| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 2118.1 | Diamond Back - What Model? | CTHQ3::JENIN::FRERE | Ellas Danzan Solas | Thu Nov 07 1991 10:10 | 4 |
| Diamond Backs are good bikes but like any other make, the model range is
extensive. Can you get the model name.
Eric
|
| 2118.2 | 2� | NOVA::FISHER | Rdb/VMS Dinosaur | Thu Nov 07 1991 10:19 | 7 |
| If it's not the right size, you're throwing your money away.
At 3 years old, it doesn't have many of the comtemporary latest
and greatest features but that probably does not matter. It's
just something to consider.
ed
|
| 2118.3 | Topanga | BOOVX2::NAOR | | Thu Nov 07 1991 10:35 | 10 |
|
It's a Topanga - I guess that's the model name. It will be used only
for city riding - commuting to school through town - so I'm most
concerned about brakes and tires. The guy at the bike store said that
the wheels are alloy and are 1.95". Does that sound good enough? I've
heard you can get 2 or even 2.5" tires.
I'll check on the size - I think it was about right.
Thanks!
|
| 2118.4 | | CSCOA1::HOOD_R | | Thu Nov 07 1991 10:35 | 18 |
|
Three years ago, a Diamond Back Topanga would have gone for about $325
new, and Ascent would have gone for about $425 new, and an Ascent-EX
would have gone for about $500. $200 would be a good price for an
Ascent or an Ascent-EX that FITS your brother and is in GOOD condition.
You should check the bearings for tightness/looseness (bb, headset,
hubs), the frame for cracks, spokes for tension, wheels for trueness,
check the derailler hanger for bends or misalignment, check the
freewheel for wobble/broken teeth, check the chain for stiff links,
etc.
Check out an old Bicycling mag for one of their articles on buying a
used bike, or one of their articles on inspecting a new bike.
Remember that any bike, no matter how good the deal may seem, should
fit properly or you will regret the purchase.
doug
|
| 2118.5 | | RUTILE::MACFADYEN | A shortcut to easy money | Thu Nov 07 1991 12:29 | 5 |
| A mountain-bike and its knobbly tyres are going to be a bit slow on the
road anyway...
Rod
|
| 2118.6 | TREAT IT LIKE A USED CAR... | WMOIS::GIROUARD_C | | Thu Nov 07 1991 14:03 | 3 |
| Treat like a used car purchase... Check it out and ride it...
Chip
|
| 2118.7 | how about a new bike? | BOOVX2::NAOR | | Fri Nov 08 1991 08:02 | 7 |
| Thanks for the advice - I think my brother and I may not know enough
about bikes to judge whether this is a good buy or not. We'd probably
be better off buying a new one. Any recommendations? I'd like to keep
it under $300.00 - it's mostly for him to ride in the winter through
Boston. Anything in particular I should look for?
Thanks a lot for the responses - they've really helped!
|
| 2118.8 | | CSCOAC::HOOD_R | | Fri Nov 08 1991 11:45 | 22 |
|
Don't let the idea of a used bike completely scare you off. IMHO,
the best buys are in used bikes if you know what you are looking
for. So many people ( especially with mountain bikes) buy a bike,
ride it just a few times... often not off road.... and sell them.
When looking for a used bike, you should know what size you are looking
for before hand, and ONLY consider bikes that are the correct size.
One disadvantage of a 3 year old bike is that the components have
gone through two or three generations of improvement.
The Topanga might be a good deal, especially if it was ridden very
little. You have no way of knowing this, of course, but look the bike
over ( the frame, the pedals, the crank arms, etc) from the
numerous scratches and chips that will occur with lots of off road use.
In reality, there is probably nothing wrong with the bike, and it
is a MUCH better choice than the run-of-the-mill Huffy-type department
store bike. Hopefully the bike shop that you are buying it from has
looked it over for flaws already. If you know anyone knowledgeable that
can go with you to look it over, do so.
doug
|
| 2118.9 | | CSCOAC::HOOD_R | | Fri Nov 08 1991 11:50 | 8 |
|
Other measures of how much the bike was used might be:
1) check the stretch on the chain
2) look at the chainring,freewheel/derailleur pullys for wear.
|
| 2118.10 | | KAHALA::FOX | | Sun Nov 10 1991 11:01 | 5 |
| I'll second the idea of buying used - especially for a first mtn bike.
No need to spend top dollar when you may end up not liking it, and
wind up selling a loss. Rather, look for someone else who did!
John
|
| 2118.11 | Got a Giant Rincon | BOOVX2::NAOR | | Mon Nov 11 1991 08:04 | 11 |
|
Again, thanks for all the advice! It really helped a lot. We went to
several bike stores on Saturday, and ended up buying a 2 year old used
Giant Rincon. It had been sold by the same bike store to a woman who
only used it a few times. It looked brand new - no chips or scratches
at all. My brother rode it around the block a few times, and the
gearing seemed fine. He has 30 days to return it if he doesn't like
it, so I figured that we can't loose. They said that the older
Rincon's are better than the new because of the Shimano gearing.
Hope we made a good decision!
|