New drivetrain or new bike?

[marshmella]

Hi folks, it looks like my trusty Giant Rock mtb needs a new drive-train, the LBS is talking around the £100+ mark with fitting, the question is whether to have the repair or buy a new bike?
Common sense would suggest putting the money towards a new bike; i know there are some savings to be had at the moment on 2011 stock, but coming just after Christmas, money's tight.

The Giant's served me well for the last 3 years commuting, i hasten to add that i bought it just before i discovered cyclechat, so i have since learned that it might not have been the best bike for my commute of towpath/road, still having said that it was my first proper decent(ish) bike and got me hooked on cycling.The bikes done around 4,500-5000 miles on the original drive train, I'm not too sure if that's good, bad or average. So any advice on what to do would be appreciated.Thanks.

 

[PpPete]

A whole new drive train? Cassette & chain I can understand, but a bike at that price would have had a steel chainset that shouldnt wear out like a more expensive aluminium one ?

 

[marshmella]

A whole new drive train? Cassette & chain I can understand, but a bike at that price would have had a steel chainset that shouldnt wear out like a more expensive aluminium one ?

Cheers for the swift reply, i'm hoping that i can get away without replacing the chainset. at the moment i've only got a rough estimate on price which i got when i nipped into the LBS (without bike) going to take it in Friday for a proper quote.

 

[biggs682]

more expense , just what you need , but + 1 on PpPetes comments

 

[fossyant]

Steel chainsets take a long time to wear - even alloy does, but the LBS is just quoting on what you said. Chain and cassette it sounds, and new cables I'd say.

PS don't ask on here about new bits or new bike. The answer is repair AND get a new bike !

 

[simon.r]

A few other options that you could consider:

a) Buy the parts you need and fit them yourself. You'd save on labour costs, but may need to spend a bit on specialist tools. You could probably buy the parts cheaper online than at your LBS (moral dilemma time)

b) Sell the bike as it is and use the money generated towards a new bike. You can be honest about the condition, it'll be worth what it's worth.

c) Buy a cheap secondhand bike that's not been used much, strip it for parts and then sell the bits you don't need. In my experience you can actually make a small profit on this, but you do need to know what you're doing (especially knowing what parts are compatible with what). Probable only worth considering this if you'd enjoy it as it can be very time consuming and is full of potential problems.

Personally I'd dig deep and get a new (or new secondhand) bike, but I'm not you!

 

[Nigeyy]

Well let's face it, if you paid for parts and labour at a bike store, it is the expensive way to go.

If it was me, I'd buy the parts online and fit them myself -however I have all the tools and a work place (cellar with bike stand and tools etc) and have done it many times so it's a no brainer.

However, assuming you are not mechanically inclined, don't have a place to work on it or don't want to spring for the tools necessary upfront (which can add a substantial cost):

1. If you want a new bike and can afford it, get a new bike and sell or donate the old one.
2. If you are short of money and even if you want a new bike, replacing the drivechain bits is still going to be less than a new and similarly specced new bike (this is a way of saying don't live beyond your means
or of course
3. If you see a really really excellent bargain (in this case I'd think it would be a used bike or else I'd be suspicious) and it's less than the replacement and labour costs of the drivechain, do that.

FWIW, I've never ever regretted learning about bikes and being able to completely strip them down, build wheelsets and reinstall any component. I've equipped my bike toolkit bit by bit -sometimes it's nice knowing that so long as you have a decent frame you can do anything to it in a timely fashion for a lot less money.

 

[marshmella]

Cheers again for the replies.
Fosssyant: great idea but don't think i could get it by Mrs Marshmella.

Simon r, and Nigey y , yes been thinking about doing the repairs but i've been quoted £20 labour and I'm guessing the tools I'd need are more than this. Parts-wise the prices at the LBS don't seem too bad, anyway i've taken it in now so he 'll let me know if its worth repairing.If it turns out to be beyond economic repair(which is likely as it only cost £200 new) i'll have to save a bit of cash for something decent.Think I'll keep the frame though.

 

[Nigeyy]

Well just for future, and if you have an interest in doing bike mechanicky stuff (and some people don't, and that's fine) and a place to do it, now would have been a great time to start. Assuming you only need to replace your rear cassette and chain, and aside from the new parts, you only need a cassette removal tool, an old chain (or the proper chain sprocket tool, though you really don't need it if you have an old chain about), a screwdriver to adjust your rear der, and a chain link tool (even with "power links" with SRAM chains that can be taken apart by hand, you usually still need to shorten the chain to fit your bike).

Anyway, point is, I think for probably very little more money than the LBS will be asking you for (or possibly even less), you can start equipping yourself to do your own mechanic stuff. Anyway, good luck with the outcome, hope it's a good one!

Parts-wise the prices at the LBS don't seem too bad, anyway i've taken it in now so he 'll let me know if its worth repairing.If it turns out to be beyond economic repair(which is likely as it only cost £200 new) i'll have to save a bit of cash for something decent.Think I'll keep the frame though.