CaptainMalick98

Hi guys, i'm just starting the cycling merit badge in boy scouts, and i need a new bike. I wanted to get this:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...liberty_cx.htm
,but i don't even have the money for that. I do have an old mtb, but it's so broken, it's not even funny and it would cost too much to repair, so my last option was to look for used bikes. I found a 25 lbs hybrid with alivio 24 spd for 150 bucks, so im buying it to have a bike in time. This bike actually has a pretty decent frames, and average wheels, and it's not even old. It's a 2009 model.

Now the problem is, my dad and i are saving up to get a new bike for around 400 dollars. I know i can't get much for that price, but hey, i just don't have the money. Anyways, once i've saved up 400 dollars i can get the bikes direct bike, or i can use the $150 hybrid, and replace the entire drivetrain, and get drop bars.

Specifically, this is what i had in mind:

Generic triple crankset ---------------------> Nashbar Compact Road Crankset

Generic square tapered BB -----------------> Nash ISIS BB

8s Flat Bar Shifters ------------------------> Nashbar Microshift 10s Shifters

8s cassette -------------------------------> 105 10s 12-27 Cassette

Flat Bars ----------------------------------> 3T Ergosum Road Handlebars

7/8s Chain --------------------------------> Nashbar 10s Chain

MicroShift R438 ---------------------------> Nashbar 10s Front Derailleur

Alivio 8s Rear Derailleur---------------------> Nashbar Microshift 10s Rear Derailleur


All this along with a bit of handlebar tape, for a grand total of just over $400 dollars. The bike that would make is obviously much better than what i could get on BD for the same price, and apparantly, this "Nashbar/Nashbar Microshift"stuff is equal to, if not better than 105. I also compared their stats, and they seem to be lighter than 105 as well, so the result of this plus the hybrid frameset and wheels would result in an awesome 105 level cyclocross bike (what i want so i can ride both on road, and do single trails with my friends.

So what do you guys think? Also, chances are i'll upgrade the chromoly forks to carbon fiber, eventually, and i'll also probably end up getting a carbon seatpost and a lightweight set of wheels, but then again, i woul'nt find that on any bike under 800(on BD)

To conclude, my 2 options are:
-Get a new low spec'd 400 dollar cyclocross bike from BD
-Upgrade the hybrid into a med-high end cyclocross bike for 400 dollars.

Which of the two options would you pick, and why? Thank you

canam73

Plan C: Skip the hybrid and keep looking for a different used bike. For $150 you should be able to find something that rolls and already has drop bars on a frame with geometry appropriate for them along with gearing that is closer to what you want. You can either ride that as is and save for a complete bike or go ahead with what should be a shorter upgrade path.

CaptainMalick98

That option was actually my first, but i couldn't find any bikes with drop bars that rolled and weren't under about 200. The best i found of that so far was a steel 10 speed 1980 bike, that didn't have much in the way of upgrade-ability. The hybrid i'm getting is this one: https://2009.fujibikes.com/LifeStyle/...bsolute30.aspx It looks like with drop bars, it would make a decent cyclocross/touring/ endurance road bike. The main reason i want to upgrade this one is because it's so cheap. I just can't find many decent bikes on cragslist for under about 500 dollars where i live, and even then, they end up having sora/2300 type of stuff. While thats not horrible and it gets the job done, people are always saying to start off with 105 level or higher. Even it that isn't true, i think i start to consider myself a frequent biker. I bike nearly everyday with my friends now for 10-25 miles, and am also starting to do longer organized rides. While a craigslist road bike would be nice, even if it was upgradeable, I wouldn't be able to bike trails and stuff. These are the main reasons i didn't choose a road bike on cragslist. If only i had more cash.....

SlimRider

Go with the $150 hybrid rebuild. It'll be a really good learning experience for both you and your dad.

Find a bicycle co-op nearby for assistance.

Good Luck!

a1penguin

That's not a bad hybrid for $150. Hybrids are never light bikes; 24 lb hybrid is pretty light. If the bike is in good condition, you can get many miles out of it. Generally converting flat bar bike to road bars is very expensive. It's not a matter of replacing bars, but requires new shifters and most likely new derailleurs. On an inexpensive 25lb bike, it's not going to be worth it.

If you get the hybrid, you can always resell it on CL, possibly for almost as much as your purchased it. Finding a bike on CL takes patience and time.

SlimRider

Bicycle co-ops generally have many spare components from which to pilfer. These spare parts will reduce your expenses tremendously, if your co-op is anything like the Bike Kitchens of California.

Join a bicycle co-op and commence your rebuild under the auspices of veteran bicycle mechanics.

CaptainMalick98

Lol, sadly, the bike got sold. This isn't too bad, because i found a tiagra equipped 27 speed bike, with light weight wheels, for 200 bucks... I guess it hasnt been sold because its really small, too small for like anyone, but im guessing i could get it, get a cyclocross frame and have just the bike i want (have a spare set of tektro cantis). Only problem would be having to ride a undersized bike for the first ride or 2, but thats fine by me. Should i go for it?

SlimRider

No! You should never buy or ride an undersized bike! What a waste of money that would be! You should only let your dad make these kinds of decisions...

Good Luck!