I hesitate to post this up here because everyone's situation is different, but I've got a dilemma. I can make decisions but I'd like to hear your opinions on this before I spend hundreds of pounds.
I use a late 1990s Gitane aluminium-framed MTB with rigid fork (steel or CroMo, not sure which) for commuting. It's getting tired and I don't know whether I should spend the money to refresh the parts or just buy a newer 2nd hand bike instead. It's got a fairly good groupset (Deore LX 24 speed): LX deraileurs (both), LX parallax hubs (both), LX cranks and chainset, LX cantilever brakes. Gripshift shifters which I'm luke-warm about.
It's on the original rims but they've pretty much had it. It'll need new rims soon, and a new drivetrain in the not-too-distant future. So, should I buy nearly-new wheels (£30? Is that feasible?), and then replace the drivetrain with a bundled mid-range groupset from somewhere like the Woolly Hat Shop (£130-ish for Acera) when the time comes? Good quality 8-speed groupsets seem hard to come by so I'd probably need to go 9-speed.
The Gitane frame and fork, as far as I know, are straight and true.
Ideally I'd fit V-brakes because I've heard they're easier to set up than cantis, but if I need to stick to cantis that's a compromise I'm OK with.
Or I can buy a 2nd hand bike (probably a hybrid), but I would still be getting something that's had a few years' wear and tear.
My budget is around £200 with some flexibility.
Any thoughts/advice?
I use a late 1990s Gitane aluminium-framed MTB with rigid fork (steel or CroMo, not sure which) for commuting. It's getting tired and I don't know whether I should spend the money to refresh the parts or just buy a newer 2nd hand bike instead. It's got a fairly good groupset (Deore LX 24 speed): LX deraileurs (both), LX parallax hubs (both), LX cranks and chainset, LX cantilever brakes. Gripshift shifters which I'm luke-warm about.
It's on the original rims but they've pretty much had it. It'll need new rims soon, and a new drivetrain in the not-too-distant future. So, should I buy nearly-new wheels (£30? Is that feasible?), and then replace the drivetrain with a bundled mid-range groupset from somewhere like the Woolly Hat Shop (£130-ish for Acera) when the time comes? Good quality 8-speed groupsets seem hard to come by so I'd probably need to go 9-speed.
The Gitane frame and fork, as far as I know, are straight and true.
Ideally I'd fit V-brakes because I've heard they're easier to set up than cantis, but if I need to stick to cantis that's a compromise I'm OK with.
Or I can buy a 2nd hand bike (probably a hybrid), but I would still be getting something that's had a few years' wear and tear.
My budget is around £200 with some flexibility.
Any thoughts/advice?