|
MountainBikeReview.com's Forum Archives - What Bike to Buy
|
|
Turner XCE size question, price (16 posts)
|  Turner XCE size question, price | cmc_3
Nov 26, 2002 6:43 PM | | I've been hoping for a used/slightly, XCE to come online for purchase for some time now, and one finally comes up on Ebay, but I'm not sure about the size or the price. I'm 5'9", 29" inseam, and currently ride a medium Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail. The bike that is up, is an 18" XCE. I feel quite comfortable on my Stumpy, BUT, knowing that there is no way in my area I'm going to get on an XCE, what things should I look for in fit? Am I dreaming, or can I actually compare the measurements and hope for the best.
How much can be done with stem length, etc.? I'm moving to the FS because I'm going to be doing some more free-riding, drops, etc., and teh stumpy is getting old (1997). I've saved up quite a few parts, and such that can go on it, but I want to make sure the one for sale is the right frame. I'm not sure if I should go 16.5, or if I can even find a used one like that.
Anyway, price. I know that they are not going to make them anymore, which will limit my ability to snag one in the future. The retail is $1850 or so, and this one can be had for probably 1550 or so. The ad says new, but I'm a little nervous about little nicks and scratches (I know, petty, but if I pay for new....).
Any help from those in my size would be appreciated, particularly those who ride the XCE. I've scanned the board messages for XCE posts, and have read a lot about it. Rode it a few times when I was out west, and loved it. Now, I want one.
Ted |
| re: Turner XCE size question, price | Ivabign
Nov 26, 2002 9:59 PM | | Hi! You should look on the Turner website for the frame geometry for the 18". I think the top tube is 23", I've ridden an 18" a couple of times and there is a lot of standover.
You should look into if this bike is new, or if it would be considered used by Turner. This could make a big difference. There are still a couple dealers that might have a new XCE, try JENSONUSA.COM. They have a discounted price on the remaining 2002 Turner's and it looked like they still had some 18". I'm sure they would give you a great deal especially if you buy a whole bike from them.
Whatever you do you should call the guys over at Turner. It's a super company and I'm sure they'll take care of you. As most people will tell you, if you're looking for a trail bike it's almost impossible to beat the XCE. |
| check around - you may be able to find one new ... | erolthegreat
Nov 26, 2002 10:59 PM | | for around $1600. Check with Turner to get the names of some dealers. |
| If its the bike I'm thinking of.... | esquire
Nov 27, 2002 5:10 AM | | Then it is new, as we sold it to the person who is selling it, only recently.
Anyway, to address your questions, its really important to cover your bases on something like this. So, in order of what is optimal, here is my opinion on what you should do when deciding frame size, etc.
1. Ride the exact bike you want, built, new (or close to it), in the size you think you need, then one larger, and one smaller, if you can. If the shop allows you to switch out stems to figure some minor adjustments, do so. Well, the optimal on this one is having a friend with the same bike, that is the same size, that you can have for at least a week of riding, but thats rare.
2. Travel, even hundreds of miles, to ride the bike you want.
3. If those fail, get the measurements of the bike that you "think" you want, and bring them to your local LBS and tell them your story. Most are very accomodating, even if you aren't going to buy a bike from them. On the sales end, the bike isn't even 50% of where the money goes, meaning: racks, stands, shoes, helmets, gloves, maintenance, you name it, a good relationship with an LBS will provide it. Therefore, don't be afraid to simply go to the LBS and say, "Listen, I want this bike, you don't have it, but I would definately take it in for maintenance, etc., and other goodies." I'll bet they'd help you ride a comparably sized bike, and give you other options. If they start bad-mouthing the bike you want, thats a bad sign, so find another shop.
4. Take the measurements, geometries, angles, etc., and figure out what you like and dislike about your current bike, and compare them with the bike you'd like to buy. At least you'd have a baseline to work with. Maybe even check out the wrench science fit website and see what it would have to say on a static fitting.
5. Last resort.....buy simply on someone elses recommendations (don't try this at home kids).
Inherent in all this is contacting the manufacturer (especially in Turner's case), and go over fitting with them. They'd also have recommendations based upon your weight, for spring rates, etc.
As for price, the clearance price on that frame, if its the one I looked up on Ebay, is $1695 from a retailer. $1550 saves you "some" money, if its new, and if its the color you want. If you are going to order a new one from a shop, and want a different color, get on it right quick.
If you can wait, the 5-spot, etc., 2003 line will be starting in Feb/March.
esq.
www.hilltopskibike.net |
| if you... | puffy
Nov 27, 2002 9:30 AM | | call the seller and get the serial # on the frame... turner can give you the original buyer's date of purchase and maybe even some more info. i did this when inquiring about an rfx and they remembered the original buyer. this gave me piece of mind when making my decision.
hope this helps
puffy |
| I emailed the seller...... | esquire
Nov 27, 2002 9:46 AM | | And it IS the brand new frame we sold less than a month ago. I told them at the time about the 5-Spot, which at the time didn't appeal to him. Now, must be a different story.
esq.
www.hilltopskibike.net |
| please outbid me! | Braids
Nov 27, 2002 11:07 AM | | My max bid is below the reserve price anyway. I love the candy red colour but I just got an excellent deal on an XCE in Canada. No worries about shipping for me now. I have the choice between polish, gloss black or charcoal grey though. Would have loved the candy red!
The 18" should fit you. I emailed turner, WITHOUT ADVERTISING AN AUCTION I WAS BIDDING ON ESPECIALLY ON A MESSAGE BOARD CALLED, "WHAT BIKE TO BUY" and asked them about sizing myself. I was told the 18" or medium would fit me. I'm 5'10" with a 29/30" inseam.
I was freak'n pissed when I saw your post the other day. It's the only Turner on ebay you dolt! I mean dolt in the nicest way too. :-) |
| I know, dumb, dumb, dumb. | cmc_3
Nov 27, 2002 3:57 PM | | I didn't even think of that until after I posted it. Tried to edit after, and couldn't pull it off. Well, regardless, I can hang out and wait up until the end of the (you know what), and try and snag it right at reserve. My research isn't yielding any better prices, or even close. The size seems to work as well, and the color, although looks good on the actual pics, looks even better with a well lit picture, after seeing it in different place.
Have fun with your new ride, I hope to have mine built before X-mas. What part of United States Lite do you live? Just kiddin man, I had to respond to "dolt" somehow. |
| the idea of measuring your current bike | Tscheezy
Nov 27, 2002 11:19 AM | | the idea of measuring your current bike, if you feel comfortable on that one and want to recreate that position on your future purchase. You will optimally have +/- 10mm (3/8") of stem to play with (a total spread of 3/4 inches), so if the Turner is pretty close top-tube length wise, you will still be able to dial it in. Measure your current top tube center to center along the horizontal (effective top tube), and add in the length of your current stem, center to center. Subtract the Turner's top tube length (23.0" or 584mm) to find out what your future stem "should" be. If you come up with something much shorter than 100mm or longer than 120mm, the Turner is probably the wrong size (sounds like you will be fine though). btw, 25.4mm per inch. I would not sweat the standover issue at all. The 18" XCE has the effective frame size (seat tube center to center) of about a 14.5" with the radically dropped top tube. My girlfriend's 16.5" XCE has an effective frame size of 12", and my 19.5" has an effective frame size of 16". I won't comment on price or value because I have no idea what general availability of frames is now, though I imagine they are getting way hard to find.
tscheezy |
| Wow. No idea how that happened. Sorry. nm | Tscheezy
Nov 27, 2002 11:26 AM | | |
| Did you hit the "BACK" button ... | dogbert
Nov 27, 2002 2:47 PM | | at any time while composing your post? It happened to me once, and I think that's what the problem was. It took the entire body of my post and put it on the Topic line.
Unfortunately, I put a joke in the topic line and the punchline in the body of text, but the punchline was what was posted. Bad comedic delivery. |
| | næstep
Nov 27, 2002 6:31 PM | | I think it happens when you delete the text in the 'Topic:' line and leave it blank when you post the message. Not quite sure about the "approved" that appears in the body. Let me post this message and see. |
| Hmmm.. nope, that's not it. (nm) | næstep
Nov 27, 2002 6:32 PM | | |
| All sorts of goofy stuff happens with the back button here! nm | Tscheezy
Nov 27, 2002 8:51 PM | | |
| re: Turner XCE size question, price | Zag
Nov 29, 2002 11:43 AM | | That's a good price for what amounts to basically a new bike, so you won't get hurt too bad there. However, you can get a new one for about that price right now (I ordered one last week). Give The Bike Company (www.bikeco.com) a call.
As far as size goes, you could probably go either way, depending on your preferences in terms of saddle position, stem length, riding style, etc. so I can't help you much there. You might give Turner a call and see what they recommend.
Good Luck! |
| "Join Turner Owners Club! NOW!" | NorseRider
Dec 2, 2002 10:55 AM | | Check out http://www.turnerownersclub.org/
Truls
'02 XCE
Oslo, Norway |
| |
|
|
