So, I've got this 20 year-old Motobecane Nomade hanging around... it spent most of that time in my parents' garage, aside from being lightly ridden by an adolescent yours truly, and of course the tires and tubes are trash due to time and neglect, and the plastic chain guard is cracked. Everything else is in nice condition, although bear in mind this is a very basic 12-speed.

I have a lightly improved Trek DS 8.5 (commuter) and Specialized Stumpjumper in the stable now, and am thinking of bringing the Nomade back to life for casual tooling around town and maybe as inspiration to get a better road or cross bike. Given that I'm looking at a bit more than $120 for a set of decent 27 x 1.25" tires, tubes, and miscellany, on a frame that's a bit small for me now, is this a worthwhile undertaking? Or should I put the Nomade out to pasture and save my coins for a successor?

I like Motobecanes quite a lot, but I draw the line at the Nomade (if even that) since it's just a bit too much a 'boat anchor' for me. Especially if it doesn't fit you: let somebody else ride it into the rust, get yourself a better Moto...that's my 2¢.

if you've got a local co op, it might be worth sourcing some tires on the cheap to get it riding. that way you can get a feel for if it will work for you, or if it's better to pass on. if you decide you don't like it, it'll be easier to get someone else riding on it if the tires hold air. plus, might be a fun wrenching experience

You are going to have to put new tires on it in order to sell it for anything. I would buy a cheap set of tires and tubes for it. You should be able to get everything for around $35.

i would ride it for a bit after you put new tires on it to see if you like it. If you don't, sell it.

'Nuff said, pass it on to somebody else.

Thanks for the advice all -- I'll get it rolling again with a very humble set of tires (no Conti Gators) and most likely onwards to a new home for whatever I put into it.

My Nomade is still hanging around (literally) after almost 40 years... but mine still fits

Aaron

add to our cause: aaron and the op should give (or sell cheaply) those bikes to someone in need to get another person on the road.

Spot-on.

Mine is a stripped down frame, it would cost way too much to bring it back to rideable condition. BTW happen to have a Swiss thread BB lying around to donate?

Aaron

^ oh. yeah, the cost/benefit of rebuilding it is an issue. really, you're down to finding a nearly free donor moto with the opposite problems.

i have a frame like that myself that i can't even give away on craigs...