Appear to be in good condition with a little rust in some parts. I have zero experience repairing bikes. Is it worth my trouble trying to replace rusty parts myself or take to a shop? TIA
by anxiousoverachiever
Appear to be in good condition with a little rust in some parts. I have zero experience repairing bikes. Is it worth my trouble trying to replace rusty parts myself or take to a shop? TIA
by anxiousoverachiever
3 Comments
Take it to your LBS for a check over. Based on your photos some of those little rusty things, like the noodle on your break can be replaced.
If you are capable of watching youtube videos, you can fix just about any bike yourself. Both of those bikes will require at the very least new brake pads, cables and housings, and also likely a new chain and possibly freewheel/chain rings. You can do all of that yourself.
You will also need to clean and lube all moving components.
You’re looking about about $80 per bike in aftermarket parts, and labor is free if you do it yourself (keep in mind tools are not included in this total, and you will likely need a few). If you cannot do it yourself, you’re looking at about $200+ per bike at the shop, give or take.
This is the realistic answer.
These are both “bike shop” quality bikes, meaning that they were made by a real bicycle company, then assembled and sold by a real bike shop (as opposed to Walmart). Generally this means that they are worth putting some money into. Based on what I see in the photo, these bikes look like they were barely used.
You can certainly fix them yourself, if that’s what you want. Start with YouTube, watch videos from Park Tool in particular. Most videos will assume that you have a repair stand, which really is essential for most bicycle service.
But if you decide that it’s not worth your time and effort to learn how to service bikes (totally fair), I think you can take these to your local bike shop and get them rolling for ~$100 each (basic tune up cost). Before you do anything with them, make sure that they fit their intended rider. Getting a great deal on a bike which doesn’t fit is like getting a great deal on a pair of shoes which are two sizes too small.