An older Marin Mount Vision/Rift Zone or a Calibre Bossnut ?

JezUK

Hi,

My first post

I'm new to MB after a very long absence from cycling (I'm 54, male, 5'9 and wanting to get outdoors and get fit).

I'm on a budget - I really don't want to own a bike that cost me more than £600 so it'll have to be something 2nd hand.

And I really want a Full-Suspension bike

So I've been watching eBay and some really nice bikes come up now and again within my budget.

But I'm confused though what to go for - as there are bikes like Marin Mount Visions / Rift Zones (i.e. bikes that were close to £2000) going for £600, whilst the Calibre Bossnut (a bike you can buy brand new now for £900) going for around the same price (i.e. £600).

The thing is, in the reviews, the Bossnut is apparently a cracking bike, lots of 5 star reviews (on here !) whilst the £2000 bikes are getting low 2-3 star reviews.

So which is the better bike for me to go for, for my £600 ? (of course part of my problem is that I cannot test all of these bikes)

Any advice would be great.

Thanks.

Kindest regards,

Jez

jamski

Considering you can get a brand new Bossnut for a little over £800 with current discounts, and a Boardman Team FS for the same, I wouldn't be paying that much second hand right now.

The first question people will ask you is what sort of riding will you be doing?

JezUK

Thanks jamski,

I forgot to add that in my comparisons, a fairly new Bossnut (say 2015/2016) @ £600 (on eBay), versus much older Marin Mount Vision (around 2010), or Rift Zone (2011).

Also forgot to say that I want a Full-suspension bike.

For example, I missed this cracking bargain (so I think) - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/marin-rift-zone-xc7-mountain-bike-/201867815637?hash=item2f00426ad5%3Ag%3AQfoAAOSwWxNY1-Eg&nma=true&si=2qBPSlDNnpJ7tJcjwnPYeyoDgWE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Don't have an answer to your question because it's my gf who has that all planned - she goes on trails and knows the riding techniques needed - I need to learn

cooldad

That Rift Zone looked like a decent deal, and I would go second hand. At that budget, you probably don't have any choice. But if you don't know what you are going to ride, or what to look for in a second hand bike, you might have problems.

JezUK

Thanks cooldad,

I think at the pricepoint I'm looking to spend (less if I can get away with it), PLUS my skill level etc it's almost a case of looking for which would give me the best bang for my buck.

Here is another one I really wanted but missed out on due to, erm, a technical hitch with my mouse button finger.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/marin-mount-vision-mountain-bike-/152475982224?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=2qBPSlDNnpJ7tJcjwnPYeyoDgWE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

cooldad

Thay do seem to be bargains at the moment. Nice bikes.