Mountain Biking - New to downhill - Kona, Weyless, or others?

Ok, so I recently took lessons at Panorama on a 15.5 inch Kona Stinky Garbanzo and had a great time. I'm looking to invest around $1000 or less on a bike (so that means going used). The rental place that provided the Kona sells them for around $1000 in September, but after seeing the abuse that they go through on a daily basis as rentals I'm a little hesitant. It was a great ride and I loved the way it handled the trail, but 5 months of daily downhilling seems pretty harsh.

I've started looking in the local classifieds and this bike popped out but I've never heard of the Weyless brand: http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-sports-bikes-Weyless-XP-full-suspension-frame-NEED-GONE-W0QQAdIdZ59443110

Reviews seem pretty good, but I was hoping that someone here could provide comments on this bike, suggestions about the heavily used Kona, etc...

As I mentioned, I'm a beginner - went down a 3.8 km easy trail at Panorama, BC 8 times in one day, that is it. I loved it, but don't want to invest too heavily right off the bat. The other alternative is to rent when I go: around $100-$120 with gear. If I rent the I'll only be going a few times a year, but hopefully if I buy I'll go more -- although options around Edmonton are rather limited (I think).

If you really believe you'll only go a handful of times, I recommend the rental route. Bikes cost money in terms of initial investment, maintenance and depreciation. Buying your own bike makes sense if you use it often enough. If you only expect to use it a couple of times, the depreciation will cost more than paying for a rental a few times.

... The rental place that provided the Kona sells them for around $1000 in September, but after seeing the abuse that they go through on a daily basis as rentals I'm a little hesitant...


What makes you think a used bike from a private party will be any less abused? Just because it may be clean and look nice in an add does not mean the bike has not been beaten on. He states "Not one scratch ..." but there is a LOT of cable rub (down to the bare metal and then some in one spot) and a few scratches here and there.

It is also an OLD bike/components, probably bought it from SuperGo 4 or 5yreas ago and are no longer made (unless someone in Canada is still selling them) although Performance Bike (bought out SuperGo) still sells a few Weyless parts. I would also not trust that derailleur hanger to last to long if you are going to use the bike for DH.

That bike will ride completely different then the Stinky and if you really liked the feel of the Stinky then get one from the rental shop as they may have some sort of warranty for the bikes they sell.

DBD:beer:

What makes you think a used bike from a private party will be any less abused? Just because it may be clean and look nice in an add does not mean the bike has not been beaten on. He states "Not one scratch ..." but there is a LOT of cable rub (down to the bare metal and then some in one spot) and a few scratches here and there.

I was thinking along the lines of the bikeshop renting the bike out daily for an entire summer season (May to August) so say maybe 100+ days vs. buying a used bike from someone who maybe puts 10-15 days hard riding on it a year (so for a four year old bike that'd be 60 days). I see your point though as now that I do the math, there isn't really that much difference especially when the rental bikes would have received very regular maintenance. I think that I am leaning this way now.



It is also an OLD bike/components, probably bought it from SuperGo 4 or 5yreas ago and are no longer made (unless someone in Canada is still selling them) although Performance Bike (bought out SuperGo) still sells a few Weyless parts. I would also not trust that derailleur hanger to last to long if you are going to use the bike for DH.


That is one of my main concerns as a lot of reviews that I've read have mentioned uncertainty about parts and even struggles to get some. I guess names like Kona, Specialized, etc... will have a vastly superior supply chain.

Thanks for you comments guys and good point too about checking into a warranty offered by the rental place.

Anyone had any experience buying season end rentals or comments on how well the Kona's hold up in general?