Refurb my bike or get a new one..?

[smallfish]

I am trying to work out whether to refurbish or replace my much loved, (but not very well looked after) bike...It's a Genesis Day 0 - Flat bar road bike. Need to keep cost as low to be worthwhile - but I don't want to put rubbish components on - so i am thinking of removing front mech to make 8 speed and budgeting: 2 x wheels (£75)Cassette (£20)Brake levers (£25)Gear Shifter (£25)Derailleur (£30)Chain/cables/brake blocks/Tyres/Tubes (£75) Not sure about bottom bracket - seems OK but will need checking.

Do those figures look reasonable? - and am I mad to consider spending that much (£250 plus plus labour to put it all together) When the bike only cost me £200 - and I could just get a new bike via cycle to work...

Any thoughts welcome - at the moment heart says refurb - head says new bike!

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I have had this dilemma, althogh money wasn't quite so much of an issue. In the end, I decided to buy a pretty good new bike, even though I didn't have access to Cycle-to-Work. I've kept my old bike, though, and will refurbish it myself when I have the time and money.

With the Cycle-to-Work scheme, I think you might find it hard to beat the new bike option.

 

[Moodyman]

If the frame is nice and fits you well, then it's definitely worth keeping it going.

£250 will get you decent components if you buy smartly.

You won't get an equivalent bike new for £250.

 

[smallfish]

Ha - You two have pretty much summed up the 2 sides of my dilemma!


except i don't know if my frame is 'nice' I just know that it suits me!


And factoring in Cycle 2 work scheme and labour i reckon it's £300 to refurb/upgrade vs a £500 new bike


But even at that price... i have had a look at what I could buy and the first bike I like the look of is a Ridgeback Flight 01 - which is £529 and pretty much the same spec as what I have now (down to having the same brake levers which annoy me cos they feel cheap and they rattle!)

I could definitely get better components.


So as long as there is nothing major wrong with the bits i plan to keep - refurb is winning!

 

[KenG]

If you really like the bike,quality components can be picked up very cheap now by browsing some of the well known cycle sites. I had a similar dilemma with my 1995 Kona Hahanna, not the best Kona model but my first "real" mountain bike and i didn't want to part with it,we'd seen a lot together!, I eventually stripped and rebuilt it, best move i ever made, and it didn't cost me that much.

 

[fossyant]

You don't need to re-furb, you need to look after your kit, and replace when necessary. The bike you have is fine - replace the worn bits.

My bike will need two new rims before winter - £45 each. Will most likely do this myself (a first) as I'm good at truing wheels, but add in a full shop rebuild it's like 2 times the price I can get the rims and a jig for.

I'd say, give your bike some TLC !