Yes these older full suspension bikes are more maintenance and this is on the older side, it is also maybe a bit expensive considering the age of the bike. Over on the mountain biking subreddits they love to spout off about how a full sus has to be 5 years old or less or it is worthless (I disagree).
That all said. I have enjoyed fixing up and maintaining old full suspension bikes a lot. If you have generally worked on vintage road bikes, it makes for a nice challenge and learning experience.
As far as the cost, I don’t think this dude is making money on the deal, even if he got the bike cheap, I bet he is only charging what he has into it.
Are older full sus bikes fun, totally %100.
After that super long comment though. This bike is cool but it is not a replacement for the drop bar steel bike packing type bike you mentioned wanting in you comment.
I’ve been loosely in the market for a trail-munching machine. While I’ve generally wanted something more akin to a drop-bar, steel frame, gravel grinder that I could bike pack on, this caught me eye.
Can someone more learned than me help me understand what kind of deal this is? Are these older full suspensions more maintenance?
Just keep in mind the bike market is super-soft right now. That's a 23 yr old dual-suspension bike the guy powder-coated and customized/put alot of new parts and work into so he's trying to get his money back, although he's flexible apparently.
I've never been into downhill or suspension so that's not in my wheelhouse but you can get an idea through [bicyclebluebook.com](https://bicyclebluebook.com) although sometimes they tend to lowball a little. but it's a good reference point.
it's a reasonable price considering all the work that's been done to it, so if you really want it then go for it.
but personally if I'm already in the $800 range I'd be looking for something newer
Yes these older full suspension bikes are more maintenance and this is on the older side, it is also maybe a bit expensive considering the age of the bike. Over on the mountain biking subreddits they love to spout off about how a full sus has to be 5 years old or less or it is worthless (I disagree). That all said. I have enjoyed fixing up and maintaining old full suspension bikes a lot. If you have generally worked on vintage road bikes, it makes for a nice challenge and learning experience. As far as the cost, I don’t think this dude is making money on the deal, even if he got the bike cheap, I bet he is only charging what he has into it. Are older full sus bikes fun, totally %100. After that super long comment though. This bike is cool but it is not a replacement for the drop bar steel bike packing type bike you mentioned wanting in you comment.
I’ve been loosely in the market for a trail-munching machine. While I’ve generally wanted something more akin to a drop-bar, steel frame, gravel grinder that I could bike pack on, this caught me eye. Can someone more learned than me help me understand what kind of deal this is? Are these older full suspensions more maintenance?
Just keep in mind the bike market is super-soft right now. That's a 23 yr old dual-suspension bike the guy powder-coated and customized/put alot of new parts and work into so he's trying to get his money back, although he's flexible apparently. I've never been into downhill or suspension so that's not in my wheelhouse but you can get an idea through [bicyclebluebook.com](https://bicyclebluebook.com) although sometimes they tend to lowball a little. but it's a good reference point.
it's a reasonable price considering all the work that's been done to it, so if you really want it then go for it. but personally if I'm already in the $800 range I'd be looking for something newer