Hey friends my entry level hardtail got stolen this winter so I need a new bike and unfortunately I know nothing about bikes.
I ride mostly single track in BC, can handle easier blacks at Whistler on a DH rental, and want a versatile bike that can handle mostly single track in the PNW region but also very occasional bike park riding.
Saw this aluminum bike for $1600 obo apparently lightly used and wanted some feedback if this deal eyeballs well. Also if this bike seems like a good fit for my riding style and me (5’7 170 lbs).
Any advice with how to basically inspect the bike in person so I don’t get absolutely scammed is much appreciated. Again I am clueless and really just want to get back out there. If this seems like a bad deal, any other suggestions for new/used bikes for my riding would be greatly appreciated. My budget is <2k.
by Dahmeng
7 Comments
Forgot to mention in post it’s a santa cruz nomad unknown year. Price is also USD
The frame is quite old and the rear wheel is a 26″.
I wouldn’t pay that much money for it.
Except the fox suspension and Santa Cruz name , the bike isn’t that good.
It is somebody’s old parts bike, or they bought it used and changed a couple things. Its gonna be agile and suspension is 🔥, but the brakes are shit, modern shit, and so is the stem, and so is the dropper post. Depending on what you want to ride, it will be an excellent trail and a bit of jumping bike, very agile, very responsive, probably not as good at high speed rough situations as some 29″, but hey, unless you race for money, you will not notice the difference. I’d try trading down a bit, idk, find paint scuffs, complain about suspension noise or some bs. Do not worry about 26″ wheels, theres plenty good tyre options, Magic Mary Bikepark are probably best bang for buck. But you must change the brakes at least to MT5 or some Sram G2 kit, depending on your preference, both will set you back about 120-140 bucks per wheel if new. Watch out for creaks in suspension joints and ensure that compression dial on the fork works appropriately, and you feel the difference. It may not, which indicates low oil level and need for a damper bleed, happens to old foxes every now and then, nothing critical, but a discount potential. Check the frame for cracks near weld areas and under the seatpost clamp. Otherwise, may be a very decent bike.
That’s 1k max
Looks like the frame is 2013-2014. Id say this bike is worth $700/800, $1600 is way too much I’d look for something much more modern for that price
Hell naw. Get something that doesn’t say Santa Cruz on it for not silly money.
I wouldn’t. It’s a pretty old bike at this point. You can definitely find solid enduro bikes from the last couple years for under 2k. Check out the pinkbike buysell page. Filter by enduro bikes, in your size, for under 2000.