Should I buy this Mountain Bike: Trax TFS.2D Full Suspension Mens Mountain Bike 20"?

[James]

Here's the spec for the Bike:

* Alloy Rims: Yes
* Approximate Weight (KG): 16.6
* Brake Type: Mechanical Disc
* Chainset: Steel
* Exact Frame Size: 20"
* Frame Colour: White and Black
* Frame Material: Aluminium
* Frame Size: 20"
* Front Brake: Disc Brake
* Front Mech: FD-10TD
* Gear Shifters: SRAM MRX 6
* Number of Gears: 18 Speed
* Pedals: Resin Platform
* Rear Brake: Disc Brake
* Rear Mech: Shimano TZ50
* Rear Shock: KS20A Rear Shock
* Rims: Alloy
* Saddle: Bassano Selle SRL
* Suspension: Full
* Tyre size: 26 x 1.95"
* Tyres: Wanda King
* Wheel size: 26

This costs £280, although I could get one second hand for £130, do you think this is a good bike? Or do you think this is just a marketing ploy, I don't know much about buying bikes, I'm not a serious biker, I want a Bike with good brakes, and not too bad. Is 'Trax' a good company? Is this a good Bike? Thanks, please give me your opinion. Oh and there's ten points coming your way if you give me your honest, detailed opinion about whether this is good, bad, and why. Thanks.

 

[Bob A]

I would not buy a full suspension bike in that price range. They may look cool but that is where it ends. The shocks on the rear tend to eat up and pedaling energy that you put into the pedals. I have ridden bikes like that and they wear you out very quickly. You would be much happier by buying a name brand hard tail mountain bike. In my opinion a wouldn't even pay 130 lbs for a new one let alone a used one.