What (2nd Hand) MTB - 50/50 XC and Downhill?

[Mikeyplum]

So, I need a bike!

I've been out for a couple of weeks with my mates using a relatives GT Hardtail and it's time to take the plunge and purchase my own little monster!

The use will be 50/50 (if not 60/40) XC and Downhill use so a full bounce is a requirement and my Max budget is £450.

What ive been looking at so far (all medium frames):
Kona Coiler 2005-2008 range - between £300 - £700)
Kona Stinky (singe crown) - between £400 - £1k)
Kona Dawg - between £300 - £700

I really like the Kona's (as you can tell) and was swayed by the write ups they have had compared to others. They seem to come with excellent range of stock equipment.

I'be mainly been looking on eBay so two questions:
1 - Are there any other MTB's that are worth looking at?
2 - Where else could I look for 2nd hand bikes for sale?

P.S. If there is anything that I have missed out, just ask

[shouldbworking]

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...

Doubt you'll find any other full sus bike at that money that is not entirely terrible.

[Beyond Rational]

Marin Attack Trail?

Will £450 be the fixed upper limit, or like so many of these, escalate to more extravagant purchases?

[anonymous-user]

in short, you're asking for a car suitable for a rally and f1 so you need to make some compromises. what do you mean as downhill, are we talking body armour and a full face helmet here or just the rougher parts of a trail centre, and is 60/40 really accurate?

a downhill bike is going to really hurt on the climbs and they are rarely configured for trails, single front ring etc... ... personally i would look for specialised fsr, they are quite common and as good a compromise as you will get at that price.

avoid ebay, too much stolen stuff and scams, try bikeradar or other cycle websites. you really want to see it first if you are going to rely on it for safety...

[SteveS Cup]

I understand the Trek Scratch range is supposed to be a good comprimise between DH and XC but tbh, they're bloody expensive!

[mackie1]

Cannondale are doing a range of bikes that have adjustable travel front and rear (160 down to 120 or something like that) but they too are very expensive. I'd be looking for something with a reasonably slack head angle with at least 120mm travel.

[timbo48]

Out of the three Konas, the Dawg would be best, other two too heavy for xc whilst the Dawg is reasonably light, plus good for trail park sort of stuff, although it depends on which model is on offer. Singletrack is another site which might be worth a look.

[SteveS Cup]

There is a Stinky Deluxe in the classifieds on here. Not much info though. There is also a stonking Specialized on here for £999 which cost £3k to build... Bargain!!!

[anonymous-user]

ahem, all good stuff but his budget is £450.....

[Vladikar]

Head over to www.pinkbike.com and check the used section. I managed to get a steal from an old chap who greeted me with a cheese sandwich upon arrival!

Beat that Pauls Cycles!

[Mikeyplum]

Vladikar said:

Head over to www.pinkbike.com and check the used section. I managed to get a steal from an old chap who greeted me with a cheese sandwich upon arrival!

Beat that Pauls Cycles!

Been looking loads on here and seems to be loads of cheap bikes!! I will keep my eye out I think!

[SteveS Cup]

pablo said:

ahem, all good stuff but his budget is £450.....

Even a 2nd hand full sus is gonna be pretty drab for £450 though or it's going to have useless components.

[neil_bolton]

SteveS Cup said:

I understand the Trek Scratch range is supposed to be a good comprimise between DH and XC but tbh, they're bloody expensive!

A friend has a Giant Trance which he's loving at the moment - a great compromise and very keenly priced 2nd hand.

I'm trying to keep an eye out for a bargain one - they're nice bits of kit.

[anonymous-user]

SteveS Cup said:

pablo said:

ahem, all good stuff but his budget is £450.....

Even a 2nd hand full sus is gonna be pretty drab for £450 though or it's going to have useless components.

agreed so you buy older stuf, an early 00s FSR should be solid enough and will probably have been upgraded over time but if he states a budget, theres no point in people recommending stuff thats twice the price!

we had a big debate about terminology when someone was asking about freeride/all mountain bikes recently and i still think when people say "downhill" they probably dont mean the black run at cwmcarn or need much more than 4" front and rear.

[SteveS Cup]

pablo said:

agreed so you buy older stuf, an early 00s FSR should be solid enough and will probably have been upgraded over time but if he states a budget, theres no point in people recommending stuff thats twice the price!

we had a big debate about terminology when someone was asking about freeride/all mountain bikes recently and i still think when people say "downhill" they probably dont mean the black run at cwmcarn or need much more than 4" front and rear.

Yeah you're right... apologies, I just thought the bikes I had mentioned seem very good value but I appreciate they are double to budget so apologies.

[Beyond Rational]

pablo said:

agreed so you buy older stuf, an early 00s FSR should be solid enough and will probably have been upgraded over time but if he states a budget, theres no point in people recommending stuff thats twice the price!

we had a big debate about terminology when someone was asking about freeride/all mountain bikes recently and i still think when people say "downhill" they probably dont mean the black run at cwmcarn or need much more than 4" front and rear.

Half the people who start such threads tend to come back a month later, telling everyone how much better their bike is compared to the recommendations as along the way their budget more than doubled.

On budget, an old FSR is a very good idea, especially if it has a BETD linkage - original link for 4, Betd for 5 and 6 inches of travel.

[Mikeyplum]

So an update:

Couldnt really afford to buy a full bounce ready built so I went down the route of building my own "Frankenstein" bike using mostly second hand parts!

I have so far:
Kona Dawg Deelux Fram with Fox Vanilla R (pro pedal)
Seatpost and clamp with Velo Saddle
Truvative Husselfelt riser bars
Truvative Cranks with Wellgo Pedals + Bottom Bracket
Wheels and tyres
8sp cassette
SunTourer shocks (untill I can afford some Marzocchi's)
Hayes Mechanical brakes (untill I can afford Hydraulics)Hope sealed bearing headset
e13 Bashguard

On order:
FSA 100mm Stem
Clarks Grips
Chain
Shimano Alivio Rear+Front Mech with shifters
Middle Chain ring
611 Dirt Lid helmet

All this for a cool £300 so far