Upgrade my current junk or start from scratch?
 

I got a new job last year much closer to my house so I started biking to work. Used my dad's old Huffy all last year and now it's on a last dying breath. I went to the two main bike shops around looking for a road bike in the $300 range and all of them were clean out of anything in my size. The Huffy fits me pretty good, I haven't measured it but I get about 1" of standing clearance from the top tube and my knees or back have never complained. Do you think it would be wise to overhaul this frame and make it fixed gear in the process or should I try to find another used bike? I can't afford anything new right now (broke college student).

I'd like to put some money into this as its really my only option locally right now. Could any give me a quick run down of what I would need to buy (mostly price-friendly, cheap parts)??? I can live with the bars and seat for now. Thanks.

Here are some pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...e/IMG_3802.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...e/IMG_3807.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...e/IMG_3808.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...e/IMG_3806.jpg

whats wrong with it?

why is it on its last dying breath. u'd need a new hub or u could use that single speed kit. its a one piece crank too. is that falling apart. i would just measure it, and get a kilo or windsor off bikesdirect. fixing it up might cost well over 300.

Welcome to BF.

I absolutely would not put any money into that bike.

If it works for the time being, keep riding it until you find something better to buy on Criag's List or ebay. You can often get a good used bike from the 80s for around $100-200. Then sell that one for $40 and enjoy your new ride.

Where are you located? Maybe someone can set you in the right direction for a good shop or place for used bikes.

It also might be worth it to put a Want to Buy ad on your local Craig's List with the size and price range you are looking for. You never know what might pop up.

That bike is really not worth putting money into IMO. Craigslist is your friend.

Agreed. That bike isn't worth putting any money into.

The brake pads are shot, gear shifters are both worn out along with the cables for it being rusted out, as you can see the rims and mostly everything else is pitted and rusting, the tires are starting to warp and dry rot. The list goes on...

I live in Buffalo NY, I've been to both Rick's and Campus Wheelworks and both having nothing in the $300 area which is kind of my limit, possibly $400. There is one nice Fuji frame around here with lots of good parts, built by a reputable guy but its a 58cm. I'm 5'8" - 5'9" and assume I'm too short, maybe I'm wrong.

thanks for the help!

If you are patient 200-300 dollars will get you a pretty good used road bike,even on ebay. Trek 400s seem to go for very cheap and are pretty nice as are many of the Japanese bikes from the 80s.

start from scratch!

I'll wait it out and see if any used candidates pop up on craigslist. Theres a few complete fixed gears on ebay with reasonable shipping costs, I didn't want to go that route but I may have to.

Could you guys explain whats wrong with the bike I have? Eventually only the frame would be left.

How does this guy look...the size seems right for me, good price, he just mentions that the paint job isn't the best and it has a lowend headset.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bridgestone-fixe...QQcmdZViewItem

Looks nice enough at that price, but I wouldn't pay too much more. Remember you have to add $75 for shipping. For $350 you can get a new bike delivered to your door.

The fact that he has almost no feedback might mean you can get a good deal, but it's also more of a risk. Do you have a credit card with some sort of consumer protection? Or can you get your folks to put it on theirs?

You are obviously new, so I'll go ahead and let you in on the secret: NO NJS STAMPS.

That's a sweet looking bike.

If you can get it for under $300 - that'd be nice.

+11 For that kind of money you can get good Reynolds or Columbus tubing and nice components.

That Huffy needs to be left near a homeless shelter.

get a new bike. look at the rear dropouts. on a huffy, they're attached by pinching the stays, slipping the dropouts in, and applying a little spot-weld. cheap and quick to produce? yes. not strong, not durable. major problems when those tiny welds fail. don't dump money into that bike.

Plus the geometry isn't even close to tarck:(