schmere

I would like to show everyone the bike I worked on this past summer. It's an SR that I'm guessing was built in the 80's. Bought it for $45 as a project bike. Though I have ridden bikes all my live this was my first real hands-on experience with bikes and learned a **** ton. When I bought it, it looked like this:











So I put a little bit of work and money into it and now it looks like this:









I'm to the point now that I either want to put more money into it to

1. Keep and upgrade it
2. Keep it, put gears back on it, and buy something else (some budget fixed gear like a Kilo tt)
3. Sell it and buy something else like a Kilo tt

When the weather is nice I use it a lot to get around campus and I go on some longer rides every now and then. If I kept it, it probably wouldn't get used much, so right now I'm leaning towards options 1 and 3. What is SSFG's opinion? And don't give me the ole "just do whatever you want blah blah" crap. Oh, and I have about $150 into it so far.

Scrodzilla

Are we talking a metric **** ton or a standard American **** ton???



I think you did a decent job for $150 spent. The frame looks cool as well. Is it heavy? Personally, I would keep it and buy a something like a Kilo.

schmere

I think weighs around 22 lbs, which I know isn't that light, but weight isn't a huge issue for me. Just riding around campus I don't feel like I should be worrying about weight.

Scrodzilla

I was just curious. If it's not a boat anchor, I'd keep it around for a while.

schmere

How much do you think I could get for it?

RoboIsGod

ehh if you put work into it and like the bike keep it. you probably won't get what you want for it, and if it was some sort of 'gateway' bike, it probably has some sentimental value to you.

perusing upgrades for that bike won't be worth it. maybe if it was a bit nicer of a frame i'd say go for it, but the fact that it had stem mounted shifters tells ya something.

if it were me, i'd keep it and throw some gears on it or just keep it a single speed. have it be your back up/rainy day/longer ride bike. with the money you would spend on upgrading it, save a bit more and buy a decent entry level track bike (kilo, windsor, motobecane etc). from there you can go to town upgrading parts until your ready for a better frame.

schmere

What does having stem mounted shifters mean?

thirdgenbird

it means it was a lower end bike in its day.

it looks good though! if your wanting another ss or fixed bike i would save up and get a nice aluminum track frame and build it up as your "good" bike and keep this one, throw fenders on it, and keep it for poor weather.

what size is it and where are you?

hairnet

That's a good idea. It's a nice looking bike but it won't be as much a theft magnet some of the track bikes and road bikes that might be around campus. Hey, if it gets stolen you didn't lose much did you?

schmere

No idea what size it is. I go to Michigan State University

thirdgenbird

ah, thats too bad. if you were closer i would offer you some cash for it. it looks like it may fit my girlfriend (she wants a ss)

RoboIsGod

thirdgenbird is right about the stem shifters, but i'd have to disagree about getting an aluminum frame. for your applications, i'd suggest staying with steel. steel will provide a more forgiving ride than aluminum. aluminum, although generally stiffer, will give you a harsher ride especially on rough roads. as a general rule, i'd say aluminum is more for the track and steel for the road. aluminum frames are going to generally be more expensive than steel too.

thirdgenbird

i was just recommending aluminum if he kept hit current bike as well. then he can have a fast, fun, light bike and one that is smooth, cheap, and reliable for the daily grind.

i am a big steel fan (i ride and 853 road bike) but i have grown to like some of the aspects of a stiff aluminum frame. i wouldnt have my fg be any other way.