I've learned a lot from you guys since I've been hanging out here the last few months, and I'm starting to get into refurbishing my old bikes, as well as scouring the garage sales and thrift shops. I really admire some of the great work you do, as well as your appreciation for the art of the bicycle.

Here's my question: How far do you guys go when you restore a bike? Do you strip it all the way down to the bottom brackets, repack the hubs, pull the headset, etc.? That would seem the logical choice, but it occurs to me that perhaps sometimes those are better left alone.

I'm guessing that the logical answer is that it depends on the bike, huh?

Thanks for your patience, and please, don't anyone flame me for being a dumb newby!

It depends. It probably is a good idea to strip it down to the bare frame, clean and grease everything and build it up. I do that sometimes. I almost always take everything off but not necessarily all at once. It kind of depends on my schedule and motivation. Sometimes it takes me 6 months to get around to doing everything, if I believe the bike was fairly well maintained to begin with.
If it is a basket case, I would definitely strip it to the frame and rebuild it.
But then I only buy bikes that I want to ride, even though I eventually sell most of them for a small profit.

For me, I evaluate each bike based on what I intend to do with it. If it's a bike I'm going to flip and its a beater I complete any needed repairs and sell it. If it's a flip bike and it's up around $100 or more, I'll lube the BB and hubs. I make sure the chain is within spec (.6 or less using a CC-2 chain checker). I replace all cables that show rust, fraying or not performing well. I polish the frame and replace any tires that show rot. I only lube heads if they need it.
If it's one I'm going to keep for my own rides, I usually lube during opportunities when I'm making repairs or if I sense it needs lube. Each bike is different and I perform maintenance based on how much I use it. The one item I must have in good shape is the chain. I'm a stickler for assuring my bikes have good chains, almost obsessive about it. I guess its because I destroyed a freewheel on the first Trek 800 I bought when I rode a dilapidated chain. I learned real fast the cost of riding with a worn out or rusted chain.
If I'm using a bike for distance rides, or one of the MTBs I use for MUP riding, I check those out about once every month during riding season. My two Specialized MTBs that I use for mountain bike riding are the top of the heap. They get whatever they want and sometimes what they don't need. I've got a thing about not wanting to break down on a mountain trail. BTW, it's never happened.

1. If its a bottom end bike (steel rims, cottered cranks, etc), I just donate to my favorite charity. I don't buy them, but sometimes I find them free (in the trash). They are not worth putting a wrench on because no one around here will pay anything for them. If there is anything decent on the bike, I will remove the parts for possible reuse later. If it is vintage (1970s) and in decent shape (and not a Huffy, Roadmaster, Free Spirit and similar, I will refurb it. It doesn't make sense financially, but I kind of have a soft spot for 1970s boomer bikes (thats what I grew up with).

2. On a decent bike (alloy rims, cromoly frame, three piece crank), I evaluate overall condition. Some are pretty good, so I might just replace a cable or two. Most (but not all) need tires and tubes. So while the wheels are off, I check the condition of the wheel bearings and almost always replace them. I check chain, clean it if it is good and lube it properly. BB is evaluated and possibly rebuilt. Ditto headset. Almost all need a new seat. And I put on new bar tape.

3. On keepers, I evaluate condition like number 2, evaluate what needs service and then just do that service, fully expecting to do more over time as routine maintenance. Example is the Colnago I bought last week. I replaced the out of place (wrong for bike) bars and stem, I installed new bar tape, I replaced one brake cable (it was dragging), I installed new tires and tubes and I cleaned and lubed the chain.

I completely disassemble the bike as soon as I take it out of the box and then I rebuild it using new bearing balls and replacing parts as needed. I always replace all cables and housings.

I don't flip bikes. All of my bikes are keepers.

I've got a garage full of frames and I'm building them up with various levels of components, depending upon the frame and its intended use. Not period correct but nothing unusual for the life of a good frame.


There are lots of good climbs around here with very fast and sometimes curvy descents. My life is in the hands of my bike when I'm going 40+mph so I make sure everything is in proper working order.

On the bikes I've found and fixed up for friends, I've always repacked the bottom bracket and replaced cables and housings. New brakes for one bike, new pads for another, new coaster brake. I've not managed to break even on any of these but that was never the point.


As for bikes to flip, if it requires mostly time from you and you've got the time; go ahead and give it. If you put some time into it, you can get most old brakes to work just fine; same with derailleurs. Bottom brackets and headsets benefit greatly by getting new grease and ball bearings, both of which are pretty cheap.

Yeah I'm not a bike flipper either. I've had scores of bikes and I just replace whatever is needed. Of all the bikes I've had over the years I only sold one, and that was only because the guy left an envelope with $25 in it stuck to my front door after I gave the bike to him. (it was an old Fuji and I was trying to get him started in cycling)

All the other bikes I 've had, I either gave them to friends, or gave to my son, who would usually wind up destroying it. All the good bikes I've had over the years were usually stolen from me.

Thanks much guys. These are all great insights.

I'm not planning on becoming a bike flipper anytime soon, but I am fixing up some bikes for my kids to use. You've made me realize that there are no shortcuts where safety is concerned. I haven't pulled a bottom bracket or headset in about twenty years, but I still have all the tools and remember how to do it. Looks like I'll be getting some practice real soon.

Thanks again for your input.