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Hi,
The other half has a hybrid that I bought for her 7+ years ago (Specialized Crossroads, ladies model). Has been well used, but frame is sound.
Admittedly it has had pretty minimal maintenance, so now has a few issues - I have put my estimated repair bill:
headset - seized (literally, it is hard to turn the bars) (£20)
BB is just ok, bearings don't feel too hot (£20)
sticky gear cables (£10)
break blocks worn (£15 for both ends)
chain stretched (£10)
rear cassette worn (£20)
rear wheel - massive flat spot (don't know how this happened, maybe she was trying to bunny hop it?) (£100 ish? for a pair, plus tyres £30)
Most of the above is very easy to fix (and yes some of the basic gear/brakes have been maintained/changed as required), but I am still looking at a fair list of parts, with a bit of labour on top. Bike was only £250.
The wheels in particular are going to bump up the price - the current wheels are pretty heavy and designed to accommodate 700x38C tyres. I can not see wheels for much less than £100 a pair on CRC etc. Anyone have any bright ideas to reduce the bill? Also, I presume new wheels will mean new (smaller diameter), more 'roadie' tyres, but will brake blocks from a hybrid with v brakes work with new road bike wheels - i.e. brake blocks meet the wheel rim as designed and work ok with a lighter road wheel?).
Either way, my gut feel is that it probably will be worth spending the cash, as the wheels will be a significant upgrade and make the bike more responsive.
I reckon you can get cheaper than that:
headset - if it's a loose ball one, and it almost certainly is, pull it apart, clean and regrease, maybe replace the balls (pence)it will be fine.
sticky gear cables Cheeapo cables at Wilkinsons, if you are lucky enough to be away from the SE
break blocks worn £2-ish a pair in Tesco
chain stretched / rear cassette worn as long as it's not skipping too badly, do you have to change these bits now?
rear wheel - try and find a local bike recycling charity. They may well have an old 700 wheel you could have for a few quid. Keep the existing tyres.
HTH, APF
I'd not spend that much on it.
Skip it & buy a Carrerra Subway.
Seriously.
Or do as said, & repair it...cheaply.
I've brought some seemingly dead BOS's back from the dead for a set of cables & some grease. Headset for example...wire wool the cups, grease & new balls. Same with hubs & BB, assuming it's not a cassette type. And don't go shopping at your LBS...EBay is your friend. Tesco, Asda etc, all do cheap tyres, and [b][u]BRAKE[/u][/b] blocks.
If the rims shot stick a new one on.
£35 for a new rear wheel from EBay, delivered.
Go to Tesco / Asda / Wilkinsons for cables, inners, brake blocks, chain even. Pence for the bearings, couple of quid for the grease.
Why wouldn't you DIY?
Thanks, I have seen the light (or at least the potential savings).
Wheels seem cheap on ebay, as do tyres, brake blocks and ball bearings, so it looks like the way to go. I am not that fussed about spending a fortune on it, so am happy to spend some time with some wire wool and some grease to try and revive the headset and bearings.
Gear and brake cables I am also happy to replace.
Looks like a late spring project.
How much work does it do? And how much TLC? I did the cheap maintenance thing on my last commuter, it didn't really work out in the long run because everything needed more attention and more servicing. I've not put posh parts on the new one, just solid quality kit- sealed stainless cables frinstance instead of cheapos.
TLC - very little (compared to our MTBs). She tends to use it as her weekend cracking out the miles/fitness bike, as well as longer trips (London to Paris etc).
I have usually been fairly middle of the road when it comes to replacing parts on all our bikes, so lower end Shimano/SRAM as required and nothing posh on the cheaper bikes at all.
EDIT: We have a nipper now, so will not be looking to do any massive rides on it. Want to keep it for the bike seat and local riding though.