Bounty Hunter

You guys are probably getting really sick of my indecisiveness (is that even a word ). Anyways, I'm still thinking hard about the GF HiFi, but I found this on Craigslist about 2 hrs away from me. The guy said it has less than 50 miles on it. I test rode an 08 Stumpjumper Comp at a LBS here and really liked it. It was light, fast and handled incredibly. I fell in love with both that bike and the HiFis. I know it might be weird to you guys, but I've actually considered buying both bikes.

Here's a couple pics he sent me. Considering these bikes are $1750 new I don't think $1k is a bad price. My co-worker is a big Specialized fan and he told me I don't need a Stumpjumper unless I'm racing. Thoughts? How much different is the M4 frame from the M5 frame?

DickyJ

Your friend's talking outta his culu.

You rode it, you damn near loved it. What's the issue? Bag that bargain!

DickyJ

*Maybe* you wouldn't 'need' the carbon stumpy unless you were racing, but if you saw one at a bargain price would you say no coz you're not a racer? (carbonophobes need not answer)

edit- Dunno about the ride quality, but the M5 frame should be a bit lighter. From the looks of it, they have a slightly bigger tube diameter too (not sure).

Bounty Hunter

Well this isn't carbon, but the 08 I rode was VERY light. I want to say the salesman told me it was only 23 lbs. I think my co-worker is just mad at the world because he has a Rockhopper Pro Disc and really wanted a Stumpy.

Can anyone else comment on the M4 vs M5? It seems all the components are the same from 07 to 08.

I talked to the owner on the phone just a bit ago. It sounds like he *might* be willing to haggle a little more if I wave some cash in front of him. The thing is I don't want to insult him either. Would $800 be too low of an offer? I was thinking maybe $850-$900.

DirtPedalerB

I'd give 1000 for it in a second provided i knew it wasn't stolen... I bet it's already sold.

edit: oohhh it's the hardtail stumpjumper.... yeah i'd haggle..

edit 2: knock of 50 bucks for crosschaining it

Bounty Hunter

I want to make sure it's not hot either. I will most likely have the owner show me proof of purchase (receipt) or get the serial # from him beforehand and check (I'm a police officer so trust me...I know better).

How much should I haggle so that I don't offend the guy? $800? $900?

DickyJ

Funny, I thought it was something like that. He's just hating and trying to justify his bike.
I only brought up the S-works scenario in reply to your workmate's 'only for racing' nonsense.
Personally, my elitist ego is a little bruised that the new ('08) Rockhoppers are now M4...

The weight difference is negligable. There's a bigger difference between A1 Alu to M4 than M4 to M5.
My M4 is around 22.5lbs FYI.
Either way, the geometry and design is the same, and it won't feel noticably different.

If there's time, maybe your LBS has an 07 model you could test?

I wouldn't worry personally. That bike at that price is a very special thing.

PS, Don't worry about haggling a little. Offer him $900 and you'll probably get it for $950.

kenhill3

That's a schwaggin' price. I noticed quite a bit of seat post showing in the pic, make sure this will be the right size for you.

indygreg

If it is a good deal and it is not hot - act now. Not in 5 minutes. People (like me) are impulse buyers and impulse sellers to get money for impulse buys. If time passes they might come to their senses.

If they are knowingly selling a hot bike to a cop, that would seem to be an unwise choice.

It is a great looking bike. Offer $925 in cash in person . . . as in 'here is what I got, I want to ride it off right now'

colombo357

That's why he's just a co-worker and not a friend.

Keep it that way.

DirtPedalerB

eyeballing it it looks like a 17 incher or medium

DickyJ

+1
Might I hazard a guess that your co-worker is of less than average height?
Probably reading too much into it, but I've been accosted several times by midget cops with SERIOUS Napoleon syndrome. No I hadn't done anything before you ask.
I'm 6'4" and they just.. hate me.

kenhill3

LOL! I call 'em 'Little Napoleons'.

Bounty Hunter

He's actually about the same height as me... 5'11" but I'm a little bigger and more muscular. He's a skinny beeotch. LOL...

Back on topic...

Bounty Hunter

It's an 18" which after some testing at the LBS is the right size for me.

I wish they did have an 07 I could test, but no luck. They are completely sold out. I could try a few other places if I wanted to travel a little. This might be a bad week being Thanksgiving and all.

I'm thinking I'll offer $900 after seeing it/test riding it in person. It's about 3 hrs away from me so I guess with the cost of gas that might work out good.

Bounty Hunter

I appreciate all the responses. I talked to the LBS where the guy purchased today. They seemed very helpful. They knew the original buyer (positive vouch) so I thought everything was going to work out great. The LBS actually suggested I get the original receipt from the seller AND they even offered to look the bike over for me FOR FREE.

So I'm thinking this deal is going to work out great. I call the seller and he's acting weird now. I ask him about the receipt deal and he's like "uh...I don't know...I guess...well maybe." So I ask him if there's any reason he wouldn't want to do that? I also tell him I talked to the LBS he purchased from and explained it was their idea as well as how they'd check the bike over for me. Next thing I know the guy is being really quiet on the phone...like I have to force information out of him. He finally says something about how "if you get the original receipt then you'll know how much I really paid." WTF?! Yesterday on the phone he told me what he paid. It's not like I really care that he got a great deal on it. He also says something about how his LBS treats him well and said "they might be mad if they find out I'm selling." Did he get the bike for free? What gives? So I ask him about coming to see the bike on Saturday. The guy just sits there on the phone and doesn't really say much. I'm thinking WHAT THE **** is going on here?! I then tell him..."why don't you e-mail me back or give me a call after you decide what you're doing."

This guy is starting to seem weird and possibly shady. It doesn't look like this deal will happen. I think I might either start shopping new Stumpjumpers at my LBSs or decide on that Gary Fisher HiFi.

kenhill3

If it were ME in your position, I would get back in touch with the LBS. Have them get in touch with the original owner to see if this bike is legitimately for sale.

It's stuff like like this and my total disdain for thieves that REALLY gets me going about trying to do something. If the bike WERE actually stolen, wouldn't it be awesome if you could help someone get their bike back?

Bounty Hunter

Oh it's definitely NOT stolen...that's for sure. The LBS owner knew the guy by his full name (he used to race back in the day and apparently has been quite faithful to this shop). I just think this guy is being weird for some other reason. Maybe he was sponsored by this shop and got it for less than 50% off or something. I'm not completely sure yet.

DickyJ

Call him back and tell him you don't care if he got the bike free with his cornflakes as long as the bike's legit and it's as described.
If he's worried about you thinking he's ripping you off by charging more than he paid, just tell him it's a fair price regardless of whatever deal he got. *Haggling is still an option.*
As for the receipt, if the usual reasons won't work with him, then use the cop-factor

'Course, if you can afford it why not get the '08 and avoid the hassle?

colombo357

+1 on the first part
+10 on the second

Bounty Hunter

At this point he's willing to give up the receipt, but he hasn't agreed to meet me at the LBS he purchased at to have them inspect it (they offered to do it at no cost). I had planned to come check it out on Saturday, but something has come up that I might have to help my father with.

So both of you are suggesting I that I just say fawk it and go with a brand new 08? I guess that would have some benefits...free adjustments for 2 yrs. If I had any problems I would just bring the bike right in to them, etc. Looks like the lowest they'd go would be around $1500 (MSRP is $1750).

I still have that 07 GF HiFi I've been thinking about too for $1220. Maybe I'll buy the HiFi on the Trek card and then put the Stumpy on layaway.

DirtPedalerB

just buy it, who cares if he gives you the receipt if you know it's not stolen. You don't get a warranty anyway.

or you could spring for a hi-fi, if you want a smoother ride

Bounty Hunter

I picked up that 07 Stumpjumper Comp I was shopping. It's in excellent condition and I believe the guy when he said it has less than 50 miles on it. I really couldn't be happier right now. It felt just like the 08 I tested (I couldn't tell the diff between the M4 and M5 frame). They weighed it for me at the shop at 24.10 lbs.

The seat was on his bike rack and got scraped when he went through a drive thru on the way to meet me at the shop (so I got a little better deal than we talked about). Looks like I'm going to need a new seat here eventually. I thought about Supergluing the tear temporarily until I decide what to do.

I'm thinking of going with platform pedals to start off on. What do you guys think?

Better pics to come (in the dirt of course)









I also wanted to say thank you to everyone for your help in selecting a bike. I'm still thinking I might add a FS bike to my collection later (Santa Cruz Superlight possibly).

DickyJ

Nice one man! Welcome to the club Your Colleague's gonna haaaate you

As for platforms, I just picked up some V12's and they're doing a damn good job.

Bounty Hunter

Thanks! Yeah he didn't say much when I talked to him the other day.

Never heard of V12s. I'll have to look into them. I see the Specialized platforms get some rave reviews on Mtbr.com. I'm not a big fan of the gold color though.