My bike is dying

[User]

 

[Arch]

Have you thought of treating the old girl to a spa weekend and makeover (aka, full service and new parts)? Or are you afraid she'll then leave you for someone else?

 

[John the Monkey]

Wot Arch said - nothing's unfixable there, just needs a bit of TLC is all.

(Unless this is part of the case for the new bike, in which case, your old one is a write off, and anyone refusing funds for a new bike would, effectively, be sending you to your death).

 

[beanzontoast]

The thing to do is to pick up on these things as they happen by regularly giving your bike a good looking over. Single faults are easier to fix and less time consuming.

If you don't feel confident servicing the bike yourself (and you can't be too careful with a bike that you commute on) get the LBS to quote for it. And if the bike isn't that expensive, and the faults prove severe enough, you might be better considering a new one.

 

[MER Veteran]

Min needs a clean badly.It's done 1800 since late September when it made it's debut although I didn't use it for the most of november.

 

[walker]

just sounds like normal wear and tear to me.

 

[fossyant]

Wear and tear I'd say - wheels buckle, tyres wear, things rust (if you don't look after them).

TLC, new parts and wheels and it will be like new. And another bike for better days......

You do need a few bikes - at least two minimum....

 

[Tynan]

an hour and ten justifies a nice bike

my new nice bike has reduced my old hour to less that 50 minutes

do it, get the best bike you can afford, I wish I had a long time ago, it's completely different and so much more fun on a good bike

 

[bonj2]

I started cycling to work last Summer. The bicycle, 1,400 miles later having endured potholes, rain, hail, wind, sun, the rider occupying the wrong gears up hill and down, is dying.

Ok, it's not in the final stages of malnutrition, forsitbite and bombardment a la the German 6th Army a couple of weeks before the Siege of Stalingrad ended, but it certainly will not endure another Winter I fear.

Both inner tubes being used as well as the spare are now patched doesn't matter, as long as they hold air!

The reflectors have fallen off the pedals and? why do you need pedal reflectors?

The screws on the back-rack are rusted to the frame can probably get them off with a bit of WD-40. If not, then just leave them, if you want the rack off just cut it off.

The back-wheel rim is indented enough for a a discernible "bump" true it, or get another cheap wheel if it's buckled

The back-tyre is fraying slightly along a two-inch strip just where the rim got indented (the tyre was new 5 months ago)

There is a 1/4 inch cut in the tyre from going over glassget a new tyre

The lowest gear does not work as it rubs against the spokes protector thingie adjustment required

The right handle end-stop is missing you mean the bar end plug - get a new one , they're very cheap.

so all you actually need to buy is a new tyre, a bar end plug, and possibly a new wheel, and then the only actual problems with it are that it's a bit rusty.

 

[John the Monkey]

It was a 2nd hand jobbie anyway when I bought it (sirrus specialized: £250).

By chuff, £250 is a fair bit of cash to just let gently decay though...

 

[fossyant]

so all you actually need to buy is a new tyre, a bar end plug, and possibly a new wheel, and then the only actual problems with it are that it's a bit rusty.

Yep - spot on... not much really..... no need to make mountain problems out of a mole hill - then again...he's probably trying to justify getting another bike - we'd all say fix the current one AND get another bike....

I've got terminal rear mudguard failure on the commuter - big snap right through it, slapped some evostick on it, if it doesn't work, I might just have to ride one of the road bikes into work, and really scare the commuters of South Manchester........ until I bolt the guard together.....

 

[John the Monkey]

I've got terminal rear mudguard failure on the commuter - big snap right through it, slapped some evostick on it, if it doesn't work, I might just have to ride one of the road bikes into work, and really scare the commuters of South Manchester........ until I bolt the guard together.....

Yikes! Have mercy Fossy

 

[historyman]

I've just been through this. Having short flat(tish) commutes in London I bought the cheapest new bike in Simpsons Cycles (Camden) 2005 January sale, a Falcon Routier, for £127. I used it for 3 years, maybe 4000 miles, treated it fairly badly, sold it for £11 on ebay. In that period I spent maybe £200 on equipment (lock, helmet, pannier, gloves, lights, clips), all of which I have kept, and had only one puncture and replaced the brake pads once.
Have just upgraded to a Giant CRS bought on ebay for £120 (good 2ndhand) + £45 accessories (pedals, rear carrier). Already a much faster ride.
I feel bad about not having serviced the original bike beyond its 3 years (but glad the guy that bought it knew his stuff and will straighten it out, it is in a fairly similar state to User1314's). Still, I couldn't've got my 4000 miles much cheaper. Or could I?

 

[Tynan]

how hard is HARD?

whadja do it with?

 

[PBancroft]

Am just giving my bike a bit of TLC too. A little rust issue which I'm mildly concerned about (it spent winter outside, not my choice) which I need to look into, but other than that, some new tyres and a bit of spit and polish and it feels like a new beast.