To all of you full suspension mountain bike riders

[mntbiker2008]

im looking at this bike i found on craigslist. Its an 03 Specialized Enduro. Ive always ridden a Specialized Rockhopper so i dont have much experience in the way of F.S. Ive ridden them before and love the feel compared to the hardtail. Can you guys tell me if this is a decent bike or not?
Heres the info:

FRAME Specialized FSR technology, A1 Premium Aluminum TransForm Monocoque frame, ORE technology down tube, full sealed cartridge bearing pivots, ITch Switch 100/130mm on the fly adjustable travel, replaceable derailleur hanger
REAR SHOCK Fox Float R, air spring and rebound adj., travel adjust ITch Switch, 7.625" x 2.0"


FORK Marzocchi Bomber Freeride fork SC... adjustable between 3-5"
HEADSET 1 1/8" Threadless, 3x sealed, black alloy cups, cartridge bearings, ultralight alloy top cap and bolt
STEM Aluminum, 4 bolt, 7 degree rise, black
HANDLEBARS Specialized Enduro Mid Rise bar, 6066 Alloy, 6 degree upsweep, 8 degree backsweep, 640mm width
TAPE / GRIPS Specialized MTB grip, black, double density Kraton
FRONT BRAKE Hayes HFX-9 full hydraulic disc, 7" rotor
REAR BRAKE Hayes HFX-9 full hydraulic disc, 6" rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Hayes HFX-9
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano M-510 Deore, 34.9 clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano M-750 XT
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Lx, 9 speed
CASSETTE Shimano HG-50, 11/34
CHAIN Shimano HG-73
CRANKSET Raceface forget exact model
CHAINRINGS 44Ax32Sx22S, 7050 alloy 4mm thick outer ring, 4 bolt 104/64mm pattern, Steel chainring bolts
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano ES-30 Octalink spline, 68mm shell width, 113mm spindle length
PEDALS Shimano 515 clipless
RIMS Sun Rims Single Track
FRONT HUB Shimano XT
REAR HUB Shimano XT, 32 hole, loose ball bearings, alloy Q/R
SPOKES 2mm black stainless, brass nipples, 264/261mm front, 261/260mm rear
FRONT TIRE Kenda Nevegal Tires 2.2" Best Tires out there
REAR TIRE Kenda Nevegal Tires 2.2" Best Tires out there
TUBES Specialized Ultralight, presta valve
Qr Salsa Black Al
SADDLE WTB Saddle blue comfortable
SEAT POST 2014 Alloy, black, 30.9 x 350/400mm
SEAT BINDER Alloy collar with Q/R, 34.9mm clamp I.D., black



Any help would be great.

Thanks

Aaron

[radiantsilver]

I'm no expert but all of those components seem top notch. I was recently looking into a new MB and my research says that that bike is darn good one. A friend of mine is a professional downhill MB racer. Something he had pointed out to me regarding full suspension is that unless you are going to do some serious rock hopping the full suspension isnt really necessary. For trailing and road riding he stated that with full suspension some of your pedaling power gets soaked up in the suspension making you work a little harder to ride. Seems reasonable to me.

[characterzero]

Hey bud, that looks like a good factory build for that bike.
The questions I would have are:
.5: WTF is the frame size? Do you know - it doesn't seem to be listed....it might/might not fit.
1. What is the price?
A buddy of mine here in Austin picked up about the same bike for $700 about a year and a half ago - now, all bike markets are different and bike conditions are different, so take it with a grain of salt.
2. What is the condition?
3. Where did he get Nevegal 2.2s? They come in either 2.1 or 2.35.
4. Have you inspected the frame? The main place to check for cracking is the welds. On this specific model, they had the most problems with cracking of the welds at the seatpost extension - that beefy area that went from the shock mount (check these to ensure they are not ovalized at all) and around the weld that holds the seat tube/seatpost part. Check that entire area for cracks very well.

All in all, this is a bike that has great reviews. The design is burley, reasonably light and well-proven. Spec kept this specific design in use for about 4 years.

Check out the shock and the fork for reliable action. The shock is very dated, if it is a 2003 see when it was last serviced and what has been done as far as maintenance on the bike in general.

Good luck! Post up some pics and a price when you get a chance and I will say what I can...
edit: found it! $900 asking price.

Given that the pics show the bike "going big," there is no way I would buy it (unless he wanted about $450 for it). Aluminum does have a life span of about 5-6 years, contingent upon riding conditions. This bike has seen resort riding, drops/jumps of at least 4' plus and probably a lot of miles. I would say that the Kona that is listed for $700 is the best deal, and the Treck Fuel EX would certainly warrant checking out. Those are both on your local craigslist and linked at the bottom of this post.

Kona (medium frame):
kona full suspension mountain bike
Trek (large frame):
2006 Trek Fuel EX&
not so local, not sure if you would fit, but a good deal especially if you can get shipping included:
MTBR.Com Classifieds
and again, not local and not sure as to your sizing, but a MUCH better deal on an Enduro:
MTBR.Com Classifieds (you might have to get the rear shock-re"pushed" by Push Industries - a great suspension tuning company). All in all, much better/newer components than that old Enduro.

Well, hope that helps bud. I would watch mtbr craigslist for bikes. Ridemonkey and pinkbike are OK too, but they run a higher probability of having been trashed.

[mntbiker2008]

Originally Posted by characterzero

Hey bud, that looks like a good factory build for that bike.
The questions I would have are:
.5: WTF is the frame size? Do you know - it doesn't seem to be listed....it might/might not fit.
1. What is the price?
A buddy of mine here in Austin picked up about the same bike for $700 about a year and a half ago - now, all bike markets are different and bike conditions are different, so take it with a grain of salt.
2. What is the condition?
3. Where did he get Nevegal 2.2s? They come in either 2.1 or 2.35.
4. Have you inspected the frame? The main place to check for cracking is the welds. On this specific model, they had the most problems with cracking of the welds at the seatpost extension - that beefy area that went from the shock mount (check these to ensure they are not ovalized at all) and around the weld that holds the seat tube/seatpost part. Check that entire area for cracks very well.

All in all, this is a bike that has great reviews. The design is burley, reasonably light and well-proven. Spec kept this specific design in use for about 4 years.

Check out the shock and the fork for reliable action. The shock is very dated, if it is a 2003 see when it was last serviced and what has been done as far as maintenance on the bike in general.

Good luck! Post up some pics and a price when you get a chance and I will say what I can...
edit: found it! $900 asking price.

Given that the pics show the bike "going big," there is no way I would buy it (unless he wanted about $450 for it). Aluminum does have a life span of about 5-6 years, contingent upon riding conditions. This bike has seen resort riding, drops/jumps of at least 4' plus and probably a lot of miles. I would say that the Kona that is listed for $700 is the best deal, and the Treck Fuel EX would certainly warrant checking out. Those are both on your local craigslist and linked at the bottom of this post.

Kona (medium frame):
kona full suspension mountain bike
Trek (large frame):
2006 Trek Fuel EX&
not so local, not sure if you would fit, but a good deal especially if you can get shipping included:
MTBR.Com Classifieds
and again, not local and not sure as to your sizing, but a MUCH better deal on an Enduro:
MTBR.Com Classifieds (you might have to get the rear shock-re"pushed" by Push Industries - a great suspension tuning company). All in all, much better/newer components than that old Enduro.

Well, hope that helps bud. I would watch mtbr craigslist for bikes. Ridemonkey and pinkbike are OK too, but they run a higher probability of having been trashed.

Thank you for the info. This guy isnt responding back so i have no idea what size it is or anything. Now that you give me that info, im gonna look at something else. The last thing i want is something thats gonna screw me over. I kind of want to stick with specialized the best i can. Then again, ive changed almost every part on my 04' rockhopper comp because it has broke on me. Idk. Im still researching. I want a bike around $1000 so a good 1 grand bike is gonna be a hardtail. unless i find a good F.S. is up for sale somewhere.

Thanks again.

Aaron

[spdcop75]

If you are deadset on full suspension, look at some of the older Giant NRS bikes. The NRS Air has worked good for me and the suspension design is really amazin. Still probably one of the best around. Once you get the air pressure set in the rear shock you can put all your weight on it pushing down and it hardly budges. But hit a bump and the upward force allows the shock to absorb the impact with you not even noticing it. No bouncing or anything when you are jamming on the pedals either.

I have seen them selling used on Ebay for around 800-150 depending

I raced for a local bike shop and we all had custom build bikes with frames made by YESS in canada. We got a research sponsorship from giant since he was a giant dealer and they provided us with three of the NRS Airs to try. Needless to say it handled great. I still have mine and ride it off anf on, but still I have my preference for my hardtails

maybe this helps.

[characterzero]

Originally Posted by mntbiker2008

Thank you for the info. This guy isnt responding back so i have no idea what size it is or anything. Now that you give me that info, im gonna look at something else. The last thing i want is something thats gonna screw me over. I kind of want to stick with specialized the best i can. Then again, ive changed almost every part on my 04' rockhopper comp because it has broke on me. Idk. Im still researching. I want a bike around $1000 so a good 1 grand bike is gonna be a hardtail. unless i find a good F.S. is up for sale somewhere.

Thanks again.

Aaron

Glad to help man.
In general, you can expect a used top-of-the-line (XT group, niiiice fork, handbuilt wheels) hardtail to come in at $1k.
In the FS world - the old enduros (like the one posted from the mtbr classified) and Cannondale prophets go for cheaper.

I wouldn't get too hung up on specialized - their FS frame design is good, but there are many other good ones out there. And like you said, components are components and will be replaced slowly.

I would seriously consider finding a used Giant Trance or Reign.

With all due respect to the NRS pusher, I would say stay away - there is no reason you couldn't find a much newer bike than that for $1k. Giant quit doing the NRS in 2004/5....They were known to have a weak rear swingarm and replacement parts are hard to find. The Trance has been a sturdy and well-made bike and you should see 2005-2006s around the $1k mark. The Maestro suspension is apparently superior to the NRS too, as it is what the entire Giant lineup now uses. The NRS suffered from stiffening up under braking, which doesn't help you slow down (odd/dangerous compromise to me!).

edit: Hey Aaron - what is your height/inseam? I am in front of the computer all day and am happy to run the occasional search. What size is your current ride?
I see many Giant Trances listed on local craigslists...you could always negotiate with them. I would recommend using crazedlist.com as a search mechanism for craigslist.

[mntbiker2008]

Originally Posted by characterzero

Glad to help man.
In general, you can expect a used top-of-the-line (XT group, niiiice fork, handbuilt wheels) hardtail to come in at $1k.
In the FS world - the old enduros (like the one posted from the mtbr classified) and Cannondale prophets go for cheaper.

I wouldn't get too hung up on specialized - their FS frame design is good, but there are many other good ones out there. And like you said, components are components and will be replaced slowly.

I would seriously consider finding a used Giant Trance or Reign.

With all due respect to the NRS pusher, I would say stay away - there is no reason you couldn't find a much newer bike than that for $1k. Giant quit doing the NRS in 2004/5....They were known to have a weak rear swingarm and replacement parts are hard to find. The Trance has been a sturdy and well-made bike and you should see 2005-2006s around the $1k mark. The Maestro suspension is apparently superior to the NRS too, as it is what the entire Giant lineup now uses. The NRS suffered from stiffening up under braking, which doesn't help you slow down (odd/dangerous compromise to me!).

edit: Hey Aaron - what is your height/inseam? I am in front of the computer all day and am happy to run the occasional search. What size is your current ride?
I see many Giant Trances listed on local craigslists...you could always negotiate with them. I would recommend using crazedlist.com as a search mechanism for craigslist.

Thanks alot. This really helps. my height is 5'9" i know i ride a 17" in the rockhopper but i would be comfortable on a 19" as well.

Thanks again

Aaron

[RedWolf]

I agree with characterzero. I bought a Trance last year after searching and riding everything I could. I love the Trance! I ride XC but I have done a few short DH runs on it. My skills are still lacking to really push this bike.
I did have a problem with loosing on of the bolts in the upper arm, so if you get one of these remember to check all the linkage bolts after riding....

Good luck, hope you find a good bike!

[xjcrawlr]

I'm personally a fan of the Rocky Mountain bikes, Rocky Mountain Bicycles | Vélos de route, montagne, urbain, rando.

They are in Canada building bikes in house by hand using Easton tubing. RM has their own component group, seatpost, handlebars, stem, ect..(I belive made in taiwan).

I have a 2004 RM Slayer, 5.5in All-mountain bike. It came with a build sheet identifying (with signatures) who built the frame, who built the wheels, and who assembled the bike. Who else will give you a bike like that for the price they charge?

[characterzero]

For what the OP is looking for, the ETSX is the correct bike. The problem being three-sided:
1. RM bikes cost much more than the OP spec'd.
2. ETSX has a know cracking issue
3. RM warranty is only for the original purchaser.

No doubt that they are one of the few hand-built bikes left (I ride a Ventana, spoke to the designer/welder/owner after having cracked one before he made me another) so I respect that, but it isn't really pertinent to what the OP wants.