Mountain Biking - looking to get into MTN biking, need assistance

So I want to get into mountain biking but have 0 money to start. I have found someone on old craigslist that will trade me this bike for my Playstation vita with 5 games. My question is if this is a decent enough starting bike and if they value is worth what I am trading. Thanks for the help.

What year and fsr model? Need more info

I have no idea what year and model it is and neither does the person who is trading it stating it was their sons. Research shows it could be a 1998 FSR but I am not sure.

I have no idea what year and model it is and neither does the person who is trading it stating it was their sons. Research shows it could be a 1998 FSR but I am not sure.

If it were me I'd leave it. FSR can demand a high price tag depending on model etc this does seem to be a lower end model. Think I can make out delore lx on the crank arm which is quite good spec.

See if the seller can give you some more info, if not as I said leave it.

Dave

Too old. It's not too old to ride, but it's too old to be worth a PS Vita and 5 games.

Not a bad bike, but it's old, so would be concerned about things like the suspension bushings / bearing being worn out; the forks, they come from a time when Manitou wasn't the best, and spares if needed could be virtually impossible to find.

For the age / model, agree with 1998, possibly 1999 FSR, which one is harder to find out, but it also looks a bit of a parts bin special, the LX crank is a good crank, and probably better than was originally fitted, but at 10-15 years old, would expect very few original part to have survived if the bike was ever ridden off road.

That sucks as I want to start biking. Thanks all for looking out, I will continue my search for my first mountain bike. :)

If I were going to start MTN biking without much money, I would begin with a nice used MTB off of Craigslist (like you're already doing).

Just make certain of the following:

1) No frame damage

2) The fork is in good condition

3) It fits :thumb:

Ok I have another bike that I can trade. Guy wants me vita for it plus a little cash. Its a mongoose otero and this is the only pic he sent. Research shows this bike to be the 08 model. I really like the look of the bike just wondering how much cash I should offer. Again my vita is in perfect condition with 5 games, case, and memory card. Here is a pic of what he is offereing.284580

Also I am about 5'10 in height, what frame size should I roughly be looking for?

Thanks,

That's closer in value. You probably need a 17.5 - 19" bike. It depends on the bike and on your specific body dimensions. Go test ride it!

That's closer in value. You probably need a 17.5 - 19" bike. It depends on the bike and on your specific body dimensions. Go test ride it!

He is wanting cash on top of my playstation vita with games. Is this even worth it or should I offer a small amount. Any help is appreciated. Also I am just trying to make this fair for both me and the seller :)


edit, I am also just got a offer for this 2002 ironhorse hustler. Let me know what you guys think :)
284616

it was $900 new and is worth absolutely no more than half that now.. in good working order. the vita was at least $250, and $40-50 per game...

it was $900 new and is worth absolutely no more than half that now.. in good working order. the vita was at least $250, and $40-50 per game...

Thanks Colin, what did you think of the ironhorse hustler??

The Mongoose Otero is out. Guy at the last minute told me he wanted the VITA, all games for it, and another 250 dollars in cash for the bike so I walked away right there. I can still get the 2002 iron horse hustler I posted a pic of. Is this worth it?

It's unfortunate that nobody knows what the hell they were talking about with regards to the FSR. If you don't know what bike it is - - if you're just guessing - - it's a disservice to everyone to chime in and "help."

The FSR in question is actually a 2000 BigHit frame. For its age, that is probably one of the more desirable early FSRs around and still viable as a long-travel trailbike. Now the bad in this particular instance: this is a 6½"-rear-travel frame and the original fork was a 6"-travel dual-crown Jr.T. As such, the fork on it is woefully too short - - to the point of dangerously altering the geometry and lowering the bottom bracket. Really, the whole bike appears to be a mutt of low-end parts hung on a decent frame. SOOOoooooo . . . the OP is advised to stay away from it but not for any of the reasons previously cited.

In summary: if you don't know, don't guess.

It's unfortunate that nobody knows what the hell they were talking about with regards to the FSR. If you don't know what bike it is - - if you're just guessing - - it's a disservice to everyone to chime in and "help."

The FSR in question is actually a 2000 BigHit frame. For its age, that is probably one of the more desirable early FSRs around and still viable as a long-travel trailbike. Now the bad in this particular instance: this is a 6½"-rear-travel frame and the original fork was a 6"-travel dual-crown Jr.T. As such, the fork on it is woefully too short - - to the point of dangerously altering the geometry and lowering the bottom bracket. Really, the whole bike appears to be a mutt of low-end parts hung on a decent frame. SOOOoooooo . . . the OP is advised to stay away from it but not for any of the reasons previously cited.

In summary: if you don't know, don't guess.

I didnt get the FSR, although I thank you for the added info on the bike. Anything I can learn and pickup helps. I am still need some sort of answers/opinions on the 2002 iron horse hustler I posted earlier. Thanks everyone for the help.

It's a decent enough bike for its vintage. Appears to be bone-stock with no upgrades; parts were lower end - - Hayes mechanical discs, Marz MXR fork, Stylo crank, etc. - - but all adequate. It's a simple single pivot design rear suspension; if the shock and fork still work and you like the idea of full suspension, it's worth what your PS is and will get you off the couch.

It's a decent enough bike for its vintage. Appears to be bone-stock with no upgrades; parts were lower end - - Hayes mechanical discs, Marz MXR fork, Stylo crank, etc. - - but all adequate. It's a simple single pivot design rear suspension; if the shock and fork still work and you like the idea of full suspension, it's worth what your PS is and will get you off the couch.


Dminor thank you so much you have been a huge help. I just want to ride so that really helps. The mongoose otero person has come crawling back so if he will straight trade then I plan on getting that and then sell my 3ds to get some biking equipment. Thanks again for the help :)

OP, why not visit a garage sale. I've seen good stuff just given away..

Don't bring cash into the equasion when you want to barter. Its either what you have or that's it imo. If u wanna add in some cash, just sell the vita and games and buy a bike instead of bartering.
I think you should consider a hardtail. I think you'll get a much nicer bike easier. Every joe blow who doesn't know thinks their full suspension is the **** cuz it cost more than a hardtail and its squishy in the back. agaiin this is all my own opinion tho(don't get me wrong some ppl do have really nice FS bikes)

This is what i meant. Stuff like this its everywhere, just drive around. Not amazing, but will get you started. Free stuff category

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/zip/3339327068.html

No, MisterK, I do think you have a valid point that the OP might get a better overall bike for the money by trading for a good hardtail.

No he doesn't.

No, MisterK, I do think you have a valid point that the OP might get a better overall bike for the money by trading for a good hardtail.

Well I still havent traded yet. I still have the iron horse hustler that I could bater for but unsure.