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Repair advice

  • 28-07-2025 04:56PM
    #1
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,876 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Hi guys, I need some advice. I have a Merida Reacto a good few years, it got left out in the rain when i was getting work done on my house so needs some reasonable tlc.

    I have a tiagra derailleur that needs to be replaced, a new rear socket and front double ring. All heavily rusted.

    When i exert force on the pedals they creek badly, so not sure if need to arms of if its just bearings. Front/Rear brake pads and the front caliper assemly is pretty rusted.
    And finally the right break shifter assembly needs reposition and the bars to be wrapped.

    I'm trying to see if its worth fixing, or cut my losses and pick up a new bike on the BTW.

    WhatsApp Image 2025-07-28 at 5.51.27 PM.jpeg WhatsApp Image 2025-07-28 at 5.51.28 PM.jpeg WhatsApp Image 2025-07-28 at 5.51.37 PM.jpeg


Comments

  • #2
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 55,425 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    How handy are you? I.e. would you consider tackling the work yourself?

    Rough guess of material costs - 35 for the RD, 25 for a chain, 30 for a cassette, 30 or 40 for the chainrings. 15 quid for bar tape.

    Bar the chain, replacing all the above should just need Allen keys.

    Unsure if it's just the pedals creaking, or you think the bottom bracket is shot?

    But if you're going to undertake work like that, whether or not you do it yourself, there's a good chance the cables are also shot so it'd make sense to factor that in too.

    You could be easily looking at near 200 quid in parts, and a bike shop will charge for labour on top of that.



  • #3
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,876 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123678066#Comment_123678066

    Reasonably handy, but tbh never done any work on my bikes before. The LBS is a couple of mins away and was always just in for a service that was reasonably priced. Expected 200-300.



  • #4
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 55,425 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    What's your local bike shop, if you don't mind me asking?



  • #5
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,876 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123678148#Comment_123678148

    https://thebikerack.ie/



  • #6
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 55,425 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    Cheers; that was a roundabout way of me asking where you were, in case you lived near me, was going to suggest you could borrow my chain tools if you did go down the DIY route. I'm on the wrong side of the city for you though.



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  • #7
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,876 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123678295#Comment_123678295

    thanks!
    I’ll drop around to them tomorrow, 2-300 is fine, I commuted into town every day for nearly 4 years on it, it’s got some credit



  • #8
    cletus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,748 ✭✭✭cletus


    If you're reasonably handy, none of that work is particularly hard. Your biggest impediment might be tools.

    Even if you have to drop it into the shop for something, I'd do as many of those jobs as I could first



  • #9
    monkeyslayer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 959 ✭✭✭monkeyslayer


    200 euro and you'd be flying on that. Standard service and some parts, possibly.



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