Newbie Dilemma

ib23

Hi,

I've recently agreed to do the Reivers Route over 3 days in July and have therefore decided to replace my ancient (possibly 12 years old) Kona Fire Mountain with something more up-to-date.

I've already put my name down on a brand new Cannondale Trail SL 4 for £650 (please see link below), but one of my colleagues has just told me that his son is selling a 2004 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert for £450.
http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X1020&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.evanscycles.com%2Fproducts%2Fcannondale%2Ftrail-sl-4-2010-mountain-bike-ec020207

I know the Stumpjumper's 6 years old and is probably over-spec'd for what I want, but I am tempted with it being such a good bike. Apparently it's been serviced annually, although the last service was in May 2009.

What do you guys reckon...should I go for the brand new Cannondale or the 6 year-old Stumpjumper???

Cheers

ib23

peter413

Definatly the stumpy.

I have the 2004 stumpy (the basic one but I have put lots of upgrades on including new brakes, DH bars and fox forks).

Its a great bike and is really quite light

bails87

Try it out, see if you like it.

Thewaylander

I'd be tempted for the newer bike to be honest, alot has happened in terms of suspension up front in the last 6 years.

Also aluminium frames can slowly wear with out visable signs, so depending on how a bike been rode you can't tell if it will break or not.

Second han is always a risk and if your not confident in what your looking at, i say miss it and get summat newer

ib23

I'd be tempted for the newer bike to be honest, alot has happened in terms of suspension up front in the last 6 years.

Yeah I'm a bit put off by the age as well, it just seems like a lot of bike for the money. I think I'm going to stick with the Cannondale however, mainly for peace of mind like you say.

Any opinions on the Cannondale Trail SL 4 (link below) compared to other new/newish bikes in that price range (£600 - £700)???

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/trail-sl-4-2010-mountain-bike-ec020207

Atz

Not sure what size you need but if you can get to Halifax, Orange have this on sale:

http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/offers/

ib23

Thanks, but I'm after a 18.5 - 19" so it'll be a bit too small, otherwise I'd have been straight down there.

llamafarmer

ib23 wrote:

I know the Stumpjumper's 6 years old and is probably over-spec'd for what I want, but I am tempted with it being such a good bike. Apparently it's been serviced annually, although the last service was in May 2009.

What does he mean by serviced? A quick once over and tune up in the bike shop or full fork and shock services with seal changes etc?

Personally I'd agree with Thewaylander, 6 years is pretty old and that's potentially a lot of wear and tear, even on a bike that's been really loved. Higher end tech from 2004 will have trickled down to much more budget kit by now, so you might find it's not actually much better specced than the Dale in real terms.

That's not to say the Stumpy isn't worth considering, but at that age it might just need some time and money spent on it to get it sweet for a 3 day trip.

bannedbiker

Cannondale!

Thewaylander

I would also consider at that price merlins malt, and possibly the giant/specialized price competition bikes.

but i have to admit ihave a soft spot for cannondale hardtails