Mountain bike experts: Your opinion

Getting the itch to go off road, trolling Craigslist for mountain bikes.

I found and test road this guy today. Nice bike, my problem is I have no idea what I'm looking at, value wise. Braintrust?

And while I have the braintrust's attention, would waiting it out for a 29er be worthwhile for a noob?

I've got a good full suspension bike, but I've ridden a couple of 29ers and I'd be mighty tempted to go with one of those next time.

If you liked the way it rode and everything seemed in good shape, no slop, crisp shifting, I'd say it looks like a fine deal.

I haven't ridden a 29, so my opinion is mostly worthless, but I'm quite happy with 26". I feel like the larger wheels would make a bike more unwieldy, and I'm 6' (I gather it's more of an issue for shorter riders). Again, I could just be behind the times, and I'm not speaking from comparison; I didn't even bother looking at 29ers when I replaced my mountain bike earlier this year.

I've seen bare Jamis MTB frames of that vintage sans fork go for $250-300 on CL, $500 seems fair for this. Kind of a lot of money for an old MTB, but this isn't the average old MTB.

I like it.

EDIT: just went back for a closer look at the components, also noticed that he's not firm on the price. Get... it.

Seems well priced, considering the upgraded fork, but I wouldn't say it's a spectacular deal or anything. It was an $800 bike new, (albeit with lesser components): http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2002&Brand=Jamis&Model=Eureka&Type=bike#.UGhbLJi7qc9

ransom wrote: If you liked the way it rode and everything seemed in good shape, no slop, crisp shifting, I'd say it looks like a fine deal.

Ultimately, ^^this^^, plus make sure it fits you properly.

Also, in the ~$500 price range, I reckon you'll get more bike for your buck with a 26", than 29. Most of the 'nice' 29'ers haven't been around long enough to depreciate to that point, yet. It's just like buying old cars

How tall are you? 17 inch frames are usually a touch small on me, I'm 5'11" with a long torso and arms. This seems like a good package. A nice build and seems well maintained given the recent fork rebuild, but it's certainly top dollar for that vintage bike.

I will say that there is nothing more forgiving than a 29er for a noob. It plows through and over EVERYTHING with ease.

This time of year everything goes on clearance. At the local REI a couple years back I scored their Ponderosa 29er with nice components for $700 new - REI in particular marks their bikes down a ton.

Update: spent today looking at a few bikes. That bike wasn't the best one I looked at (that honor goes here), but I decided my first mountain bike doesn't need to be a high-end racebike, as much as I'd love the overkill, I decided against, so... made a "lowballish" pass at him, he accepted. Picking it up tomorrow!

I wouldn't pay more than $150 for that bike.

By comparison I am trying to sell my much newer, much better spec'd 29er for $500.

PHeller wrote: By comparison I am trying to sell my much newer, much better spec'd 29er for $500.

Yeah? PM me, holmes.

So, how does it ride?

Osterkraut,

I replied to your email. Did you get it?

PHeller wrote: Osterkraut, I replied to your email. Did you get it?

I did, actually! Sorry, I've been busy (not even time for a ride!). Check your email.

I ride a GF 29er. I love it. It goes over ANYTHING!

Yea if your looking at a 10 year old $100 bicycle, it doesn't matter what wheel size or suspension, or even really components it has because your likely not at a level where any of that will matter anyway.

Once you start breaking parts, or riding with others, and you start to determine areas where your bike is holding you back, you can better determine what kind of bike you want.

There have been some guys I ride with where their bike definitely holds them back. Weak wheels, old mismatched drivetrains, crappy suspension on bikes not made for suspension, undersized frames with too-long stems, and rim brakes in muddy conditions. How did I know they were being held back? I saw them ride quality bikes and the improvement was not because they were having a good day, it was because the bike wasn't holding them down.

On the flip side I've seen guys who spent way too much on bikes that have way more suspension than they'll ever need, and only ride a few times before giving up. These guys are usually overly competitive, and think that if they have an awesome bike that they'll be strong enough be at the front of the pack.

PHeller wrote: On the flip side I've seen guys who spent way too much on bikes that have way more suspension than they'll ever need, and only ride a few times before giving up. These guys are usually overly competitive, and think that if they have an awesome bike that they'll be strong enough be at the front of the pack.

The pro road race in Philly is a double-edged sword for area dealers. On the one side, it generates interest and some sales, on the flip side, they'll get a few guys come in thinking that a mega-$ bike is what allows the pros to average 25+ mph over a hilly 130 mile race.

I definitely went down that path to some extend when DH racing. I spent a ton of money on a top quality DH bike despite pretty much leveling off at mid-level Expert. I now ride an "antique" Yeti Lawwill DH-6 and rely on my experience to get down the mtn. And can still drop some of my buddies on much newer & better bikes. I also know some guys whose bike holds them back. One in particular rides in old work boots and toe clips on a clapped out Kona F/S bike, but in many situations can easily out-ride me. The guy just has skillz...

Still... I was in the shop the other days and had dreamy thoughts about the top-of-the-line Cannondale on display with the latest carbon fiber goodies and electronic shifting... MSRP: $9999.99

It's all about enjoyment of the sport.

If my bike is broken, or I'm attempting to ride a road bike down a Black Diamond DH Trail, I'm obviously not going to have as much fun on a bike that is more capable for the type of terrain I want to ride.

Some guys never get the balls to really push on the downhills, they never feel comfortable in the air, they fall wrong, but I'll be damned if they cant make some crazy climbs like a monkey. They will also consistently win local endurance races and ride 19lb plastic wonderbikes.

To them, competition is fun, and winning is fun, and any bike that helps them do that is fun.

I don't ride to win, I ride for me. I love my 29er because it helps me stay on the bike longer, it has raised my average speed, and allows me to clear and climb things I could not previously do on a 33lb 140mm full suspension.

Conversely, when I get a full season of riding in and I'm starting to feel strong, I hate that I'm avoiding jumps and features because my bike isn't made for that.

No bike can do everything, but some can get damn near close. You've just go to pay for it.

Just don't buy a bike thinking it alone will make you better.

Additionally, I think changes in the competitive side of mountain biking are opening the sport up to "fun" as well.

Super D - Mostly downhill race with some flats

Enduro - Long distance race where only downhills and flat sections are timed, but riders must make climbs within a certain amount of time.

Slopestyle - Combines the style of dirt jump with the bikes of downhill.

MTBMX - Combines the fun of dirt jumping and bmx but with bigger bikes that are better for adults.

Cyclocross - Road bikes with knobbies, crazy competition, very intense, cowbells.

A couple of my team mates raced an enduro in PA a few weeks ago and enjoyed it. I hope to try one next year. One guy rode a Jet 9 similar to mine and felt the bike was outgunned on a couple of the trails, but I've generally been a better DH rider than him (also a retired DH racer).

I'm toying with building a Niner WFO for next year since we have a grassroots sponsership from them and I've been debating on replacing the antique Lawwill after all these years... Since I already have a Jet 9 (and a EMD) for XC riding, the WFO would get a more DH-oriented build. A Manitou Dorado 29 fork, for example. I don't know of anyone trying a 29er DH bike on tight east coast trails, so it would be an experience. Might also get me back to Plattekill for a DH race or two...

MikeSee of www.buildmine29.com has a Lenz PBJ with the Dorado. He posted lots of videos of him riding it. I'm sure Mike is an accomplished rider, but he seemed very boring on the bike. He hit all the usual jumps, but there was no style, no flick. Watch even Cedric Garcia, or even some really good dirt jumping guys on 29ers, and you'll notice that while they are just as fast and they go just as big, they don't look like they are having as much fun on smaller wheeled bikes.

I'm sure riding a 29er you feel it. The bike likes being vertical. Those big wheels do a good job of keeping you upright. I've heard lots of no-so-comfortable-in-air folks rant and rave about 29" wheels feeling so unstoppable, and feeling way more confident. I think that has to do with the feeling that the bike is doing some of the work for you.

I'm struggling to determine if its the wheels, the geometry, or both that kills my confidence on the wagon wheelers. I recently rode a Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon. 160mm. 27lbs. Even being a bit small and with not nearly enough air in the rear shock, it felt pretty darn good, but I constantly noticed the lack of momentum. Downhill: awesome. Uphill: meh.

I'm hoping 650b will be the best of both worlds.

Right now, I'm not sure what to expect. I've done a few jumps and whatnot on my Jet 9, but I agree it's not the bike's strength. Then again, jumping and big drops aren't really my thing anymore. I just like going down the steep rock gardens we have around here and think the larger wheels may work well there.

Getting it to corner has been the biggest challenge. I really have to stay on top of my technique with regards to weighting the front end, counter-steering and leaning the SOB over. To me it feels like the bottom bracket is too high. It's a long bike as well. With those thoughts in mind, I plan to order a Small WFO in an effort to keep the wheelbase length as short as possible - which will be admittedly tough with a long dual-crown DH fork.

We shall see...

I've tried a few 29ers.. i just don't feel comfy on them.

The 650s aren't bad, though...

CelicaHalfTrac,

What 650B bikes have you ridden? Could you tell they weren't 29" or 26", or did the feel like both?

PHeller wrote: CelicaHalfTrac, What 650B bikes have you ridden? Could you tell they weren't 29" or 26", or did the feel like both?

They felt a lot like the 26s i so adore, but with slightly better momentum, a little more stable.

But not the HUGE-ness that the 29ers give me. 29s are just too much for me to horse around when it gets technical. I like them a lot for high speed cross-country stuff, but i'm shopping for a "jack-of-all-trades" at the moment.

The models were two Jamis bikes i believe... i'm trying to look back and see exactly what they were, thought i entered them in my phone.

The shop i was at at the time had Jamis, Specialized, and Orbea. I don't think they were Specialized bikes, and i know they weren't the Orbeas.

Yea Jamis has been on the 650b thing for awhile.

Now Norco, Ventana, Intense will be the first big names with the tweeners. I don't think Giant, Specialized, Cannondale or Santa Cruz will be releasing a 650b model for 2013.

I'm honestly thinking at this point about just getting an older frame and building it ground up with some few-seasons-old parts. I've done the whole expensive bike thing before and it ended in heartbreak. I'm just looking for something up to my skill level (undoubtably not great at this point in time, very rusty) that i can beat the snot out of and not feel bad when (not if) i wreck it hard.

Which is somewhat why i'm still probably going to end up with a 26.