Talk me out of this bike
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...5320&rd=1&rd=1

Seems comparable to the LBS offerings at twice the price. I live close enough I can pick it up and the LBS will assemble it for $40-50.

Me? I'm a complete newb, late 40s carrying an extra 25-30lbs. I plan to ride non-agressively on local trails.

Good price. I don't wanna talk you out of it :)

buy it

It's also spec'd lower despite it's model number being one digit higher than the on the OP listed.

its a nice bike with pretty good components and a good price.

the only possible issues i can see are:

Fit - are you fairly sure that size of that model will fit you?

Support - if you're a complete newb you will be taking it to the LBS a lot for adjustments that are usually free if you bought a bike at the LBS.

Ebay - if something doesn't work out right do you trust the seller will help you?

However, if it's new its not likely to have anything expensive go wrong with it for quite a while. And if you're a newb you won't notice minor differences in sizing, so if you're anywhere between like 5' 6" to 5' 10" that bike might fit just fine. And the seller seems to have good feedback profile. Good luck in your decision :beer:

But it and sell it for more.

Dear Sinker, your post has created tension in the household - whoever is selling that bike also is selling a nice lefty wheel set that Salsa now wants. He has a wheelset, and all his nagging is YOUR FAULT.

Anyway, nice bike, decent price. Go for it.

Kinda low end
I've had great luck finding deals on Craigslist around your price range in hardtail. Do some searching
Plus its already assembled so no extra cost there.



If you do buy an unassembled bike maybe consider assembling yourself. Its usually not difficult the way they package them. I remember when I was a complete newb I got a boxed new bike and I got the thing together with minimal stress.