Mountain Biking - A great deal... or is it?

The LBS still hasn't got the Kona's yet so I still have the time for alternatives. :) Just found this on MEC Gear Swap:

2001 Trek 8000 17.5in frame w/LX shift, and fr der, XT rr der, RS judy race w/100mm travel, avids w/speed dial levers. bike has been modified to suit XC, trials, or urban/freeride w/addition of riser, DH stem, carbonfiber rr brake arch, Dh rr rim, and bash ring, but remains light to be ridden XC apx-23lbs.



hey the bike is all in great shape the only part that
has signs of wear is the crankset, which is the only
original part from the first trek 8000 I had bought. I
took that into concideration and that is why I am
selling the bike so cheap! e-mail me if you have any
other questions!


$750 CDN

I wonder if it's worth it?

And another one:
2001 Kona Stuff $900 obo

Description: Selling a 2001 Kona Stuff, in good condition, just some scratches. Full specs at: www.konaworld.com All stock except for kujo dh 2.35 on the rear and tioga factory dh 2.35 on the front. Also will have a new BB and a tuneup when sold. i have pics, email me for them.

Specs:
http://www.konaworld.com/2k1/images/stuff_03.gif

i don't know if the trek would be a good buy..you'll have to take a good hard look at it cuz it's been setup for urban yet it's an xc frame? i doubt it's 23 lbs too..

good luck w/ your search..
(ps. check out Giant, they have nicely spec'd bikes for the price)

Checked out, Giant Iguana blows Kona Blast at the same price.

depending on your budget (i don't know what you're working w/..) try to save up for the Giant XTC 2 HT. i just helped a friend buy one and i'm seriously amazed w/ how much bike she got for about under 1500 CAD. that bike is worthy of upgrades in the future..the frame is light.

You live in vancouver? you might want to check out some consignment places around town. Found a Cove 'Handjob' frame for about 400 last week. mint.

:beer:

Trek:

yup, there's no way that bike is 23 lbs in that picture..unless he's going to give you some stuff w/ it (ie: big ring, lighter tires, spds).

it might be worth looking at though...frame could still be good...

Originally posted by Mashimaro
depending on your budget (i don't know what you're working w/..) try to save up for the Giant XTC 2 HT. i just helped a friend buy one and i'm seriously amazed w/ how much bike she got for about under 1500 CAD. that bike is worthy of upgrades in the future..the frame is light.

You live in vancouver? you might want to check out some consignment places around town. Found a Cove 'Handjob' frame for about 400 last week. mint.

:beer: I live in Ottawa. Periodically ride around bike repair shops checking for used bikes and LBS' checking for '03 stock. Budget - <$1000.

What kind of riding? XC? Aggresive XC? Freeride?

I wish I knew.
:D
I've never done serious MTBing before, but I want to try everything (except DH) and see what I like most. But I think it will be XC/Freeride.

Kona would be the best way to go I would think.

Sorry is that stuff American price. I bought a 2002 in the spring (better parts etc...) for 950cdn. If doesn't seem worth it at all. I will vouch for the frame and geometry though. Bombproof and fun all round to ride :)

The geometry of the kona suits what you are looking for.

It's CDN. I'll try to work on the price if the size is right and I like the pics.
:)

Originally posted by Maelstrom
I bought a 2002 in the spring (better parts etc...) for 950cdn. I Used?
'03 model's MSRP is $1200.
http://www.konaworld.com/2k3/2k3_stuff.cfm

think it will be XC/Freeride.

I too believe that a Kona frame is the way to go for that type of riding but they cost more.
If you are looking strickly for a ht I would also suggest Giant, Brodie, KHS (although the groupo is not that great).
One other idea, GT Zaskar. Good strong frame, not to heavy and you can get a frame for some where around 300USD. My LBS has one I am considering for 275USD w/a judy fork. I would not use the fork but it is a great deal.

The best thing to do is pick 3 or 4 diff bikes and ride each one if possible and which ever feels the best, get it. If they all feel the same go by components if that is about equal take the one YOU think looks best.

Slainte:beer:

Originally posted by MeHT
Used?
'03 model's MSRP is $1200.
http://www.konaworld.com/2k3/2k3_stuff.cfm

Nope new. I am damn good at haggling and talked them from 1100 to 950. I also happen to live near the largest kona dealer in north america.

The 03's though might have better parts. They got rid of the chute and mmoved the roast up a bit. Moved the Stuff up to take in the middle where the roast used to be a created a whole new Kona ob ht.

Huh?
'03 Model:
http://www.konaworld.com/2k3/images/stuff_specs.gif

'01 Model:
http://www.konaworld.com/2k1/images/stuff_03.gif

'01 Model has better drivetrain, but V-Brakes instead of discs. Otherwise they're pretty much the same...

What about Brodie Hellion '02?
17" (I'm 5'9-10")
http://www.brodiebikes.com/2002/specs/hellion.html

Wow the o3 has discs. Nice. I was talking about the '02. But no it doesn't look like they improved things. Well I know the '02 stuff is under 1000$ now. As for the '03 the bloated price is because of the discs for sure. :)

As for sizing try them. I am 6'5 and have a 19" and sometimes that is too big for me for some tricks so I hop on my gf's Stuff which is 17". Sizing varies depending on preference and style of riding.

I like brodie. They are tough as well I don't have time to look for what it looks like. But a slckened top tube like the stuff / roast / chute would suit your stlye of riding best. :)

When I was shopping around for a dh rig Brodie was one I was considering. I did some reserch and found that they make a very decent bike. Also, every one I spoke with about Brodie gave great reviews. They are also very customer friendly as is Kona.

Slainte:beer:

Originally posted by MeHT
What about Brodie Hellion '02?
17" (I'm 5'9-10")
http://www.brodiebikes.com/2002/specs/hellion.html

Screw that, he's asking $750 for it. I can get an '03 bike for the same price with much better specs.

What about this, though?

2002 ORYX Gemsbok 125 Size 18"

24 Speed Rapid Fire
Frame: Aluminium
Fork: Marz. Z2 X Fly 80mm
Rear susp.: Fox Vanilla Air
Rear Der: Shimano XTR
Front Der: Shimano XT
Crankset: Shimano XT
Shifters: Shimano XT
Brakes: Hayes Hydraulic Disc
Levers: Hayes
Rims: Taurus 2000
Hubs: 4 rox

$850 CDN.

Look awesome! I understand that I'll need to change rear shock ASAP if I but it, though.

Thats a really upgraded bike. In reality that bike is sold as crap wth VERY low end parts. If it has all of that on it and it is in good condition grab it. Couple of things to keep in mind.

IF it is used no warranty
This is a xc bike only. It won't hold up to much aggro riding
Those forks are pure xc. Do anything besides going straight and marzocchi won't cover it. If it is used, marzocchi won't cover it.
I would switch out the rear rims within second. I would warp those without even getting on the bike. And the hubs too.

All in all this is going to be a good bike. I would also get it checked out by a mech to be sure the parts and stuff are good. Definately a worthwhile starter bike :)

Looking on the site they claim it to be a north shore bike. Not sure which north shore but this bike is NOT for ns freeriding quality.

Ottawa Police Service sells it, those dudes don't lie. ;)
Will it hold up for freeride if I change the rear and front shocks?

It will do better. Really the rear shock will do fine. (you are a smaller rider aren't you). Change the rear rim and get a 4" - 5" fork on the front (keep in mind your geometry will change quite a bit doing this). A z1 fr comes to mind. Maybe a dj1 or 2 but that fork blows for aggro xc or freeriding. Go to a heavy duty rear rim/hub combo and eventually switch to a spring shock.

Keep in mind. All those parts are almost worth the price of the bike. Canadian bike as well by a reputable company at that. But there won't be a warranty.

Since you are looking for a straight answer. I would get it. But I would also carefully measure its limits before I get too crazy.

Thank you for the replies. I'll give it some serious thought. Maybe I can as well buy a new frame later?

Straight answer, get it if it fits. Being about 5'10" you might find it a tad on the large side for real technical riding.
Ride it until you blow the rear shock then replace it. Same goes for the fork. If you are going to be doing any jumping/drops or very rough terrain I would suggest getting at the least a Fox Vanilla R shock and any of the Marzocchi Z1 or Dj series forks.
Also, upgrade the wheel set to something stronger.

Slainte :beer:

And transfer over the parts. Most definately. Those parts (especially the XTR rear der) are good quality. Really for under 1000$ you aren't going to find a perfect bike. You sound a lot like me and will eventually need 2 or 3 different bikes. This bike seems like it will do what you want until you can afford or do in fact get something more xc specific or freeride specific. In reality for the best 'all' round bike with your clarifications I would go with a stuff or a used roast both in the '02. They are good bikes, very tough and fun to abuse on light freeriding. And if I can freeride with these bikes anyone can seeing as how big I am.

But really no matter how much I babble you HAVE to test drive them. If you don't like the geometry or feel of the bikes DON'T get them. If you love the stuff (as my gf did) buy it. Then slowly upgrade as you brake parts or become better.

Cheers and enjoy I am now going to go get drunk. :):beer:

I can't really test-drive these bikes, as they're all over Canada. :(

Since you can not afford a new one from your LBS, I would suggest finding a shop that has demo bikes you can check out with similar geometry and try those. If you have a good repore with your LBS and buy from them they should be willing to help you out. They might not get your $'s on a bike sale but getting all or atleast most of your parts from them will ballance it out.
Other wise you will be very unhappy if you get a bike and find it rides like crap or is to big or small.

Slainte
:beer:

Thanks. I may afford something better, but not at this moment. So what should I do? Buy the used bike now or wait and but a new one?:confused:

How long would you have to wait? A month or two I would say wait. If it is going to be a long time then get a used one and save for the day that it needs to be replaced then get a new one.

Slainte:beer:

MeHT, Ive just finished looking for a bike. If you like Kona, there are a feew dealers in Toronto, you could Email em asking for pricing, that is if you get here once in a while.
Sport Swap, Chain reaction, Gears, Cyclepath Bloor St.
They have some good deals now that the season is allmost over!



But go with new if you're at all concerned with warranty

I do know a guy with a bike for sale... lol

I'm in Ottawa, I don't feel like going to Toronto just for the shooping. ;)
If I waited, I would wait till December/January.
Just go this message from the Trek 8000 owner:

Sorry, those are the only pictures that i have right
now, You would not have to replace the crankset right
away, it really only needs a middle chainring, but
like I said it is the oldest part on the bike and will
probably be the next part up for replacment. yes the
weight is either 23 or 24 i don't have the accruate
weight of it, but is definetley light. If you have any
concernes about the frame, well, before I put a long
travel fork on it or decided to do any hard ridding
with it, I asked a reputable shop mechanic if it could
handel it, and he said because of the strong welds and
renforced gussetes on the down tube the frame will not
break before I do. I have seen small 8000 frames used
for trials before and seen them in trials videos. the
frames are well made and backed with lifetime
warranty's. The manufactures suggest only using it for
xc so that they don't have to replace any frames, but
it doestmean they cant handel it. Besides the fact the
frame can hold up to alot of punishment, it has never
seen it. I modified the bike and never had the time to
do much trials or urban riding at all. I priced the
rerplacement cost of the crankset @ $60 as of
yesterday so at $775 total if you replace it, you
would have an awsome bike with almost all new parts.
thanks,
Mike

Sorry for bugging you all for so long, but I want to choose wisely and you can really help with that.
;)

ORYX Gemsbok went up to $1200 CDN, then I stopped watching it. D'oh. Nothing unexpected, though. :)

The Kona Stuff owner has not replied his email after 3 days. People on other forums told me that Trek 8000 has a nice frame. Does it really have lifetime warranty? Or is it 'limited'?

I figure it would be limited. Most companies won't be stupid enough to warranty a regular frame against dirt jumping, drops etc...If it is REALLY lifetime. Well that would be a rare site.

Also a lot of companies won't transfer the warranty between owners.