Worth for $500? 2015 Stumpjumper FSR Comp EVO 650b: Looking at buying this bike used. Size Large, 27.5 in wheels. I’m 6′ 2″. I’m worried about the geometry from what I’ve read online. It has a low bottom bracket and a pretty steep head tube angle. But maybe for $500 it doesn’t matter? Thoughts?

No

I have a ’16 FSR 29’er that I keep in my garage as a loaner. It’s pristine and I would value it at 200 on a good day. That rear shock would explode the second your 6’2 ass goes off a curb.

Man for $500 it’ll get you out there, that’s worth it in my opinion. Yes it’s old, but it’s not like bikes were completely unrideable back in the 2010’s. If you’re new to mtb you won’t know the difference anyway, and I doubt you’ll be riding super steep techy trails where the steep head tube would be more evident.

Reddit is full of dumbasses who think if it’s older than a certain year it’s terrible, and that’s just a stupid way of thinking. Could you find a better bike for like $1000 more? Absolutely. Are you willing to triple your budget? Probably not.

If you don’t know how to check a bike for wear, see if the seller would be willing to meet you at a bike shop so they can go over it with both of you.

At 6’ 2” you might want an XL (aka “S5”). Will depend on if you have long legs or a long torso.

I had one of these as my first serious bike. I ripped it hard all over America and the low bottom bracket it felt like it was on rails. Took some minor shuffling sometimes to clear things, but you don’t really realize it once you’re used to it.

I would say due to the age your looking at $$$ to get it rebuilt. Also the headset bearings were f because thats one of the things they changed to get an early release 650b model as the market changed to them seemingly over night.

Fun bike but after the repairs your going to pay for I would just get something more modern.

The problem with older bikes is getting parts.

Don’t fall into the marketing hype. The chance of most riders being seriously held back by a (10 year old) bike’s geometry are near zero. **10 years ago people were having fun on mountain bikes**! Shocking but true.

It’s a bike. Ride it. You’ll have fun.

I wouldn’t buy for 500.

If it’s a xxl or XL then it’ll fit fine. Just won’t be modern geo but it’s fine. Im 6’3 and rode similar bikes in that age..in fact the older geo makes things like wheelies , manuals and moving the bike around easier.

Big costs / things to look at with older bikes.
Brakes , the seals wear out, and you can get a few runs in and heat them up and have leaks. Then your buying new brakes.

Suspension, old seals and most places won’t work on older shit . Good chance of that rear shock blowing up right away if you’re a heavier dude. Buying a new rear shock is expensive. Then the front fork may not last either .

Tires can also be UV rotten / need replacement, if left flat like they are shown can have flat spots and need replacement .

Total up repairs, and new brakes, rear shock , front shocks, tires, can buy you a new bike at the local bike shop with warranty / tune ups .lots of bikes on 50 percent off right now .

Or you can get lucky and it’ll ride just fine. Not the dice id want to roll. If I’m buying used and older it’s gonna be a hardtail and the price will be low enough I can throw on a new fork and brakes in my budget or new enough that I’m not worried about those parts.

Thanks. I think you guys have persuaded me to hold off on this one. I’ll have to keep looking. It seems in my area everyone is asking over $1000 for anything 3-6 years old…

My FIL paid almost $2600 for one of these when it was new. One of the best bikes I’ve ever ridden. Imo if you can’t do it on this thing, you have no business trying it at all. Hell of a bike even by today’s standards.

For $500 it isn’t bad and doesn’t look as worn out as some newer used bikes look like.

The biggest issue is the sizing but that also depends on what kind of trails you ride and such. Would be a great beginner bike.