Would it be more cost effective to fix my current bike or buy a new one? I would be using it on a daily basis

Question

I have an 18 speed mountain bike that is over 15 years old. I left it at home when I left for college and it wasn't very well cared for while I was away. I know the frame is still in good condition, but everything else needs to be replaced (worst case scenario). Due to gas prices and the close proximity of my work I am looking into either buying a new bike (road bike, or hybrid) or fixing my current one (it has sentimental value, and is a perfect fit for my frame). I am 4'9" so it has been on the difficult side to find a bike that I can comfortably handle. The bike would be used on a daily basis, at least 15-20 miles a day and would only be stored away during rainy weather (which is less than 3 months out of the year). So I am wondering if it would be worth it to just fix my current bike or just buy a good quality bike. I am currently living in a bike town and people tend to go through at least three bikes (lower quality) a year due to use.

Answer 1

Keep the bike.  Call me crazy but I can't let a good bike go and they are all worth hanging on to if they've served you well.  I too had an old MTB that I neglected for over 10 years.  I slapped some new street tires, rims and hubs on that bad boy and made myself a sweet commuter bike.  With the money I am saving on gas I am slowly getting old components repaired and replaced.

I had to drop about 200 bucks initially to get going but you can't buy a decent ride for that amount.  Get the tune up at the local bike shop and develop a rapport with the service department.  Later on... when you are racking up the savings you can set your sights on your dream ride...

And even then you may still take old reliable around town.  Do you really want your dream bike locked to a street post or tossed around on a bike rack?  No!  Your sweet bike is for you, old reliable is practical transportation.

Anyway just my 2 cents.  I personally believe you can never have too many bikes.  If you don't fix her up she's just junk in your garage.  I ride 16 miles a day year round in Portland, OR.  I work downtown and I figure by riding I am actually saving about $600 a month.

I don't have a car payment, insurance, gas, parking... and I definitely don't need a gym membership!

Answer 2

I use older bikes myself and I tend to fix what I have. The big issue for me is coming up with a big chunk of cash. I can do small chunks of cash every week all year long. My rule is buy the best you can get for what you have to spend and then fix or upgrade what you can.

You know a set of cables, brake pads, tires/tubes, chain is not going to run you as much as a new ride. Plus if you do it yourself you're not paying a wrench to fix something you can learn or follow directions from Park Tools or Jim Langley's site.

Answer 3

I recommend you install new (not knobby) tires and new tubes; also new brakes for the old bike.  Also a new shifter wire for the rear cogs. You can still get a new bike if the commute experience on the upgraded bike doesn't meet your needs.

Answer 4

i would reccomend getting a new bike.

although you can restore the old one, it may start to wear in the future. 15 years is a long time and even though there is no visable danger an old frame is way more likely to break than a new one.

it will also probably look a lot better and be much lighter than one of those old skinny steel frames. a new bike also saves you the trouble of picking out all the new parts. it is also sometimes expensive to get the parts installed

Answer 5

It's a lot of time and effort never mind the financial costs so the question is do you have the inclination or expertise to virtually reconstruct an entire bike. Also while the frame might appear superficially to be in good condition metal fatigue due to corrosion  would be a possibility on such an old bike and it may not be apparent when you inspect it. I would suggest that your best option might be to look for a new bike.