Ok to buy? Rust question.

[Markel]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at buying this Giant XTC 4.5 mountain bike, but it has some rust on one of the steel tubes of (above) the front suspension. Is this a significant problem??

Many thanks - I'm a newbie!

[P!N20]

Have you got any photos you could share?

[Markel]

Thanks for asking - I'm having trouble adding image (be glad to know how)! But here's the ad:
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/dee-why ... 1281358056

[P!N20]

I'm no MTB expert, but I believe rust on the stanchions is not a good thing. Perhaps you could use it to talk the price down and get a replacement fork?

[Markel]

Thanks v much - I'll look into the cost of replacing the fork and go from there

[Andy01]

Gee, that doesn't look like a "small rust mark" to me - that is very rusty and would most likely tear up the rubber seals if used. I looked at forks a few months (half-heartedly), and to me it looked like the cheapest forks were a few hundred dollars.

I have no idea what the new equivalent of this bike is, but $750 for the few listed specs on what looks like an older model in not very good condition seems high, especially if you have to replace forks. It also looked like there might be some rust bubbles under the paint near a bottle holder in one of the photos but I might be wrong.

[Markel]

Thanks - that's very helpful - looks more and more like a no-go! I'll skip it and wait for another option I think. Thanks again for the direct opinion - very helpful

[bychosis]

At that price? No chance. At $250, why not.

[Markel]

Hah! Thanks! Seems to sum it up....