kenmore63

Hello. This is my first post on this site so here it goes.

I have an early 2000's Schwinn (department store) mountain bike that I bought new (it was the cool bike to have at the time).

I left it parked for a few years and as of last summer I have been getting back into riding again. However, now I am discovering that a lot of components are worn out and in need of replacement. I am planning on getting a new bike (as I am finding that this bike is a bit small for me and is impractical for my needs), however, because of some uncertainty's with my job, I am holding off for a year or so. So now I have a problem.

I have a bike that is un-rideable. The repair costs would be more than the value of the bike. But, if I don't do something I am not going to be riding bike this year at all.

As a cost effective alternative, I am considering getting an older (90's style) mountain bike and using the parts from my existing bike to do some modest upgrades. I have attached a pic of the one I am looking at. It looks in pretty sweet condition and the price is right too. This would cost a fraction of what fixing my existing bike would.

Would this be a smart move or am I just being nostalgic for an older, simpler bike.

D1andonlyDman

If you're comfortable doing the work yourself, and comfortable evaluating the condition of used bikes, then I would say your plan is a good one. Decent older hard-tail MTBs like the one you showed are pretty easy to find on Craigslist for under $100 if you're patient and know what you're looking for. For example, last year I bought a 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport that had two flat tires, but otherwise was in good shape, for $50, plus $10 for two inner tubes.

GravelMN

Older, rigid steel MTBs make great all around bikes but if it is in good condition ride it as is. I can't see any way that moving parts from a big box bike that is "worn out" onto an older but higher level bike would be any improvement. As the previous poster stated, you should be able to find a 1990s MTB in good condition for under $100. Old 3 x 7 drivetrains are pretty inexpensive to keep in good working order and parts are still readily available. For example, I recently replaced broken twist shifters on a 1990s Trek hybrid with Shimano Tourney trigger shifters. Both shifters with cables cost $12.99 with free two-day shipping on Amazon. Very entry level but they work great and are reasonably durable.

Attempts to "upgrade" with parts from the Schwinn will likely end up in a bodge at best. I would only do a parts swap if the part on the older MTB was broken and the Schwinn had an appropriate replacement in good working order.

Retro Grouch 

"Help, I don't know what to do."

One of the most important functions of your first bike is to help you to figure out what you want in your next bike. As you've already figured out, size matters.

Buy the best bike that you can afford now and ride it around, just as it is, for awhile. If you find something about it that you hate, and you think that a part from the old Schwinn will make it better, change it. If you find that you just like tinkering with bikes, change everything - it's your bike.

FBinNY 

Since you say the one you have isn't suited to your needs anyway, don't spend on it. If the one you're thinking of buying is in decent shape buy it and ride it as is instead of doing any wholesale replacements form the Schwinn. If there's a single part that breaks or won't work right, you can use the Schwinn as a donor. But you might be better off selling the Schwinn for whatever you can get and using that to fund repairs on the replacement.

Also, whether fixing the old one, or doing some needed work on a newly bought used bike, a bike co-op can be your best resource. Check for one in your area.

VegasTriker

You can't really see much in the picture you provided but from a cursory look the bike doesn't seem to need much improvement.

I'd look for a lightly used bike that just needs a bit of TLC like lubrication, adjusting, and perhaps replacing any really old rubber parts like tires and brake pads.

16 Tons

You didn't say what kind of riding you'll be doing. If it's all road, then I'd suggest a road bike instead of the mountain.

Maelochs

Whatever else you do, Buy a Bike that Fits.

Go to Craigslist or any local cycle-selling sites and find exactly what you are talking about ... an older (no need to go to the '90s, as that 2006 Hardrock story proves) rigid MTB in decent shape. Forget the Schwinn .... if you buy a bike with worse components than a big-box Schwinn you have wasted your money. Save the wheels and tires from the Schwinn and leave the rest wherever it is (you can probably use the wheels and tires in case you damage the ones on the newer bike.)

There are tons of serviceable but not particularly attractive bikes out there for people who really want to ride, not just pose ... perfectly good bikes with a couple decades of life left in them, that get left behind because people always want the Latest and Greatest. You could ride perfectly good $50 bikes for the next five years and never feel that the bikes were holding you back.

i'd recommend getting one decent bike and as time passes, snatch up any $15-$35 used-up bikes with decent components... that can be a great way to get parts Way cheaper than going to the bike shop. And that way you can be riding one, have one waiting, and be working on another so that if some part breaks you can hop on the next bike and get where you need to be, and when you get home go through the parts bin and find a replacement.

I kept riding for years for less money than most people spend on a saddle and a set of tires ... slight exaggeration but not much.

I commuted for years on bikes most people would laugh at ... but they all ran well. The decals on the down tubes didn't seem to slow them down at all ... and the parts could have been scavenged from any of a dozen different bikes. Meanwhile I saved up and bought pretty good older bikes at yard sales, and kept saving and actually bought a couple nice bikes eventually.

All I cared about was being able to ride ... both to get where I needed to be and for the pure pleasure of riding.

You should have no trouble finding a decent ride that will last you as long as you need it to. Just be patient and when it shows up, grab it.

AlexCyclistRoch

FWIW, department store bikes are often made with non-standard components that are incompatible with 'decent' bikes found at a bike store. Also, chances are that nearly nothing from your department store bike is worth saving now, so don't get your hopes up.

fietsbob

If You Got a Bike Given to You Doing Anything would coat more than what you paid for the bike .

so you set up a self limiting Fallacy.

Maelochs

This.

I overlooked that you really never specify Why you want a rigid MTB. For road riding it will not be much more comfortable and will demand more effort. For off-road it will be okay for smooth packed earth and demand a lot of technique to go quickly over roots and ruts, and beat you up on really tough stuff.

Pick the tool for the job ... so, what jobs did you have in mind?

kenmore63

This year I will be using it mostly for commuting. Most of the ride to work is packed gravel bike path. Next year will be different. My work is changing locations and I may or may not be changing positions. Which means it will be a longer commute on mostly pavement or strictly recreational riding (hence the holding off on buying new)

I was leaning towards the older style mtb because I want something with rigid fork and preferred steel construction. Also, something that would handle well on the gravel path. Something relatively good quality for under $100. I don't care how mountain capable it is. There isn't anything remotely resembling a mountain within 100 miles from here. And I'm not about to go look for one.

16 Tons

Looking at the bike you posted, it seems it's more of a hybrid than a mountain bike. They used to sell those to people who who were on the fence about road riding or mountain. Probably millions of those sold , rode for two weeks , then just parked in the garage or put up for sale because they don't do either very well.

exmechanic89

^^This is very important.

And as others have said, find something used on CL and you should be good to go. I'd probably toss the Schwinn or give it away.

kenmore63

Picked up that Nishiki yesterday for $80. Despite the age, the bike was in fantastic shape. All the bearings are tight, no funny noises. Not a spot of rust.

Went over the bike today to see what it needed to be ride worthy. Adjusted seat and handle bars. Adjusted brakes. That's it. Took it for a rip around the block, the bike rides beautiful. Looks like I'm riding to work tomorrow.

Now all that's left to do is decide what to do with the ol' Schwinn. Thanks for the input everyone. You were a great help.