Hi, I am not sure where to post this, im sorry if It shouldnt be here. I am severely depressed and desperate to get some.. freedom back.
I can remove this post if not allowed.
I used to ride, had a nice road bike I could use regularly, that a friends father always maintained for me. I never learned about any of it. I know there are tubes in the tires likely ruined. This is my bike that has been sitting in a partially exposed shed for five years.
It is a bit rusty, and looks in need of a lot of help. Im asking my huaband if we can repair it to working order for my gift on mothers day, but as I look at it more and more, I just see dollar signs going up and up.
But I know nothing.
do any of you folks out there, know if it might be difficult to restore? Ideas for resources? Im about to look up bike repair shops in my area, but Im afraid this repair might cost more than is reasonable as a mothers day thing.
I look at this and just, metaphor written all over it. This bike is to my life.
anyhow, would it be expenisive? is a bike tune up expensive? Im terrified for some reason. please help.
Everyone's idea of "expensive" is different and when it comes to bikes people seem to have a very low threshold for what they consider expensive. I'll just give you some numbers and you can decide.
The first thing a disused bike is going to need is new tubes. Tubes are like $10 each. You may also need new tires. A tire can be like 30 or 40 bucks. Someone who does this once a year or less like myself can change both tubes and tires in a half hour. I don't know what bike mechanic labor rates are in your area. Your husband could do it in an hour after watching a YouTube video, using a flathead screwdriver or kitchen spoons
It looks like you also need a chain. Chains can be 20 or 30 bucks and take 2 minutes to replace but you need a special chain breaker tool which are relatively common. I'm sure there's at least one in your neighborhood you can borrow. Also easy for anyone to do after watching a YouTube video.
You'll also want to be really sure that the brakes are working properly or you could get seriously hurt. They're disc brakes which can take disuse much more gracefully than rim brakes. I would get a legit bike mechanic to replace the pads if they need to be and to make any necessary adjustments. But they may be perfectly fine.
Just to add to this, a pair of bolt cutters is an excellent rusty chain removal tool (if you have some laying around) and with the replacement chain 10 and 15 speed chains come with quick connects so gettin the new one on is literally a snap. Make sure to lube everything that's supposed to move (worry less about rust unless its bad enough that it compromizes integrity i.e. things bending and flexing that shouldnt), bearings (pink grease is good), cables (shoot some wd 40 in at the top, it runs down hill), there are bearings under that little cap where the handle bats meet the frame. Disc brakes let a bike mechanic handle it. Parts you're looking at $50 (just tubes and a chain), to worst case scenario maybe $150 if you picked out puncture resistance tires and shopped around. Brake job, I think my last one ran ~$80, but mines hydraulic so a cable system is likely cheaper.
Honestly, if you're trying to pick yourself up out of a funk, picking up a cheap set of wrenches and Allen keys armed with some youtube videos may be just what the Dr ordered.
I just checked the breaks and they stop, both front and back work. Im worried the plastics in the shifter look pretty degraded however.
Im hoping it will be $200-$300 dollars max. My husband agreed we can fix it. His father rides and.. probably knows the guy who owns the bike shop, he knows half the county, so I expect him to ask his father for advice. I struggle to learn from youtube sometimes tbh.
Thank you for giving me some perspective, From what you listed, it absolutely seems doable!
could I get my bike back this weekend!?!? oh boy :) Would be the highlight of my year, and more!
Thank you so much akilou!