Building a second hand bike

[John the Canuck]

how tall are you

i see you are 6-1
then 54cm would be too small IMO

 

[mikejohnhale]

about 6'1

 

[John the Canuck]

57cm
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-P...0992335538?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item48689672b2

 

[mikejohnhale]

Thought it was going a bit too well.

Says collection only from Oxfordshire, wouldn't be able to do that. Ideally need somewhere no further than an hour away which is difficult due to where I live or somewhere that's willing to post.

 

[John the Canuck]

................ Ideally need somewhere no further than an hour away which is difficult due to where I live or somewhere that's willing to post.

you think you've got problems...try Scotland........

however.....some Sellers [who state Collection] when asked if they ''will pack the bike for pickup by my courier'' ...say OK
ask biggs682 who he uses - quite reasonable i think

 

[John the Canuck]

you appreciate my 'list' is merely to get a 'neglected' bike back on the road

a total rebuild would cost quite a bit more i presume

 

[mikejohnhale]

yeah, I did think that. With me having no experience with sorta thing, I don't trust myself to do anything huge. Was originally at looking at just getting a frame and going from there but don't think I'd be able to do that. I'd be best off getting one that needs a bit of work as a starter. The one from before would have been perfect if it was bigger.

 

[Kins]

Gumtree and Preloved means you can go have a look at stuff, maybe take someone with you who rides a bike.

Ebay is a punt sometimes but if your lucky, a bucket full of bargains. Especially if they list it wrong.

Not worth £50, to me anyway. But worth probably £30. http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/road-bike/1070200332

This one is a bit pricey but worth a look : http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/vintage-raleigh-road-bike/1069492343

Actually looking at the gear on it, might be on the v expensive side unless the frames something special which from the pictures doesn't look like it.

 

[mikejohnhale]

The second one looks great but it's in perfect condition, isn't it? Looks like it needs no work on it whatsoever. Ideally I'd like to do a bit but not a whole rebuild as I don't think I'd be able to yet. What do you think is the right level of work that someone with no experience should attempt?

 

[Kins]

Well, as soon as you start messing with old bikes, you need old bike tools, which are easy enough to find new on ebay etc, just once you buy one, you're going to need 10. Then, are you going to buy a bike stand as well to work on it.

Easiest things you can do on bikes with little or no tools are cables,brake adjustment, bar tape, adjusting derailleurs, seat. Probably others but mainly you will need tools after that.

Quick deco at liverpool ebay in roughly your size, some need work, some don't:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Road-cycle-racer-bike-dawes-/161342019371
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-RALEIGH-AEROSPACE-CONTOUR-RACING-ROAD-BIKE-/181444944256
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Claud-Butler-Elite-Road-Bike-/111388914757

Probably my favourite : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-framed-cycle-58cm-c-to-c-/221468981704

 

[mikejohnhale]

Did like the look of the Peugeot one. How much would you recommend spending as a maximum on it?

 

[Kins]

Decent groupset. Frame paint is a bit dodgy but some nice original decals probably make it look better. £80-100 is my guess but never bought a Peugeot and its got some campagnolo gear which people like so maybe go for more than that. Cinelli Stem, maybe bars to.

 

[John the Canuck]

Did like the look of the Peugeot one. How much would you recommend spending as a maximum on it?

.
you need to ignore cost, and just do it up to your level of satisfaction
half the fun - for me - was getting a nice usable road bike by spending some time searching for bargains
still don't have a saddle - could buy new of course - no fun in that

BTW......kins says ''Then, are you going to buy a bike stand as well to work on it''

TOTALLY AGREE...I've done 2 now on the kitchen table - ............. didn't have extra £30 to buy one at the time

 

[Kins]

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=299810

Here you go. Nice old Peugeot for £75 if your quick and he drives down your way from Cumbria.

 

[mikejohnhale]

Hi, went to pick this up yesterday. Fella said it had been in his garage for a year so probably needed tuning up and that. Went out on it today without doing anything to it. Was only gonna go round the block to see how it was, ended up going on for a bit. Anyway 5 miles later if became really hard to pedal and when I looked down, this has happened. How do I fix it? Cheers.


Think I've fixed it. Is it likely to do that again?

Is there like a list of things I should check on it before riding it? I.e. What needs to be tuned up or what have you?