Newbie question: Older GT Avalanche LE?
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Newbie question: Older GT Avalanche LE?
Hello, I've been out of mountain biking for almost a decade and am looking to get back in on a budget. I've found a '98 Avalanche LE in pretty much brand new condition for $300. I'm wondering if this is a good deal and a good bike for a new (again) rider. Is an older bike with higher end components better than a newer one with lower end stuff? This bike has a mix of LX/XT parts, all in great shape. Thanks for any help you can provide.
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All depends on the shape of the parts. At $300, that 13 year old bike had better be in very good condition.
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I'm assuming (don't really know as I've been out of the game a while) that mostly XT is still better than brand new lower grade components. Am I mistaken?
What would be a good price for this bike? Like I said, it appears to be nearly unridden. I'm guessing there are some things I'll still have to refresh, since it's been sitting so long.
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I've got the 97 version of that bike and still ride it. I don't think $300 is super unreasonable. It was probably a $1300 bike when new.
I don't know about the '98, but my '97 had an Indy fork that wasn't so hot. If it still has the original fork, maybe try to bargain down and plan on replacing it. I believe the OE fork was 63mm travel, which will be almost impossible to find, but a new 80mm fork should be fine. It will just slacken the angles a tad.
I don't know about the '98, but my '97 had an Indy fork that wasn't so hot. If it still has the original fork, maybe try to bargain down and plan on replacing it. I believe the OE fork was 63mm travel, which will be almost impossible to find, but a new 80mm fork should be fine. It will just slacken the angles a tad.
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TwistedHalo
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09-28-17 05:52 PM