Punchy71

Greetings,
I just recently bought a used adventure/road bike hybrid. It happens to be a about a 2005 Cannondale Adventure 400 that the previous owner(s) have made significant changes to the bone stock configuration so that it no longer resembles the way it came from the factory when new. It's in pretty rough condition. The previous owner didn't take good or proper care of the bike and it needs a lot of work in order to bring it back to half-way decent and safe riding condition. The reason I bought it was because it was such a low price that I couldn't pass it up. It was only $50.
My question is this; how do you know when you're better off buying a whole new bike rather than try and restore a bike that needs a lot of work?
Thanks

fietsbob

If you want the latest components Buy New If you want to restore that one and not envy others with the latest 22 speed gears Do That.

Jadesfire 

Do you like riding it?
Does it fit you?
What work do you feel/know needs to be done on it?
Have you perhaps already found another bike that you like more?

Punchy71

It seems to fit okay (so far anyway), I haven't ridden it very much at all. Just a quick test fit and ride before I bought it is all.

Problems; where to start:
-the brake cables are rusty
-the brake pads need replaced
-the chain is filthy (in fact the whole drive train is filthy, grimy, dirty, nasty)
-there's rust and dirt around the rotating surfaces like crankset and hubs for instance

These are all mechanical problems that I see that affect the safety and mechical integrity of the bike, but the rest is cosmetic issues I suppose

General Geoff

So what you're saying is that it needs new brake pads and a good cleaning?

ypsetihw

My DB response comp was in the same condition, $50 from a local bike group acquaintance but badly beat up. I put new brake pads, did the best I could to lube the cables and refresh the drivetrain, gave her a thorough cleaning and some kenda kross tires for riding on the road. there was good off-road rubber on the bike, so I saved those for when I decide to get muddy. fenders, lights, and a trailer hitch, and I have myself a cheap decent winter bike/tourer.

my point is that I was able to do all my own labor and honestly a good lube/cleaning was all that was needed to make this bike more than ready to ride. I know what I bought and I know what it can, and more importantly, can't do. for $50, you literally can't go wrong, and if you make it passable you can probably quadruple your money on craigslist. if that's the case, fix her up, ride it for a while, and if you don't find a use for it, make some money.

if you don't do your own labor, then its probably not worth it. flip it on to someone else who will do something with it. you don't have to take a loss, but you won't make much.

Jadesfire 

Well, if you like the bike and are willing to do the work yourself, I'd say with ~$100 (probably less if you're a better bargain hunter than I am) and an afternoon in the garage could turn this into a decent ride. Clean it up, replace the cables and brake pads, and go ride. Probably check the tires, too.

I agree with ypsetihw. If you are uncomfortable doing the work or just want to have someone else do it, then you probably won't make any money off of it if you go to sell it. But honestly, what you are describing is not that hard to do on your own.

02Giant 

When you are on BF asking what you should do.

DorkDisk

Sounds pretty standard for any used bike. Every time I get one, they get torn down and rebuilt. New chains, pads, tires, and cables are the first things to go on. Usually all metal parts can be brought back to life and luster, and Al shows its advantages here. If the bike fits, and it makes no sense to buy one that doesn't fit, fix it