Used mountain bike - good deal?

[CDub87]

Hey, I've been wanting to get a decent starter mountain bike for a while now.
I came across a specialized rockhopper for $175.

Here is a link to the specs... http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...005&spid=20862

So what do you guys think? Is it worth it?

Edit - looks like it may be an 04 model. The seller is sending me pictures tonight so I will know later for sure. He gave specs for the 04, but discribed a paint scheme from 02. Oh well... We'll see.

[Steveo989]

My experience with Mountain Bikes is never buy used. I bought a used 2006 Cannondale scalpel 2000 from a LBS nonetheless. I had to replace the middle chainring, pay to rebuild the lefty shock, the chain broke, all within 2 months and less than 10 hours of ride time of owning it. Granted, this was a $3000+ bike that I paid $1600+tax for. Then the bike shop (Conte's in Virginia Beach) had the nerve to tell me I was shifting incorrectly. Yeah, ok, and that's why I've had more than 15,000+ road bike miles, and plenty of other time on my other mountain bikes without ever breaking a chain or a chainring.

[wearyourtruth]

i have only ever bought used or built out of mostly used parts with my mountain bikes. i think steveo has just had some bad luck.

that said, be sure the shock is in good shape! not bottoming out, not leaking oil, etc. look at the teeth on the chainrings and cogs and see how much wear is there.

it's a decent price for that bike if it's in good shape, but not if it's been ridden hard.

[CDub87]

Saw pictures tonight and agreed upon $160. It's a base model 2002. Looks like its in good shape. A few scratches here and there and I have some cleaning up to do. I'm pretty psyched. If all goes well when I check it out in person, I'll post up some photos.

I figure I can't beat that price for getting into the sport and if I want to sell it, I should be able to get my money back.

Thanks for your input! Aside from visually inspecting wear and running it through the gears, what should I look for?

[Steveo989]

The only thing I can think of, is to check all the spokes for tension, and if you have a chain wear checker use it to see if it is within tolerances.

[ironmule]

buying used is fine- just look for dents or cracks in the frame.

[CDub87]

I decided to post up the pictures that the seller sent me tonight. What do you guys think?

Sorry if they are huge, I'm trying to post from my iPad.

[wearyourtruth]

when you get the bike, fix that front quick release! that thing is a death trap waiting to happen

[A1an]

As long as the frame is in good shape and everything works as it should, I'd say that is a nice bike for the money. Those frames are pretty tough and with the disc brake tabs you have the ability to upgrade the brakes in the future.

[CDub87]

Do I just have to make it face up, or is there something else wrong with that qr?

[ironmule]

yeah- lock it as close to the fork leg as possible- so a branch doesn't snag it loose.

[VR6ix]

Do I just have to make it face up, or is there something else wrong with that qr?

Just make the lever point up, tucked-in to the fork leg, that's all. From the looks of things he might have just taken it out of the trunk and slapped it together for photos.

Rockhoppers were always the "go-to" budget mountain bike, you might luck-out and get one that didn't see much trail riding and all it needs is a clean/oiled chain, oil the shifter & brake cables, air-up the tires and ride! Even if you need to take it to a bike shop for a "$50 tune-up" it looks like a good deal.

Enjoy!

[CDub87]

Bought it. Everything seems to function alright. Time to clean it up a bit and hit the trails!

[CDub87]

Here she is! Rinsed it off and went for a quick ride. Seems like the perfect bike for me to get started on.

[A1an]

Awesome! Congrats on the new bike and enjoy the trails.