Bought a used Schwinn DelMar bike and am trying to decide what to do with it. The handlebar stem is seized up in the tube and the wheels are not in good shape. I am thinking that by the time I buy new wheels, seat, stem (and the pain of getting the old one out) and tires I would be better off just starting with a new one. I know I should have thought this through before I picked this bike up. :-)

Ideas?

when I started I made the mistake of building bikes from used bikes and wound up with a big mish-mash in my basement of working and semi working bikes that I had to eventually clear out. you might be better off going to a used bike clearance house / bike exchange /used bike shop, etc and buy something appropriate for yourself that is ride ready and give them what you have

this is the place I was remembering and should give you an idea. where do you live?
https://www.cambridgeusedbicycles.com/

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cambr...es-cambridge-2

Lone star state.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me.

lot's of Texans on the forums I believe. if you can narrow down your rough location like maybe city, that's a big state right? :-) then maybe some others in your area can point you to a shop or two. you can always fly up to Boston for a lobsta roll and used bike, but prob cheaper to stay local, right?

I'll be the contrarian.

More money, yes. But there is something DEEPLY satisfying about starting with this...








And after some rubbin, and sandin, and grindin, and bending, and polishing, then you get to pedal around on a bike that YOU tailored to YOUR tastes and needs instead of a generic "shelf" bike. Just my .02









Or taking a ratty old garage sale Heavy Duti and cleaning it up. Every single ride is a pleasure because your elbow grease and time saved it's life.

Good looking project bikes! I need to stay on the lookout for a view "diamonds in the rough" bikes to work on.

You already have one, the Del Mar. Give her a makeover.

A Schwinn Del Mar is a Walmart bike and not worth restoring to original instead try to find a older one in better condition that will be worth your time when your are finished. It's all frozen up because the high school kid that built it used the grease provided for his hair!

Pickings are slim around here but will continue the quest!

I don't know where you are in the great state of Texas but I just looked up bikes in Dallas/Ft.Worth and there was at least three bikes totally undervalued that I'd pull the trigger on right now. Make the bike you have be a tune up for your bike repair skills and use it for a bar beater or a grocery getter. Craig's List always has something interesting you just have to look and often.

Thanks for sharing the info and suggesting a strategy. I have taken a look at Craigslist and gone to a few local pawn shops. Just need some patience! I am in rural South Texas.

Just make it a habit. Part of your daily routine to check CL. And eventually you will score.

A couple years ago I was looking for a mid 1970s Scwhinn Varsity. Had to be mid 70s and it had to be the 26 inch frame.

Nothing for days. Then a small bike showed up, too far away. Nothing. Nothing. Wrong size. Too damaged. etc etc etc...

At about the three week mark look what popped up. A 1977, in the huge 26" size, 100% original, even the tires, only a 45 minute drive away. The bike was obviously ridden once, put in the garage, and it stayed there for ~40 years.

$100.00 SCORE!!








Some people would be mad at me for what I did to it. Off came all the original parts. Out came the grinder. Goodbye cable guides. Then I turned into the worlds tallest beach cruiser.

Nice looking bike! Love the color!! Thanks for the tip!

I have learned in the past to buy complete and working. Same goes with cars and motorcycles. If you plan on keeping it, it may be worth it or add up what you think it will cost and put that towards a better project