Hi. My son is looking to buy a mountain dirt jumper bike. I have been doing some research and have found out a few things but would like some expert opinions on this. I want to get him a low to mid grade bike with similar accsesories. I have found a few good used bikes with a lot of upgrades. What would you suggest I do...buy a new bike or go for the good used and get a better bike for the same price? Also what brand would you suggest as far as a reliable and quality brand. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance
Need some opinions folks!!
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in general you are much better off going for a lightly used good bike. for example $400 Giant STP on craigslist in austin. (original MSRP around $900): http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/1773144453.html
i say lightly used, because if the fork is blown out, a new one will cost a lot (anywhere from $250 to $500+). the largest component price of a dirt jumper is the fork. you do NOT want a crappy suspension fork. therefore, go used, with a good fork (typically going to be Marzocchi DJ series or RockShox Argyle) or go new with rigid fork. if you go with a rigid fork, you can get some good buys on new completes. haro has an all-rigid Steel Reserve, with good geometry for msrp only $470. compare to a haro DJ bike with a quality DJ-sus fork at $800+. http://www.harobikes.com/mtb/tab2_subNav2.php the question of rigid or not depends a lot on terrain. if he is riding groomed dirt jumps, street, and park, rigid is good (if not better). but if it's rough terrain, suspension fork is worth it.
the most common good deal used completes are Specialized P1, P2, P3, and Giant STP. also watch out for Blackmarket .357 or Blackmarket Riot. Mongoose Ritual is affordable and with good frame geometry. Eastern Thunderbird 2009's were on clearance on Jensonusa for super-reduced price, but they are all gone. They still have some purple 2009 Eastern Nighttrains for $800something.
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http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?region=3&category=3&countryid=194
The black market, TOP, or the night train look decent. Tons of good bikes there.
Go used, for sure. Get a phone number and call the person selling.
Use paypal and fund with a credit card (important)
The black market, TOP, or the night train look decent. Tons of good bikes there.
Go used, for sure. Get a phone number and call the person selling.
Use paypal and fund with a credit card (important)
Stick to your guns and find a nice used one. You'll get twice the bike for the same price.
Thanks for the info guys. I know its hard to convince a young man that there isn't anything wrong with buying used. I explained to him about getting twice the bike for the same price before I posted this, this will only reinforce my point. Just a couple follow up questions. How is the Haro 1.1? I found one on ebay and it looks like a good deal, many upgraded parts and looks in great shape( its a 2010 for $500 ). Also I live in Ontario, Canada. How hard is it to get a bike shipped across the border? Best way too ship? How much? What are some good sites other than Ebay for used bikes. Also if I post specs for bikes here can anyone tell me if the setup is good or bad? I appreciate any info guys, thanks again!!
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?region=3&countryid=35&provid=9&category=3
This page is classifieds for Ontario, Canada. The Pinkbike classifieds are dominated by Canadian bicycles. If your lucky, you'll be able to find a nice used bike locally. On the far left of the page is a list of all the towns with classified listings in Ontario. Good Luck!
This page is classifieds for Ontario, Canada. The Pinkbike classifieds are dominated by Canadian bicycles. If your lucky, you'll be able to find a nice used bike locally. On the far left of the page is a list of all the towns with classified listings in Ontario. Good Luck!
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pinkbike.com has a forum for buying/selling and there are a lot of canadians on that board.
i don't know how old he is or exactly what kind of riding he wants to do . . . but a 20" BMX may also be an option. a lot of the guys who jump mtb's also ride (or used to ride) BMX bikes. it's definitely easier to learn flat ground, street and skatepark tricks on 20".
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at 13, 20" BMX is definitely the way to go. more kids his age are into it, plus he'll build a ton of skills which transfer directly to mountain bikes if that's what he gets into later. . . . you get a lot more bike for the buck with 20" BMX, too. something like a FIT, KINK, SUBROSA, FBM, WE THE PEOPLE, EASTERN . . . would be a good deal and 'cool' too.
see: "pros and cons" http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=621378
Canada's Greatest BMX Store: http://www.3ride.com/v2/
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Particularly if he is dead set on new, you can get a really great brand new mid spec bmx for the sort of money you would spend on a low to mid level mtb which is used!
I know because I've got a Giant STP and I've recently purchased a nice BMX. The BMX cost me $530Au and all I needed for it was to change the tires to my preference (about $30) and picked up a 2nd hand brake because I didn't like the stock cheapies that came with it.
The STP cost me like $1750 new, now it's probably worth less than $1000 on the 2nd hand market, well even less with the spec changes I've made. In hindsight I should have brought a used one because of the changes I was planning to make to it anyway (like different fork and brakes for a start).
My boy is only 7 and was due for a new bike so we brought him a BMX, if he wants to go to mtb when he's older that's fine, but I doubt it because like someone above said most of the kids these days seem to be more into bmx.
I know because I've got a Giant STP and I've recently purchased a nice BMX. The BMX cost me $530Au and all I needed for it was to change the tires to my preference (about $30) and picked up a 2nd hand brake because I didn't like the stock cheapies that came with it.
The STP cost me like $1750 new, now it's probably worth less than $1000 on the 2nd hand market, well even less with the spec changes I've made. In hindsight I should have brought a used one because of the changes I was planning to make to it anyway (like different fork and brakes for a start).
My boy is only 7 and was due for a new bike so we brought him a BMX, if he wants to go to mtb when he's older that's fine, but I doubt it because like someone above said most of the kids these days seem to be more into bmx.
If he doesn't want a bmx look for a 24 specific dj frame. Harder to find but easier to throw around for sure.Revell DXS
Yea, I love my STP more than anything, but if I was 13, I definately wish I had developed all my jumping skills on a 20" the control and finesse it takes to ride a 20" cleanly and big, will doubly translate into mountain riding.
Get him a solid BMX bike, and he will love it, and will be a better rider because of it.
Get him a solid BMX bike, and he will love it, and will be a better rider because of it.
While I would normally vote 20" bmx for your son, in this case I am going to say he needs to get this:
What-a-bargain!
What-a-bargain!