Getting Back in the Saddle Again

[jrosendahl]

After my last bike got stolen, I looked at the amount of riding I had done and ended up buying a road bike I don't ride instead. But now it is comming to the time when I feel I need a mountian bike, and one for the GF as well.

But here is the problem, money I spend on a bike is money I can not use to go to Chile this summer so I want to spend as little money as possible. The only thing I really have going for me is that I was at one time a bike mechanic, and whiel that was 10years ago I woudl be suprised if bikes have changed to the point where I can't perform my own upgrades/repairs.

So far I have paired my options to
1) Find a used Cannondale (I really really like Cannondales) - this seems to be suprisingly dificult
2) Buy the cheepest bike I don't hate that meets minium specs (disk break hangars) This seems to be about $450
3) Buy some other used bike - also seems to be about $450
4) Bite the bullet and but the cheepest Cannondale with a decent frame.

So which option would be the best?

At what age is an older good bike not as good as a cheep new bike?

Does anyone have a used hardtail they want to sell for cheep?

What is the 29er stuff seem to be seeing? I understand that is 29 inch wheels but why? and is it NORBA legal?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[mntlion]

XT from 5-8 years ago is now deore for quality and weight etc.

you might not be able to work on hydr disc brakes, and suspension, you need special tools and time to learn. basics are still the same (install stem, true wheels, der hanger adjustments, new cables, chain install etc)

buy a cheap used hard tail and and you can save a lot of money unless you try a full suspension later and find out that is what you really want.

most c'dale frames are the same from low to high end. buy low to med, and upgrade as you break things

29er's are a bigger wheel (road bikeish size, and roll over stuff better) if you keep gear for a while, or are not a big guy, stay away.

look on ebay and CL for used hard tails. $500 is fine and will be LX and 3ish years old.

full suspension and hydro disc brakes is the way to go, but that will be $1500 new, $1000 used.

[jrosendahl]

mntlion - Thanks a ton, the component depriciation is especially usefull.