Is this Raleigh M80 a good deal for a noob?
 

Hi all,

To begin, I am a TOTAL newbie to the sport, but I'm looking for a decent used bike to start with. If I find I enjoy the sport, then I'll probably buy something better in the next 6-12 months. Anyway, I've found a used Raleigh M80 online for $250. The guy says:

Bought this thing two months ago at $650, and now I find my parents just bought me a car...

He also included 4 pictures:

http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike1.jpg
http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike2.jpg
http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike3.jpg
http://www.theridemusic.com/Bike/bike4.jpg

In the pictures, it looks like the rear gears (is there a more technical name for them?) are a bit rusted. Is that easy to fix/replace or is it a sign of misuse? Everything else looks ok to me, but what do I know?! Again, I'm just interested in some opinions. Will this bike allow for a good introduction to the sport or should I look elsewhere? Thanks!

the M80 is not a horrible bike, but the prices is not that great, I recall a friend picking up a new M80, I don't think it was more that 350.00. No $650 bike comes with that low end Rock Shok Jett.
Price is too high, especially if you are looking to upgrade in the near term, save the money and buy a nicer bike.

The cassette can be replaced, but I would not pick up this bike. Considering it looks heavily used and is showing signs of neglect. Even for 250 I think you can find a much better deal.

Great! Thanks for the info guys...I'll pass on this one and keep looking! Do you think it's even worth it to look for a used bike or should I just take the plunge and buy a new one? I could probably justify spending about $500 on something new.

Id buy a new rig, but that is me, I would buy a new hardrock or something like that, not too expensive, but good quality.

I can understand you, but if you're like all of us, trying it, is loving it. You gonna love MTB :D

For around the price you want to spend (500$) you could have a kona Blast. I'm pretty sure you can find it for 500-550$ with taxes.

And a Kona is a Kona :D you gonna love it.

I started over with a Kona Fire mountain and recently upgraded for a Kula Deluxe and I also have a gary fisher tassajara that I paid exactly 450$ US which is not a bad one (after a couple of upgrades).

Buying a used bike is not a good idea, who knows what the previous dude did to it.

Good point! I guess it wouldn't make much sense to spend $250 on a used bike only to lay down another $500 a few months later on something better. I'll take a look at the Konas...and I've already been looking at the Specialized bikes. Hopefully I'll be able to find a good deal before long so that I can get started! :)

" find my parents just bought me a car..."
It's sad that the seller will not be riding any more.

when i bought my 2000 m20 it cost me 250, new. You got ripped off

Just go spend $400 and get a brand new Trek 4500 and 1 year of free service. You will be plenty happy with that bike for the money and will be a great started bike.

Thanks Raiyn, I'm glad you were able to put a year on it. It did look a bit beat up to be just "2 months old". I'm looking at new bikes now...at least I'll know what I'm getting. I'm looking at the rockhopper, but I also like the look of the Kona's. Anyone know any good dealers in San Diego that carry these? Thanks for all the help...and steering me clear of a shady deal!!

I bought my bike used and am quite content with it...and I have a Kona and would recommend a Kona to anyone if they're looking for a bike in the categories they make bikes.

Nothing's better than a Raleigh specially the M80, Raleigh is like the oldest bike manufacturer and it was the largest high en bike brand for several decades, If I was you I would had bought it, price was good even 14 years ago..https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0c21d8d99a.jpg
and just changed the cogs or cleaned them I still have my M80 from 1995 and eve though I own several pricier bikes this is my absolute favorite ride, tell us please what you ended up getting...https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...98feb69cde.jpg