Mountain Biking - Good deal? 05 SX frame

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Evrich
02-10-12, 11:17 AM
Hey new to the forums and have a question. I am trying to get in to freeride/trail riding but need a bike obviously. I found someone on the craigslist selling and 05 specialized sx trail frame. it includes

the frame
stock rear shock (element?)
stem and handlebars
crank
1 of the stock disk breaks
stock rear wheel
possibly and extra rotor

he wants 400 and says the frame is in almost new condition. From the research I did it seems like a good deal but what do you guys think I don't know a ton about the value of older bikes. Also if I did buy would this be a good setup to put a 29er wheel in front since I would have to buy a front wheel and fork anyways? Thanks for the help!

dminor
02-10-12, 11:37 AM
Decent price IF the shock is good and IF it hasn't been abused. Progressive does not make 5th Element bike shocks any more but many outfits still service them if it eventually goes south on you.

NO, don't put a 29er front on. If you want to try the bigger-hoop-front, it might be interesting to go 650b; but 29er? NO.
Evrich
02-10-12, 02:27 PM
ok thanks. I appreciate it. When I go check out the frame what should I look for as signs as abuse. Cracks, dents anything else? Is there a quick way to check if the shock is alright without the bike being built up? Thanks

dminor
02-10-12, 02:48 PM
Also check all of the pivots for play. If a bearing's bad, it's easy to replace; but thrashed bearings are a sign of further abuse. Look for cracks around the bearing bosses. About the only way to actually check the shock on a bare frame would be to pull the 'bottom' mount bolt, remove the spring temporarily, bolt it back up loosely and cycle it through to be sure there is some rebound damping. Look for mundge around the rod seal. That's about it.
cryptid01
02-10-12, 04:48 PM
400 bucks? Holy crap, I guess I'm never going to sell mine.

Evrich, check the chainstay yoke. 05 and 06 were known to crack and a gusset was added in 07.
Evrich
02-11-12, 07:16 PM
So I went to check out the frame and everything looked pretty good, just a little dirty. The guy took 340, so I got a little better deal on it. Wha'ts next? I was thinking a full break down and clean? What's a decent fork I can snag at a reasonable price?