Hi all, I've ridden for years but never had an out and out XC bike. I need to loose some timber and find that my dh bike doesn't get the heart rate enough (only on those trips away which are few!) and my enduro bike is ok but I end up focussing on the down's and not pushing myself on the up's. My logic is to get something that cannot descend like my other two but munches miles and climbs. Hence this... My pal is selling his 'old' 29'er as he now has a nice Mondraker Podium.
So it's a 2014 Giant XTC Advanced. It's spec is Fox 32 CTD (non-kashima), Spesh carbon bars, Giant carbon post, SLX shifters, XT mechs (2x10), XT PF30 cranks, XT brakes, Tesla Hubs on Pacenti rims. Everything else you can hopefully see. I am new to these light/skinny bikes so I'm finding it hard to gauge a deal! He wants £1000 which sounds ok, but not a proper 'deal' is it?
I'm open to any opinions or suggestions of what else to look at (I like the On One Lurcher X9!)
Cheers all.
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The 2015 ones are about £1800 so id say £1000 is pretty good if its in good comdition. Any haggling down of the price is always good though.
The 2015 ones are about £1800
Don't have the wheel upgrade as seen on the picture, so I reckon that's good value.
Looks good, YBJ. They have a lovely ride feel those things. Always feel well grounded to me. Looks a decent deal.
I bought a 2015 trance 27.5 2 for 1250 quid that had covered only 50 miles from new and that had similar kit apart from a carbon frame.
I'd say it's slightly expensive but not by much.
EDIT it's on eBay for 1200 or best offer. I'm guessing he hasn't had any offers. If it sells for 1200 he will get 1065 ish after eBay fees etc. I would offer 900
CaptainFlashheart - MemberDon't have the wheel upgrade as seen on the picture, so I reckon that's good value.
Not sure I'd consider Tesla hubs an upgrade on anything
Rims are a marked upgrade from Giant's own label ones, IMO.
No warranty on second hand bikes, hence why they are usually lowish priced. I'd say £850 for that one. Do you know its history - easy life or crashed and bashed ?
Get a road bike instead
It's mint fellers. He barely used it. I does have a full warranty- he bought it new and if there were any issues he would sort it for me. He's in the industry himself and has been a good pal for many years.
I was thinking £900 but think he wants to hold out for the grand.
He is willing to give me a Mavic XC helmet (an as new spare he has) and a few other bits and bobs.
It's a no on the road bike- after seeing someone with their brains scat all over the road after a collision with a car I'll never do it. I can see the appeal but it's not for me.
Thanks all, opinions valued
Get a road bike instead
What he said. Some cracking road biking on your doorstep.
Or save a grand and ride your enduro bike up more hills.
Looks like alright value. Those Tesla hubs would worry me though, lots of reports of failures and bad service.
I'd factor in the cost of new hubs and a rebuild into the cost you pay.
Also, I love the "Guy asks about an Xc bike, people tell him to get a road bike".
Cheers dudes.
I have never had a worry with S/S tbh, but do take on board if there have been problems with Tesla hubs- I'll research it.
I could ride my enduro bike uphills, or I could have a bike that's designed to be hammered uphill and get fit first. When I get back on the enduro I'll climb like a beast as well as descend like one ;p
I would second just put more effort in and do more climbs on the Endure bike. If motivation/effort is the problem is may not be cured by having a different bike - you may still avoid effort on the climbs.
Plus the Endure bike is harder work so better for the same length of time riding if fitness and weight loss are the goals.
N+1
Also sometimes its just nice to go for a bimble and that's quite difficult with a gnarpoon...
Do you mean difficult to go for a nimble on a full xc racer like this? If so that's interesting as sometimes I would just like to head out for a long ride without having to really concentrate.
I know what you guys are saying about the enduro bike but it really is aimed at going down- it has cheap SS (old) DH wheels (26") which weigh a ton and super tacky 2.5 maxxis minions. Awesome for the downs but SO heavy on the climbs.
I would need to spend a few quid on it to shave the weight it needs to be enjoyable to ride all day up and down. With wheels and tyres I'd be looking at best part of £350 or more. To me I'm better off just extending my quiver of bikes to have one for each discipline I ride (DH, Enduro/do it all and XC/ distance).
Cheers
I'd say its worth the £1000. You'll always get people saying a friend if a friend bought xyz for next to nothing.
Even if it's true its a being in the right place at the right time thing. I'd buy it at that price if it was the sort of thing I was looking for.
He wants £1000 which sounds ok, but not a proper 'deal' is it?
I would agree with you there.. it might be 'worth' somewhere around £1000 but it isn't a mates 'deal' imo.
I have never had a worry with S/S tbh, but do take on board if there have been problems with Tesla hubs- I'll research it.
Well I got my rear wheel back recently from Superstar - Freewheel in the Tesla hub had gone. Sent if off and in fairness they replaced hub and rebuilt wheel without quibble. However, it took nearly 2 weeks to get back because their warranty dept was so busy (not a good sign?) and I'm still trying to get them to refund me the cost of couriering the wheel to them (which they promise to do).
Looks like a nice bike, but if I was you I'd be factoring in a new rear hub as part of my thinking..
Thanks for that buddy- I have discussed this with my buddy and he will loan me a replacement wheel if it needs a repair.
I also have him down to £950 which is better.
I have to be honest, my group of pals are all doing ok but no means rich. I wouldn't expect a knock down price just because we are friends- none of us earn enough to subsidise each other. However, if he paid less than say £1000 I'd be wanting it for at least what it cost him- ideally a touch less. However i know he paid £1500 for this and barely used it therefore £950 is quite fair.
Cheers all
If you know it's barely used and you're not gonna need to change anything on it then price seems good. Especially if he'll be there to assist with any warranty issues.
I'm a big fan of burly wheels on 29ers, but might those be a bit overkill for an XC race machine?
Tbh I don't know buddy. I'm really not up on XC stuff. He really does know his stuff though and probably spec'd them as they are strong. We are both bigger guys (circa 15.5st) so he probably went stronger for that reason.
I discussed the hubs with him and he loves them- so much so he's just fitted a pair to his brand new Mondraker Podium.
Probably a smart bit of speccing then.
FWIW I have a set of the Tesla Evo hubs and they've been faultless (touch wood).
Thanks for the input guys. I rode the bike and while it was great, it's too race for me. I've decided to either change my down orientated Enduro bike for a shorter travel (120mm'ish) light weight bike or spend a few quid to shave a few lbs off mine and gear it more for climbs too.
Thanks again, Jay
Thats a good price, id go for it.