I'm new to this forum, so hello. I hope someone can offer me some advice.
I'm looking to get back into cycling more seriously after a long time out of the saddle and for the usual reasons – get fit, get out, etc! I have an old Motocabane Supergalaxy which I got second hand long ago and which was always far too big (25" frame) – I'm only 5"8' with a 29" inside leg. My girlfriend has a Raleigh Clubman (Reynolds 531, Campo version) which is a good fit and she has said I can have but I don't know if it is worth refurbing this or buying a new bike?
I have spent some time looking at both ebay and 'new' options but can't see anything I really like, at the price I want to spend (About £300). I know the Clubman is a good all round bike but it does need some work (it is after all 30 years old) and I just wondered if anyone had a view on whether I would be better to clean that up and maybe add a nice Brooks saddle and maybe even some clipless peddles, etc or whether I would be better to fine something else?
I'm not looking for anything fancy, just a good road bike to get me back into it again. If I did restore the Clubman is there any of the standard parts that I should look to upgrade?
Any help would be appreciated on either the restoration or on possible models to look for new (I can stretch the budget if needed but I didn't want to spend too much until I got back into it), it's a long time since I contemplated buying a bike and it does seem that the starting price has risen somewhat and I really can't decide if buying new or even ebay is the way to go or if I am better off restoring this old classic?!
Thanks again for any help/advice. I assume as this is a forum for retro bikes then most people would suggest restoring the clubman but I'm interested in your views.
I'm looking to get back into cycling more seriously after a long time out of the saddle and for the usual reasons – get fit, get out, etc! I have an old Motocabane Supergalaxy which I got second hand long ago and which was always far too big (25" frame) – I'm only 5"8' with a 29" inside leg. My girlfriend has a Raleigh Clubman (Reynolds 531, Campo version) which is a good fit and she has said I can have but I don't know if it is worth refurbing this or buying a new bike?
I have spent some time looking at both ebay and 'new' options but can't see anything I really like, at the price I want to spend (About £300). I know the Clubman is a good all round bike but it does need some work (it is after all 30 years old) and I just wondered if anyone had a view on whether I would be better to clean that up and maybe add a nice Brooks saddle and maybe even some clipless peddles, etc or whether I would be better to fine something else?
I'm not looking for anything fancy, just a good road bike to get me back into it again. If I did restore the Clubman is there any of the standard parts that I should look to upgrade?
Any help would be appreciated on either the restoration or on possible models to look for new (I can stretch the budget if needed but I didn't want to spend too much until I got back into it), it's a long time since I contemplated buying a bike and it does seem that the starting price has risen somewhat and I really can't decide if buying new or even ebay is the way to go or if I am better off restoring this old classic?!
Thanks again for any help/advice. I assume as this is a forum for retro bikes then most people would suggest restoring the clubman but I'm interested in your views.