This is a semi-rhetorical question When you get a cheap bike, how are you all balancing upgrades for better comfort and performance and not going overboard? What is worth spending on and where are you going cheap?
Here’s my dilemma:
1992 Specialized Hardrock Sport. I picked it up for $60 generally stock but with bent handlebar twisted stem bad brakes. I did some minor parts bin mods (BB, crankset, brakes, pedals, front derailleur removal) and some cheap new parts($100 on stem, handlebars, headset). Goal for this bike was something I can ride to a trailhead, leave locked to a tree for a few hours and if it disappears I would be annoyed but not devastated.
Now however, I’m pricing out wheels, 1×10 drivetrain swap, brakes, etc. essentially a full resto mod. We’re pushing $500 or more in spending to end up with a bike that while cool is arguably worse than what I could buy for the same $750 or so.
Are you all just succumbing to the urge to build a sick retro whip or just keeping accepting the cheap bike as is?
Cheers!
by tabikeoffroad
12 Comments
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I’m building mine right now , got her for 20€ and some car steeles , so I went to the cheapest bike shop I could find slapped some beefy tires , new brake pads did maintenance (60€ for everything) next I got some lights front and rear from Temu 3€ ( get the rechargeable ones they are great) and I will also get some mud guards from Temu 9€ , that makes it 91€ in total , so I have 9€ to buy beers with the hommies and ride the sh out of it 💜
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I bought this bike on closeout for $150 and I’ve already spent over $200 on upgrading. I don’t know how to stop because I want it to be a badass touring bike, but cheap enough if it get stolen that I’m not too sad. I’m not keeping it very cheap
I have a similar project, tried to keep it budget friendly…idk what happened.
$25 grips and brake pads
$50 chain, chain wheel, cranks
$25 cables, misc hardware, etc
$50 original bike cost
Total= $735.50
You fixed the critical issues. Having done a 1x myself, I would just leave yours as is. Maybe if you find all the parts for super cheap. I like my 1x conversion but all said and done it wasn’t worth the 400-500 I spent on it. I could dial my 3x in just fine so I never had an issue with the drive train.
There are a couple upgrades I don’t regret at all. Wider pedals. V Brakes (a must since I’m heavier). A handlebar with some 80mm rise to make my ride more upright. But in retrospect, I could’ve stopped there.
I think the consensus is if you love the frame despite the age you invest knowing it’s a sunk cost. Other than that you just make it functional with the essentials and maybe upgrade the saddle/bars for comfort. Drivetrain and wheelset upgrades absolutely not worth it if it’s just a beater.
I’d ride it till something breaks and replace the parts accordingly. If you want to do more I’d support you, in my 20’s id have a long list of stuff I thought I needed to buy, closer to 40 it’s more about where I’m planning to go.
I’ve had some luck buying unloved late 90s to early 2000s mountain bikes with decent components for dirt cheap.
Usually the forks are toast, but they usually have good rims, 8 speed hubs (so 8-11 speed compatible) and nice v-brakes.
I spent $100 on new brakes and levers for a bike. The next one I built, I spent $80 on a clean used bike with a crappy RockShox Indy fork (elastomers disintegrated) and got brakes, levers, nice wheels, and a clean STX RC drivetrain.
As is your build looks more than capable for the task you intended it for, but part of the fun is iterating on an improving what we already have, and at that point it’s not as worthwhile studying the economics too much.
You’re getting a sense of enjoyment from building up something, which you will probably get attached to in spite of yourself. Can you put a price on that? Of course there’s a line between sensible upgrades and extravagance but quality of life improvements rarely cross that line.
Besides, you’re not gonna be here forever and less so riding bikes so spend that money if it makes you happy.
I think a lot of us can’t resist and at some point have put hundreds into a resto / mod and end up with an appropriately inappropriate drivetrain or two, a few nicer saddles, and some talisman that sort of float around between our x bikes depending on how we’re feeling that season. That’s my story and I’m not mad at it.
I just did this with nearly the same bike. It was between $500 and $600 all in (though some black Friday sales helped). 1×10 Deore, Avid Single Digit 3s, Deore/Rhino Lite wheels. Kalloy post/stem, MSW bars.
https://preview.redd.it/54tbd3rittae1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=43ea43bf03686310344017094d04e5ac880081b1
Overall I was super happy with it, but also I do not think I could have gotten something of similar quality from a shop for less than $1k.
Another thing you can do is ride it for a while and keep an eye on the used market for wheels, drivetrain parts etc. If you make a purchase like that once a year it doesn’t hurt and you know the bike is getting used. I dunno. Just a thought
I’m literally in the middle of this exact build (check post history).