I own three bicycles. I want to get them all to a usable state for me.

Bike #1: [Edit: I got it fixed ]

Bike #2 is a Dahon Boardwalk S1. While I was riding it, I got hit by a car. The front wheel was ruined [Edit: And the fork is actually pretty bent--perhaps it could be bent back into shape, since it's steel] I wonder if it's worth getting a new wheel and trying it out.

Bike #3 is an $80 single-speed beach cruiser with coaster brake and no front brake. I want to remove the coaster brake and add a front and rear brake to the handlebars, because when I got hit by the car on my Dahon it ruined my left leg, and so it's very hard to operate the coaster brake now. [Edit: This one isn't actually broken or anything, though]


Are these ideas reasonable, or am I going to put myself through too much work and expense to make them worthwhile? Should I just replace them? I don't want to spend more trying to fix these bikes than it would cost to just buy new ones.

Any advice is very appreciated.

Way too many variables on each bike to advise you easily and only you can decide what is too much work and expense. You are also the one to decide if you need three bikes or fewer. Pick one at a time and get a shop estimate on what it needs and how much it would cost. Then you can make an informed decision on what you want to tackle.

Bike #1 - What are the dropouts, this could complicate going to single speed, although still doable, don't count on it being too cheap, you will probably need a new crank, chainring, single speed conversion kit for the cassette (assuming it's a freehub) & chain tensioner, as well as a new chain.

Bike #2, unless you can get a new fork, and front wheel (Dahon use 70mm hubs / 20" rims, from memory, which can be hard to source) it's scrap; hopefully you got this replaced (the value of) by claiming on the drivers insurance?

Bike #3 - is is physically possible to do this? Does the frame have the necessary mounting points, are the wheel rim brake compatible? If they are, are they painted, or do they have a a braking surface?

Can't say from here.

A bicycle is a simple machine but the devil is in the details If we had pictures of all three bikes we could to make more informed judgments.

sell all 3........put additional money with the proceeds and buy a reliable used bike that fits you.

Advise: , Bike Shop. Someone that can see them 1st hand. Go Visit it.

bring them all or one at a time.

#1: Is the rear hub/gears interface a splined freehub/cassette or thread-on freewheel? See here for the difference.

If it's a cassette, you can get a single cog, several spacers, and a tensioner. If it's a freewheel, you can get a single-speed freewheel, then respace the axle, redish the rim (this is a more involved process and you may need the bike shop for it), along with a tensioner. (In the off-chance that your frame has horizontal dropouts, you don't need a tensioner. Also, the rear derailleur could work as a tensioner with the limit screws adjusted.)

For more info on single-speed, see here.

Considering what's involved in going to single-speed, you may find it easier and cheaper to just get a new chain, freewheel/cassette, and rear derailleur (RD).

IMO, the chain and cassette/freewheel are wearing/replaceable parts anyway, so the RD is the only part really being replaced, so I think it's worth it.

#2: I'd ask a bike shop how much to replace the rim and replace it to the existing hub, including new spokes likely (or change the entire wheel). You might want to get the fork checked out. IMO, this bike is worth replacing parts.

#3: Are there provisions for hand brakes on the fork and frame? Maybe a hole for caliper brakes? If you can install hand brakes, I'd be tempted to leave the coaster hub alone. To replace it, you'd need to relace the rim to a new hub (with new spokes likely), which is an involved process and you'll probably need the shop to do it.

It may be more economical to sell this bike and get something that better suits your needs.

Pick one, whatever is your best shot, get that going then consider options for the others.

I think, that in your shoes, I'd let a shop evaluate the fork, and rest of the Dahon's condition,and if all is OK but a front wheel and be good to go. This has the advantage of being easier to mount with a bad hip or leg.

Otherwise, add a front brake to the coaster bike and get that rolling. Leave the rear wheel alone and you can add a 2nd brake whenever you feel like it. You can also disable the brake feature of the coaster wheel. We used to do this routinely, and any decent mechanic should be able to do it for small $$$ if you want (I wouldn't bother unless it became the #1 bike).

As for the 1st bike, since it needs the most work, I'd leave it for last, or donate ot trade it to a co-op for some labor on the other two.

Hi,

Just my opinion but if you fit a front brake to a coaster
only rear bike, and use the front properly the demands
on the rear are drastically reduced and its only really
needed in very slippery conditions mildly applied.

rgds, sreten.

Sorry for no pics yet (got too bogged down with a lot of stuff)

I decided to get the Raleigh fixed...$188 parts and labor at my LBS. But, eh, it runs like brand new now...if not better than when it was new. It really helped make the situation seem a lot less overwhelming.

Still have the coaster brake cruiser and the Dahon. I got a tentative offer of $65 for the cruiser; the person who wants to buy it will come by tomorrow to check it out. I think that's a pretty fair price overall; there's nothing really wrong with it.

The Dahon...I got offered $20 for it, but I declined. I'd rather try and fix the fork and replace the wheel and get it back on the road, than sell it for that price.

The fork is steel, so I wonder if it could be bent back into shape.