Thoughts on these used bikes for a low power conversion.

[markz]

Whats your views on this bike,

I am really interested in this first frame that is for sale its a 2008 Rocky Mountain ETSX-70
disc brake frame
20" frame, 26" tires, nearly new FOX CTD rear shock (this season),
http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2008&Brand=Rocky+Mountain&Model=ETSX+70
http://www.bicyclebluebook.com/searchlistingdetail.aspx?id=3032609
How much would you pay for this frame with rear shock?

Also interested in this frame,
Kona Stinky -
Disc partially complete frame
http://www.pinkbike.com/product/kona/Stinky/
Closer to this style, looking at the rear suspension pivot. Doesnt have the rear suspension resevoir like the newer ones. http://www.galbraithmt.com/images/stinky_500pix.jpg
How much would you pay for this frame with rear shock?


I also like this one, its like $75cdn.
Norco Sidewinder from 2001-2003 they want $100 not sure if its frame only with rear shock or what. Can only assume that.
V-brake frame, 18"
http://www.bikepedia.com/Search.aspx?Q=Norco%20Sidewinder
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=2007&brand=Iron+Horse&model=Maverick+2.0
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/5231791/


Specialized Ground Control frame
https://www.cascade.org/node/19134

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A few other older bikes I got my eyes on.
Another cheap $50 frame
Iron Horse Maverick 2.3 -
Disc Brake frame $50 frame
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=2007&brand=Iron+Horse&model=Maverick+2.0
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1597055/

Mongoose NX 8.3 from 1998
V-brake frame $50 frame
http://1mg.me/image2.aspx?filename=NX%208.3.jpg&f=Photos
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb42608/p4pb42608.jpg

 

[dogman dan]

$100 seems reasonable for the first three, provided the swing arm pivots are not toast. The one with carbon swing arm is completely out though,, for a rear hub motor at least. Assume all shocks are broken or about to break, on shit that old. Bear in mind, new shocks that fit may be unobtanium. This is why I won't pay big bucks, unless it's a complete bike already rebuilt. Then you can test ride, and jerk down the price on the crap shock, crap fork, etc.

Already getting damn hard to find a no taper fork that is a quality item.

The others, $20 is more my price for dead or old bikes. Only if totally fixed up with new tires and cables would I pay more. They always want $100 for their junk, and I always laugh and walk away. But some fool eventually pays.

 

[motomech]

It seems to me that you are kind of "all over the map" w/ this group.
Even just comparing frames,there is not much comparision from a Rocky Mountain hand-welded frame to say, the Mongoose.
As to which, so much depends on usage, type of battery and motor and budget, none of which have you filled us in on so it's hard to contribute.
As for myself, I like the simplisity of Lipo in a frame bag and to that end I prefer a high mounted horizonal shock which won't rub on the bag.
But if I was start afresh today, I would be tempted by one of the new Li-Ion shark/dolphin packs which now have useful Voltages and capacities. Of course, they can mount inside the triangle, or, in the case of the Stinky, might mount on the frt. of the down tube.
For a hub motor installation, removable drop-outs are nice for higher powered systems, but under a 1000 Watts, the style of DO's doesn't matter that much.
Overall, I like mid-tier bikes, no Wally World and no high-zoot latest tech bikes. For the latter, spending big bucks to weight weenize on an street Ebike (or even trail, the way I ride) produces sharply dimmishing returns. The vintage doesn't matter, as long as it has a real functioning suspension and hydro. disc brakes.
If you are into pedaling, I would avoid super long travel suspensions unless they are designed to moderate pedal bob.
Good luck with whichever way you go.

 

[Drunkskunk]

Get the Stinky, Never have any regrets.
Seriously. If you look in the pics section, many of us have used Stinkys with great results. They are absolute beasts. Scalpel like handling, and sledge hammer toughness.

You have some other good frames there as well, but none will be as good all around as a good Kona Stinky.