Advice please on this spec...

[Donatello]

I know little about bikes but want to get into MTB'ing for fun/general fitness. Will start off basic but slowly take it more seriously and who knows where it will end up!

Can any knowledgeable folk comment on this spec? It is from a Saracen Zen 3 Hardtail from I THINK 2010?

Frame
Zen Lightweight Custom Butted and Formed 6061 Alloy Tube set / Power bulge stays / UK-specific Design with Custom CNC Headtube
Fork
RockShox Recon 335 U-Turn 95-140mm travel with 20mm thru-axle
Front Derailleur
Shimano Deore M590
Rear Derailleur
Shimano Deore XT Shadow M772
Number of Gears
27
Shifters
Shimano SLX M660 9-speed
Chainset
Truvativ Firex 2.2AM
Chainrings
22/32 tooth and Alloy Bashguard
Bottom Bracket
Truvativ Giga X Pipe
Cassette
Shimano HG80 11-32 tooth cassette 9-speed
Chain
KMC Z9000
Pedals
Alloy MTB
Front Brake
Shimano M575 180mm rotor/custom white
Rear Brake
Shimano M575 160 mm rotor/custom white
Brake Levers
Shimano M575
Handlebars
Syncros FL35 7075 Grunge 670 mm wide
Stem
Syncros AM Grunge A-Head/white
Headset
TH No.11N A-Headset
Grips
Saracen Lock-on dual-density grip
Rims
Syncros AM DS28 32 hole
Front Hub
Shimano SLX 20 mm 32 hole
Rear Hub
Shimano M495 32 hole
Spokes
Stainless steel 14g
Front Tyre
Maxxis Highroller 26 x 2.35"
Rear Tyre
Maxxis Highroller 26 x 2.35"
Saddle
FIZI:K Gobi XM/white
Seatpost
Syncros FR Grunge/31.6mm

It is a 'used' bike but I have seen pictures in detail and it looks like it has been used a handful of times on the road. Will be my first MTB in about 7 years to get me into it again but I think it seems good? Asking price £450ovno if that makes a difference?

[zasker]

Doesn't seem to bad value, only thing I would ask is, is this a triple. Write up says 22/32 and a bash gaurd, pictures on Internet looks as if it only has the 2 rings.

[Donatello]

zasker said:

Doesn't seem to bad value, only thing I would ask is, is this a triple. Write up says 22/32 and a bash gaurd, pictures on Internet looks as if it only has the 2 rings.

I am about to sound ridiculous but... Could you explain what that means? I know NOTHING about bikes technically and despite being a willing learner, I know nothing yet!

I would ask but wouldn't be able to elaborate if I didn't make sense!

[zasker]

The front chainrings (cogs) most mountain bikes have what is called a triple chainset which means there are 3 chainrings (cogs) at the front and anywhere between 6 and 9 at the rear. This are examples of 2 chain rings at the front and 10 at the back but generally on a bike that age it would have a triple at the front and as per the ad 9 at the rear. The list says 22/32 which is the inside chainring at the front has 22 teeth, the next one out has 32 and then there is normally another which would have 42, 44 or 46. Obviously this is all generally speaking but I believe there should be 3 chain rings at the front.

[Rolls]

^^^ and following on from this the first post says 27 gears, which would suggest a tripple :-)

As above though, seems a reasonable spec!

[deadtom]

sounds like a good solid spec. however unless the previous owner has upgraded the pedals they are likely to be a bit rubbish

[Donatello]

Thanks guys, appreciate that and will ask him when I speak to him.

A link to the photo's: http://m195.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/pickl...

Looks like it only has two on the front to my eyes?

[Donatello]

Ok well I suppose what I'm getting at is... Would I be better getting this or a new bike around the £5-600 category?

[Red 4]

Donatello said:

Ok well I suppose what I'm getting at is... Would I be better getting this or a new bike around the £5-600 category?

The spec on the bike is usually found on bikes costing about £750 upwards

It really depends on the condition of the bike and whether you like it

You'd struggle to get a new £500 bike with those bits on it

[deadtom]

Donatello said:

Thanks guys, appreciate that and will ask him when I speak to him.

A link to the photo's: http://m195.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/pickl...

Looks like it only has two on the front to my eyes?

yeah thats a 2 + bash setup, so you will only have 18 gears, but thats most likely all you need. Ive certainly never found myself running out of gears any time i use a similar setup.

and if it were me, i'd have that over a new £500 - £600 as you wouldnt get the same sort of spec on a brand new bike at that price