Woo a bike! now what?

Thread started by
Lizzard at 02.9.08 - 9:39 pm
One of my friends found a rusty Centurion Sport DLX on Craigslist and purchased it for me.
When i was riding it today, i tried to switch gears and the gear switch broke off...
So either i could
1. Convert it to a fixed gear
2. Get the parts replaced.
3. Let it rust forever.
What would you guys recommend and how much would you think it would cost?
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Depending on where you live, visit your local Bike Co-op. They will take care of any of your needs, get you rolling, and you'll learn more about your bike than just "paying to fix it".
NorthEast LA: http://bikeoven.com/
LA-Hollywood: http://bicyclekitchen.com/
Santa Monica-Westside: http://www.bikerowave.org/
the reverend dak02.9.08 - 9:44 pm
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Make it into a fixie.
Everybody's doing it!
User102.10.08 - 11:55 am
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All of a sudden, us gear-lovers are swiftly becoming an endangered species.
Throw on a cheap and decent gear-set and turn it into a cargo-bike!!
Though I had this crazy, dream last night where I was riding a
fixed-gear in an Ice Cube video.
bentstrider02.10.08 - 11:58 am
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I would say it's not worth it to dump a ton of money into something that is as rusty (ie: potentially unsafe) as you make it sound.
Just bring it to a co-op, swap out whatever you need to get it on the road and keep it as your beater bike.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
kyber02.10.08 - 12:04 pm
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Its actually a pretty nice bike. Its my only road bike so i wouldn't mind doing a little fixing up.
So far, i've just taken the rust off most of the frame and spokes.
Lizzard02.10.08 - 8:06 pm
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IS THAT A CURRENT PIC? LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD BE WORTH "PIMPING", GO FOR IT DUDE!!!!
eddieboyinla02.11.08 - 8:20 am
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Clean it up and tune it up. Change the cables, brake pads (if needed, sanding down the pads will help) repack and grease the bottom bracket and headset. Those changes should cost you less than $30. Ride it for a few weeks then flip it. Buy a 'better' bike and repeat. Keep doing this until you get the bike you really want.
sc_nomad02.11.08 - 10:02 am
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That clean up and sell trick seems like a good idea. If i did in fact clean it up and sell it... how much should i sell it for? My friend did not tell me how much the bike costed but it was something like $70+
Lizzard02.11.08 - 2:05 pm
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It's a low-end Japanese bike, fine for starters but IMHO not worth putting a lot of money into or converting. If you want to keep it, tune it up so it's safe like sc_nomad suggested and ride the heck out of it.
cabhauler02.11.08 - 2:20 pm
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Unfortunately, it is hard to put a price on the bike cause it depends on what the market will bear. Maybe somewhere around $150 with the tune-up.
sc_nomad02.12.08 - 3:27 pm
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