There's a chap at work wanting to buy a mountain bike up to £500. I have too many bikes draining my wallet and taking up space. So, what's it worth:
Marin Rocky Ridge 06
Frame - fine but has a fair selection of rubs and scratches
Fork - 06 Vanillas, has 07 stantions/crown/steerer but still creaks on occasion
Brakes - Hayes Nines, feeling quite tired, could do with a good overhaul
Wheels - Hope Hoops DT 5.1/Hope Pro II, OK other than Deore cassette has eaten into the freehub.
Shifters - 08 dual action Deore
Front Mech - Deore
Rear Mech - LX
Cranks - Deore
Cassette - Deore
Other bits and bobs - mainly FSA and WTB other than a Thomson seatpost.
A new Rocky Ridge is now £1100, Hope Hoops £220 and £50 for the Thomson. Other changes aren't really upgrades. I make that £1370. Is £500 too much given the problems listed?
Ta.
Not a single opinion out there in STW? Really? I'll play my hand then. I think £500 is too much but much less than this then I would rather just keep it (solving no-ones problem).
I'm guessing he just wants a bike he can ride, like new and wouldn't want to bother having to fork out more to get it running properly.
Save yourself the headache and hassle and just tell him he wouldn't want it, and tell him to just buy one from merlin.
I don't think that you can simply add the price of the wheels and seat post without deducting the cost of the original parts so £1370 isn't a true reflection of its value.
I also think that 140mm forks may be a bit much for someone wanting their first mountain bike, assuming that the '06 model has the same travel as the '09.
If you want to help him out have a look through some of the on-line retailers and make some recommendations for discounted models.
Beyond that only you know if you are happy with 60% depreciation in 3 years.
Several good arguments there cheers. The forks are 130mm but point taken. I don't think i'd be happy spending £500 (or £400, or £300!) on a first bike which needs work. I'd just want to get on and ride it without worry. I really don't want to part with my Heckler either though. Maybe I could sell the Mrs's bike, I'm sure she wouldn't mind, I did buy it in the first place.......