Mountain Biking - Is this Raleigh M80 a good deal for a noob?

Hi all,

To begin, I am a TOTAL newbie to the sport, but I'm looking for a decent used bike to start with. If I find I enjoy the sport, then I'll probably buy something better in the next 6-12 months. Anyway, I've found a used Raleigh M80 online for $250. The guy says:

Bought this thing two months ago at $650, and now I find my parents just bought me a car...

He also included 4 pictures:

http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike1.jpg
http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike2.jpg
http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike3.jpg
http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike4.jpg

In the pictures, it looks like the rear gears (is there a more technical name for them?) are a bit rusted. Is that easy to fix/replace or is it a sign of misuse? Everything else looks ok to me, but what do I know?! Again, I'm just interested in some opinions. Will this bike allow for a good introduction to the sport or should I look elsewhere? Thanks!

the M80 is not a horrible bike, but the prices is not that great, I recall a friend picking up a new M80, I don't think it was more that 350.00. No $650 bike comes with that low end Rock Shok Jett.
Price is too high, especially if you are looking to upgrade in the near term, save the money and buy a nicer bike.

The cassette can be replaced, but I would not pick up this bike. Considering it looks heavily used and is showing signs of neglect. Even for 250 I think you can find a much better deal.

Great! Thanks for the info guys...I'll pass on this one and keep looking! Do you think it's even worth it to look for a used bike or should I just take the plunge and buy a new one? I could probably justify spending about $500 on something new.

Id buy a new rig, but that is me, I would buy a new hardrock or something like that, not too expensive, but good quality.

I can understand you, but if you're like all of us, trying it, is loving it. You gonna love MTB :D

For around the price you want to spend (500$) you could have a kona Blast. I'm pretty sure you can find it for 500-550$ with taxes.

And a Kona is a Kona :D you gonna love it.

I started over with a Kona Fire mountain and recently upgraded for a Kula Deluxe and I also have a gary fisher tassajara that I paid exactly 450$ US which is not a bad one (after a couple of upgrades).

Buying a used bike is not a good idea, who knows what the previous dude did to it.

Good point! I guess it wouldn't make much sense to spend $250 on a used bike only to lay down another $500 a few months later on something better. I'll take a look at the Konas...and I've already been looking at the Specialized bikes. Hopefully I'll be able to find a good deal before long so that I can get started! :)

" find my parents just bought me a car..."
It's sad that the seller will not be riding any more.

http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike3.jpg
http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike4.jpg


If he bought that 2 months ago it was used and it DAMN sure wasn't for no $650 (unless he's a complete MORON) That's a 1999 vintage Rock Shox Jett C. I got one on my 1999 Hardrock Comp FS which was a mid $400 bike back then. I'd walk that rig is in too poor a condition to ask $250 for

when i bought my 2000 m20 it cost me 250, new. You got ripped off

Just go spend $400 and get a brand new Trek 4500 and 1 year of free service. You will be plenty happy with that bike for the money and will be a great started bike.

There's also the $500 MTB thread at the top of the page

Thanks Raiyn, I'm glad you were able to put a year on it. It did look a bit beat up to be just "2 months old". I'm looking at new bikes now...at least I'll know what I'm getting. I'm looking at the rockhopper, but I also like the look of the Kona's. Anyone know any good dealers in San Diego that carry these? Thanks for all the help...and steering me clear of a shady deal!!

I bought my bike used and am quite content with it...and I have a Kona and would recommend a Kona to anyone if they're looking for a bike in the categories they make bikes.

Thanks Raiyn, I'm glad you were able to put a year on it. It did look a bit beat up to be just "2 months old". I'm looking at new bikes now...at least I'll know what I'm getting. I'm looking at the rockhopper, but I also like the look of the Kona's. Anyone know any good dealers in San Diego that carry these? Thanks for all the help...and steering me clear of a shady deal!!
No problem that fork sucks anyway. The only way I was able to make mine work well for me was to replace the elastomers with (the no longer made) MRP Speed Springs. I'm actually planning on replacing that fork (five years later I can't complain) with a rigid seeing as how that bike is reitred from dirt duty.