+1 Your budget is way off. You can buy a basic cable and housing kit at Walmart for $6. Or go with something a little better for about $10 (I'd recommend something better, shift cables and housings made for indexed shifting). I pay less than $2 each for stainless cables. You need to shop more, spend less.

+1 That stem needs to go. My cable cutters cost about $40, but they are high end. For more occasional use, the Spin Doctor cutters sold at Nashbar are fine. I used the Spin Doctor cutters for a couple of years before I finally upgraded. As far as spending on tools in general, it depends how much bicycle work you are going to do. If you just have two bikes, then I would get the bare minimum.

Stand over height is not the end all as far as bike sizing. In fact, for someone with short legs for their height, its a really lousy sizing guide. (I have really short legs too). Google bike sizing and top tube length, and you can get all the information you ever dreamed of on sizing. For me, I have zero standover, but that gives me a long enough top tube to compensate for my long torso and arms.


I think that bike is very likely a 21 inch size. Just put a tape measure to it and you will know for sure.

Don't forget to service the wheel, headset and bottom bracket bearings. That bike is 23 years old, and the bearings have probably not seen service in years (if ever). Replace bearings, don't reuse. I buy bearings for 2 cents each.