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

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

(Kamran Karimi) wrote in message om...
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

I like used bikes. All of mine are used! hahah. I'm even pretty well
used. But you need to find somebody who can check it over carefully
for you to see if you're getting a bargain or a lemon or whatever.
Nothing wrong with used if it's still in good shape and you can save a
few hundred bucks.

Paladin

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

Here is a picture of the bike: http://www.monvelo.com/FicheXCXDS2.htm

I wonder if this bike frame has any known problems...

-Kamran

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.