I plan on Buying a friend's MTB, that's been sitting for the past 3 years- minimal use for what i know.
After seeing the bike- it lives up to the story, and- i wanna go for it, by restoring some parts, making sure it's road safe to ride.
My only concern is- this'll be my first bike, and i have no prior experience in fixing, enough knowledge, and- tools to start this restoration project.
I'm not even sure if restoration is the right word here- but yeah, i want this to be running, and make sure it's running safe.
I'd like some tips about how this should be tackled.
, and yes- my current tools so far is this 1 in 16 all in one tools thingy- not sure if it's enough, but i hope it gets some job done.
UNIT:
Viper Fuse MTB
Alloy frame
Clarks Hydrobrake
Sensah 1×8
Viper Suspension Fork
27.5
Cash P10,995
Current problems/Needs some fixing.
– Front suspension seems hard and stiff.
– Gear shift stops are 4, and can't go up to reach 8. (the gear ratio is: 1×8)
– slight rust in the biggest and 2nd biggest gears in the cogs? (Not sure if it's the right term).
Pros for a 2nd hand bike I'd say- to my judgement:
– Gears don't look like shark teeth yet, it still looks okay- i think it doesn't fall in the category to be replaced yet.
– no paint cracks on the frames, it's a good sign yes?, indicates less rusting?, I hope.
– tires seem usable still- it didn't feel like it hardened after all those years, and it visually doesn't look very used.
– Fork feels smooth, nor feels lose- when i tried to do the shake/wiggle test on it.
by Lrixa
3 Comments
How much are you buying this for? This is not a great bike to start riding on
With only that tool your fixes will limited.
Fork will likely need replacing as it looks like it may be more effort than it’s worth to service it, especially with only a multi tool, and this being your first bike, but should be easy enough to change out.
Depends on budget you have set aside for this to see if it’s worth it. Do they want you to buy it off them, or do you want to buy it without persuasion. Unfamiliar with bike prices in your location but have you checked out marketplace near you to see what else is available in your budget?
Watch a couple of ‘Berm Peak’ flip bike videos, very helpful with general bike taking to bits and part changeout, GMBN also have a good amount of informative vids
That looks like a kids bike. If it is the geometry will be all wrong for an adult itll be horrible to ride comapred an adult sized frame. Plus side you can easily pull wheelies, mostly during moderate to hard acceleration so watch out for that.
If you need the seat that high this is the wrong bike for you. Kids bikes are generally no more than 8 speed and have 24” wheels. You can get 24” wheels on an adult sized bike but these will dirt jump bikes.
Disregard above if you are 6-13 years old and Dont need the seat that high. Mark the seat post and remove it. On the back near the bottom there will be a minimum insertion marking, a kids bike will be close to or at that mark at that hight.
Invest in quality tools, cheap tool are not dimensionally accurate they will easily round off fasteners.
Look for forged Allen keys, sockets are better and more comfortable to use. I have a 1/4” socket and ratchet set, it all fits in a large puncher repair kit. A bit set and ratchet are even smaller downside to being small is easy to lose.
You’ll need some other tools like torx (comes in a bit set). And a bleed kit for the brakes.
The front suspension will feel hard because it’s most likely elstromer. So it’ll be temperature sensitive, soft is H in summer and rock hard in winter. It’ll also have a friction damper so won’t be the best.