yet another what bike thread ( GT i drive )
car.crash
Posts: 170
hi guys im new here but no doubt you get these threads pop up daily.
im 6ft2 and want to buy a mountain bike for general use and maybe some down hill fun but nothing to serious. i want to buy a second hand bike because they are basically half price or less and im not to worried about a few scratches i would rather more bang for my buck.
i was looking at the GT i Drive but im very confused over them, as they seem to make a 1-5 model then they have a i drive 4 1.0 2.0 etc etc. please help on whats what with these gts. also if you can recommend a differant bike that may be more suited to all round riding please feel free to let me know. i want to spend under 500 pounds on a used bike im not over interested in ones that have cosmetic modifications all show and no go etc, if it has a improvement that makes the bike ride better then im interested. many thanks marc.
here is one of the bikes i was looking at
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0344431814
im 6ft2 and want to buy a mountain bike for general use and maybe some down hill fun but nothing to serious. i want to buy a second hand bike because they are basically half price or less and im not to worried about a few scratches i would rather more bang for my buck.
i was looking at the GT i Drive but im very confused over them, as they seem to make a 1-5 model then they have a i drive 4 1.0 2.0 etc etc. please help on whats what with these gts. also if you can recommend a differant bike that may be more suited to all round riding please feel free to let me know. i want to spend under 500 pounds on a used bike im not over interested in ones that have cosmetic modifications all show and no go etc, if it has a improvement that makes the bike ride better then im interested. many thanks marc.
here is one of the bikes i was looking at
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0344431814
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Comments
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The first number (ie 4 or 5) refers to the rear travel in inches. The 4 is more of an XC bike, the 5 is stouter. The second number (ie 1.0, 2.0) refers to the model spec, the lower the better. Both are now discontinued and replaced by the Marathon and Force.
They are decent bikes, if a little weighty. You need to ensure it is in good condition ie bearings and shocks, no cracks, and preferably test it.0 -
That looks horrible, dont buy it.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SCOTT-ASPECT-HARD ... dZViewItem
Looks alright, if a bit expensive.
Personally, I think youre better off getting something new. Perhaps like a specialized hardrock. Although you may just think a few scratches dont make a difference, its the damage you cant see that is a pain. Bearings, wear, etc.0 -
Looks can be deceiving. I used to own one, superb ride and frame. Spec on that one is a bit low, but was a 1k bike, with a 800 quid frame.0
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thanks for the tips on the model specs, all makes sense now.
when you say the bike looks horrible, why? its fairly local to me which helps as a 8 hour round trip to yorkshire is not good. also i do not want new unless its got mega discount. a well looked after bike will be just as good as new imo.0 -
It looks like its come out of a supermarket. If its a £1000 bike, then it looks stolen.0
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Is a good idea to go and see it, sit on it, see if it fits and examine the frame and bearings.
They are dead easy to service and replace on Idrive 4 anyway. Good Fox shock, tuned.0 -
excellent i may just go and have a look. am i just checking visually for damage and to make sure the bearings are fine and gear changes are smooth etc. im good with spanners, i build track cars as a hobby. also whilst we are on subject am i going to need a frame that large, its just if a 19" bike comes up i would like to know whether or not to stay away from it.
thanks for the help so far, it is much appreciated.0 -
As frame sizes vary so much, trying is the best way.
This was mine:
Paid 250 for all that! ID 4 3.0.0 -
that couldnt be any closer to what im looking for, nice bike, nice price.
i typed it into ebay and im finding various other types now, idrive comp ???
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... gt+i+drive
i have had a look through the classifieds and alot of the bikes are modified. im not sure how modifications work in the bike world, but in the car world its easy to throw thousands at a car and make it worse so im weary of a modified bike as i dont know much about bikes i wouldnt know if its improving or ruining the bike.0 -
The comp was primarily a Halfords specced IDrive - using the older eccentric bearing system (take a close look at the bottom bracket area). This was superseded by the ID 4 and 5 sytems which use a lighter linkage as can be seen in my pic above.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GT-I-Drive-Comp-F ... 7C294%3A50
Not worth it really. Go for the newer IDs.0 -
thankyou supersonic your advice has been ace.
if anyone else can recomend a good used bike for under £500 please post them up.0 -
Do you really need a full susser though? Also check out paulscycles.com for some great deals ie:
http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p1748
Over budget, but a hell of a lot of new bike, full warranty etc.0 -
that giant is a nice bike, reason i was going to go second hand is that i will use it a few times a month for a bit of fun through some local woods so i end up with a good bike for a fraction of the price. i probably dont need full suspension but as they are in budget i thought why not
? 0 -
440 of the Giant though!
They were doing that ID 4 4.0 for 399 a few months back.0 -
Sorry to jump in on this thread but my mate has just spent 1300 on a new bike and has offered me his old gt i drive 4. He is not sure what number model it was though. Is there a way I can find out? (it is the same blue/white colour scheme as in the first ebay listing at the top of the page).0
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Frame wise same as this one. I'll get a few more details when I next see him. I wondered if it was printed anywhere eg frame etc.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GT-i-drive-Carbon ... 3A2|39%3A10 -
I have checked yesterday, and had a look over the bike. It looks like it is from 2001, with as standard parts. It does have a thompson seat pole and new handle bars and new rear sprocket.
At some point disc brakes have been put on, but they don't work so he'll put the standard v brakes back on.
He brought new on a closing down sale for just over £600 (should have been £1100 ish) and I know it hasn't been used much. Most reviews I have seen suggest it is a good starting bike but be prepared to upgrade a few parts when they go, especially the front forks.
To be honest the only reason I am looking at it is because it is a FS bike for about £300. If I don't get this one a new FS bike is gonna be out of my price range and I will opt for a hardtail around the 500-600 mark.
Any advise gladly accepted. Especially on what an acceptable price would be. I notice the one above sold on ebay for just over 300 but that had a few decent upgrades.0 -
Oops. forgot about this thread - was indeed a 2001 (Gt Idrive 4.0)0
