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Hello.
I am new to this forum, and having been out of mountain biking for about 13 years, need some advice please!
I am 6"2 and 17 stone. I want to get back on a bike to spend some more time with my son (off road) and lose a bit of weight!!!!
I have my old Marin Bear Valley SE that I have used to get me back in the saddle, but i want to get a used full suspension bike hoping it will be kinder on my wrists and spine.
I have looked at other posts recommending Orange 5 and Santa Cruz, but these are well out of my price range (£500 tops). I have read a couple of recommendations for the Specialised Enduro 2006 or 2007 models (large frame), what are your opinion on these? and any advice would be fantastic.
17 stone is actually pretty OK. Pretty much any bike will do. Air shocks can be setup for your weight easily so I'd look for those.
Keep your wheels on the ground and it'll be fine.
Iirc single pivot designs are better for the larger gentleman, although I don't consider you particularly large.
Canondale prophet or giant trance would be worth a look.
The spesh enduros are solids bits of kit too.
Edit; of course the trance and endure are not single pivot designs
I'd say if budget is £500 for a full bike get a hardtail.
As above, can you clarrify is that budget, 500 for the frame, or 500 all in?
Plenty of used FS bikes available for £500.
Thanks for your fast replys guys! I only have £500 for whole bike 🙁
Are you saying i will get a better bike for the money in hardtail?
Again recommendations will help me no end!
Was really hoping for used fs!
something like a kona coiler or a dawg can be had on ebay for under 500
this looks good for the cash
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GT-i-Drive-5-Elite-full-suspension-mountain-bike-/200593772731?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2eb45210bb
edit just read the description teh gt sounds flexy!
the spesh eduros are nice bikes too, as long as any bike you buy hasnt been obviously abused im sure they will be fine
I'm also 17st, never had an issue with any FS frames, always have pretty light frames/builds.
If you're really set on FS try and find a well priced Giant Trance or Reign, IMO.
An 03/04 Enduro would make a great buy. I was 17st & mine was spot on. £500 is doable. Quite a challenge actually.
A 05/06 Kona Coiler would fit the bill perfectly.
They're basically older Stinky freeride frames with revised geometry and lighter components fitted, but generally have good quality open bath Marzocchi forks and fox vanilla coil shocks. low mainteance and tough bikes.
I weighed 19st when I bought my Reign x1 after a year of many uplift and Fort Bill weekends as well as the usaul trail centers I've still not had to replace any bushes or bearings.
IMO if you really want to ride to lose weight, get a road bike, otherwise Kona Coiler are quite robust.
I'm a bit more than 17st (ahem...!) and my Spesh 05 enduro is still good 6 years in. And, my wheels leave the ground a fair bit.
Thanks To Everyone for the advice!
It is looking like an Enduro or Kona Coiler, both bikes seem to fit the bill and look sexy to.
Is there anything i should look for in particular on either of these models (known problems etc).
Where else other than here or ebay would you look?
pinkbike.com classifieds
bikeradar classifieds
patience is your friend teh right bike will come up if you wait
generally, bargains can be had later in the month when people want cash b4 payday!
infact this guy may take 500
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/780456/
is an xl trance right for a 6'2er?
Id save up and get something with a warrenty!!!