[enonnaighsoj]

Hi, I have the opportunity to buy my first decent mountain bike. I'm coming from an old trek 4300 that is basically beat to hell, so any upgrade is a good one in my eyes.
I'm 6' 180lbs


I have 3 current options:
Barely Used 2017 giant talon 2 27.5" wheels for $400
Barely Used 2017 specialized rockhopper 29" for $375
New 2019 giant talon 2 27.5" for $700


What are your thoughts with what I should go with? Is it worth the extra cash to go brand new?


Thanks!

 

[fredcook]

"Barely Used"... based on your knowledge, or the sellers claim?

Me personally, I tend to vote brand new. But, depending on how the bikes are speced, a used one with higher level components may be the batter deal, if you are sure about condition.

 

[Boulder Pilot]

Do all of these bikes fit you? A free bike that doesn't fit you is worthless to you.

 

[nobody special]

I was in a similar situation two weeks ago. I have a 1994 Klein Fervor, hard tail, rigid fork, bought it brand new in 1994 when I was 23. It's been a great bike and I figured I would ride it until I die, but alas, now I have arthritis, and if I keep riding it I probably will die.

I looked at brand new:
Trek Marlin 7
Specialized Rockhopper (don't remember number, it was about $800)
Cannondale Trail 7 (I think it was a 7)
Ghost Kato 5.9
Giant Talon 2
REI co-op DRT 1.2

I bought the DRT 1.2 because it fit me best and I liked how it rode the best and honestly I thought it was the best put together. It's not the most popular but I don't really care about that.

At first I tried to buy used but I got tired of looking and wasting time on stuff that was 80% the price of new. I can work on my own bikes with no problem, but I gave up trying to save a couple hundred dollars and am happy that the decision is just over with.

 

[MSU Alum]

Having no idea what sorts of trails, where or how you ride, your current level of fitness, what your objectives are as far as getting better or travelling and whether or not the used ones have been modified I say buy the barely used 2017 specialized rockhopper 29" for $375.