Mountain Biking - Used vs. new?

Hey all, completely new to biking besides when I was a kid. I plan on riding a bike mainly for commuting about 6-10 miles a day and taking it on some trails a few times a month.

I rode a Rockhopper today which I liked but also a used bike. I plan on asking about the components of the used bikes but the little that I know about it is that it has a Kona frame and a Marzocchi Bomber fork. I think most of the components are Deore, and the guy said that this 400 dollar (used) bike would be about $700 new. The fork felt pretty stiff however and kind of heavy... The Rockhopper's was the opposite so while it absorbed well I felt a loss of power. Any suggestions on this one for the type of usage I have described above? I don't plan on doing anything too extreme so I imagine both would be good and both bikes felt pretty good when riding.

thanks in advance for any help and suggestions.

I think used is a great option. I'd get some more details on the Kona. What model is it. Also, same for the Marzocchi fork. Marz. makes several different models.

Ask about the level of components. If they're Shimano, the levels are Acera, Deore, LX, XT and XTR in that order! (XTR being top)

At $700 they're probably Deore Shifters (at the handlebars) with an LX or even XT rear derailleur (rear shifty thingy).

The fork is probably an EXR.

Look closely at all the welds. Check for flaking paint. Scratches are expected, but deep gouges should be avoided.

L8R

Hey all, completely new to biking besides when I was a kid. I plan on riding a bike mainly for commuting about 6-10 miles a day and taking it on some trails a few times a month.

If Commuting is high on your list along with general utility
biking then open the used bike envelope up to include comfort
& hybrid or commuting bikes in the used market. These will
offer more of the features you'll really need unless trail
bashing is high on the list of to do's.

Considering that some screaming bargains can be had in the
used bike market learn ALL that you can here and elsewhere
in the web BEFORE you open your wallet. I 100% sure that for
about $400 you can own both a dandy commuter/utility bike
AND tough as nails trail bike.......used.

Just remember two point.....
New designs are not neccessarily better for components for
average use. Tried and true is much better. And STEEL is
the only frame to have for ride and durablity. (yeah I know
that alum has it's fans becuase it's light but it rides like
a rock. Steel will ring and flex where alum won't.) Alum is
important to pro riders but for joe average it's not so good.

Try to find lugged frames as they are much better for average
use and some semi-pro. (better ride.)

Also spend as much time as you can here learning.......

www.sheldonbrown.com

Thanks for the replies. I bought a Rockhopper and have had a blast on some trails - haven't done much commuting with it yet though.

Congrats. Pictures are (kinda) required. O.k., not required, but if you don't, we won't give you any more advice. O.k., not really, but we like to see pictures of new bikes.

Muddy ones preferred.

Muddy and Bloody ones recommended.

L8R

http://www.cripplefight.com/smileys/needpics.gif

I'll try to get some good pics up soon. Haven't hit any mud yet so it's only a little dirty...

Here are some pics

I think used is a good option too, especially if you live in an area with lots of cyclists and good deals on used bikes. However, I bought new b/c my LBS offers free maintainance for the lifetime of the bike. That's something to consider. If you can do all the wrench twisting yourself, that's probably not as much of an issue.

I think used is a good option too, especially if you live in an area with lots of cyclists and good deals on used bikes. However, I bought new b/c my LBS offers free maintainance for the lifetime of the bike. That's something to consider. If you can do all the wrench twisting yourself, that's probably not as much of an issue.


I bought new because I like the bike, but also because I don't really know much about bikes (although I am learning!). When I go to look at a used bike, I can't identify good components from bad, the condition that they're in, etc. So I went the safer route...

Here are some pics


The dirtybike pics are just dust. It sucks when mud gets baked on there. Like a day after rain. Then it gets covered in mud. FUN FUN to clean...