Is this Raleigh M80 a good deal for a noob?
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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:
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!
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:
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!
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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.
Price is too high, especially if you are looking to upgrade in the near term, save the money and buy a nicer bike.
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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.
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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 $500 on something new.
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I can understand you, but if you're like all of us, trying it, is loving it. You gonna love MTB
For around the price you want to spend (500$) 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 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.
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 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.
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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!
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" find my parents just bought me a car..."
It's sad that the seller will not be riding any more.
It's sad that the seller will not be riding any more.
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Originally Posted by mariusx1
Last edited by Raiyn; 02-11-05 at 12:55 AM.
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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.
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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!!
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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.
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Originally Posted by mariusx1
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!!
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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..
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...
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...
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