I just got two bikes off a guy for free. One is a Raleigh Grand Prix and the other is an Apollo Custom Sport. Both bikes are not in working condition and have a nice bit of rust, I'll post some pics as soon as I can. Are these quality bikes?

Photos will help. I don't know Raleighs or Apollos, or I would give my $.02. Yes, photos will get the attention of the people you need to hear from.

Here is the Apollo

The Raleigh Grand Prix is lower-end, one step above the Raleigh Record, which is entry level.

Based on the pictures, I'd say the Apollo is at about the same level as the Raleigh.

Yeah, OK. The Apollo's not the find of the year. But it has dignity, it's in reasonably good shape.

You, my friend, just need some oxalic acid for the iron oxide, some ultra-fine steel wool and metal polish for the aluminum parts, new cables, chain and saddle, and a freewheel tool to remove the plastic dork disk. A little oil, a little grease, and you'll have a pretty solid bike.

Myself, I like those grips.

Oh, and the turkey wings come off with a screwdriver; a little careful work with a hacksaw to remove the turkey-lever-mounting-nubs, and you'll have normal looking and functioning brake levers.

Here is the Raleigh

Are these worth fixing? How much do you think it would cost to get them running again? What about a fixed speed conversion?

anybody?

Calm down. Don't expect an answer in 2 hours.
The brooks saddle on the raleigh is a nice find even if it isn't in the best of shape.
As to whether they are worth fixing, it depends. Do you want to fix them up to sell or just to have? I don't think you would get much money for either. You could always take the best parts from both bikes and put them together. Though the gears, chains, and prob other stuff are unusable on both.

If it was me who found those bikes, I would see If I can get them up and running for cheap by just getting the minimum like tires, chain, brake pads, etc. one I got them working I would sell them to a college kid that needs a beater for getting around campus.

If your looking for a bike to ride, pick the one that fits you best and has the lease damage from sitting around and go for it!

another option is to completely strip down to the frame and sell it someone looking for a fixed gear project. You'd be surprised how much a frame with horizontal drops will get these days. You'll get more for a frame than a bike in non-working condiiton.

You are not going to get rich on these two bikes. But if you are willing to do the work, you should be able to get them in good working order with not much work.

Myself, I would do the bare minimum on the Apollo and sell it to fund the Raleigh redo. I think the Raleigh has more character.

I can't tell from the pics, but if the Apollo has alloy rims I would swap out the wheels between the bikes. If they are both steel rims, no need to make that change.

Do a search for oxalic acid treatment, there are all kinds of threads on that topic, and I highly recommend it.

The Apollo looks like it has a bigger frame, which one fits you better?

Take a close examination of the headtube/toptube/downtube joints on the Apollo - looks as if it might have had a front ender.

-Kurt

8am - 10pm... not 2 hours. No worries man, just sayin'.

I've been thinking about stripping both down to the frame and parting them out. I have an '87 Peugeot that I'd put the money into.