Mountain Biking - Help Me Narrow Down My EBay Choices!!

Real quick, I'll be 30% XC, 70% paved trail. I'm 6'3". I'd LOVE to have suspension lockout and a bike that is easy to swap parts on.

Which of these are good bikes and good deals? How much 'should' each of these be worth?

1) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3680429736&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

2) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3680483295&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1#ebayphotohosting
(will it fit me?)

3) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3680505316&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

4) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3679961222&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
(why zero bids on this?)

5) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3680222119&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

6) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3680683542&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

7) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3681515837&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

8) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3680892981&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

9) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3681303884&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

10) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3681365951&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

11) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3681347991&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

12) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3681549635&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

13) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3681572912&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Go with #1. The Trek Y frame. That is what I would get.

the rockhopper is the best bet. The Y-Frames are crap, dont even think about it.

Could you expand on why you feel the Y frame is junk?

Also, can you guys critique if there are any "steals"?

with the y frame you are probably going to get alot of feedback from the rear when pedaling (pedal bob). the 2003 rockhopper would be a sweet rig. Have you thought about a hardtail?

#2) Is that a decent bike?
#4) Why no bidders on what looks to be a good bike?
#5) I do mostly XC, will this be an inappropriate bike for me?
#6) Would I have sort of biker pimp juice if I grabbed this odd thing?
#7) am I correct in assuming this price isn't that great?
#8) Another Y frame. Good/Bad?
#9) I've heard great things about the Raven? Is that for good reason?
#10) Does the Rockhopper have lockouts?
#12) Is this full retail price?

all of those bikes are bad for what you are doing.

you really should get a hardtail (no rear suspension). what you are looking at is way too much bike. I almost died when I saw that turner downhill on your list. do you realize that bike is almost 40 pounds if not more? its meant to take like 20 foot drops! crimminy.

so, i'd look for a decent used hardtail or maybe a rigid. you'd go nuts driving one of those huge bikes around.

all of those bikes are bad for what you are doing.

you really should get a hardtail (no rear suspension). what you are looking at is way too much bike. I almost died when I saw that turner downhill on your list. do you realize that bike is almost 40 pounds if not more? its meant to take like 20 foot drops! crimminy.

so, i'd look for a decent used hardtail or maybe a rigid. you'd go nuts driving one of those huge bikes around.
I agree whole heartedly, for that price go to your LBS ( local bike shop) and get yourself a *new* entry of base model Hardtail ( specialized and treks are decent ). and find out how you ride. Then once you know your riding habits and your bike is limiting you, get another bike.
Hope this helps! keep riding and stay safe.

all of those bikes are bad for what you are doing.
its meant to take like 20 foot drops! crimminy.


The turner is not meant at all to be a "drop" bike, and though it could maybe handle a couple, 20 foot drops are cetainly not what it was designed for. Its a pure DH racer, nothing more. Also, its one of the lighter choices available for a DH bike.


To the dude who is trying to narrow his choices down: Man, that is a random sampling of bikes from low-end crap to some real quality stuff. In my opinion if you want to do everything in riding, including DH runs and XC type trail riding, that Giant AC is the only choice....but given your sampling of bikes...you probably dont even know what you want to do...in which case...any of those bikes would work until you figure out what you like. A y-bike or an old FSR are just that "old" If their designs were still competitive with todays FSRs or Trek's designs....they would still sell them. They dont however, and most of those bikes are pretty well obselete. Especially the YBike. It has whats called a URT (unified rear triangle) possibly the worst suspension design around. Only really works when sitting on the seat. Do yourself a favor and dont buy a new bike off ebay. Go to a shop and get fitted properly and tell the guy what you want to do. Then go to another shop and ask the same stuff and find a good answer for yourself.

Sorry I uhh......looked through most of the list and all of the bikes are junk. Whyte bike is too complicated and just dumb, the trek y frame is something that shouldent even be considered (outdated junk).....

Why dont you just go get a new bike from a bike shop?

Sorry I uhh......looked through most of the list and all of the bikes are junk. Whyte bike is too complicated and just dumb, the trek y frame is something that shouldent even be considered (outdated junk).....

Why dont you just go get a new bike from a bike shop?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3681572912&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

That bike is far from junk and far beyond anything special ed offers in the same catergory.

Thanks to all who gave helpful advice. I purchased a bike today:

http://www.photohost.org/gallery/uploads/124/Hardrock_New.jpg

Not bad...not bad at all

Thanks!

For $249 I was pretty happy with my choice.

Thanks!

For $249 I was pretty happy with my choice.
You'll be upgrading to something more upline as soon as you define your riding style a bit more but not a bad beginning

Thanks to all who gave helpful advice. I purchased a bike today:

http://www.photohost.org/gallery/uploads/124/Hardrock_New.jpg

Did the couch come with it?

Dude!!!! great choice, The hardrock is a strong bike. I't also won't break the bank...

Did the couch come with it?

I got kinda loud when they didn't give me a kickstand, so they decided to throw it in for free. :) Unfortunately, that IS where I'm storing it until I free up some space.

Dude!!!! great choice, The hardrock is a strong bike. I't also won't break the bank...

You guys really did the choosing for me, but thanks! Already took it out for an 18 mile ride. I meant to run over to Panera for a bite too eat but the temptation of crossing the city trail was too great. I'm hungry...

I got kinda loud when they didn't give me a kickstand, so they decided to throw it in for free. :) Unfortunately, that IS where I'm storing it until I free up some space.
Take off the kickstand it'll kill you on the trail. Read this recant thread. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=51731&highlight=Kickstand

Congrats on the new bike. Good choice. 18 mile first ride. You'll be changing to a road bike soon, they are much faster.

Take off the kickstand it'll kill you on the trail. Read this recant thread. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=51731&highlight=Kickstand

I was joking, like they gave me the couch to use as a kickstand. I didn't want one nor did i get one.

well good choice Bquicksilver, and I apologize on the others guys behalf for the raping they gave you in the other thread. Take it easy and keep riding bro.

I'm pretty sure thye're the ones who looked bad/immature in that one.

I deal with far bigger issues than them every day and enjoyed listening to them try and justify crying about new members.

enjoyed listening to them try and justify crying about new members.

sweet rockhopper. why not go with the Trek 4300 though?

(assuming this isn't sarcasm)
I couldn't discern between bikes at this point, I knew Specialzed was a better name, it cost less, and it had better balance.

In the end it will always be about fit. Take any bike in the same price range (2000$ or 200$) they will be dang close with mostly insignifigant differences...it will always come to fit, or at the least it SHOULD come to fit. As a good bike that fits will keep you riding.

In the end it will always be about fit. Take any bike in the same price range (2000$ or 200$) they will be dang close with mostly insignifigant differences...it will always come to fit, or at the least it SHOULD come to fit. As a good bike that fits will keep you riding.
also staying fit... ;)

my kickstand almost broke my leg. it came loose, messed up my footing, and i fell 10-20 feet down a moderte hill

my kickstand almost broke my leg. it came loose, messed up my footing, and i fell 10-20 feet down a moderte hill

hahahahahhahahahhahah