Is this a fair price?

**knumbskull** · 04-28-2008, 07:45 PM

OK, total bike noob here hoping to get some advice and input.

My co-worker is selling his bike. He sent me this email:

" http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...Team&Type=bike
Here is the bike.
The only major difference from these specs to mine, is that my front derailleur is XT and the fork is an older Marzochi Bomber. Mine has different tires, seat, pedals, seat post and crank and a couple of minor things. I can send you a picture if you want.

The rear shock does not lock out anymore."

He wants $700. Is that fair? Is the rear shock lockout problem a big deal? Is this a good bike for a first time mountain biker? Comments and flames appreciated!

BLOOD SWEAT STEEL · 04-28-2008, 08:29 PM

That bike is kind of a pile of crap.

I mean - I dunno. I just think you could do way better for $700. Considering you're a first time mountain biker, my advice would be to buy a nice used hardtail for around the same price and you'll get five times the bike. Learn how to ride it well and enjoy it, then down the road move to FS if it better suits the type of riding you decide you enjoy most.

**El Chupacabra** · 04-28-2008, 08:58 PM

That K2 (per its spec list) has pretty high-end parts. I'd pass on it because of the rear suspension though.

Keep shopping. This, for example, on Reno's craigslist:
http://reno.craigslist.org/bik/658200069.html

**khakis** · 04-28-2008, 09:00 PM

Yeah I'd probably pass on that bike for $200. The rear shock is probably shot and you will be hard pressed to find a replacement, I think you had to replace the whole seatstay assembly with the shock on those?

**knumbskull** · 04-28-2008, 09:06 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I was actually thinking about a hardtail until my coworker mentioned he had a bike for sale. Highlands closing day was yesterday and the weather has gotten so nice I'm itching to start riding. Gotta keep my enthusiasm in check though so I don't get a bike that isn't right for me.

**donutlynx** · 04-28-2008, 09:08 PM

You can find something way better than that for $700. I sold my Stinky DeeLux 5x5 for $500 and that thing was loaded. I would stay away from K2 bicycles, but that's just me. Look around, $700 will get you quite a bit in a used bike.

**El Chupacabra** · 04-28-2008, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by NlytendOne

I would stay away from K2 bicycles, but that's just me.

A K2 hardtail would be just fine -- they're generic Taiwan-built frames, like Felt, KHS, etc. K2 had some weird rear suspension designs though.

K2's bike division came from K2's purchase of Noleen/ Proflex. I had a ~1998 Proflex that was branded as a K2, but it was entirely Noleen/Girvin design.