New guy need some advice
 

Hello everyone, I'm new to the world of cycling and looking for my first "real" bike

I found this one

Kona Mountain Bike

I'm wondering if this would fit my needs.

I'll be riding minimal concrete/asphalt/etc mostly dirt/gravel roads (in central OK) and occasionally hit trails on the weekends

Thanks in advance for any help and sorry for any ignorance I may have in this subject

It's a 2009
2009 Kona Blast - New and Used Bike Value
Here's the blue book
2009 Kona Blast - New and Used Bike Value

5 (almost 6 years old) price is more than half of original retail (steep)

Yes it would fit your needs and then some, but make sure it fits you!

Thanks for the fast reply! It seemed like it would be good to go, but I wasn't sure. Do you think it's worth the $350 or should I try to talk him down to maybe $250ish?

And I googled how to measure myself for a bike so I will be doing that as soon as I get off work

I would let him/her know you are interested but did a lil homework on the age/original price...
Mention bicycle blue book....heck, print it and take it with you...
Then ask if they are open to an offer... which should be $200-$250 ($250 if it's pristine and needs nothing...) Really check it out and take at least a 5 min test ride where you shift through all gears a few times, brake in combos, jump a couple curbs, check the frame for damage, crank it tight, spin the wheels for tru... etc

Good luck!

19" if fairly tall, so in general, you should be about 5'10".... do not buy the bike if it's too tall or short! Don't fall in love with how it looks, fall in love with how it fits and rides....
Lock in a time to see it, and swing by a local bike shop (preferable that sells Kona) and check out a 19" with a sales person...
I hear so many stories of wanna be riders that buy the wrong size, have best intentions, but when they ride but it's not comfortable (even subcontiously) the new bike collects dust.
lol, I did it recently with a beautiful old light cannondale mtb... but it was too tall and I sold it....

Hey man I started riding about 2 years ago, live in the Texas Panhandle (so I ride a lot of dirt/gravel roads...5,500 miles in two years)...I have a Kona Splice (2011) and it has done great for me...I would advise that you might go by a bike shop and check out a newer one, maybe even a 29er. But just make sure you find one that fits you and that is comfortable for you...I'm still learning about the cycling world also...welcome to the ride...

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm 6'1" inseem 33"-34" ish, I measured myself so Its probably not 100% accurate

i will have to call around to our shops, and see if they carry Kona's and go check one out. I've been scouring the internet looking to get all the info I can get.

Thanks again for for all the help

google (kona bike dealer) is your friend -
Al's bicycle Northwest
7930 North Macarthur
Oklahoma City, OK
phone: [IMG]resource://skype_ff_extension-at-jetpack/skype_ff_extension/data/call_skype_logo.png[/IMG]405-728-7100

19" may be too small, hopefully not
also just enter kona in your craigs search as there are 2 full suspension choices - one is a 20" (but for the riding you describe, the hardtail is a better choice)

Thanks, I've actually been to Al's a few times long before I was into cycling (actually getting skateboard parts) so I didn't pay much attention to bikes .

ill have to make a trip up and get measured and advice and all that, thanks again!