Short Cut

Recently I purchased a new city bike/commuter bike. Like most I get a little charge about learning about something new and following through with a purchase. The Vanmoof is a great bike for this purpose, but as I ride it more and more I began thinking about getting another new lighter more efficient bike just for the sake of riding as I did so many years ago. So I've been poring over this forum and manufacturer's websites to determine what features I like and how much I want to spend. It's a little addicting.

Today I decided to take a different direction. 25 years ago, when I rode a lot in college, I had several bikes, but the only one I kept, and had in storage all these years, is a 1987 (or maybe '88) Fisher Montare mountain bike. When I bought it new all those years ago it cost a staggering, for a college budget, $800.


(not my bike but same year and model)

Today I pulled it out, gave it a bath and brought it down to the LBS to see about getting it overhauled and reconditioned. It needs quite a bit, new tires, cables, brake pads,chain and figured it best to also go ahead and get all new bearings. This will get my old friend back in functionally, if not cosmetically, new condition and give me a clean baseline to rekindle a relationship with an old flame. So the quoted price is pushing close to $500 and considering the work involved and getting this 37 year old bike back on the road, I'm ok with that.

The mechanic who will do the work is, like myself, a seasoned citizen and told me he thought this bike was a classic worth restoring and he, back when the bike was new, sold Fisher bikes. Well that sealed the deal. I feel it is in good hands and I can hardly wait to spin its cranks again.

I decided to hold off on the new bike at least until I drop another 23 pounds. That will be my reward and meanwhile I can keep reading on this forum and adjust the focus of what I want next.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

beakersbike

That's a sweet looking ride. You may find you're quite happy with it. I went a very similar route, I had an old 1979 Fuji and have totally torn it town, built it back up, and after a few tweaks here and there I'm totally loving it. There's this part where I think I'll do the same thing you're talking about, holding out a new bike as a carrot for reaching my goal... but who knows, when it's all said and done I may stay instead go for a higher end older bike.

Short Cut

That's great, beaker. I've been hearing more and more good things about the Fuji brand since coming to this forum. That says a lot about the brand that you are happy with how your 1979 model is working. Sounds like you did a lot of the work yourself, that's outstanding. I'd like to learn to do more myself on my bikes. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined, but I sure do like to see how something is done first before tearing into it.

Cascades T700

Nice to hear you're taking care of an old friend. I remember, when I was wrenching my long gone VW van, from the John Muir manual, "Be kind to your ass for it bears you." Now I've been wrenching and being borne by a 20 plus year old steel frame Nishiki MTB that I converted to a comfort all purpose utility/urban/hybrid. After many years on that reliable beast (I being 62 yoa, 6'5"tall and 320 lbs) I decided to go for something newer and lighter yet still able to bear my mass. A LBS salesperson once pointed out to me that some of the modern trek/touring bikes were commercial efforts to recreate the ride of these that we have worked to fashion to our own needs. Recently, I found and got a 1986 Bridgestone T700 that the original owner had in his garage for about 25 years. It's not newer though it sure is nice. I took the 10 year old B-17 off the Nishiki and put on the BS. It is amazing the difference in rides between the two bikes. I then got a Brooks Flyer saddle for the Nishiki. Now, I've got 2 bikes I would not trade nor give away. I wouldn't be surprised if you don't rekindle your passion for your Fisher.

Short Cut

Had such a great ride on my renewed bicycle yesterday. Mostly rode on gravel roads to keep out of traffic. It sure felt great to go for a ride just to ride with no particular place to go. Also made me realize, as much as I have been checking out cyclocross bikes, I'm not ready for down bars just yet. So getting this bike fixed has filled a perfect role until I get in better shape.

dr_lha

Pretty interesting rear brake set-up on that bike. Does yours have that too?

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Yes, it sits beneath the chainstays. I guess it's nice that it is out of the way, I guess the only down side is maintenance, but that's not much of an issue.

When I bought this bike it was one of the better mountain bikes on the market. Things have changed a lot since then for sure. However the lack of suspension is more suitable for my purposes now. The only think I did a little different than stock is to put a pair of Specialized Crossroad Armadillo tires on to give it a little bit less rolling resisance on hard pack and pavement.

Short Cut

and put a pair of Shimano A530 SPD pedals so that I can ride it with and without cleats.