Friend looking for a basic 29er, size large (or big medium)

Discussion in 'Pay It Forward' started by Cyclotourist, Aug 25, 2017.


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  1. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Hey there, my friend Doug lives in Irvine, and is an avid cyclist and tourer. He's looking to spend more time on the dirt, which I think we can all agree is a good thing! He has a cool old 26" MTB, but wants to try a modern 29er and see what the fuss is all about. Wondering if anybody has just such a bike they were thinking about selling? He's in the $600-800 range, and doesn't mind used, but is looking more at new closeout stuff. I'm trying to get him to the Deore or SLX/Rockshox level, but at his price most everything is X5 or X7/Suntour. This for example would be a great bike for him, but just a touch outside his price range: https://www.rei.com/product/109590/ghost-kato-5-27529-bike-2017
    Any suggestions for a good off the shelf 29er sitting somewhere collecting dust?
     
    DangerDirtyD and UPSed like this.
  2. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
    I saw a L El Mar with gears and squish fork for 850 on Pinkbike today.
     
    DangerDirtyD and Cyclotourist like this.
  3. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    DangerDirtyD likes this.
  4. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    It is going to take some time and patience to find a great deal in that price range. If he was willing to drop $1200, the door would be wide open.
     
  5. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Yeah, agreed. But working with what he's got!

    So what's the deal w/ those Suntour forks on the cheaper bikes... they half way decent? Heavy but work sort of things?
     
    DangerDirtyD likes this.
  6. Danmtchl

    Danmtchl iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Bakersfield
    Name:
    Dan
    Current Bike:
    2020 Trek Fuel EX 9.7
    We have a SC Highball, 2014 model that my boss wants gone. Its above his price range. But you can keep it in mind if all else fails. IMG_3660.JPG
     
    DangerDirtyD and Cyclotourist like this.
  7. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Well I think that would be great, but it is above where he's at.

    Where is this at, I'll point him in that direction!
     
    Danmtchl and DangerDirtyD like this.
  8. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    The Suntour forks I have had experience with were of poor quality.
     
    Cyclotourist and DangerDirtyD like this.
  9. Sidewalk

    Sidewalk iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    The road is where I call home
    Name:
    Josh
    Current Bike:
    N+1
    Talk him into staying on his bike until he saves more money?
     
    Cyclotourist and DangerDirtyD like this.
  10. Danmtchl

    Danmtchl iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Bakersfield
    Name:
    Dan
    Current Bike:
    2020 Trek Fuel EX 9.7
    Its at the shop I work at. I know the price is high but the shop wants it gone and I am sure something can be worked out. Oh, I live in Bakersfield, so it might be a drive.
     
  11. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Will let him know... Cash talks!!!
    Thanks for the lead!
     
  12. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    I figured... seems like RS is pretty much the minimum quality.

    Yeah, really!!!

    That Ghost he's looking at isn't too shabby a bike. Deore/XT 2X10 drivetrain, RS XC30 shock. Wheels kinda junky, but can't be picky for less than a grand. Geometry looks pretty typical XC, nothing really aggressive on it. I don't know if it's Chinese or Taiwanese built frame. Probably China at that price point.
     
    Runs with Scissors likes this.
  13. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
  14. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    mike and Danmtchl like this.
  15. riiz

    riiz Member

    Location:
    Redlands, CA
    Name:
    Eric
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Heckler/Killmaleon
    http://konaworld.com/mahuna.cfm

    Here is a much better example of "Modern 29er Geometry", fork will be stiffer than an XC30 and plusher, because it is coil-sprung. But at this price range, suspension and wheels will be sub-par, and if your buddy likes mountain biking, upgrade them.

    Btw, the older 2017 model is $750
     
    mike, Danmtchl and Cyclotourist like this.
  16. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Will forward him this!
    Path is a local dealer for him, so he can throw a leg over. He went in there and was ignored recently... I think that's partially why he's drawn to REI.
    :(
     
    mike and Danmtchl like this.
  17. jaime

    jaime Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Corona, ca
    Name:
    jaime
    Current Bike:
    '20 YT Jeffsy carbon 27'5
    @Cyclotourist hey David I found this awesome deal... Its on jensons website
    Screenshot_20170826-132120.png

    Screenshot_20170826-132314.png
     
    mike, Danmtchl, Cyclotourist and 2 others like this.
  18. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    The price is right!!!!
     
  19. bpacifica

    bpacifica Member

    Location:
    Yorba Linda
    Name:
    billy
    Current Bike:
    Pivot Shuttle
    A friend has a Specialized '09 29er, FSR, , brain, very nice condition, I believe a large. Could probably get for $800.. just a guess. Maybe less? San Clemente.
     
    DangerDirtyD and Cyclotourist like this.
  20. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Thanks for posting the lead! He's backed off a bit from the new bike, but still thinking about it. I think he was really close to getting the Ghost 27.5 bike (medium) from REI. But life happens, so he didn't get it yet. I'm still working on him though!

    I'd like to see him get this right now, and am gently prodding, as it seems like a pretty cool ride: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bik/d/scott-scale-730-plus-2017/6312916868.html

    00W0W_5jR0UkpoZfd_1200x900.jpg
     
    littlewave and DangerDirtyD like this.
  21. muni

    muni Member

    Location:
    Downtown Los Angeles
    Name:
    Mike
    Current Bike:
    17 Yeti SB5
    Cyclotourist likes this.
  22. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Yes, that looks like a good one! I like the color also! But he's gotta' decide!!! I like the idea of the plus sized wheels, but he might hate that, coming from a 26" rigid bike. Or may love it!!!
     
  23. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Thanks for all the input, MTB collective! My buddy went ahead and picked up the medium 27.5 Ghost @ REI. They were having end of season sale, plus member one time $100 coupon on it, so he picked it up for $700. Can't beat that! I hope he's able to get some hours in on it in the wilds of Orange County!!! I'll recommend he start using Tailwind(s) as well!!!



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As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


Want to donate to imtbtrails?