Hey everybody, I'm a pretty big newbie to road cycling. I'm getting more into it, just for exercise, group rides, and commuting every once in a while. I've got quite the conundrum that I need some advice on though. I just bout a 4 year old Fuji Roubaix off craigslist, and I kind of got ripped off. I didn't really know what I was doing. The bike is in pretty crappy shape.

So just from having it glanced at my local bike shop, they said it definitely needs a new bottom bracket, chain rings, cassette, chain, stem, and cables, and thats was just at a quick look over. The guy kind of made it sound as if he expected to find more things wrong with it if he were to really get into looking at it. Also, just from my own perspective the gear shifters are loose, the front and rear brakes won't retract/rub the tires, needs new tape, and a lot of it is rusted out looking.

I bought the bike for $500, and I know it retailed for $1500 when it was new, so I thought I was getting a pretty good deal, but now everything is just adding up. This is the only road bike I've ever ridden so I have nothing to compare it to. I'm about 5'11" and the bike is 56cm, so Im pretty sure it fits me, but I'm not positive.

So my question is, should just suck it up and get everything repaired/replaced on it which could cost several hundred more dollars. Or should I just get a new bike. Money is kind of tight so if I got a new bike it would have to be a cheaper model Trek or Cannondale around $600-$800. If I fixed up the Fuji it would end up costing around the same as a brand new bike, but would a brand new bike of that caliber be as good or comparable to the fixed up Fuji?

Sorry for being long winded but I need as much advice as I can get.
Thanks

Hmmm. Maybe post pictures? For a 4yr old bike I'd imagine the following:

New cassette, chain, cables - totally believable

chain rings and BB - hmm, sounds unusual unless this thing has mega miles, or there's something up with the BB that means it's been trashed over time

new stem - what???

Sounds like the drive train is worn (happens) and it needs a tune up. Nothing extreme there, and if you're willing to learn to do your own wrenching you can even accomplish that all for non-insane prices.

I'm a little curious about needing a new stem - they don't typically wear out.

How's the rest of the bike? Frame in good shape? The shifters and the cranks (besides the frame) are the two most expensive things on the bike, so if those three things are in good shape, fix it up and enjoy! The mechanic forum can probably point you in the right direction on what you need and where to get it (again, assuming you don't want to just hand it to your shop)

A perfect opportunity to learn valuable skills.

https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

The chain rings are pretty worn and pointier than they should be, and the crank is wobbling around which it looks like its because the bottom bracket is worn and loose. As far as the stem goes, thats mainly because the stem on the bike was changed by the last owner and I hate it. I guess he wanted to ride sitting up higher or something, because it comes up at like more than 50 degrees or so.

I was going to ask pretty much the same things. Sounds like the stem is just, well, in good shape but not the right one. You can get a different one for $20, and maybe someone in one of the groups you ride with has an old one to donate.

All the drivetrain stuff, well, it happens. Can you post some photos of the shifters, though? Between reading that they're kind of loose, and that you need a new stem, the first thing that went through my mind was that the bike may have been crashed. Turns out that's not why you need the stem, but, still ... what kind of shape is the frame in? Is the bar tape unraveling?

Heres some photos of the bike. The shifters I have to push about an inch before they start to actually move the derailleurs. As far as the frame goes, I guess it looks good. Theres no dents or anything that I notice, are there specific things to look for on the frame?

Welcome To Bike Forums, DapperDwaine!

Looks like someone has both ridden and neglected the holy hell out of that Roubaix. That's not something you want to do with an aluminum framed bicycle.

Have the Roubaix repaired and retape it. Do as much of the repair work on your own, as possible. Try to join a bicycle co-op, if there's one nearby.

Next sell the Rouxbaix for $500, hoping to find a buyer like you, but this time, there's no scam involved.

Finally, purchase a Jamis Satellite Comp ~ $1000
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/satellite/12_satellitecomp.html

Looks like a sad case of drivetrain neglect. It looks as though you have more corrosion/rust than actual wear on the chainrings etc.

Yeah ... that stem has to go.

The bar tape is in bad shape, and age and lots of use will do that. If the cables are also beyond their years, they could make it very hard to shift and to stay in the right gear. I wouldn't assume they're broken, though, unless you've got another reason to think so. (Shifters are the most expensive component, so it matters.)

You might be able to get a crankset from a riding partner or bike shop or somewhere. I messed up a chainring pretty bad on an old CX bike, and the shop could get me one for $50, but they had a crank that had been gathering dust for a couple years, and gave it to me for less than that, pulled the big ring off, and donated the rest to a local bike charity.

All told, it'll cost a few hundred bucks to replace most of the drive train. Luckily 9-speed chains and cassettes aren't too expensive.

Would you rather have a double, or a triple? You can make the shifter you have work if you change to a double, but it'll be awkward.

Ignore the troll with the weird obsession with steel bikes. There won't be anything wrong with yours once you fix it up. And that should be cheaper than buying another one.

Ok so if I were to fix things up on this bike, what would you say are the most important things to fix first? I've got to go one step at a time because of money. So, the rusted/corrosion covered chain rings, chain, and cassette, or the loose bottom bracket?

No, just flip the stem - you'll be a hero of the 41! I think your nose would be touching the steerer if you did that but still! At least take a picture that way before you discard the thing.

It's a pity you didn't notice all that rust before you bought it.

O I know, I felt like a total idiot once I got home and really got a good look at everything.

Quick thoughts:

Buy a cheap chain tool, 9 speed chain, and brake cables from Nashbar or a similar mail order spot, probably less than $50. Take off the rear wheel and scrub the rust off the cassette, tighten the bolts on the crank (8mm allen probably), mount and cut the new chain (park tool instructions are great), and install new brake cables. Replace pads if needed.

Then you can stop if you need to. Spend some time yourself playing with shifter cable tension to see if your shifter issues are just slack cable. I wouldn't retape bars or recable until you know the shifters aren't FUBAR.

Honestly, you could probably buy all of the tools you need to work on the bike plus all of the parts for $250 ish, and end up with better stuff than the LBS is going to charge $500 for, plus you learn how to do it.

Edit: And for goodness sake lube the thing.

Good grief! How does a bike in Fayetteville, AR get so rusty? Did it live on the previous owner's back porch?

I am sure that you can clean her up, replace the worn stuff, and have a fine bike for much less than the cost of replacing the whole thing. In the end, you'll be more connected to your ride for having restored her.

Am I the only one who thinks it might not be that bad? Neglect appears to be the biggest problem with the bike. The middle ring looks worn, but I wouldn't bother to replace the big or small ones. A little rust won't hurt anything. Before replacing all the rings and the BB, I'd just go out and buy a new crank and BB -- the cost will be about the same.

That cassette looks like it could be OK. I'd measure the chain and if the length weren't way off, just buy the chain. If it skips, immediately go out and buy a cassette.

To answer the OP's question directly, replace whatever the drivetrain needs before messing with the BB. Anything that looks like that also needs new cables and housings.

I appreciate all the input guys. I'm usually pretty DIY with things, so I'll probly just do a lot of this myself. And yeah I'm assuming the guy I bought it from left this sitting outside for quite some time

Chainrings and cassette are not worn badly, just rusty. A little TLC and they will look nearly new. Chain is likely toast but that is easy to replace. Good chance that water got into the bottom bracket bearings and they are rusted which is why it feels loose. Either get a BB tool and a new BB, or take it to your shop and have them replace it. Some new cables and housings would make shifting feel much improved. Not going to cost that much to make that bike like new again.

If you have no money or litte money just get a new chain... get rust remover like naval jelly (ask to your friends to safe money) and clear the rust from the chainrings and crankset. Take the BB appart and regrease it. New cables just in case.... and please put a stem with the right angle in the bike (maybe somebody has one to spare in here?)

You where living here i would fix the bike for you (free obviously) but i see you are too far to do it. Anybody in the area to help this kid???

Actually, that would be my guess. The bike was stored outside where it was rained on. I would further guess that it was ridden for a while and then parked outside and not ridden, and finally the owner decided to sell it.

if you can verify that those are the original tires, a quick look at the amount of wear will tell you much about superficial looks vs. real use and conseqently how much stuff you really need to replace.

maybe somebody here can tell you about the OEM tires. and ya, i suppose the PO could have replaced the OEM tires with OEM tires. but really, does it look like the PO was that type of person? i don't think so.

in any event, it looks like a project.

as previously mentioned. a great learning opportunity...