Hi,

I wasn't sure whether to post this here or in another one, but here goes:

A few months ago I decided to take up cycling for fun and fitness. On a low budget I somewhat hastily bought this Bianchi and had it serviced by my lbs. As you can see (if the pics are attached properly) It is quite low end; Weinmann brakes, Shimano components. Nevertheless it is quite smart, and I'm really taken by the classic steel frame aesthetics.

However, as I have been cycling more and more I realise there are some potentially expensive issues with this bike if it to be a more serious ride. I live in a very hilly part of England and require a compact crankset which this does not have (my intro to cycling has been tough). The brakes are poor. The wheels could be much better. Eventually it would be nice to have integrated shifters.

So my first question to you knowledgeable folks is: Is it worth the expense of any of these upgrades?

I realise now I might've been better off shelling out more for something modern to fit my requirements, so perhaps I ought to try and sell it to reclaim some money and find something better equipped. But then, I really do like the bike. Part of why I like cycling is for the equipment itself so I would miss it if I were to get something more up to date.

Speaking of aesthetics, as you can see, the paint is chipped all over the bike. There were some bubbly paint spots which I chipped away to treat the rust. My next question then, is what can I do with these bits of bare metal? I have been unable to find a colour to match, and given that there are large bits missing miss-matched paint would look very untidy. I'd rather stick with the chrome showing, what could I put on it to protect it from rust? Is there something I can coat the whole frame with? I did consider stripping and powder-coating (by a professional) but again, is it worth it?

I had thought it would be nice to modernise it a bit since it's not upmarket enough to restore, and that would give me chance to learn the mechanics myself. But with new parts and potentially new paint, could my money be better spent? (I already spent £120 on the bike itself then a service on top of that). One further complication - Eventually I'll be moving to the city, it could make a decent commuter.

I do believe money is well spent when it's spent on something useful and enjoyable, but still, to make a money pit out of a bike which would not be able to recuperate anything at all is probably unwise.

Thanks for your time

F.