Need Some Advice...
 

I recently happened upon this bike in my local CL and am considering purchasing it. I mostly bike for fun with my two sons on pavement and smooth trails, but occasionally commute 3-4 miles to the grocery store. Looking for your help in establishing a fair offer taking into consideration maintenance on these vintage parts. I used to have a bike similar to this one when I was a teenager and was immediately drawn to it.

Asking $225 o.b.o. Cool red vintage old school Mongoose ATB early mountain bike by B.M.X. Products, Inc. Based on the serial number (M5-.....) it is a 1985 model from back in the day when Mongoose only made high-quality bikes. Good survivor condition with mostly original parts. Triple butted 4130 chromoly mainframe and chromoly forks. Numerous braze-ons for touring. Original old school drilled 26" Pro Class wheels. SR MTS 100 double stem. MTB 100 bars. DiaCompe 980 cantilever brakes. Cool motorcycle-style brake levers. Old school bear trap style pedals. Cables and Rear derailleur have been replaced. Oury grips and Kenda tires are relatively new with less than 50 miles of riding on them. I replaced the original seat with a more comfortable Forte one, but still have the original seat if you want it. More info on Mongoose ATB available via www.vintagemongoose.com.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=280338
Original bike specs are available via http://www.vintagemongoose.com/pdfs/mongoose_cat85.pdf

I am also considering a few others, mainly a late model (exact year unknown) Trek 830 and a mid-90s Specialized HardRock.
I appreciate any advice you may have to offer. Thanks!

it's pretty hard to tell unless you can look at it first hand. Seems as though it's nice enough

My gut feel is it is overpriced. What do you think?

Probably sold for about $250-300 when new, and it appears to be intact and in good shape. You'll get more informed opinions on the Classic & Vintage For Sale subforum: http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...-Vintage-Sales

I think you are paying for the word "vintage" and that this is way over priced. Even the descriptions of everything seems way over the top.

Unless I HAD to have that specific model I wouldn't think it would be worth more than about $150. That bike was towards the lower end of the Mongoose lineup in it's day, it was a $300 or so bike then.

Aaron :)

I'll try to negotiate a sub-$100 price for it. It will be hard to overlook my emotional attachment to it, but ultimately it is about the overall riding experience. I've reached out to the owner of the Trek and arranged a "test drive." Will post the outcome later this weekend. Thanks again for your insight and opinions.

@wahoonc - RE your "Steel" quote in your signature...funny and absolutely spot on...couldn't agree more. :)

$75-tops. Just because it is a 27 year old bike, does not necessarily mean it is "vintage" with a commensurately over-inflated price. It is just an old bicycle in good condition. A 1985 Mongoose is no gem nor a find.

How tall are you?

Bikes come in sizes, like shoes. Would you, regardless of price, buy a pair of shoes that were the wrong size? That's a big bike.

I'm a big guy - 6'5".

Then I'd say jump on it. Used bikes that size are going to be relatively rare.

Everything is bigger in Texas... :lol:

If you can get the price down on that Mongoose it would be a good deal.

Large frame (and very small frame) bikes can be hard to find. I am 6'-2" with long legs and arms and my bride is 5'-1". I ride 64cm (25") road bikes, she rides 42cm (16.5"). When we find something we like that fits we grab it.

I have found that some folders will work for both of us with some minor modifications. We have a pair of Raleigh Twentys, with an extended seat post I can ride it, but it still shrinks down to her size.

Aaron :)