Only 4 months shy of my 30th birthday (damn I'm old!) I bought my first REAL quality bike. Found a great deal on a 2004 Iron Horse Hollowpoint mountain bike, barely used for $450. The original receipt says the guy payed a little over $1,100.
It looks like it has never seen a trail, i think it received most of its wear and tear being moved around a garage. It has some cosmetic issues like scratches, but i dont care about that. Mechanically it looks to be in top shape, and size seems to fit me fine so I cant wait to get it out on a trail.
It looks to be all stock, with disc brakes, Rock Shox Duke XC Air, 100mm front fork and Manitou QR Air, 4.5" rear shock
Last time I bought a bike was about 5 years ago, when i bought a mountain bike for $50 on craigslist. Well, what can i say, it performed like a $50 bike. I took it with me camping once and the first time i rode it and was going down a hill and the brakes went out. Both at the same time! I panicked and eventually found some flat ground to slow down on. I never rode that bike again.
UPDATE: July, 9th
Heres some pictures of my new (used) bike...
I rode it down to a bike shop about 3 miles down the street and had it checked out. The mechanic at the shop put it up on a clamp and pedaled it, shifted it, set the tire air pressure, taught me how to degrease and lube the chain. He said it was in great shape and I was looking good with that bike, specially for the price I payed. I decided to get a quick release seat post adjuster, so put that on when i got home. I adjusted the seat and moved it forward, so hopefully that makes a difference in how big the bike feels. The mechanic also told me i could get a shorter handlebar stem, so I might do that in the near future. I adjusted the handlebar which seemed to be angled too far forward. I also bought a shock pump, so hopefully i can figure out how to set the shock pressure for my weight. Oh, and I noticed the front tire was not spinning freely, he told me it was because when the tire was off, someone pressed the brake so it caused the brake caliper to stick. he fixed it with a screwdriver and didnt have to bleed the brakes which was good. he gave me a little plastic spacer to stick in there when i take the tire off. overall, the guy was awesome and kindof got me a lot more confident in this bike.
The only thing im not liking about it is the color of the seat post, i know, its just cosmetic, but the mechanic said it fades away like that when the bike gets left out in the sun. I believe it is made out of aluminum, so maybe through some contacts at work I can find someone who anodizes aluminum for really cheep, if not ill just have to live with it.
Cant wait to take it out for a ride, heading out in a few hours!
