Mountain Biking - CL Finds Need Help

So I am 5 9 looking for a good mountain bike to learn how to ride on the trails in Santa Cruz mountains. Looking for something to just blaze around the trails on and know that I have some good equipment that will get me where i need to go.
Here are some of the ones on craigslist I thought look good... The best place on CL for me to look is in the North Bay section, near sebastopol santa rosa rohnert park or petaluma

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1222933056

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1222906807.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1222347654.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1222051265.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1221951229.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1221648197.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1221615951.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1218680086.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1217625191.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1215507880.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1220486580.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1218767791.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1214530764.html

Let me know if any of those look promising

Give us a break. What are you looking for and what's on CL? You probably want a medium size. You need to figure out if you want full suspension or hard tail. Also, you need to think about price.

Unless it's been beaten to hell I would get the Enduro. That seems to be a pretty decent deal, don't get the single speed, the SC mountains are pretty steep, not saying you couldn't but why would you.

I am guessing you are going/go to UCSC but live in the N Bay? I have ridden N. Bay as well as S. Bay pretty well, a full suspension is kind of nice to have, but not at all needed. Santa Cruz may be a different story, but I doubt it.

Besides, all our parks are going to be closed anyway, why bother buying a bike. Kidding.

Plan on getting a hardtail unless you're planning on spending close to $1k or more. I'd shoot for a decent-quality 5-year-old major brand hardtail in the $100-200 range, then plan on fixing it up with at least Koolstop salmon pads for the V-brakes (discs are welcome but less likely in this price range), and probably a new chain and rear cassette. You may also have to buy new wheels (a decent shimano xt/DT/Rhynolite wheelset usable with either V brakes or discs can be had for $160 or so). A new set of decent off-road tires will run you $50 if you shop wisely.

Problems that are hard/expensive to fix: bent/cracked frames, worn-out front shock.

Use bikepedia.com to look up the specs/price/components of specific model/year of bikes you are interested in, and remember that bike value instantly drops to 1/2 of MSRP once it leaves the dealer, and keeps dropping rapidly after that.

Give us a break. What are you looking for and what's on CL? You probably want a medium size. You need to figure out if you want full suspension or hard tail. Also, you need to think about price.


IF you don't want to help no worries dont. Is it really that hard to look thro some CL postings to give me some info. Jeez everyone is so uppidity about their time these days. If i could help you with something I would trust me

Unless it's been beaten to hell I would get the Enduro. That seems to be a pretty decent deal, don't get the single speed, the SC mountains are pretty steep, not saying you couldn't but why would you.

I am guessing you are going/go to UCSC but live in the N Bay? I have ridden N. Bay as well as S. Bay pretty well, a full suspension is kind of nice to have, but not at all needed. Santa Cruz may be a different story, but I doubt it.

Besides, all our parks are going to be closed anyway, why bother buying a bike. Kidding.

N. bay but i will be riding in SC all year yeah UCSC

...Is it really that hard to look thro some CL postings to give me some info. ...
Is it really that hard to post human-readable summaries (at least year/model) for each link?

You should also check out the local bike shop (LBS) scene in SC, and find a trustworthy one or two (or maybe a co-op) that will help you out with advice & repairs. Return the favor by buying at least the common low-end supplies there (tubes, screws, lube, etc). An experienced pair of eyes giving your bike a once-over is a great safety/performance check.

Is it really that hard to post human-readable summaries (at least year/model) for each link?

You should also check out the local bike shop (LBS) scene in SC, and find a trustworthy one or two (or maybe a co-op) that will help you out with advice & repairs. Return the favor by buying at least the common low-end supplies there (tubes, screws, lube, etc). An experienced pair of eyes giving your bike a once-over is a great safety/performance check.

It just seems counter-intuitive to me that people spend more time complaining about something, than it takes them to just do what is making them mad in the first place. But that's okay; yes in retrospect I should of realized that people will be much more likely to give advice if I actually post a little summary of the link. Support your local senior member, thats :love: at first sight!

IMO all of them are over priced if you are going to spend around $300-400 go buy a new bike not some three year old or older bike that has been beaten to death.
This is my favorite line from the ironhorse add.

"there are some scratches from the loving use"

Unless it's been beaten to hell I would get the Enduro.I would too - - except the photo is NOT of an Enduro. I would find this ad suspect.

The Kona wouldn't be bad; but a you could get a new Cindercone on year-end closeout for not too much more than seller's price. Stay away from the other FSs on your list. Personally, it looks like the IH Warrior is one of the better buys in your list, especially if you can negotiate the price down.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1222933056.html/


This is a Kona Scab and the guy said he would take 420 for it. He just emailed me saying "i Max! i can do 420$, i think its a great deal,i just spent 120$ for the rear wheel. I have a truck so i can drive it up to you, give me a call. I am busy today, but tomorrow would work for me. thanks, Robert

The best advice I can offer you on Craigslist is to be patient. Wait until you see something you truly want.

The best advice I can offer you on Craigslist is to be patient. Wait until you see something you truly want.


its just hard for me to know exactly what I want because I just want a bike that I can learn how to mountain bike on, but not have to upgrade after two months. I also want something that somebody has upgraded already and looks good. Which is why I come to you guys.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1222933056.html/


This is a Kona Scab and the guy said he would take 420 for it. He just emailed me saying "i Max! i can do 420$, i think its a great deal,i just spent 120$ for the rear wheel. I have a truck so i can drive it up to you, give me a call. I am busy today, but tomorrow would work for me. thanks, RobertJust keep in mind that this is a 2001 model frame and a dirt-jumper; so it has likely seen 8+ years of severe service abuse. Most everything has been changed out and/or upgraded because stuff got broke. That means it has probably spent its life being 'ridden hard and put away wet.' Yes it's a steel frame but it may be nearing the end of its life-expectancy if it was used for what it was built for.

You have in your list XC, All mountain, one with slick tires, and cheap full suspension bikes. In order for us to help you make a decision you need to tell us what type of riding you plan on doing and your budget, the ones listed run to $500.

I just plan on hitting up the trails in Santa Cruz. I don't really know the different types of trails or anything, but I wouldn't imagine I will be doing any crazy jumps for awhile until I get the hang of it. My price range is around 500 but would rather not spend that much, but alot of people on CL will come way down if you just tease them with the idea of fast cash.

Thanks

Buy a hard tail bike for XC or All mountain riding, avoid any full suspensions at your price range they will not do as well. The dirt jumpers are going to beat to hell, I'd avoid them as well. Buy the bike, ride some trails, got hooked, buy more bikes, ride harder trails, repeat... Start with cross country, move on from there, it can be your gateway drug. Also bargining on CL is expected, if you find something you like offer like 60% and settle about 75% of their asking, any lower and they may get insulted.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1222933056.html/

I have been emailing with this guy and this is what he insists... which i believe

i take a look at this bike. the frame doesnt have more than 100 miles on it lifetime. seriously. the only parts on it with any real use on it is the front brake and front wheel, and they are both fine.My buddy owned this bike along with about 10 others and he never rode it.he didnt have a front wheel or brake on it. This is by no means a thrashed bike like u are suggesting. maybe I should take some better pictures and post them?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1222933056.html/
My buddy owned this bike along with about 10 others and he never rode it.he didnt have a front wheel or brake on it.

well without the front wheel i see why he never rode it :lol:

well without the front wheel i see why he never rode it :lol:

You think that it is worth 420? And would be a good bike?

Whatever. You seem determined to believe what you want to believe. Good luck to you.

Whatever. You seem determined to believe what you want to believe. Good luck to you.

well say he is telling the truth and the bike is not beat to hell... and i pay 420 for it. am i getting a good deal? is all i want to know

Bro why do you insist on buying a used beaten to death bike? if you gonna spend more than $400 go buy a brand new bike and enjoy it.
Check out this link from this forum there are two bikes here less than $400 and they would be great for what you wanna do.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=552275

Motobecanes nice. Specialized too - but bit pricey.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1231281230.html

He would take 400 for it. Still no go?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1231281230.html

He would take 400 for it. Still no go?


He will take 350 for it.... still no go?

He will take 350 for it.... still no go?

Clapped out, man. Two hundy tops. Keep looking, something better will turn up...

ok ok damn i guess its hard to sniff out a good deal