Coop113

I've been road riding for a couple years and am now interested in doing some offload riding as well. I've found a bike on craigslist and wanted to get some thoughts from you guys on it. The bike is a 2014 Airborne Goblin asking price is $700. Specs can be found here: https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/gui...oblin-XO,13769. Says he only road it on the road with his kids. Pics would seem to confirm that as it looks brand new.

Its a size large (20") which i'm a little concerned about. Im 5'11 with a 32" inseam. He said he is 6' with a 32" inseam so i guess i wont know how the fit is until i test it.

Any comments regarding the bike and its components would be much appreciated!

2cam16

Never heard of the brand. If you have $700 to spend, I'd continue looking. You'll be able to find better ones out there.

Canker

They were a online only brand that went out of business a few years back, they built fine bikes. The one you linked to is the XO top of the line build and that for $700 isn't a bad deal but BUT!!!!!! I doubt the one you are looking at is the XO version. I don't see a guy buying a $2k bike to ride around the neighborhood with their kids. I think the Goblin builds started at around $700.

medic75

Looks like it has the potential to be a decent bike. I would take a quick look at all of the models to be sure of which one you are getting. I think $700 is a fair price for the lower end models, which still have decent components. It probably wouldn't hurt to see if you could get him down in price just a bit if it is one of the lower end bikes, but I would dare to say it is worth $700.

FWIW, I just sold a Trek 4500 for $140. It was used, but in perfect mechanical condition with good tires. Deals can be had if you aren't overly picky and are just starting out with a potential plan to replace the bike once you know exactly what you want. As I'm sure you know, improper frame sizing can ruin your experience.

Coop113

From what I can tell there were two versions of that bike. A white one with xo components msrp $2400 and a cheaper version that was black with sram x-7 components msrp 1200. This one is the XO version. Picture on craigslist (actual photo not stock) and listing confirm. I've read pretty good reviews on the bike as a whole.

bykemike 

I was about to start a thread like this but I'll just tag on if that's ok.

I have been road riding for 27 plus years and have covered many miles in many states as well as a run down the Blue Ridge and a cross USA trip but the cars and traffic and texters have finally worn me down and I find myself on rails to trails type paths and have decided to go with a Scott Scale 29+ with a Sram 1XX11 set up hard tail for the unpaved stuff.

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated, the bike I found is used but just barely, after my 15 lb Pinarello road bike the Scott feels pretty massive..any weight saving ideas, tubless be a good Idea and save some pounds?

What do off road riders carry for tools, road bike stuff basically or more specific than that?

Thanks, looking forward to only worrying about deer , drops and ticks!

2cam16

Maybe change up some of your small parts to lighter versions like pedals, bars,etc. I went from spd to flat pedals which are lighter and at the same time wear flat shoes. I can't say much about tubeless because I don't use it. I carry basically the same tools as when I road except for the tube size of course. All of it in my Camelback.

bykemike 

First ride today on an easy waterside trail with sand and roots, 16ish miles, the 27.5 plus tubeless tires and the 1 x 11 shifting make me a better rider than I was (I think)

Darth Lefty 

@bykemike People are able to build 26# full suspension 29ers, just like with road bikes you have to be a weight weenie and look for deals But it's hard to start from a bike that's many pounds heavier than you want and make it light piece by piece in the aftermarket. First high payoff is tubeless tires with a lighter carcass.

bykemike 

Out this morning for 14 miles of trail. Very seldom in my biking life have I found a change in gear that affects my riding as much as running the wheels, tires and gearing as much as this bike has.

After the small width and diameter wheels and the 3x9 shifting on my last MTB bike this thing is an eye opener. This set up just rolls over logs, sand, roots, mud , stairs and curbs. I find myself one handing all sorts of terrain (not a good thing to do but..). I expect my aggressiveness will increase a bit, it feels very sure footed.