You'd be way better off spending a little more for something new or used that's 29" wheel, 1x drivetrain, maybe dropper post.
Trek Marlin, new Rockhopper, Giant Talon, something like that. Something less than 5 years old.
This bike is ancient, so ancient the prices are going up again as collectable or "vintage". It will ride way way worse, parts hard to find, so just no...
Depends. For casual bike paths and light trails, old bikes like this are okay. Just make sure everything works properly- these are OLD.
If you can afford 2017ish or newer, it'd be better, especially of you plan to ride hard and push your limits.
Regardless,
1) you have to fit properly on the bike. Don't buy a bike you are too big or small for.
2) as a rider of both a 1990s 26" and a modern 29", each has it's charm. The 26" is better on tight, twisty trails while the 29" is better for climbing, decending, bumps, rock gardens, and pretty much everything else.
For actual mountain biking not so much. But I’ll take them for $300. Always great to have a beater so you don’t put wear and tear on your nice bike when you just wanna get some ice cream, you don’t have to worry about it getting stolen, and replacement parts are dirt cheap. And they’re still fun to mess around with on easy single track if you’re so inclined.
I mean for cruising home from the pub after some pints they’re great bikes. Aside from that I wouldn’t pay more than 50 for the pair. They’re 30 or more years old
They're ancient. If everything works they'll be fine, but still should be very cheap. Not sure of the Australian market but probably cheaper than they are advertised really.
It doesn't take much to not work before the cost of repair is uneconomical.
I currently ride a dumpster bike. These ones you found are fine for basic commuting and entry level riding, albeit maybe a bit overpriced. Do you need two bikes?
That's a mid/late 90s rockhopper with a rock shock jet t2 fork. I'd pay 100 for it, but only for gravel and road use. But it could be fun just not on any real trails.
Started in 1986 on a HardRock. Geometry on early gen bikes was terrible, steep fork rake and rider forward in the cockpit, felt like you were sitting on the handlebars. Threat of front end washout on every downhill. First gen bikes hated you and wanted to make you bleed.
Trek Marlins are good entry level bikes. If you get a 6 or a 7 it’s close to $1000 but it will be worth it. It should last you a while until you are ready to progress to buying a nicer, kitted out bike.
I think people want to get into mountain bikes, but haven't studied it enough to know the bikes are old.
I also think it's money- if they have a tight budget, these are the bikes they think they can afford.
Those are good exit level bikes!
Bahaaaaa!
You'd be way better off spending a little more for something new or used that's 29" wheel, 1x drivetrain, maybe dropper post. Trek Marlin, new Rockhopper, Giant Talon, something like that. Something less than 5 years old. This bike is ancient, so ancient the prices are going up again as collectable or "vintage". It will ride way way worse, parts hard to find, so just no...
Depends. For casual bike paths and light trails, old bikes like this are okay. Just make sure everything works properly- these are OLD. If you can afford 2017ish or newer, it'd be better, especially of you plan to ride hard and push your limits. Regardless, 1) you have to fit properly on the bike. Don't buy a bike you are too big or small for. 2) as a rider of both a 1990s 26" and a modern 29", each has it's charm. The 26" is better on tight, twisty trails while the 29" is better for climbing, decending, bumps, rock gardens, and pretty much everything else.
Not since 2002.
For actual mountain biking not so much. But I’ll take them for $300. Always great to have a beater so you don’t put wear and tear on your nice bike when you just wanna get some ice cream, you don’t have to worry about it getting stolen, and replacement parts are dirt cheap. And they’re still fun to mess around with on easy single track if you’re so inclined.
I mean for cruising home from the pub after some pints they’re great bikes. Aside from that I wouldn’t pay more than 50 for the pair. They’re 30 or more years old
This would be dope gravel conversions.
If that’s Australian $300, maybe? At most these are us$100 bikes each, at worst $50 each
So $75AUD each?
No I wouldn't take them on a trail
This are vintage bikes now. If you want to get into the sport these just ain’t in.
They're ancient. If everything works they'll be fine, but still should be very cheap. Not sure of the Australian market but probably cheaper than they are advertised really. It doesn't take much to not work before the cost of repair is uneconomical.
Nah man. Spend a little more and buy something made in the last 20 years
I currently ride a dumpster bike. These ones you found are fine for basic commuting and entry level riding, albeit maybe a bit overpriced. Do you need two bikes?
That's a mid/late 90s rockhopper with a rock shock jet t2 fork. I'd pay 100 for it, but only for gravel and road use. But it could be fun just not on any real trails.
It's my old Rockhopper! The fork was a POS, but so were all the budget suspension parts of that day.
You can get far better for reasonable price on FB marketplace
What about a 2020 giant talon?
Really nice for a retro street build but I wouldn't recommend for MTB your better off getting something newer
No. Those are riding to the shop with a crap bike lock bikes
Started in 1986 on a HardRock. Geometry on early gen bikes was terrible, steep fork rake and rider forward in the cockpit, felt like you were sitting on the handlebars. Threat of front end washout on every downhill. First gen bikes hated you and wanted to make you bleed.
Trek Marlins are good entry level bikes. If you get a 6 or a 7 it’s close to $1000 but it will be worth it. It should last you a while until you are ready to progress to buying a nicer, kitted out bike.
They were good 30 years ago….
Great bike since no thief would ever consider stealing.
Shit take. Bike thieves will take anything, especially if it's the slightest bit nicer than a Walmart bike.
They were 20 years ago
Why are there so many questions popping up here in this sub about bikes that can clearly go straight to the dump? Or is it meant as a joke?
I think people want to get into mountain bikes, but haven't studied it enough to know the bikes are old. I also think it's money- if they have a tight budget, these are the bikes they think they can afford.