second hand buying

twcb321

]i want a full suss bike so my back doesnt take a pounding when im out with the kids someone locally to me has a 2002 Gt Full Suspension I-Drive black/yellow size m £220.
BUT is this too small for me it has 26" wheels,i am 6 feet tall and umteen stone.
i can mail anyone a pic if it helps.
what pitfall am i gonna run into IF i did buy this bike seeing as it is 5 years old,
it has has been owned the the same lady since new and does look in very good condition.
she paid £900 back in 2002

any advice greatly appreciated.

THANKS

ANDY

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supersonic

Sounds like the Idrive 4.0 or 5.0. Good bike in its time: wheter it fits or not, well, you have to test it. They did come up large for their size, I am 6ft and M was perfect for me. maybe not you though!

You will need to give it a good check over, especially the bearings.

twcb321

this is the chap,i dont know much about bikes but i like this ?
http://www.epinions.com/bicycles_2001_GT_iDrive_Race#

if the bearing are ok is it worth £220.
thanks again

IS THIS A GIRLS BIKE
WHAT DETERMINS IT ?????????

The Spiderman

Do you know the vendor,to be trustworthy and the history of the bike?

You will need to check carefully bearings,shock and forks,and for wear on cassette,chain and chainrings.Check the frame carefully for cracks or bulges,which could be signs of crash damage

Full suss bikes can be expensive to put right if its not in good nick.A shock service can be £90 by itself.

Is it possible for you to take the bike to a friendly bike shop before buying to get their advice?

Girls bikes normally have,shorter top tubes,narrower bars and different saddles,but I don't think GT offer this option on the i drive,and many ladies prefer to ride a man's bike especially the more serious riders.

On sizing,you should be able to fully extend your leg whilst sitting on the saddle with your heel on the pedal,whilst the top tube length determines your stretch to the bars.

Some of this can be altered by swapping the stem for a different length version and you can buy longer seatposts too.

If it's in vgc without any immdeiate attention required it might be worth it,but do make sure it fits.

WillGTJumper

doesnt look to nice, looks like a supermarket special

twcb321

WillGTJumper wrote:

doesnt look to nice, looks like a supermarket special

???????????????????????????????

Big n Daft

Couldnt you try a hardtail with a suspension seat post? Might open up the bikes you can get?

Looking for a decent full suss is a bit of a problem at this price...although i do remember reading Decathlon do a good one @ £300 quid-ish.

This months MBUK....Rockrider 6.3, 'worth considerably more than its price tag'

Might be worth a look if you can get to a Decathlon store.

BnD

twcb321

i am leaning towards the vulcan now ans a suss seat post,like i say its only for riding with the kids,alot of people seem to have good things to say bout the vulcan cant all be wrong,can they ??
thanks for your replies.

ANDY

Big n Daft

I'd go one up......

The Kraken, for the extra cash you are getting a lot more for your money, double butted frame, better fork, better finishing kit, Its currently £323....get a Kellogs 10% voucher...get it for sub £300

The Vulcan is a bit basic.....I dont think the fork is damped for a start which will make a difference to how it rides over rough stuff, far better to have a controlled rebound, otherwise it can bottom out the forks very quickly, in which case you are going to get a few jolts through the bars.

The 20" should be about the right size for you, im 6' 4'' and a 20" Fury is fine with about 9" of seat post out.

BnD

supersonic

That is true, the Vulcan fork is undamped (well it is 260!) but the Kraken at that price is a steal.

twcb321

i only have budget £250 and the vulcan is £233 perhaps i mite hold off for a bit and save that bit extra,i must adit i do like the look of the Mongoose Tyax Elite 2007 £280 you guys talk about.perhaps the added price of the sus seat post woud validate the mongoose purchase.
ok what would you rather have mongoose or the kraken ??although the kraken is £323

sorry for so many questions but you know what its like.lol

thanks

ANDY

supersonic

Obviosuly you need to go and try them, but if it came to a crucnh, I'd have the Kraken. It has the better frame and components, and is a pound lighter. But for 280 the Goose is unbeatable. Both excellent bikes.

Big n Daft

What he said!

Try em both and pick the one that feels the best!...With a bad back, position is going to be all important for you.

twcb321

THANKS GUYS REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE.