Mountain Biking - Scotty followed me home and I think wants to live here.

I've been looking for months at different options. This one looks "attractive to me. Its a 2008 Scott Spark 20

http://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2008&Brand=Scott&Model=Spark+20&Type=bike

It was raced for a year in ID. Sold to a racer in NV who used it 4-5 times and went back to his Trek Fuel. The starting price is $1,500. The only upgrade is the Krank Ti2 pedals.

The frames has smudges and what seems to be surface scratches. The components are crisp and immediate. WOW, never rode with disc brakes before, almost endo'd getting down the driveway.

I have the bike for a week to evaluate. What should I look for? And special suggestions?

I am 95% a recreational rider, like long cross country type rides, fairly good climber. Like to back pack for an overnight camp out. Drops, yeah, maybe three feet on a heroic day. But there are tons of rocks around here and i like to go fast when I can.173601173602173603173604

That bike is currently above your skillset. Buy it and it will be nothing but FUN while your skills catch up. I built my old 2007 Spark to 23lbs and it was a complete ROCKET...

Thanks for the comments. You are 100% on target about being more bike than I need, but I want something that will last another 10 years and get around well.

What changes did you make to get to 23. Its an XL frame and sits right at 26 pounds. I am 6'3" with a 34" inseam. Seems comfortable so far.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=173602&d=1286987204

What should I look for?Look for small bike thieves in your back yard disguised as figurines.

Seriously, Scott makes some serious good hardware. Make sure there's no play in the rear pivots and I'd say you're good. Hope it goes well.

frame smudges throw up a warning flag for me. you just don't know where it's been.

Look for small bike thieves in your back yard disguised as figurines.



I hear you, they don't appear to be on the "level." Always have that stupid blank stare.......hmmmmm.

Nice.

that is a nice looking bicycle there. wish it was at least dusty though....being in las vegas and all.

Thanks for the comments. You are 100% on target about being more bike than I need, but I want something that will last another 10 years and get around well.

What changes did you make to get to 23. Its an XL frame and sits right at 26 pounds. I am 6'3" with a 34" inseam. Seems comfortable so far.

DT Swiss carbon fork/Stans ZTR Olympic wheelset/full XTR group

that is a nice looking bicycle there. wish it was at least dusty though....being in las vegas and all.

Stop by Sunday night, I got some plans.......................

Whoever put the front brake on didn't know what they were doing.

Yeah, the hose is a bit twisted.

I took the bike to REI and the wrench there said he would redo the brakes as well. Thanks for catching that.

I'm surprised no one noticed that the seller had mounted the water bottle cage upside down. Where is the attention to detail guys?

The bike is as Dilberto pointed out, this is more bike than my ability. My average speed on the trails I've ridden jumped right away. It has actually made those trails boring. They are smooth compared to the old bouncy thrill rides. I've have even caught enough air a couple times that I am tempted to try a tail kick. Time to hit the black diamonds at Bootleg.

The bad news, dragging my 220 pound carcass up hill is just work. Turning is quicker, but climbing is still work-RATS!

HAH! i did notice the water bottle but was to lazy to say anything. lol

i sort of figured that you would notice sooner or later :P

Yeah, I can't get the bottle to fit, and I tried really hard. Probably wouldn't stay in anyway!

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=173604&d=1286987265

This screams class!

This screams class!

class? which part screams that? the peeling blue tape or the the unnecessary nut on the valve stem?

I hope you enjoy the bike Daspydyr. Good luck with those "tail kicks."

class? which part screams that? the peeling blue tape or the the unnecessary nut on the valve stem?

I hope you enjoy the bike Daspydyr. Good luck with those "tail kicks."

Someone drank their Hateraid this morning!

The tires are tubeless. I noticed the extra nut on the valve stem. Is that standard for tubeless or precautionary?

Dude, I'd be lost without you all looking at these pictures. The peeling blue tape is a plastic cover for a shiny mirror surface piece. My guess is that if protects the frame from cable rub.

Humanu was probably referring to my self installed artificial grass putting surface that I displayed the bike on. OR it could be the incredibly smooth shifting (and effortless) XTR rear derailer, thank you very much.

If any of you get to Vegas I will let you take a picture standing by the bike.

Someone drank their Hateraid this morning!

Not hating, just wondering what exactly buys you class?

. Good luck with those "tail kicks."



Oh no you didn't!

Not hating, just wondering what exactly buys you class?

To be honest I have been posting on the MT forums for a week or two and I just noticed you are the biggest dick on here and it is usually totally baseless. Just assholery, have you ever been a guest on the show Bully Beatdown?

To be honest I have been posting on the MT forums for a week or two and I just noticed you are the biggest dick on here and it is usually totally baseless. Just assholery, have you ever been a guest on the show Bully Beatdown?

Ah, someone got butt hurt! You've been here for a week or two, so why not stfu, and learn people's personalities before you insult them?

To be honest I have been posting on the MT forums for a week or two and I just noticed you are the biggest dick on here

It took you two weeks to figure that out? You must be a slow reader.


and it is usually totally baseless.

Not only baseless, but meaningless. Kind of like a your post about "screaming class" which struck me as an odd choice of words and led me to request the clarification you still haven't provided.


Just assholery

Not all of it. There's a fair amount of ******baggery involved as well. I did admittedly slip up and tell him I hoped he enjoyed the bike and for that I apologize.

edit: and while I'm at it, I also apologize for giving you input on your "Idiot Tube Question." Or did you think that me suggesting you drill your rim was an assholish response also?

Guys, take this outside and don't come back til ur DONE! That's what mom would say, fer sure!

To be honest I have been posting on the MT forums for a week or two and I just noticed you are the biggest dick on here and it is usually totally baseless. Just assholery, have you ever been a guest on the show Bully Beatdown?

Are you sure you're not confusing '01 with '66?

You guys got it all wrong. The biggest jerks here are junkyard and me.

The rest of you are just wannabe-dicks. Hamanu23, I commend you, you're moving up in the rankings for your comments in this thread. I do have one word of advice, though. Try not to mix up too much stupidity within your barbs otherwise you come out looking more like an idiot rather than a jerk. Keep at it, though.

that is a nice looking bicycle there. wish it was at least dusty though....being in las vegas and all.

Sorry CraigX3, I've put 150 miles on and this is as dusty as it is. It is just to fast for the dust to settle on it.

i think he was referring to the xt derailleur, or the sweet pivots in the back there.

i don't think he was talking about the peeling blue tape, good guess though.

er, ummm, that's XTR deraileur, just being specific you know.

. . . and I just noticed you are the biggest dick on here . . . .

You guys got it all wrong. The biggest jerks here are junkyard and me.I beg to differ. I have you all beat hands down; not just anyone can wear mantle of Asshat Moderator.

er, ummm, that's XTR deraileur, just being specific you know.

Oh is that what y'all were talking about. To me, that says sotto voce "nice derailleur."

I'm sure what Humana was referring to was the shiny mirror surfaced cable rub guard hiding beneath the blue protective tape. This brings CLASS to a new level. And it even says SCOTT in the top right corner-eat yur hearts out slackers..............

Just curious. Is that a suitable bike for "all mountain" type riding? I've seen the Spark40 and 60 on sale within my price range <$2000 so I was wondering. They look and sound like some pretty sharp bikes. I've just started looking so I'm still trying to figure out what's what.

Littleton eh? I spent 5 years there off Broadway by that park with the Pirate Ship.

The Spark is Scott's Full Suspension offering for a ton of different riding levels. The Genius is more of a downhill model and runs @5 pounds heavier per bike. The Scale is pretty sweet as a hard tail and comes in a 29er setup.

I choose the Spark because it is supposed to be their All Mountain/All Terrain bike. I think you will like it. Most of the $2K bikes out there are pretty solid. I like the Scott name. They come with DT Swiss rims and wheels which I like.

Pirates Cove? That's a bit east of me. Littleton's pretty big - I'm up against the foothills. Thanks for the info

Good luck on the bike shopping.

The Genius is more of a downhill model . . . .Huh? :twitchy:

Huh? :twitchy:

HEY-I actually go to INTERBIKE, and that is what the Scott boys told me.

^^ Rub it in. Hopefully next year.

BTW, I finally got to actually meet Jason - - at his digs - - in Denver last week. Turns out too that his salesman, Peter, is an Idaho guy; so got to swap stories about the Schweitzer Nats, Silver Mtn, etc. Good people.

Not hating, just wondering what exactly buys you class?

You can pay for school but you can't buy class. Sorry, couldn't resist.

By the way, nice bike Daspydyr. I like the Scott Sparks a lot. I don't remember which, but I remember reading in some mountain biking magazine that one of the Spark series bikes was voted best XC bike for <$2000 in 2009. I'd love to own one some day, but I just can't afford **** for bikes right now. At this rate I'll be lucky to get a decent fork on my 10-year-old Wahoo by spring time. Such is life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vyj1C8ogtE