powerdrill

Greeting Everyone!

I've been going through this site and I have found alot of new things about my bike- stuff i wish i knew before i bought it two years ago. I bought it for 100 dollars. All over the internet I am finding people buying this bike for 10- 15 dollars, and I am punching myself in my face for being so naive. Anywayyy the past is the past. When i bought it off of craigslist it was in OK shape. The rear brakes did not work but i figured eh! doesn't matter. I left it out in the rain the chain rusted and the wheels became flat and crunchy (for lack of a better term). I do not want to go to a shop because I read here that shops do not look twice- not even once- at bikes like this, and when they do they overcharge. I am A COMPLETE NOVICE when it comes to bikes- or fixing anything for that matter. I do not even own a phillip's screwdriver!!! But i am determined to do this. Sand down the frame repaint it in the cheapest way possible.
I know the best thing to do is cut my losses and get a new bike, but i love road bikes ( hate cruisers), and older bikes are the only thing in my budget. I've been thrift shop hunting but I have not seen anything worth buying, So can anyone help me fix my bike? Thank You
looks exactly like this not
https://oldtenspeedgallery.com/owner-.../#.UcEJmPm2Yng

GordoTrek

step 1 sheldon brown... step 2.. youtube videos.... i would think twice about sanding and painting, i would get it working in rideable condition, get your gearhead knowledge up before you do something drastic, you can always go back and repaint later, also if you strip it and get stuck, it may never get reassembled, thus killing your bike,
find a local coop, start volunteering and see if they can help you with your bike,
you could probably get cheap tires on amazon, also keep an eye out on CL for a bike that you really want... and find your budget

mparker326

$100 isn't terrible for that bike. Doesn't sound like you take good care of bikes anyway so the Sprint sounds perfect for what you are using it for. Buy a couple cheapo tires, tubes, and a new chain. Put them on your bike. Repeat in 5 years. Done.

Bianchigirll 

First I agree leave the paint alone. Unless you have several quarter or bigger sized spots making it look like a cheetah don't worry. Usually a good scrubbing and coat of good auto wax can do wonders for bike paint.

This is a great beginners bike to learn on, there is nothing tricky like index shifting, dual pivot or cantilever brakes. If you can change a flat on the car and get the Christmas lights working first time out you can get this bike running.

If you can't find a coop a posting on CL and a sixer of good Ale may help you find a willing teacher.

PlanoFuji

It seems Houston has a local (for Houston that could still mean quite a travel distance) co-op; https://www.workshophouston.org/

I would suggest contacting them and seeing if they can help.

wrk101

Driving to a co-op is cheaper than buying a bunch of tools. Plus you get free advice, and usually inexpensive parts.

Trade convenience (lack of) for cost (cheap).

powerdrill

Thanks a bunch you guys. I do take care of my things, but i sold it to my brother because it was very big for my short legs. Considering there were no brakes, my feet needed to at least touch the ground haha. He left it outside when i was in college, but in a city like new orleans (where i attend college), you really need a bike if you do not have a car. I had no idea co ops existed! I am so glad i came here.
TO GORDO TREK-who is sheldon brown?
The volunteer program suggested is very far from where i live though can anyone suggest clear youtube videos. The main problem is that the brakes look very complicated, different from the ones i see in youtube vidoes i have watched. And i am not completely sure why the back brakes do not work. The pads do not seem to squeeze together against the rim at all. they barely move when I squeeze the handle bars.

I am very sorry because i know nothing about bikes and i have a few questions that may seem stupid, but please bear with me.
the chain works in a weird s fashion around the gears, i am assuming it has somthing to do with the multiple speeds. This makes it hard to know how big/long the chain is. I also do not know what tires to get. if i google the size of the wheel along with "road bike tires" can i basically buy any tires i see?

Thank you very much

PlanoFuji

https://sheldonbrown.com/
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
https://bicycletutor.com/

Even though the co-op is a distance from you, it is a well worthwhile trip. The availability of the CORRECT tools, and in person technical assistance to learn how to do it right is invaluable. Baring the co-op many bike stores such as REI, and local bike shops will also offer for pay classes that are pretty cheap and a good idea if the co-op isn't possible.