Advice needed: buy used (top end) or new (lower end)?
On Thu, 15 Jul 2004 20:53:26 -0700, Kamran Karimi wrote:
I checked the store again today, and it seems that the store people made a mistake: The old Giant seems to be an XCX DS2. I did a google search and apparently this bike has been more available in Europe than North America. What should I look for when I am test riding an older bike? Any specific areas I should check out? It was an ok bike 4 years ago, but 4 years is a long time in full suspension - I wouldn't touch it. As others have said, with your budget, go for a hardtail. |
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