Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - With your size and weight, would you trust a used bike for dependability?

I'm in the market for a new bike and found a mid-90s Specialized Rockhopper on craigslist for $100. It looks really clean and has very minimal rust and it's only around the screws. Now, my question to you my bellow big-people. With the extra stress we put on a bike (I'm 6' 330ish) do you find yourself comfortable trusting a used bike not to buckle under the pressure in a few weeks or even months?

If it's steel, then in many cases I would trust a used bike OVER a new bike! :D

Old steel rockhopper should be fine.. If you have a steel frame, I highly recommend weigle frame saver to treat the inside of the frame..

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CM407B04-Jp+Weigle+Frame+Saver+Aerosol+Can.aspx

That would be at the top of my list for a good starter bike for Clydes.

If it's steel, then in many cases I would trust a used bike OVER a new bike! :D

+1 or more on that.

I am over 300#, check out my bikes listed below. One steel and three cro-moly. All future ones will be cro-moly.

Great choice. A good tune up and re-lubrication and it should out last you.

Bicycle frames tend not to fail through fatigue. If the frame is in good condition and the welds look good there's no reason it shouldn't last a lifetime.

I saw first hand how new bikes need the same servicing (hubs, BB bracket overhauled, spokes tensioned) as any used bike you would buy. As the mechanic said, yes, there was grease in the (new bike's) hubs, but just a thin veneer. Depending on the bike you want, you might not save much money, but you'd know it has been properly serviced.

vsanthos, Uber clydes have owned bikes made from all of the available materials. Frames are not the weak point, wheels are. The '90s generation of rigid mountain bikes are a wise choice as they generally have strong wheelsets.

Any used bike (car, lawnmower and so on) depends on the previous owner's care or neglect so can be a crap shoot, but the Rockhopper is a popular and well respected model. Have the bike shop look it over and perform an overhaul.

Brad

Yes, if the bike is in good shape.

I'd check the frame over very carefully. If it had no significant dents, wrinkles in the paint, misalignments, etc., then it's likely to hold you just fine. If you don't feel comfortable looking it over, perhaps take it to a trustworthy third party (LBS wrench) with a sixpack or box of doughnuts, and ask him if the bike's OK.

If it's been wrecked or bent, keep looking.

Definitely not. You should avoid purchasing that bike. And if you could please post a link I'm sure one of us will be more then happy to buy it off the market and help remove this evil temptation from in front of you. And every time one of us rides that sweet... uh, I mean DANGEROUS ride we will laugh and smile knowing we have saved you from a horrible and very nicely priced problem.

My daily commuter is a 23 year old Trek 400 frame/fork that I pulled out of a dumpster.

If it's steel, then in many cases I would trust a used bike OVER a new bike! :D

Correct.

I am over 300#, check out my bikes listed below. One steel and three cro-moly. All future ones will be cro-moly.


I've got a '95 GT Outpost Trail. It's built like a tank. Still my only bike. May purchase a new bike in the next year, but this one is always in my heart.

Definitely not. You should avoid purchasing that bike. And if you could please post a link I'm sure one of us will be more then happy to buy it off the market and help remove this evil temptation from in front of you. And every time one of us rides that sweet... uh, I mean DANGEROUS ride we will laugh and smile knowing we have saved you from a horrible and very nicely priced problem.

You've persuaded me! I will avoid this evil bike like the plague. After some questions last night I decided to pull the trigger and e-mailed the owner again to set up a time to see the bike. He hasn't got back to me yet. I hope I don't end up missing out and disappointed!

I'm over 200 pounds and ride an 11 year old Specialized Stumpjumper Comp with Manitou front shocks. Everything else on the bike is stock.

I am a fairly serious mountain bike rider and do 30+ mile, 4000 foot elevation (gain then loss) rides on a regular basis. I jump, slide, crash, and go really fast with no concerns for the integrity of the bike. I have had the bike since new and keep a careful eye on the frame and everything else. The bike has crashed very hard a number of times but seems to be no worse for the wear.

I also ride a Specialized Roubaix (carbon fiber) road bike (150+ miles/week) on 40+ mile rides in pretty remote locations. I bought that bike used from an estate and it still works perfectly after three years. I did have to replace the wheels but that was 'cause of the cheap ones that came new.

My previous mountain bike was a Klein Attitude (aluminum) that I bought used from the 2nd owner. That used Klein held up to five years of serious jumping and banging before it was stolen.

SO - if you inspect it carefully and then maintain it carefully a used bike should be no problem - just my opinion based on a fair amount of experience.

My fixed gear frame is over 40 years old. I don't see any issues with a Rockhjopper.....it's a tough frame and can be usedlater as a platform for a touring bike if you get into that aspect of cycling.

My daily commuter is a 23 year old Trek 400 frame/fork that I pulled out of a dumpster.

My "new" daily ride is a Giant Acapulco a friend pulled out of a dumpster.

And my two other bikes were made in the 70s.