Which 2nd hand DH bike?

[Night Runner]

Afternoon all,

I'm pondering on buying a 2nd bike- a DH steed.

What do we think could be bought for £400ish (2nd hand)? It would be used every now and then, it wouldn't be my main bike.

Cheers

[carter711]

The whole bike for £400? How good is your bike knowledge?

It really depends how lucky you are, and what's being sold in your area. You could get something that was a really good bike from about 10 years ago but the chances are the componenets would need a close eye on them to keep them working properly. Something like an Orange Patriot or Giant ATX, Kona Stinky/Stab etc. There are definately good bargains out there, hopefully you'll be lucky.

You could get something that cost about £900-£1300 2 or 3 ago for the price now, but the spec wouldn't be great and would probably need seals/bearings etc changing.

The best advice would be to study ebay and the forum classifids and let us know how you get on!

[carter711]

I've been having a look on Ebay (rainy day!) and have seen this, I've got the same frame but in red up in the loft.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INTENSE-M1-dh-bike-titanium-...

I know it's nearly twice over budget but it's such an amazing bike! I remember going to a DH race in about 2003 and there was someone there with one of these bikes and all the other racers (me included) were in awe. Please buy it so that I can't!


It makes me sad that I don't need it lol.

More pics

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/797880/

[anonymous-user]

for £400 you wont get anything that great unfortunately. you might get an old kona stab frame and forks as they were pretty popular back in the day and are a solid enough bike but thats as much as the budget will get you in terms of a "downhill" bike.

[MrTom]

Specialized BigHit II/III (06-09). I had one as my first DH bike and paid £460 for a Bighit II 07.

It's a very strong frame and build (crashed many times and never broke anything other than myself). The bearings and bushing were still working well when I sold it a year later after riding it in all weathers.
It's not the lightest bike, nor the best handling and despite it's bulk can't plow through rock gardens.

If you can go for the better equipped Bighit III it not only has better components but more travel front and rear (180mm Rockshox Domian vs 200mm Marzocchi 888)

Make sure you get a fullface helmet, do a full service on whatever you buy including brake bleed and correct shock and fork springs for your weight.

[The Trig]

Had my Stab stolen (£2k complete) when the house was burgled, dread to think how much that was sold on for - £10 bag of crack probably.

Good luck with your search, miss mine so badly.

[Night Runner]

Didn't know prices were so low:

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/6224102/

asking for £450!

I'm competent with stripping down/rebuilding etc.

[mk1fan]

check out the classifieds on Southern Downhill too.

You may want to consider a FR bike too - like an Orange Patriot or Cove G-Spot - but be prepared for some maintenance for your budget.