Originally Posted by
Amesja
Going from a cottered to cotterless is not a cheap or easy endeavor.
Doesn't matter any more. the original crank/bb are gone. He needs to replace it with something.
Originally Posted by
Amesja
The whole cost of messing with what really wasn't broke and just needed adjustment pretty much almost will cost more than the bike is worth if all the labor is done by one's self and a person has the specialty bike tools (or access to). Talk about getting upside-down on a budget bike. A whole new(used) bike from a coop would have been cheaper and the real issue (that rear derailleur) hasn't even been addressed nor has the general state of tune of that bike even been looked at.
Check my previous posts - #3 and #8. "Worth" was addressed early on, and as soon as pictures were posted it was apparent (at least to me
) that this bike was a basket case and needed a complete overhaul. I compiled a short bullet list in post 8 as to what I saw that needed attention, including the RD.
From a financial standpoint, it makes zero sense for someone without the tools, knowledge, or spare parts availability to rehabilitate a bike that has very little tangible value. But the OP has expressed a desire to resurrect this particular bike for personal reasons, so that's that.
You are right - he would be much better served by spending less than half of what he is planning to spend on this bike, on another bike of better build quality and in better repair. He doesn't want to - he wants this bike.