Newbie Question - New Bike

Quoted message said:

Subject: Newbie Question - New Bike From: Charlotte Henson [email hidden] Date:
9/5/2003 10:24 AM Eastern Daylight Time Message-id: <[email hidden]>

Hello all,

I'm unlurking at Penny's suggestion (thanks Penny!) to ask y'all a few questions about buying a
first mountain bike. I've been trying to do my homework, read the FAQ, dutifully learned what
"chain suck" means, and now I have an appointment to try a used bike tonight.

BF, an avid mountain biker, is helping me but as Penny points out, he is something of a Luddite. He
prefers the term "old school" and even races his bike without front suspension. Anyway! He's picked
this bike out for me:

boston.craigslist.org15678001.htmlOpen ↗

Opinions?

I've heard the only thing I have to worry about with a used bike is whether the frame has cracked.
Any suggestions as to how to tell if a frame is in good condition? Is there more I should be
worrying about? Any other indicators of an abused bike?

I guess I should add that I don't anticipate doing anything extremely technical, though even as I
write this I remember buying my XC skis. I said the same thing then we immediately went out and
trail-blazed up Mount Cardigan. So I should probably be ready for anything.

Thanks all! -Charlotte

How much are you willing to spend, or what do you have budgeted for a bike purchase? There are
actually a number of hardtails available in the 500-700 range that come equipped with good
components.

MTBScottie said:

How much are you willing to spend, or what do you have budgeted for a bike purchase? There are
actually a number of hardtails available in the 500-700 range that come equipped with good
components.

Budget!? <giggle> I hadn't planned on buying a bike at all! $500 would be nice. I know I'll get
stretched to the other side of your range, but I'd like to stay within it.

-Charlotte

Charlotte Henson said:

Hello all,

I'm unlurking at Penny's suggestion (thanks Penny!)

I promised that you guys would be nice....is that possible ;-)

Welcome, Charlotte!!

Penny

to ask y'all a few

Quoted message said:

questions about buying a first mountain bike. I've been trying to do my homework, read the FAQ,
dutifully learned what "chain suck" means, and now I have an appointment to try a used bike
tonight.

BF, an avid mountain biker, is helping me but as Penny points out, he is something of a Luddite.
He prefers the term "old school" and even races his bike without front suspension. Anyway! He's
picked this bike out for me:

boston.craigslist.org15678001.htmlOpen ↗

Opinions?

I've heard the only thing I have to worry about with a used bike is whether the frame has cracked.
Any suggestions as to how to tell if a frame is in good condition? Is there more I should be
worrying about? Any other indicators of an abused bike?

I guess I should add that I don't anticipate doing anything extremely technical, though even as I
write this I remember buying my XC skis. I said the same thing then we immediately went out and
trail-blazed up Mount Cardigan. So I should probably be ready for anything.

Thanks all! -Charlotte

Charlotte Henson said:

Hello all,

Hello Charlotte,

Quoted message said:

I'm unlurking at Penny's suggestion (thanks Penny!) to ask y'all a few questions about buying a
first mountain bike. I've been trying to do my homework, read the FAQ, dutifully learned what
"chain suck" means, and now I have an appointment to try a used bike tonight.

BF, an avid mountain biker, is helping me but as Penny points out, he is something of a Luddite.
He prefers the term "old school" and even races his bike without front suspension. Anyway! He's
picked this bike out for
me:

boston.craigslist.org15678001.htmlOpen ↗

Opinions?

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! Independent Fab make, IMHO, some of the most beautiful mountain bike frames
in the world, which means that even if some of the kit is a bit old (as is the case here), you still
have a great base to work from in the future. The Indy Fab is seriously a frame that you could keep
for many, many years.

Quoted message said:

I've heard the only thing I have to worry about with a used bike is whether the frame has cracked.
Any suggestions as to how to tell if a frame is in good condition?

Can you take your friend, BF, along? Indy Fabs are made of steel, so there's less chance of cracks
than an alu frame. However, look for creases in the metal where the downtube meets the headtube, and
check the chainstays around the BB. Check alignment from the headtube and the rear.

Quoted message said:

Is there more I should be worrying about?

Yes. The size. Make sure it fits you properly.

Suspension has come a long way since '96 (was the Judy SL 60mm travel?), so you may want to swap out
those forks at some point. Check with the owner what the current travel is. If it's only 60mm, you
may have trouble replacing the forks without changing the geometry.

Check how well the gears shift under load. You don't want to be forking out all that cash to find
out you've got to replace the entire drivetrain.

Quoted message said:

Any other indicators of an abused bike?

Dents in the frame, scratches all over the place. Loose bits everywhere.

Provided the bike is in good condition, it fits you and you don't have issues with the
fork/geometry, then it's an absolute bargain. New IF frames go for huge sums of money.

--
a.m-b FAQ: t-online.deambfaq.htmOpen ↗

b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htmOpen ↗

Charlotte Henson said:

Quoted message said:

Budget!? <giggle> I hadn't planned on buying a bike at all! $500 would be nice. I know I'll get
stretched to the other side of your range, but I'd like to stay within it.

-Charlotte

I'm sure someone here can suggest some good bikes to look at in that range. The used one your link
pointed to: 1996. 15th made. (Independent Fabrications) Red with yellow decals. Judy Sl with Speed
Springs. Kooka brakes. Syncros stem and seatpost. Middleburn cranks and bottom bracket. Hyperlight
handlebars. Gripshift and XT derailers. Trek wheels. Shimano clipless pedals. Beautiful condition.
You will not be disappointed with this one. For rider 5"7" to 5'10 ($650)

It's possible some sort of collector's item (??) frame wise, but that is a separate issue from how
hard it has been used and the component array. 96 is pretty old for a bike. Shock technology has
come a long way since then. I'm not a parts/technical geek, but my intuition and the things I've
gained from reading here tell me you may get a much better bike new than used at that age.

Giant are mentioned a lot as a very good value for the $$ at that price range. And don't forget that
fit is your friend. The best deal in the world is no deal if it doesn't fit right.

penny

--
me and my bike: www.specialtyoutdoors.com/biking.htm

"Charlotte Henson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello all, BF, an avid mountain biker, is helping me but as Penny points out, he is something of a
Luddite. He prefers the term "old school" and even races his bike without front suspension.
Anyway! He's picked this bike out for

me:

Quoted message said:

boston.craigslist.org15678001.htmlOpen ↗

Opinions?

Umm okay, a high-class bike but with components that are not easily replaceable should they be worn.
I would say this one is for the experienced mechanic who knows the value of the components and
whether they have any life left. I would leave it and look for something a bit (lot) more down to
earth (and newer).

Quoted message said:

I've heard the only thing I have to worry about with a used bike is whether the frame has cracked.

Well that would be a major reason not to buy but there are lots more:

Age and compatability with current standards would be first on my list i.e.
1.125 threaded headset, angles suitable for a 80mm suspension fork, 8 speed or better transmission,
'V' brake compatable levers, disc mounts would be a bonus even if discs aren't fitted.

If the bike has any suspension, front or rear, then that will need close inspection to make sure its
up to scratch, not leaking oil, cracked or twisted, no scratches on the stanchions (fork legs)

Make sure the seatpost moves!

Check the wheels for bearing play and straightness.

Check the tyres aren't worn down.

All of these things can be rectified with new parts, some more cheaply than others but it
all adds up.

Any suggestions as to how to tell if a

Quoted message said:

frame is in good condition?

Not really, check around the welds especially on the headtube and bottom bracket - areas where paint
appears 'crumpled' may indicate a crack. Try and check the alignment of the rear triangle (difficult
without tools / string) especially where the rear mech bolts onto the frame.

Quoted message said:

Is there more I should be worrying about? Any other indicators of an abused bike?

If theres no oil on the chain its probably not been looked after....

Quoted message said:

I guess I should add that I don't anticipate doing anything extremely technical, .

IMHO you'd be better off buying new, get a bike that fits and your 3/4 of the way to having a
great bike.

Quoted message said:

Thanks all! -Charlotte

No problem. Oh and don't listen to some guy named wheeler - you don't want a singlespeed.

Steve.

"Penny S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Charlotte Henson said:

Hello all,

I'm unlurking at Penny's suggestion (thanks Penny!)

I promised that you guys would be nice....is that possible ;-)

Welcome, Charlotte!!

Penny

Alright Penny, all the guys are looking for the stats now...age, height, weight, marital status,
breast size, ass size, leg length, hair colour, eye colour, skin tone...

- CA-G

Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

Penny S said:

Quoted message said:

Hello all,

I'm unlurking at Penny's suggestion (thanks Penny!)

I promised that you guys would be nice....is that possible ;-)

Only 3 periods in an ellipsis, a space afterwards, next sentence should begin with a capital letter
and there should be a question mark at the end. On top of all of that, you failed to quote properly.
Now feck off until you can use proper grammar and punctuation!

See, we're a friendly lot, us. :^p

--
a.m-b FAQ: t-online.deambfaq.htmOpen ↗

b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htmOpen ↗

bomba said:

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! Independent Fab make, IMHO, some of the most beautiful mountain bike
frames in the world, which means that even if some of the kit is a bit old (as is the case here),
you still have a great base to work from in the future. The Indy Fab is seriously a frame that you
could keep for many, many years.

I thought it might be a collectible.

Hmm.

1¢

"bomba" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Charlotte Henson said:

Hello all,

Hello Charlotte,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

boston.craigslist.org15678001.htmlOpen ↗

Opinions?

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! Independent Fab make, IMHO, some of the most beautiful mountain bike
frames in the world, which means that even if some of the kit is a bit old (as is the case here),
you still have a great base to work from in the future

Dammit! Now I look like the sensible one...

Steve.

"Charlotte Henson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

MTBScottie said:

How much are you willing to spend, or what do you have budgeted for a

bike

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

purchase? There are actually a number of hardtails available in the

500-700

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

range that come equipped with good components.

Budget!? <giggle> I hadn't planned on buying a bike at all! $500 would be nice. I know I'll get
stretched to the other side of your range, but I'd like to stay within it.

-Charlotte

I have a hardtail going up for sale if you're interested, altho it might be out of your price range.
Email me if you're interested.

- CA-G

Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

Carla A-G said:

"Penny S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Charlotte Henson said:

Hello all,

I'm unlurking at Penny's suggestion (thanks Penny!)

I promised that you guys would be nice....is that possible ;-)

Welcome, Charlotte!!

Penny

Alright Penny, all the guys are looking for the stats now...age, height, weight, marital status,
breast size, ass size, leg length, hair colour, eye colour, skin tone...

How should I know that stuff. All I know is maybe single but involved with a luddite...

I was just going to say, Charlotte, meet Carla, aka "the parts fairy"

Penny

"Carla A-G" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Penny S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Charlotte Henson said:

Hello all,

I'm unlurking at Penny's suggestion (thanks Penny!)

I promised that you guys would be nice....is that possible ;-)

Welcome, Charlotte!!

Penny

Alright Penny, all the guys are looking for the stats now...age, height, weight, marital status,
breast size, ass size, leg length, hair colour,

eye

Quoted message said:

colour, skin tone...

Nah, she already disclosed the bf!

Bill "still, just out of curiosity..." S.

"Carla A-G" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >

Quoted message said:

I have a hardtail going up for sale if you're interested, altho it might

be

Quoted message said:

out of your price range. Email me if you're interested.

- CA-G

Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

The M4? Why?

My Mrs. is starting to get a gleam in her eye for a replacement for hers...

Matt

"Charlotte Henson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello all,

I'm unlurking at Penny's suggestion (thanks Penny!) to ask y'all a few questions about buying a
first mountain bike. I've been trying to do my homework, read the FAQ, dutifully learned what
"chain suck" means, and now I have an appointment to try a used bike tonight.

BF, an avid mountain biker, is helping me but as Penny points out, he is something of a Luddite.
He prefers the term "old school" and even races his bike without front suspension. Anyway! He's
picked this bike out for

me:

Quoted message said:

boston.craigslist.org15678001.htmlOpen ↗

Opinions?

Is that the bike you're test-riding? Otherwise, there's no way I'd recommend buying that (or ANY
used bike) sight unseen.

If not "sold" on the one you see tonight, then make the Luddite accompany you to some bike shops.
There are some good deals available on brand-new '03 hardtails right now ($5-700 range). As others
have said, technology has changed a LOT since the mid-90's.

Good luck -- let us know what you end up getting!

Bill "new toy fever -- ohboyohboyohboy!" S.

"Charlotte Henson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello all,

I'm unlurking at Penny's suggestion (thanks Penny!) to ask y'all a few questions about buying a
first mountain bike. I've been trying to do my homework, read the FAQ, dutifully learned what
"chain suck" means, and now I have an appointment to try a used bike tonight.

BF, an avid mountain biker, is helping me but as Penny points out, he is something of a Luddite.
He prefers the term "old school" and even races his bike without front suspension. Anyway! He's
picked this bike out for

me:

Quoted message said:

boston.craigslist.org15678001.htmlOpen ↗

Opinions?

That sounds like a cool bike, but not one I'd recommend for a newbie. It would be like getting a '57
Chevy as your first car. Cool, but maybe not as practical as getting a new Saturn, Toyota, or
something else that wouldn't require so much tinkering. '96 was a long time ago in terms of mountain
bike technology. The components will be worn if they have been used much, and the shocks from 96
weren't all that good when they were new, let alone after 7 years. I think you'd be better off going
to a bike shop and getting a new bike that comes with tune ups and modern components. Geometry has
also come a long way since that bike was built. Newer geometry make it easier to climb a hard grade
without spinning your rear tire or doing a wheelie. Newer frames also generally want to endo less
than older ones because of the geometry and the positioning of the bars and seat. A lot of older
mountain bikes had geometry more similar to a road bike.

Matt (but the IF frame DOES have some cool factor!)

spademan o---) * said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

boston.craigslist.org15678001.htmlOpen ↗

Opinions?

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! Independent Fab make, IMHO, some of the most beautiful mountain bike
frames in the world, which means that even if some of the kit is a bit old (as is the case here),
you still have a great base to work from in the future

Dammit! Now I look like the sensible one...

Well, it was your turn...

Probably good to have both opinions. I go all dreamy over nice steel frames...

--
a.m-b FAQ: t-online.deambfaq.htmOpen ↗

b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htmOpen ↗

"MattB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The M4? Why?

My Mrs. is starting to get a gleam in her eye for a replacement for

hers...

Quoted message said:

Matt

For personal reasons...

Something about the bike hating my guts...

- CA-G

Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

spademan o---) * said:

Umm okay, a high-class bike but with components that are not easily replaceable should they be
worn. I would say this one is for the experienced mechanic who knows the value of the components
and whether they have any life left. I would leave it and look for something a bit (lot) more down
to earth (and newer).

I suspect BF (an experienced machanic) is eyeing the fork for his Fat Chance. He finally thinks that
maybe front suspension is worth trying. This particular bike is tempting to me because he'll take it
if it ends up being wrong for me.

Thank you for the list. Printed! We'll be going over that this evening.

Quoted message said:

No problem. Oh and don't listen to some guy named wheeler - you don't want a singlespeed.

Laugh!

Thanks again, Charlotte