How much should you spend on an older bike?
12-20-16, 01:02 PM
#26
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At what point do you stop spending money on restoration?
I have a 84 Fuji Sundance that has seen little to no maintenance beyond oiling the chain, and tire changes. It doesn't have anywhere near the miles my Trek does, but I suspect a complete overhaul may involve replacing several components. Even if everything else was perfect, I want to add a team pro saddle that will set me back at least $130. The bike was $425 new. There are no direct new bike comparisons, but the closest would be over $600. A new bike would be getting the Brooks saddle.
I can do a lot of things, but I’m not a bike mechanic. Beyond the most simple of things, I will be paying for any work done. At what point do you leave an old bike as it is instead of investing in keeping it as close to new as possible?
I have a 84 Fuji Sundance that has seen little to no maintenance beyond oiling the chain, and tire changes. It doesn't have anywhere near the miles my Trek does, but I suspect a complete overhaul may involve replacing several components. Even if everything else was perfect, I want to add a team pro saddle that will set me back at least $130. The bike was $425 new. There are no direct new bike comparisons, but the closest would be over $600. A new bike would be getting the Brooks saddle.
I can do a lot of things, but I’m not a bike mechanic. Beyond the most simple of things, I will be paying for any work done. At what point do you leave an old bike as it is instead of investing in keeping it as close to new as possible?
I am going to be an enabler and say just keep collecting vintage bikes, until you have enough of a donor pile to pull parts off/swap of that you will most likely want/need. I am not a mechanic either but am determined to learn, so will be volunteering at local bike clinic in New Year.
Last edited by WolfRyder; 12-20-16 at 05:12 PM.
12-20-16, 01:08 PM
#27
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how much discretionary dollars do you have?
About that much.
If you become addicted, there may be a multiplier.
About that much.
If you become addicted, there may be a multiplier.
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12-20-16, 01:37 PM
#28
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Depends. For my '72 Raleigh restoration I bought a new Brooks B17 saddle and leather bar tape, Velo Orange fenders, new Paselas, and a new IRD freewheel. I got the bike looking really sweet! Then, I made the mistake of taking it and showing it to my dad last weekend and now he wants it back! And, being the good son that I am, I told him it was his Christmas present! I now hope that father remembers me fondly. In his will. 
12-20-16, 01:54 PM
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I hope he rides it
12-20-16, 02:03 PM
#30
Old guy on a Bike
amen to that. I've also found that all of the parts (of varying quality) that I put into my bikes, keep getting recycled. I put a garden variety DR or set of brakes etc on an old bike to "get it going;" ride it a while, like it and upgrade this or that, then those take off parts wind up on some new project. Hard for me to think of it in dollars and cents I'm afraid.
12-20-16, 02:06 PM
#31
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If an expense on a bike can give you more use or better use out of it, it's worth it. The selling value of the bike is irrelevant if you're going to keep it. And if you keep it going, you can keep it. A new bike won't save money in most cases.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
12-20-16, 02:14 PM
#32
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That's what I'm talkin about! Coolest thing ever! Very well done. 
Depends. For my '72 Raleigh restoration I bought a new Brooks B17 saddle and leather bar tape, Velo Orange fenders, new Paselas, and a new IRD freewheel. I got the bike looking really sweet! Then, I made the mistake of taking it and showing it to my dad last weekend and now he wants it back! And, being the good son that I am, I told him it was his Christmas present! I now hope that father remembers me fondly. In his will.
12-20-16, 02:20 PM
#33
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True. Eventually you end up hiring former Enron accountants to help explain your bike expenses to your significant other, but by then it's too late to worry about it.
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12-20-16, 05:07 PM
#34
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This isn't something I am thinking about buying. It is a bike I bought new in 1984. I guess a better question would be, "does it make sense to pay more than half the original cost to keep riding an older bike". I have no intention of selling it. Factored in, is, considering inflation and passage of time, how a bicycle that cost $400 in 1984 compares to one that costs $600 in 2017.
Thanks to all. You have given me several things to think about.
Thanks to all. You have given me several things to think about.
12-20-16, 05:18 PM
#35
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what he said - this bike was first built in May '76, ridden all those years, and I rebuilt it 3 times after that - I'm sure I put 5 times the original cost into it, but couldn't replace it with a nicer bike for even more.
12-20-16, 05:25 PM
#36
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You know you had to do it. Think of the bright side, now you have a good excuse to resto another slightly fancier one for yourself.
12-20-16, 07:35 PM
#37
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12-20-16, 07:36 PM
#38
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it was looking really good - you may be read for Honjo fenders on the next.
12-20-16, 08:00 PM
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VO fenders are great . If you have a squeak, the answer is usually leather washers at the mount points.
Acorn has the best - they're always in stock https://www.acornbags.com/products/leather-washers
Honjos are just slightly lighter, have more hardware options, and the blanks come without any holes so you can usually install them a little cleaner by placing your own holes.
Acorn has the best - they're always in stock https://www.acornbags.com/products/leather-washers
Honjos are just slightly lighter, have more hardware options, and the blanks come without any holes so you can usually install them a little cleaner by placing your own holes.
Last edited by bulldog1935; 12-20-16 at 08:04 PM.
12-20-16, 08:31 PM
#42
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Those are nice fenders too.
You just gave me a thought. I think I have to look at where the fender attaches at the rear brakes. Maybe put a piece of rubber or leather in there. Can't have dad squeaking around the neighborhood, after all! Thank you!
You just gave me a thought. I think I have to look at where the fender attaches at the rear brakes. Maybe put a piece of rubber or leather in there. Can't have dad squeaking around the neighborhood, after all! Thank you!
12-20-16, 08:58 PM
#43
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I'm probably spending more time and money on a '92 Univega mountain bike than it's worth, but the goal is to get reacquainted with doing my own maintenance so I won't screw up a more expensive bike down the road. It's a fun bike and a good learning experience.
12-20-16, 09:21 PM
#44
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It's mine until it or I stop working for good. I spend what is required or for what I wanted.
And I'm pretty much a person who takes bikes and makes them into what I wanted.
They haven't made Rollfast bikes in 40+ years anyway.
And I'm pretty much a person who takes bikes and makes them into what I wanted.
They haven't made Rollfast bikes in 40+ years anyway.
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12-21-16, 07:41 PM
#45
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It's very similar to your bike and the restoration has already been done for you. It's in the sales section. And it's red!
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ockhopper.html
12-22-16, 07:41 PM
#46
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If you are interested in learning and doing most of the work yourself, I would fix the bike up. How about posting a couple of pictures so we would have a better idea of its condition.
As long as the bike is still ride-able, you can do the re-furbishing over time.
I looked over the original specs of the bike and it has the power thumb shifters that I love.
As long as the bike is still ride-able, you can do the re-furbishing over time.
I looked over the original specs of the bike and it has the power thumb shifters that I love.
12-23-16, 11:12 AM
#47
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It depends...
I just spent $300 on a 'new' fork for my Klein MTB. Because the old fork was inop. It was the original, marginal Manitou and I always wanted a Fox. Found a pristine F80 w/ v-brake bosses, 80mm just like stock. I updated the entire drivetrain 10 years ago -- damn how time flies -- and I like the bike. I can do all I want to do with it and frankly I enjoy wrenching on it. So I'll spend money fixing what needs to be fixed. Custom wheel set is next, but probably not until I wear out the originals, which still have some life left in them.
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