I picked up this up for $30 on FBM thinking it just needed a cosmetic refresh (clean/grips/pedals) but after taking a closer look I'm not so sure!
Note – I have no experience with bikes, but I have a bit of time and enjoy watching YouTube/tinkering. Having said I understand some things are better left to the bike pros at the LBS.
I also understand that this is a kids bike and probably not meant to last all that long, but it's for my daughter to ride and then hopefully pass down to her little sister when she's ready. But also wondering at what point do the repairs get too expensive and I should just get another one in better condition haha
1) Is it possible to clean between the wheels and the forks without taking the wheels off? Can I use any bike cleaner or does it have to be a specific one for this area?
2) The caliper brakes are stiff and only work on one side. The adjuster(?) is rusted and stiff. Is it worth taking it apart and cleaning/assembling?
3) The brake lever is also stiff and I can barely get any rotations out of the adjustment barrel. Same as above – try and take apart or buy a new one?
4) There are cracks on the sidewall of the tyres – should I get new ones?
Sorry photos aren't in order. Hoping for some sound advice on what to do please!
by _prettylittleliar
12 Comments
Yikes
Nothing on there you can’t do. Is it worth it? That’s a cheap bike. A new one must be $100 or less
Oof. It’s a shed bike, so I won’t sugarcoat this.
It needs new brakes, pads, cables, and housing. It’s unsafe otherwise. The levers may be salvageable, but replacing the barrel adjusters would be a good idea. Learn how to take the wheels off and on. You will need to do it eventually. Clean the hubs with a Scotch-Brite pad and Simple Green. Don’t spray anything into the bearings, which are probably gravel anyway. The tires have dry rot. New ones will be more comfortable and far more reliable. It won’t cast a fortune to get this decent, but budget for a hundred, minimum. And I haven’t seen the drivetrain parts.
That might cost more to replace parts or repair . New parts that is. Also, the steering bearings, crank shaft bearings and wheels, almost like a full Overhaul of everything on it
Other comments on here aren’t wrong, but…
You could go a long way with just some elbow grease and a few YouTube videos.
My kids were recently that age and on a bike like that they were slooooooow. So yeah, the tires suck, but if they hold air they hold air. If one blows out on the sidewalk probably no one is going to die. Yeah, the chain sucks, but if you clean and lube it and it works, good enough. On a high end bike you’d be prematurely wearing out all the parts that the chain touches, which would be expensive and stupid. But on this bike just lube the shit out of it. If it works, it works. Watch some YouTube videos that explain how to adjust those brakes.
Good luck!
Better luck getting one on marketplace or something
I mean this is a small childs bike, clean and lube.
If the brakes are physically difficult or just doesn’t stop replace the brake pads and brake cables.
If the tires must be replaced you are probably already bumping up against a new dept store bike price just replacing the tires and tubes…
Edit:
Actually it probably has a coaster brake anyways and might not even really need the front brake.
Yeah you’re going to spend less getting a new Walmart special than fixing this thing.
I think you can get this running with some elbow grease and mild wrenching. The people here aren’t wrong that most everything needs to be replaced on this bike but if your child is still learning balance and how to ride this is fine and will get the job done. Don’t spend anymore money on this bike – unfortunately at 30bucks you def overpaid but I think you can get some life out of this clunker yet. Start with a good wash, lube the chain, scrub the rust off with a steel brush and some wd40, test and tighten the brakes.
If your child is a confident bike rider and is going to be bombing hills soon get her a new bike asap. If she is going to be scooting around a cul de sac/driveway learning how to balance and pedal this bike will do.
That bike has been outdoors sitting in the weather for many many years. It is not worth a true restoration. You will probably need $150 in parts at a minimum just to make it safe. You can take that same $150 and get a much better used bike in much better condition.
I love overhauling some nasty old hubs
donated to charity. You’re gonna spend as much money restoring it as you would buy a new one off craigslist. And if you’ve never worked on bikes, are you gonna feel comfortable letting your kids right after you’ve worked on it?