Hello all,
Looking for some advice. I’ve only ridden pretty basically throughout my life (bike tracks and roads in regional area), but am looking to begin basic commuting in the city. Used to have a Trek mtn bike but gave that to my mum to take as she travels, but I found this old bike of my dad’s in the shed, cleaned and got it serviced, and want to ask you all if I should replace anything? The brakes feel a little weak, though I’m used to disk ones. Should I replace pads, or the whole brake set? The downtube shifters I’m slowly getting used to. Should I change the drop bars for a flatter bar? Any ideas on mounting saddlebags or a rack for basic storage? Anything else?
Not looking to spend heaps, but will pay for quality. I expect it to last but I won’t be using it 24/7 etc.
Thanks in advance for any advice/tips or guidance on where to go for further info.
by Minuteofman
3 Comments
If the original pads are old and hard a new set will do wonders.
The downtube shifters can be a little tricky at times. If commuting then a set of bar end shifters will help.
Change the brake lines , cables and bar tape add some bar end shifters and I’m betting this makes a good commuter .
Change the brake pads and cables. A basic road cable set from Shimano or Jagwire is worth it. If your budget stretches far enough, I can recommend Koolstop Continental Salmon compound pads.
New rubber hoods for the brake levers are cheap too – they are installed from the back of the lever with a little talc powder to help them slide on. Any generic ones off eBay will fit even the Dia Comp ones – you’ll want the non-aero version.
You’ll also want a set of mudguards and rear rack. New tyres and bar tape as well.
New tires, definitely.
Replace brake -pads, -housings, -cables. Clean and grease brake calipers and levers. Consider replacing sidepulls with modern dual pivot calipers if budget allows.
If there are no significant hills on your commute ditch the gears alltogether and look into a single speed conversion. You could also install bar end shifters if the downtube ones are awkward and you want to keep the gears. Shimano SL-BS77 are still pretty easy to source, if a bit expensive.
Changing the handlebars to flat bars means new brake levers and grips. Might make sense in the above context of brake servicing. Staying with the current drop bars means new bar tape and brake hoods, as the ones in the picture are pretty gone.
Only a light 3 point (rear dropouts + brake bolt) rack can be installed on that frame, unless you’re willing to put up with seatstay clamps and the like. Max load capacity for these is on the order of 30 pounds, less if loaded asymmetrically (one pannier on one side only). A saddlebag is even less, maybe 15 pounds for a quality one like Carradice, with seat tube support.