New member

[munster]

Hello all I just found this forum while I was doing some research on buying a new bike go figure ah. I am an owner of an 856 I bought it a few years ago for a 100 bucks. I didnt realize how good of a bike it was untill I checked out the reviews on mtbreview. So when I come across this site and seen the following they still have, I have a question, how do these bikes compare to the bikes of today? I haven't really rode anything new so I don't really have anyway to base an opinion. I have put different shocks on the front and came across a spring for the back thats all I have done. The local bikes shops say its not worth replacing wore out parts ie. rims chain rings etc. How good are these bikes? I mostly trail ride and do alot of xcountry. Any input would be great.

[Colin]

........ The local bikes shops say its not worth replacing wore out parts ie. rims chain rings etc. How good are these bikes? I mostly trail ride and do alot of xcountry. Any input would be great.

They just want to sell you a new bike!........because, admittedly, the suspension parts for these bikes can be a little troublesome to obtain, but all of the standard parts are easy, so there's no justification in their point of view.
Admittedly, if everything is worn out on the bike then it might cost you nearly as much as a new bike to get it up and running, but we are talking a classic bike here, so it's on par with getting an old sports car into great order again!
We're biased, but the 856 is a GREAT XC Bike!!!

Col.

[orange]

For XC and it's as light and strong as anything today, more or less, plus it turns a few heads! Go ride!! Don't worry about the new bikes out there. Though we are a bit biased here. ;-)

[mizunole]

Ask your LBS to sell you a bottle of touch up paint so you can write an S on the head tube.  That would make them happy, I guess.

Add Proflex (and Pro Flex) and Girvin to your favorite ebay searches and you would be amazed at the hard to find spare parts that you can buy for cheap.  You can buy a whole frame including shock for what you would spend on a rebuild kit for something with an "S" or a "C" on it.  I see a new posting every other day.

I also recommend upgrading to a Risse rear air shock.  It is costly, but you put it on and forget it is there.  (make sure you buy the right one, cone or flat strut.)

Link a picture of your 856.  I am constantly looking for tweeks in cable routing etc.

[munster]

Sorry people I don't know hoe to post a pic yet I'll try to figure it out thanks for the replies.

[munster]

I'll try this

[/URL[URL=http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5111873]

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[munster]

I'm just figuring it out so here is two bigger one you should be able to see on the swingarm pic were it broke and I had to get it welded at pivot.

[shovelon]

$100 Bucks eh? Nice.