Recommendations on a bike purchase – live in SoFla

[ktmillerfla]

I’m looking to upgrade from my late 90’s Fisher Wahoo rigid frame. I ride from Oleta, Markham, Amelia in MIA area to West Delray, QW, Pinehurst in Boca area up to Turkey Creek, Ho Chi Minh in the Melbourne area. I’m 5′ 11" – 200lbs (working on that though…) and still don’t know if I should be looking at a hard tail or a FS bike – I ride 1 – 2 days/week. I’m looking to spend $900 absolute max but was just passed along the following bike for sale for about $800.

My 2 primary concerns are:
1. I think I’m too big for a Medium frame
2. Do I really need a FS in this area? I’m sure I could use it at Markham, but otherwise, I’m not sure it’d be beneficial and might actually hurt in/on some of the climbs.

Thoughts?

2004 Cannondale Jekyll 600, full suspension mountain bike (Medium). There are minimal miles put on this bike, less than 100. It has been boxed in storage for the last 5 years. Bike is in excellent operating condition, with minimal cosmetic damage. I currently have platform pedals installed but will include the original clipless pedals. The seat post clamp currently has a generic bolt holding it, though I do have the original quick release bolt/lever for it.

This is an excellent full suspension bike at a fraction of the cost of Cannondale’s current Jekyll model.

Frame & Fork
Frame Construction: TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material: 6013 T6 aluminum
Fork Brand & Model: Answer Manitou Black Elite
Fork Material: Aluminum/magnesium, single crown
Rear Shock: Fox Float RL with ProPedal

Components
Component Group: Mountain Mix
Brakeset: Cannondale Fire brakes, Cannondale Fire levers
Shift Levers: Shimano Deore RapidFire SL
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
Crankset: TruVativ Five D, 22/32/44 teeth
Pedals: Cannondale clipless
Bottom Bracket: TruVativ ISIS Drive
BB Shell Width: Unspecified
Rear Cogs: 9-speed, 11 – 34 teeth
Chain: 1/2 x 3/32"
Seatpost: Aluminum micro-adjust
Saddle: Fi’zi:k Nisene, chrome-moly rails
Handlebar: Cannondale Earth
Handlebar Extensions: Not included
Handlebar Stem: Cannondale 3-D Forged
Headset: 1 1/8" threadless FSA Converter

Wheels
Hubs: Cannondale Fire Disc
Rims: Mavic XM 117, 32-hole
Tires: 26 x 2.00" Hutchinson Scorpion
Spoke Brand: DT stainless steel, double-butted
Spoke Nipples: Unspecified

[Corey Maddocks ✓ supporter]

1) You’re probably too tall for it.
2) Not only is it full suspension, but it’s also really old full suspension.
3) For that money you could get a really nice hardtail, maybe even a 29er:

Rocky Mountain Soul 29er – $749
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/ … ke+11.aspx

Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29er – $990 MSRP, should be less at LBS
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBC … e=Mountain

Giant Talon 29er – $770
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik … 377/44106/

All three of these are decent entry level 29er hardtails that will allow you to upgrade components as needed.

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