Mountain Biking - 853 hardtail???

i'm looking to start up in mountain biking, hardtails first. so i saw this 853 hardtail, heres the stats...

Reba Race w/ poploc (makes it fully rigid for climbing)
- 2nd chrome rigid fork included
XT rear derailleur
XT cassette
XT chain
XT disc brakes (new)
LX shifters (same finish as XT - new)
StrongArm II crankset
XT UN-72 BB

it comes with an eccentric bb in case i want to switch to single speed right?

i don't really know much about 853 frames, except they're steel, from england, good?

could you guys tell me what you think about the bike, hes willing to give it to me for 550. so i need an answer.
what do you guys think about the parts and stuff.

For 550, I don't think its a bad deal, I do not know much about 853 frames either. Other than that the numbers go down by 3, I couldn't tell you anything about them.

dunno if this will help any in giving me more advice... he says he can give it to me for 590, is it still worth it?



http://c.im.craigslist.org/gO/Rh/29qn6iCMmSsqjSHkmpGTv9sG0X0P.jpghttp://a.im.craigslist.org/SS/lm/riWKzXzDS1tV9zlaAE4FB25NtAlW.jpg

heck yes, maybe he would even give it to you for cheaper

eh...he said he can't lower it anymore... what do most ppl say to get ppl to lower the price on a bike? heh

The parts spec on it looks good. It's hard to tell the condition from the photos, though. If it's in good shape and we're talking US dollars, I say go for it. Trying to save a couple bucks on an already good deal isn't worth taking the chance someone else will grab it out from under you.

Reynolds 853 is one of the better steels used to make frames. I ride an 853 steel hardtail, and for me it was an "upgrade" from an aluminium hardtail. The ride is really sweet. Smooth, and responsive. The frame in the photo, with XT and a Reba fork is worth much more than 590. If you don't want to buy, give me the guys contact info and I'll buy it if it fits! That's the key. Does the bike fit you? Assuming it does, you will not be sorry getting that bike.

If you don't want to buy, give me the guys contact info and I'll buy it if it fits!
Out come the wolves. For that price seems like a good deal. The 853 Reynolds is "air hardening" steel, which really means nothing. I have a Rocky Mountain Blizzard frame that is the same steel and has great ride qualities, it's just not as light as a comparable aluminum frame.

how about any maintenance on a bike like this. is it not going to be worth it, if i'm going to be spending tons of money on maintaining it, or can it be fairly simple to do on your own..?

how about any maintenance on a bike like this. is it not going to be worth it, if i'm going to be spending tons of money on maintaining it, or can it be fairly simple to do on your own..?

Why are you going to be spending tons of money maintaining it? And yes, you could do most everything on your own.

iono, i was just wondering, that if something happens...since theres no lifetime warranty like a LBS, if i'll have to spend like a lot of $$$ on fixing stuff i don't rly know that much bout yet... like "overhauling the shocks", "bleeding" the brakes, and stuff like that. but i guess thats what you guys are here for right? :]

yeah, i just don't want something rly bad to happen to the bike. and then it'll just be a big waste.