So I'm in the market to get a full sus bike for general riding with the odd big hill thrown in.
At the £1k mark, I can either get a new on one (or similar) with a decent spec, or I can get a 5 year old ibis/yeti sb66 etc with awesome spec (albeit, older).
So, purely for the enjoyment of riding, what's a better option?
Interested to know peoples thought 🙂 about this question as I'm in the same boat as you 😀 But the 2nd hand one I'm considering is below £1k and its 5 years old :)) but in mint condition Trance SX.
Just build the Mrs a Stumpy Evo Carbon 29er. Total cost bar the wheels which i already had (£150 pair of Supertar/Pacenti) has been £670.
The frame and forks & dropper were 2nd hand but the rest all new, just shipped around for bargains.
So, purely for the enjoyment of riding, what’s a better option?
For me it would be the older one with great spec, great frame etc,. as I like nice bikes and wouldn't really be happy on the level of parts, frame quality etc,. that £1000 would get for a new full suspension bike.
Always secondhand. Only ever bought one bike new and that was my 40th birthday present 🙂
My vote would be an epic old bike...less depreciation, won’t be out of date after 3 days and arguably more entertaining to ride (based on modern bike geo being easier to ride).
Make sure you get the right bike mind, which hasn’t been battered to hell and held together with heli tape
depends on the wheel size. I'd not touch an older 26er, whatever the spec.
I loved my SB66, was the best descending bike I've ever owned, capra, Bronson, was awesome.
Got fed up of it cracking though, and also the exorbitant annual (if you nurse them!) bearing costs.
Think it depends a bit on what you want, will do with it. My most fun bike is still my single speed 26”, my easiest is my 29” hardtail, my fastest - at least down hill - is a 27.5 enduro bike, my best looking (at least in my eyes) is my 90s Ti bike. All bought secondhand and only one was over a K and not that much over. Good luck, here and pinkbike, I generally avoid eBay.
Assuming second hand is well looked after and has owner evidence, always second hand.
I'm fussy about things that need expensive services (shock, forks, bearings) and more 'meh' about tyres, grips etc.
I would have thought you could get something decent and more modern than 5 years old for that budget second hand.
I wouldn't buy a 5 year old bike.
I’m fussy about things that need expensive services (shock, forks, bearings) and more ‘meh’ about tyres, grips etc.
This would be my major questionmark. I'd be a lot more inclined to buy used hardtails than suspension bikes.
