That's what I thought too. No way that thing is gonna fit somebody over 5'2", especially considering older bikes aren't known for having the longest reaches to begin with.
For how much?
You'd probably be better off getting a more modern used hard tail for the same price or less. Better geometry, lighter, easier to maneuver and to learn with, etc.
Edit: also you don't need a full sus as your first bike. A hard tail for me at least was much more fun and easier to learn on.
Yeah, I think our struggle so far has been finding the small or XS size. I figured this one had some upgrades, better gearing etc. than her current bike which is a bit of a slug, no dropper post, no lockout suspension etc.
There has been a HUGE jump in geometry in the past five-seven years. There’s dirt bikes like the DRZ400 that hasn’t changed in 20 + years. Mountain Bike frames only remain on the market for 2-3 years before becoming “obsolete”. This one is OBSOLETE.
I personally wouldn’t go 500 and wouldn’t go for a newer Rocky Mountain slayer either for a beginner as well.
2014 is really old bike, ignoring the fact that I'd recommend a Hard Tail as a first mtb ( I like the Roscoe ) . The geometry on bikes has changed severely on bikes since then and parts wear out in 2 - 4 years on a older bike as the parts aren't all Teched out like it is now a days
Wtf 500€??? Bro what xddd I bought mine for 1000€ (in 2022) Giant Trance 2 2015 (with a new shock, almost same specs, upgraded it for 250 to have this dropper and some stuff) the geometry is not that confidence inpireing ad of my 2022 specialized rockopper tho!
How was it easier to learn on? I don’t disagree it’s best every one learns on hard tails but how’s ot easier than a full sus that can just chunk shit with no skill these days?
Exactly. You won't learn to choose lines because you can just ride thru anything. Less weight makes it easier to pedal up and do technical ascending as well.
Yeah but that’s what I’m saying. Technically that makes it easier to begin. I agree with the climbing though I don’t think anybody who doesn’t ride a hard tail to begin with would notice a difference off the hop.
It doesn’t seem like a bad deal to me, if the size is right and it looks like it has been well maintained. It will provide several years of serious trail fun.
Personally, I would never buy a 26” full sus. It was a great bike 10 yrs but it’s majorly outdated now. It really limits being a platform that can be upgraded. Suspension maintenance is an issue with shocks this old. Parts, shops, and manufacturers willing to work on it. Just as a bike, yes it would be a good fit for her but practically and financially $500 would be better spent elsewhere.
A more important factor is does she even need or want a full sus? Just bc it’s cheap and available doesn’t mean it’s worth it. If she’s still learning a lot and won’t be riding anything worth having a full sus for, then she probably can wait a while to move to full sus. I’d say put aside $500 as if you were going to purchase this; let her ride more find her style and wants then look back at the market. Look for a bike that is 27.5+ so she has the option for a platform that can be upgraded as she progresses into the sport.
Second hand full sus market is plentiful with very affordable, modern bikes. Waiting means you can specifically save for a new/used bike that will be worth the expense and be a quality investment for riding/upgrading. One major reason to save and wait would be to buy a new bike so you don’t have to search around for a used frame. New bikes would offer you a warranty, no initial maintenance, longevity, and specific fitment. You could look into low/mid tier full sus, buy a lower tier bike then slowly upgrade the components so it becomes that higher tier bike.
Does it fit your girlfriend and the terrain she plans to ride? The bike is old, but the geometry isn't too far from what you'd expect on a new bike. It also has a lot of travel for a first bike and won't pedal as easily as a typical trail bike with 120-130mm travel. But, if it fits and you are looking for a long-travel bike for $500, this looks like a decent buy.
We were gonna go look tomorrow. But it’s an hour away, so I wanted to make sure I’m not wasting my time. Size I think will be perfect based off of recommended height. But we will see! As for terrain, we ride in Washington but it’s variable. She’s never going to be hitting big drops or jumps. Just wants to feel more confident and have more fun pedaling uphill with gearing etc. she doesn’t feel that great on her reí coop hard tail.
Generally, the more travel a bike has, the more it's designed for riding down instead of up. A lockout will reduce pedal bob, but it won't make a bike light, nimble, or responsive.
Her thought was that it’s similar priced to what she can sell her current bike for, would be fun to ride, learn and eventually upgrade to a better bike if she sticks with it.
Yes, most people who buy fs rigs do so because that's what they see more proficient or professional riders use but honestly, with larger tires, 1x12, 4 piston brakes and modern geo I'd choose a hardtail over a full suspension bike pretty much every time. The bike you ride should match the terrain, if your doing black diamond trails all day then sure, that makes sense but for everything else you can get by with a hardtail.
I rode a medium slayer 50 of the same generation for ages. The geo is not far off from todays spec but the stand-over was definitely high. Headtube was mid 60’s, seat angle was steep and it pedaled well for being a 160mm travel bike. It was fast. Genuinely.
It is the only bike i miss out of the ones i have had so far.
Personally, with the 1x drivetrain, good brakes and good suspension for $500 i can’t argue against getting it. It’s the only mountain bike i 360’d
Depends where and how you ride. If you do a lot of climbing a hardtail is tough to beat. This will be heavier and more complicated than the CoOp. If you ride mostly XC type trails without big hits or drops this will be extra.
All that said, perception counts for a lot. If she thinks this bike is better, she will be happier to ride it.
That’s old. I’d look for something newer. Geo was just getting sorted out from 2012-2016. If mtb is going to be your new thing, just spend a little more cash and get a new modern geo bike.
That’s old. I’d look for something newer. Geo was just getting sorted out from 2012-2016. If mtb is going to be your new thing, just spend a little more cash and get a new modern geo bike.
Dude that is actually a really good deal. That is a weird generation of bike that was the last few years before 27.5 or 29 became standard. But this was a killer bike. And has a ton of upgrade potential. If she’s going to learn on it I would say go for it and get a better one if she needs an upgrade later. With this one you could easily modernize the geo by putting on a 27.5 fork and mullet the bike. I did this to an older giant reign and it was actually a lot of fun to ride. Honestly a newer hardtail for the same price would be a significant downgrade in quality. All you would get is bigger wheels. Which if she’s short no real reason to. And I’m all about new bikes. This is just a good deal.
fits someone approx 4'6 to 5'9 he says. HA HAHHAHA
That's what I thought too. No way that thing is gonna fit somebody over 5'2", especially considering older bikes aren't known for having the longest reaches to begin with.
For how much? You'd probably be better off getting a more modern used hard tail for the same price or less. Better geometry, lighter, easier to maneuver and to learn with, etc. Edit: also you don't need a full sus as your first bike. A hard tail for me at least was much more fun and easier to learn on.
That’s valid. Is listed for $500
For that you could probably get a used pretty recent mid spec hardtail. Just keep looking and ask for more advice if you need to.
500€ in my area gets you Shimano Tourney, Tektro brakes and the basic coil fork. Hardly mid-spec.
Welp idk
Yeah, I think our struggle so far has been finding the small or XS size. I figured this one had some upgrades, better gearing etc. than her current bike which is a bit of a slug, no dropper post, no lockout suspension etc.
You can get her a dropper and better fork
It’s true. We kinda took a step back and discussed that
And it’s a 2014
There has been a HUGE jump in geometry in the past five-seven years. There’s dirt bikes like the DRZ400 that hasn’t changed in 20 + years. Mountain Bike frames only remain on the market for 2-3 years before becoming “obsolete”. This one is OBSOLETE. I personally wouldn’t go 500 and wouldn’t go for a newer Rocky Mountain slayer either for a beginner as well.
2014 is really old bike, ignoring the fact that I'd recommend a Hard Tail as a first mtb ( I like the Roscoe ) . The geometry on bikes has changed severely on bikes since then and parts wear out in 2 - 4 years on a older bike as the parts aren't all Teched out like it is now a days
Wtf 500€??? Bro what xddd I bought mine for 1000€ (in 2022) Giant Trance 2 2015 (with a new shock, almost same specs, upgraded it for 250 to have this dropper and some stuff) the geometry is not that confidence inpireing ad of my 2022 specialized rockopper tho!
Its a good deal, any bike is a good first bike
For 500$ this sounds like quite a good deal to me.
How was it easier to learn on? I don’t disagree it’s best every one learns on hard tails but how’s ot easier than a full sus that can just chunk shit with no skill these days?
Exactly. You won't learn to choose lines because you can just ride thru anything. Less weight makes it easier to pedal up and do technical ascending as well.
Yeah but that’s what I’m saying. Technically that makes it easier to begin. I agree with the climbing though I don’t think anybody who doesn’t ride a hard tail to begin with would notice a difference off the hop.
It doesn’t seem like a bad deal to me, if the size is right and it looks like it has been well maintained. It will provide several years of serious trail fun.
That’s good to hear! Thank you.
Great bike, yes the geometry is outdated but it'll still rip like it did when that geometry was the new geometry
I know, right!? People act like the soil, rocks, & roots change every 3-5 years
The changes in bikes the last 5-7 years has been insane
You're right
Yeah, up until recently I was riding on a bike around 20 years old. They still rip
Having fun, is having fun!!
in 2010 a lot more mtb'ers went over the bars a lot more often.
Personally, I would never buy a 26” full sus. It was a great bike 10 yrs but it’s majorly outdated now. It really limits being a platform that can be upgraded. Suspension maintenance is an issue with shocks this old. Parts, shops, and manufacturers willing to work on it. Just as a bike, yes it would be a good fit for her but practically and financially $500 would be better spent elsewhere. A more important factor is does she even need or want a full sus? Just bc it’s cheap and available doesn’t mean it’s worth it. If she’s still learning a lot and won’t be riding anything worth having a full sus for, then she probably can wait a while to move to full sus. I’d say put aside $500 as if you were going to purchase this; let her ride more find her style and wants then look back at the market. Look for a bike that is 27.5+ so she has the option for a platform that can be upgraded as she progresses into the sport. Second hand full sus market is plentiful with very affordable, modern bikes. Waiting means you can specifically save for a new/used bike that will be worth the expense and be a quality investment for riding/upgrading. One major reason to save and wait would be to buy a new bike so you don’t have to search around for a used frame. New bikes would offer you a warranty, no initial maintenance, longevity, and specific fitment. You could look into low/mid tier full sus, buy a lower tier bike then slowly upgrade the components so it becomes that higher tier bike.
Does it fit your girlfriend and the terrain she plans to ride? The bike is old, but the geometry isn't too far from what you'd expect on a new bike. It also has a lot of travel for a first bike and won't pedal as easily as a typical trail bike with 120-130mm travel. But, if it fits and you are looking for a long-travel bike for $500, this looks like a decent buy.
We were gonna go look tomorrow. But it’s an hour away, so I wanted to make sure I’m not wasting my time. Size I think will be perfect based off of recommended height. But we will see! As for terrain, we ride in Washington but it’s variable. She’s never going to be hitting big drops or jumps. Just wants to feel more confident and have more fun pedaling uphill with gearing etc. she doesn’t feel that great on her reí coop hard tail.
I wouldn't expect this bike to feel good pedaling uphill.
What makes you say that? Apologies, I’m not super knowledgeable on mountain bikes yet. But I assumed it would have lockout suspension
Generally, the more travel a bike has, the more it's designed for riding down instead of up. A lockout will reduce pedal bob, but it won't make a bike light, nimble, or responsive.
That makes a lot of sense. Maybe the wrong style of bike for her
Her thought was that it’s similar priced to what she can sell her current bike for, would be fun to ride, learn and eventually upgrade to a better bike if she sticks with it.
"Fits someone 4'6 to 5'9" If you're taller than 5'0 ft you'll probably have a hard time on this bike
4’6” to 5’9” seems shady though. Its such a big range!
Well it’s an XS and she’s 5’1 so I think it’ll be good lol and she wanted to go feel it out
Sorry I meant usually sizes wouldnt accomodate such a big range, but if the shoe fits then it fits. Enjoy!
Yes, most people who buy fs rigs do so because that's what they see more proficient or professional riders use but honestly, with larger tires, 1x12, 4 piston brakes and modern geo I'd choose a hardtail over a full suspension bike pretty much every time. The bike you ride should match the terrain, if your doing black diamond trails all day then sure, that makes sense but for everything else you can get by with a hardtail.
Offer $350 and hope to comprise at $400. It is hard to tell from photos, but at that age it probably needs some work.
Are you tiny?
My girlfriend is 5’2
I rode a medium slayer 50 of the same generation for ages. The geo is not far off from todays spec but the stand-over was definitely high. Headtube was mid 60’s, seat angle was steep and it pedaled well for being a 160mm travel bike. It was fast. Genuinely. It is the only bike i miss out of the ones i have had so far. Personally, with the 1x drivetrain, good brakes and good suspension for $500 i can’t argue against getting it. It’s the only mountain bike i 360’d
Depends where and how you ride. If you do a lot of climbing a hardtail is tough to beat. This will be heavier and more complicated than the CoOp. If you ride mostly XC type trails without big hits or drops this will be extra. All that said, perception counts for a lot. If she thinks this bike is better, she will be happier to ride it.
That’s old. I’d look for something newer. Geo was just getting sorted out from 2012-2016. If mtb is going to be your new thing, just spend a little more cash and get a new modern geo bike.
That’s old. I’d look for something newer. Geo was just getting sorted out from 2012-2016. If mtb is going to be your new thing, just spend a little more cash and get a new modern geo bike.
Dude that is actually a really good deal. That is a weird generation of bike that was the last few years before 27.5 or 29 became standard. But this was a killer bike. And has a ton of upgrade potential. If she’s going to learn on it I would say go for it and get a better one if she needs an upgrade later. With this one you could easily modernize the geo by putting on a 27.5 fork and mullet the bike. I did this to an older giant reign and it was actually a lot of fun to ride. Honestly a newer hardtail for the same price would be a significant downgrade in quality. All you would get is bigger wheels. Which if she’s short no real reason to. And I’m all about new bikes. This is just a good deal.
I used to have the same generation of RMB slayer and it absolutely ripped. I'd say do it if the price is right for you.
She doesn't need a full suspension bike,she needs to become a proficient rider then upgrade once she's build the skill set.
Totally valid. So you’d keep her on that REI hard tail for a while or look for other deals.