Im a novice but i intend to rebuild, modernize this bike.

[Ukansodoff]

Over time i want to be able to deal with problems on my bikes, as i say im a complete novice to the point where ive never done anything more than fix punctures ect.

Rather than ruin a nice working new bike by tinkering i intend to modernize an old bike that has some personal sentimental value. So far i have done nothing more than get new tyres, innertubes, breakblocks and given it a real good clean up. Ive got it in working order (sort of) and taken it out for a couple of 15 mile runs just to see how it is at the minute.

This is just an exercise to help teach me as much as possible really but im looking forward to it, ive bought a Haynes manual and im hoping to get one of Melanie Allwoods books.

Anyway im guna try post pics of my bike though im not sure im doin it right on this forum. Guess not, they are too big, im a novice at this too. Im guna put them in Photobucket and link it.

http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/ukansodoff/

So, basically im looking to change everything other than the frame, wheels and maybe seat post. Not all at once, 1 learning experience at a time. I want to keep it 21 gears but get new cassette, chainset, chain, drealleurs, breaks, pedals, maybe a riser handlebar (but i like them black so then id have to change the seatpost and definatly new internal stuff like bearing and whatnot cuz it isnt the easiest ride on my old knackered legs.

Im looking for any advice anybody could possibly give, on anything. Ive already been told not to bother but i like the old bike, has sentimental value and i want and need to learn about being as self sufficent with bike maintenance as possible.

Ive had a look at a few things and im already getting stuck, the rear cassette, what kind is it and what size is it as in is it freewheel and is it a 12-28. I dont even know what the 2nd one means.

Is there a website where you can get manuals for these things? Ive never had one, the bikes sorta been passed around the family a bit. But i really could do with some specifications to help me from making wrong online purchases.

And finally in general will modern parts fit into all the right holes of this older bike? I dont think its that old, its been with our family for about 12 years and i think it was bought new.

I was told Retrobike was the place to go. Hope i spark some interest. And yes the wheels are ugly, but i like them.

 

[Charlieboy28]

Hi ya and welcome ukansodoff, you have already probably been given some very sound advice but having chosen to ignore it, you will find all of the answers you require here.

you know the bike has scrubbed up well and the parts sort of go together, in the nicest possible way the phrase polishing a turd does come to mind, so i wouldnt throw too much money at that bike. That is meant in the nicest and most honest possible way and sorry if it sounds harsh.

right that said you was after some info, not sure on the mag wheels and whether they have a cassette or screw on block. I would guess cassette. A picture of the drive side of the wheel would tell us for sure.

you mention dodgy knees and a return to cycling. so perhaps a ratio of 11-34 will help get you up the hills, 11-32 is pretty much the standard for mtb, 11-28 is more a road bike ratio or for reallyfit mtb people and downhillers.

if you want to learn about bikes i would say get a half decent frame from here for cheap and then buy bits, bit by bit, learning as you go along. Much more fun and you will have a far better bike at the end of it

 

[Ukansodoff]

Thank you Charlie, and trust me polishing a turd is nothing compared to some comments ive had about the bike.

Your advice to get a good frame is very tempting and id probably learn more. Im just struggling to let go of this one and im not sure my other half will allow me any more space in the shed. Though actually, im the man, i wear the pants here.

Oh actually ive just been informed i dont.

 

[Charlieboy28]

lol, good im glad it was taken in the manner intended. You know there was a time British Eagle Boss made some very nice bikes, alas yours comes after this time.

While i am certainly not the boss in my house, i think im the boss of my garage. i currently have 6 bikes, another two to build in parts, a bike im building for a friend, and my wife's and children's bikes in the garage. There are many here who have silly amounts of bikes though. It can get rather addictive . Two bikes take up very little room compared to one bike also.

Have a look through the readers bikes section, see what takes your fancy. there are pre and post 98 sections.

then have a look at the for sale sections and see whats about. £150 can go very far here and you can come out with a bike that bitd would have cost nigh on a grand and are more than match for many modern bikes. £150 in halfrauds would buy you a piece of poo on wheels made from pig iron.

starting with just a frame is the easiest way to learn also.

 

[Blackstar]

I don't see anything wrong with what you plan to do.

You'd be surprised how much lighter a bike can be with the right bits.

I reckon the important bit is being happy with what you've built.

Good luck and welcome.

 

[jax13]

if the frame has meaning for you, just upgrade in a few areas where the difference would be noticed.

shimano lx and stx are both relatively good & cheap groupsets to acquire second hand, performance is good compared to the bottom of the stack components typically found on cheaper bikes so by the time you have put on a set of brakes, new mech's & some decent controls up front you will be halfway to something servicable.

the biggest area i found where cash matters is the wheels (or more specifically the hubs) it is amazing how much better a mid range wheel performs compared to cheap ones, pedalling effort is reduced (a bonus if dodgy knees are an issue) & you will get a lot further without dropping speed if you want to coast along for a while as you take in the scenery.

as others already said, if the frame isn't great then its probably not worth throwing too much more cash at it. by the time you invest in a stem, bars, brakes, levers, mechs & shifters you could easily be looking at £70+ which would buy a nice second hand retro frameset with cash to spare to start a scratch build with. that sort of money is also not too far off complete entry level bikes from some makers - £100 or a sniff more can regularly find good older marin, trek, specialised, giant & more which will be far better starting points if you intend to spend a lot of time on the bike.

 

[Ukansodoff]

Yeah ive seen a couple of nice 2nd hand Giant frames. Gotta say i was trawling though t his forum earlier and i saw an old GT something (was it Kracken or something similar), it was red with a cracked paintwork effect from around 1991-1992 and a friend of mine competed on one of those back around the same time and i really fell in love with it altough father christmas clearly didnt think id been a good enough boy cuz i got some lump of lead instead.

This Boss of mine is working, just needs a couple more tweaks and maybe a couple of changes, maybe i could get that done and out of the way and really give myself the challenge of buying and building from a frame.

This is why i asked. I like the idea of doing the Eagle up but the feedback im getting is the feedback i am looking for and theres no point asking so much advice and not listening to it. Im sure i could find the extra space in my shed. Or threaten to bring it all in the house if i dont get my way.

 

[xerxes]

Thank you Charlie, and trust me polishing a turd is nothing compared to some comments ive had about the bike.

You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter.

As the other's have said, I wouldn't spend on this bike, beyond a service.

I bought a Claud Butler with similar components on it a couple of years ago for £30.00 to use as my commuter/shopping bike; I wanted something cheap with limited theif appeal and that wouldn't be a massive loss if it did get stolen. It was dirty and in need of a good service when I got it. I stripped it down to the frame, replaced the knackered headset and bottom bracket, replaced the chain, gear and brake cables, cleaned out the hubs, repacked them with fresh grease and adjusted them properly; they were previously too tight, and correctly adjusted they rolled much better even if they're not as silky smooth as higher quality hubs. I also fitted mudguards and a rack.

It has the same Shimano Tourney front and rear mechs that your bike has and once cleaned up, oiled and fitted with new cables I was surprised how well they worked, not really that much different to the XT stuff on my newer MTB, although being all steel they are considerably heavier.

In short, when I got it, the bearings were all rough and the brakes and gears weren't working very well at all. For about £50.00 I sorted all that and now it rides just fine and everthing works properly. It's a bit heavy at about 35lbs, but that just makes my other bikes feel lighter in comparison.

You will learn a lot just by giving the bike a proper strip down and service and maybe when you're done you can decide whether you want to stick with this bike or splash out one something a bit more special.

Park Tools has some handy repair/service guides that might help and will give you some pointers as to what special tools you may need: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

 

[Charlieboy28]

i saw an old GT something (was it Kracken or something similar), it was red with a cracked paintwork effect from around 1991-1992 and a friend of mine competed on one of those back around the same time and i really fell in love with it altough father christmas clearly didnt think id been a good enough boy cuz i got some lump of lead instead.

see now your talking, reckon you could put that together for the budget your talking

 

[phill77]

I'd stick to your original plan, replace some of the worn and heavier bits, upgrade your ride and learn a bit at the same time.

Nothing too much wrong with that frame really, here's a thread for one in its Grisley livery:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=214977