Mountain Biking - Opinion of which used MTB to buy

Hi guys, the time has come,my 2 choices,the Specialized hardrock Comp is a 2002 model,19'' frame,few paint chips/scratches see in the pic,$175, the Trek 3700 is a 2008 model,16'' frame,like new,$275, i already checked the bike shops and none have any 08'' Trek model left ,please give this newbie some insight,thanks


http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u306/smile_at_u90012/Picture071-1.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u306/smile_at_u90012/ebay006.jpg

well, since they are two different sizes, what one fits best. That should be your first criteria. Can you ride them both?

Buy the one you feel more comfortable on.

My current bike is 17.5'',since the mtb has 26'' tires and my Trek FX has 700 tires,does it mean the mtb will set lower? i am 5'7 without shoes on,inseam is around 33'', those 2 bikes are in 2 different location,one is 145 miles north and the other is 110 miles south of me,

which one fits the best?

thats the one that wins..

but if the hardrock fits, Id go with that.... 3 series treks (i ride one) dont have much room for expansion.

Expansion as in upgrading/add on? i dont intend to do any of that soon, i am not fond of the idea of checking one bike and not liking it and then go check the other and find out i like the first one better,you got the idea, i am talking about some serious driving involved.

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we cant tell you what fit YOU best.
so, either agree to meet them, or risk it based on rough estimates.

since they are both different sizes, and geometrys its hard to tell you what to get...

get the one that fits the best.

Size 19'' on the Specialized, add half of the wheel diameter which is 13" equals to 32'' and the top tube rises towards the front,,this is going to be more than my inseam height,on the other hand, in a normal standing position, i will be just infront of the saddle,which is just at my inseam height,am i right on this?

If you're 5'7" the 19" will be way too big. The 16" should be just about right.

The HR looks too big...otherwise I would have said go widdit.

Get the Trek.

The 19" will be too big. I'm 5'9" and I have an 18" and I'm pushing the limit, but I'd rather go bigger than smaller. What size are you riding now? Is it a good fit? Go by that.

i am riding a 17.5'' with 700 tires, on that 19'' Specialized, if i stand over the frame just infront of the saddle,i think i be ok.but if i slide forward ,it will rub my crotch,does it even matter?anyway, the guy said he cant meet me at the time i prefered bcz his working schedule, i think i will go for the Trek.thanks guys.

I'd go test ride a 19' bike a few different styles, see if you can see them fitting you, if so then go for the Speacialized, I like that over the trek I'm 5'11 and ride a 17.5 with a longer stem and very mild degree riser bars to fit my upper body mostly cause i used to ride BMX alot and like a more compact frame under me for maneuverability... so what do i know about sizing. But i like the fork on the Specialized as well as think you need to dump a little more $$ into Trek to get the same value but thats just my opinion but if you can feel good on a 19' go for it, i'd say its definately the better bike

Thanks, i dont have the previlage to try out any 19'' frame here,not many biker and just one locks and keys store doubles as a bike repair shop, so my venture of trying out one is very limited,since the guy with the Specialized cant make the deal ,i have to go fot the Trek 3700.

Size 19'' on the Specialized, add half of the wheel diameter which is 13" equals to 32'' and the top tube rises towards the front,,this is going to be more than my inseam height,on the other hand, in a normal standing position, i will be just infront of the saddle,which is just at my inseam height,am i right on this?

Adding seat tube length to the radius of a wheel doesn't necessarily translate to anything useful; it's not how standover is determined in any case.

Why do you have to settle on just one of these two bikes? What's the rush?

why do you have to settle on just one of these two bikes? What's the rush?

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