Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Getting started is hard to do

Oh the trauma... I used to ride a lot, had an old Bianchi steel frame from '92 that I upgraded from shimano rx100 DT shifters to ultegra 9 speed STI. back in '98 or so.

Acquired an old merlin Ti frame 4 years ago, never rode it, and as a motivational present to myself for my 42nd b-day this year, I bought all new SRAM Force build kit and after a 7 year hiatus, 2 knee surgeries from getting hit by a car, 3 foot surgeries from general stupidity I'm gonna get BACK ON THAT BIKE!

So Saturday, I strip the Ti frame down and get stuck trying to remove the BB. It's a proprietary press fit thing, no possibility of using my shiny new carbon cranks, ever. Oops. So I take that bike to the LBS to get the bearings replaced (why not, it's stripped down already anyway) and decide to fire up the old gent... spend a good two hours cleaning, lubing... amazing how much dirt gets in there from sitting still in the garage for 7 years. Moved the cassette over to a new wheel set, pumped everything up and went for the maiden voyage.

Since I was just trouble shooting the rear shifter I did short laps near the house, no seat bag, no spare tubes, no pump etc. etc... the little lever is sticking to the large lever somehow and I thought maybe some use would loosen it up.

Wouldn't you know it, I flatted about a half mile from home and got to enjoy a nice evening stroll with my old bike. :lol:

I don't know why I'm such a glutton for punishment, it just feels like cheating to go buy a brand new, all put together and color matched everything bike. :rolleyes:

You can get flats on new bikes too. Besides, putting together a bike yourself means it won't look like anyone else's and you know everything about it. Throw a saddle bag and pump on, and get to riding. It's just as fun as it ever was.

sounds all too familiar. just do what everyone else does ... spend a ton of time and money getting this one just right then buy yourself a new one! :-)

sounds all too familiar. just do what everyone else does ... spend a ton of time and money getting this one just right then buy yourself a new one! :-)

Too funny... I like my old dogs though. I could see getting a new old frame, one with a freaking proper threaded BB shell!

yeah sounds cool:) i have an old 90's raleigh 531 and its not like anything around today i dont think:) problem is i don't ride it at the moment cos i sort of feel like an elephant on it. choose to cycle a mtb instead til i lose the weight enough to get back on the 531:) i recommend keeping your merlin, its not as if a new bike is better. you could also get it tuned in the lbs so they make it feel like new bike feels:)

I sympathize with the OP. It seems to be a common theme, one that I share, to have been a biker years ago, put it up and try to get back into it.

My own story is similar to the OPs. I used to do a ton of cross country riding on a few different bikes but ended up with a '96 stumpjumper. I also had a Jamis Aurora I liked to go camping with, both sat in the garage until last year when I got back into biking after getting fat. The bikes, while not trashed, needed serious tuneups and part changes. After a year fixing them up and riding them I decided that they just weren't cutting it. I don't want to spend the money changing parts on the Jamis (derailures, brakes, chain, tires and rear hub were pretty shot and didnt work0. The specialized's fork was not working anymore, still isn't, and the rear shifter was kaput which has been replaced. I got the bikes up to rideable condition but decided that I really wanted something newer and different. I just bought a Trek 7.5fx and I am quite happy with it.

I find working on bikes fun, I have many of the tools for it, but I really want one that is just put together and good to go now. I might just change the Aurora into a single speed.

Don't get me wrong, my wallet flaps open fast when it comes to buying components but looking at the price of new bikes gives me heart palpitations, especially those super high end ones. I was checking out the Helen's bike shop website (that was my LBS in Los Angeles before I moved) and holy cats! 10k for a bicycle! :twitchy:

10k is pretty darn high end. 1-2k can buy you a decent ride.

You bikes are angry from being left alone and are acting out. Ride them more often and they'll be happy and play nicer. Yeah, that's it.