Mountain Biking - Choosing between three used bikes - Trek 4500 vs 820 vs Giant Boulder SE

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ajwillys
06-08-10, 03:36 AM
Hey all,
I'm just getting into the biking hobby and am looking at used bikes. I have the opportunity to buy one of three bikes. I'm leaning towards the Trek 4500 but wanted your advise. The three to choose from are Trek 820, Trek 4500, Giant Boulder SE. They are all older (early 2000's), all three have front suspension, and they are all three in very lightly used condition. The price for the 4500 and the Boulder is $200, the 820 is $100. I have no problem spending the extra hundred if its worth it.

From my research, it looks like the 820 and Boulder are the same caliber bike. It looks like the 4500 is better in every way. Is that true? If so, I think that's the one I will get. I saw that other thread comparing the 820 and the Boulder SE. Seemed the general consensus was to not get either.

Thanks everyone! I need to decide by this afternoon! :eek:

ajwillys
06-08-10, 06:54 AM
I think I'm going to go with the Trek 4500 since no one's responding. I've eliminated the Boulder from the running altogether and I've just about convinced myself that the nicer frame/components are worth it. If no one responds in the next hour or two, I guess I'll be going with that one.
Sixty Fiver
06-08-10, 09:36 AM
The 4500 is a decent hardtail and if the bike is in good condition $200.00 is a fair deal...

ajwillys
06-08-10, 09:58 AM
Thank you for responding! I haven't seen it in person yet, but it is supposedly in "perfect" condition. I'll report back once I get home, hopefully with the bike. I've been having a seriously hard time finding a matching paint scheme to give it a date, but I think its a 2002, although they said it was '5 years old'. We'll see.
4evrplan
06-08-10, 10:32 AM
Be sure it fits you. Bikes are sized just like clothes.
ajwillys
06-08-10, 07:24 PM
Thanks for the tip, it does fit. I had already done a rough fit based on my measurements and I did the research to figure out roughly how to make sure it would fit. I also took it for a rid, of course. I can't say that it fits 'like a glove' or whatever like if you went and got a new bike that is the perfect proportions in every way, but it seems to fit good enough for now at least.

It looks like its very good condition by the way. I see very little wear to no wear on any of the components. There are a couple scratches on one of the tubes, but that's it.