Buy new or repair old?

SachaJ

I've had a few threads over the last few days in relation to getting myself a more suitable bike. Selling my Cube Peloton and going for either a hybrid or a non-suspension mountain bike. More likely the hybrid at this stage. One of my primary uses for the bike will be bringing my toddler to creche and for spins around parks etc.

I'm thinking that it's difficult enough to get a decent steel framed bike for my budget (around €500 to €600). I've done a bit of reading and some say that aluminium frames might not be the strongest for carrying kids on crossbar saddles, hence I'm thinking steel.

I do have this old warhorse at home. Probably 18-20 years old which I could repair (I reckon only the frame, forks & handlebars might be worth saving).


So would I be better pouring my budget into doing up the bike I have with some cheap but relatively decent components (including plasting and painting the frame, maybe more road biased wheels and tyres etc) or just buy a new hybrid bike? With the bike I currently have being so old, can I still get parts to fit it?

Lavcon

You will be able to get parts to repair your old bike and if you can do the work yourself it will work out the cheapest. The main thing to look at is the condition of the wheels as replacing them is going to cost e100 for a cheap pair before tires etc Anything less and they aren't going to last to long on irish roads. If you pay someone to do the work for you and replace as much as you've suggested you'll undoubtedly end up spending more than a new bike of similar quality all be it an aluminium frame.

Bring your warhorse into a local bike shop and ask for an estimate to get it back on the road, any decent mechanic should be able to give you a fair idea just with a quick look over.

Lavcon

You will be able to get parts to repair your old bike and if you can do the work yourself it will work out the cheapest. The main thing to look at is the condition of the wheels as replacing them is going to cost e100 for a cheap pair before tires etc Anything less and they aren't going to last to long on irish roads. If you pay someone to do the work for you and replace as much as you've suggested you'll undoubtedly end up spending more than a new bike of similar quality all be it an aluminium frame.

Bring your warhorse into a local bike shop and ask for an estimate to get it back on the road, any decent mechanic should be able to give you a fair idea just with a quick look over.

SachaJ

Great thanks.... I figure if I can fix my motorbikes I should be able for a bicycle! I'd be prepared to give it a shot anyway.

One thing I was thinking about was putting hybrid wheels on it. I'm assuming that there's currently 26" wheels on it so will need to replace with 26". Had a look on Wiggle but could only find mountain bike 26" wheels which I assume are too wide for hybrid tyres.

Where would I find wheels to fit maybe 35mm or lower hybrid tyres?

Hmmzis

SachaJ wrote: »

Great thanks.... I figure if I can fix my motorbikes I should be able for a bicycle! I'd be prepared to give it a shot anyway.

One thing I was thinking about was putting hybrid wheels on it. I'm assuming that there's currently 26" wheels on it so will need to replace with 26". Had a look on Wiggle but could only find mountain bike 26" wheels which I assume are too wide for hybrid tyres.

Where would I find wheels to fit maybe 35mm or lower hybrid tyres?

There are different rims available for mountainbikes. The usual suspects being 17 and 19mm wide. There are wider ones but they are more expensive and geared more towards AM and DH use.

Having said that the 17 and 19mm rims should be able to take 26" slicks down to 28-32mm but don't overdo it. Even 32mm slicks feel harsh on 26" and that's with suspension and alu frame. Something in the range 1.5" to 2" with a road profile should be grand.

piston

That's quite a nice frame and well worth spending a little time and money on. Early MTBs like that are very adaptable and practical and generally easy to work on. Fit a nice tyre like Panaracer Tourguard and be amazed at how nice it can be to ride. Don't go any narrower than 26 x 1.5" when choosing tyres. There is no point, narrower tyres need to be pumped up harder and will rattle your teeth out in that wheel size on Irish roads.

It is worthwhile to replace the headset with a quality item. The basic Stronglight A9 starts at about UK£10 online. Put in an inexpensive cartridge BB if it doesn't already have one for reduced maintenance in the future. Shimano 5/6/7 speed freewheel blocks are cheap enough and decent quality, don't settle for anything less.

There are a huge range of wheels available in this size, you pay your money and take your choice. I would personally go for something strong rather than lightweight. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the cheap 36 spoke alloy wheels for a thread on freewheel block that can be bought from Amazon or Ebay, they will last if you grease and adjust the bearings properly before you use them. I use them myself on my own old MTB. Many new wheels at the budget end of the market are assembled with little or no grease and the hubs won't last if you don't grease them, this applies to bearings at all price points.

SachaJ

piston wrote: »

That's quite a nice frame and well worth spending a little time and money on. Early MTBs like that are very adaptable and practical and generally easy to work on. Fit a nice tyre like Panaracer Tourguard and be amazed at how nice it can be to ride. Don't go any narrower than 26 x 1.5" when choosing tyres. There is no point, narrower tyres need to be pumped up harder and will rattle your teeth out in that wheel size on Irish roads.

It is worthwhile to replace the headset with a quality item. The basic Stronglight A9 starts at about UK£10 online. Put in an inexpensive cartridge BB if it doesn't already have one for reduced maintenance in the future. Shimano 5/6/7 speed freewheel blocks are cheap enough and decent quality, don't settle for anything less.

There are a huge range of wheels available in this size, you pay your money and take your choice. I would personally go for something strong rather than lightweight. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the cheap 36 spoke alloy wheels for a thread on freewheel block that can be bought from Amazon or Ebay, they will last if you grease and adjust the bearings properly before you use them. I use them myself on my own old MTB. Many new wheels at the budget end of the market are assembled with little or no grease and the hubs won't last if you don't grease them, this applies to bearings at all price points.

That's great advice, thanks a million. Anyone else feel free to chip in. I'm looking at bits and pieces on Wiggle and the amount of choice is melting my brain....