My dad passed away a year ago. He left me this bike that he bought decades ago before I was even born(for around $300 back in the 2000's), he tried fixing it but it still didn't end well and just broke instantly, is it still worth fixing? Both tires need a replacement(except the rim), both back and front shifters needs a replacement, new chains as well. Should I try converting it into a fixie? I need suggestions and help, thank you:)
by OutrageousMark2509
9 Comments
Looks like a good steel frame to work off. shifters probably dont need replacing, probably just a good clean but if you wanted to you could easily convert this to a fixie
ItIt’s very hard to tell from such a terrible photo. It does not look like a particularly nice bike, and it looks like it needs a fair amount of work. Taking it to a shop, I’d expect to spend $300+ at minimum, and it may just be polishing a turd.
If this isn’t something your dad actually rode and you have memories of, I would personally try to avoid any sentimental attachment to it..
Is anything written on the frame? Are those cables going into the frame? Its so hard to tell from this photo. Clean it up and take better photos
money-wise worth it? Nope
But if the bicycle has an emotional value for you or you want to get into bicycle repairs, do it.
Fixie would be the easiest. There are some videos on youtube that restore whole vintage bikes. Start with that. And if you still have specific questions, come back and ask here 🙂
One video I can recommend: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1KGNIfQe8o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1KGNIfQe8o)
In my opinion, every bike deserves to be saved if possible. Doubly so for bikes with sentimental attachment. I’d clean it up, and save the components that can be saved. Take it as an opportunity to watch some howto videos on YouTube and learn how to service your own bikes. The tools can initially be a bit pricey, but you’ll save a ton of money in the long run.
It wouldn’t take much to get that going really. May not even need new tires or tubes. New chain, a clean and lube, new cabling. Looks like down tube shifters? I’d say it’s more of an 80s/90s bike from the looks of it.
For the sentimental value: yes, 100%.
Wow – Drive chain on the left hand side??!
Did your dad purposely modify it? DIY home project?
Do it yourself! Everything doable with a cheap bike repair kit and YouTube. Don’t convert to fixie though, gears are so simple and will make the bike more usable.
Those shifters seem fine – all you need is new cables for everything and tighten the friction shifters so they don’t slide back. Most people assume it’s broken when all you need is tighten the friction part of it. New chain as well and as long as the freewheel or cassette isn’t worn, it should be fine. In other words, you can make this work like new for very little. Just bring it a bike shop, because you will be fleeced. Also, are you as tall as your dad? By the seat height and angle, that bike frame was too big for him. In case you are similar height, I recommend fixing it up and selling it, because it might be not comfy to ride unfortunately.
There’s no way to answer those questions without knowing exactly what that bike is. Surely there must be a make and model on it somewhere. It might be worth restoring, or it might be junk.
There are things that I will leave my kids that I hope they keep, and there are things I know they will throw away. You get to decide which this is, but again, it depends on what exactly we’re talking about here.