karrr

left it with friends... you know the story.

anyways, at what level should i stop putting money into it and just purchase a used, working condition roadbike?
-gear cable snapped, chain needs replacing, everything needs tightening, just replaced a spoke and i noticed that the wheels need proper truing, break cables frayed and need to be replaced asap, sleeves for gears and brakes needed, paint job on the bike is poor (but it doesn't affect my riding--it just brings the value down i suppose), brakes on handle bars hanging,

anyways, it's my first time having to fix a bike this much, and i'm not in the know so i'm here. took it to a bike store for appraisal, and i'd like to learn how to do the work myself which would take awhilel being novice, but i want to ride my bike NOW that it's sunny out in WA.

i guess my question is: how much paying to fix is over the value of a fixed up fugi allegro with unpristine paint?

toThinkistoBe

You should definitely fix it. You can get some cables very cheap, and Sheldon can help with the installation.

A working bike is priceless.

What size is it?

Retro Grouch 

What are you trying to accomplish?

If your goal is to learn bicycle mechanics, this would be an excellent project because it sounds to me like you're going to work on almost every part of this bike.

If you're looking for a bike to ride, a little looking around should yield a bike in better condition that will cost less than the parts that are needed to bring this one up to standard.

toThinkistoBe

Cables -- $8 ($4x2)
Chain -- $11
Spoke Wrenches -- $7

+S&H of $7.75
Grand Total of $34

I'm not sure what you mean by, "brakes on handle bars hanging." Do they need to be replaced or tightened?

If the they need to be replaced:
Brakes -- $20
Bar Tape -- $7

+S&H $9.25
For a total of $62 - 10% off (APR44--expires after sunday the 6th) = $56

You're probably going to spend $100-$150 getting a used bike of similar quality (from a few quick craigslist searches -- you may be able to find something at a yard sale or thrift store for cheaper). And the used bike may or may not need some of the minor things replaced as this bike needs.

Retro Grouch 

"Just replaced a spoke (on a 27" wheel) and the wheels need a good trueing." You're an optomist if you think you're going to be able to fix them with a spoke wrench.

toThinkistoBe

I'm no expert, but I was able to true my wheel that was completely unrideable, with no prior experience whatsoever, to nearly perfectly true. If the wheel just needs to be trued, I don't see how you would need anything more than a spoke wrench. Sure a truing stand would be nice, but not necessary. On the other hand, you could take the wheel to your LBS and ask the mechanic about it. You could also take advantage of Sheldon's wealth of knowledge (#1 #2). You may be able to get a used wheel for pretty cheap from your LBS, if it comes to that.


If you decide you want to replace the bike, let me know what size it is, I may be interested.

Retro Grouch 

Exactly! But a 25 year old wheel that has started breaking spokes almost surely needs more than "just to be trued".

The trick to working on old bicycles is knowing when not to start on one. Once you start spending money, it gets real hard to quit. There are so many bicycles hanging unused in garages that have under 100 total miles on them. The only trick is to find them.

toThinkistoBe

Ok, I concede. OP, I'll give you $20 for that piece of junk.