The lure of the cheap bike.

[Gtpulse]

I’m not buying any more, I’m at capacity. Unless it’s cheap and easy it turns out.

I was on the 1/4 mile drive between parent and in-laws earlier on and there was this for £25 at the side of the road. It’s even from the bike shop in which I used to lust after exactly this sort of bike back in the early ‘90s! My kids were laughing their heads off in the car while the seller asked me about what I’d do with it.

Anyway, it’s safe now. Safe in my garage. To be honest it’s a bit small for me but will be giving it some attention once gets to the front of the queue. Always wanted some Zolatone/fluorescent goodness.

 

[eric_james]

I never find bargains like this, nice LX stuff on it

 

[Gtpulse]

I never find bargains like this, nice LX stuff on it

Keep your eyes peeled and your horizons broad and they’ll come to you! This one was pure luck/timing.

 

[madjh]

A little work and will feel like new. first water and soap. Then new wires and housing. A new casette and chain. A little oil and adjustmens. No more than annother 25 pounds? And a nice seat. Very good find.

 

[ishaw]

Must be bargain marin month. I have one in my shed, more modern, I forget the model, but advertised for £60 which I though was already decent. I was looking for a friend, he went round to view it and came away with it for £20. I could have just cleaned it up, fitted anew chain and it would have been ok, but I'm going to give it a full rebuild, upgrade a few bits for him.

A mate of mine had that palisades bitd from new, was a really nice bike, brings back some good memories of carefree teenage riding, I was lucky to have an rts-2 back then so always felt I had the better bike, but the look of the Marin with the fluoro bits I was always jealous of.

 

[Gtpulse]

There should be a thread somewhere for “how long does it take you to strip a bike!

I had a spare hour between getting home with this and going out again so why not.

Cables all unclamped then the end caps cut off; removed to individual components; headset and cups/crown race removed; bottom bracket out, left drive side cup as was too stubborn right now. = 1/2 hour.

How long does it take everyone to strip a bike that far? Something fancy I’d be a bit more careful, or if I find something interesting while I’m doing it.

On this one I though I was trying to knock out a core of dirt in the bottom of the fork steerer - turned out to be a wine cork someone had stuffed in there - not had that before. Taken out loads of proper fork plug things but not a cork before!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I love a bargain bin bike. Just because they aren't currently being loved doesn't mean they aren't worthy of love.

 

[Gtpulse]

Made me smile once I’d removed the bar ends I realised the bars have been given an early ‘90s trim - 430mm. I once had a second hand grello courier comp right when they weren’t popular - the seller had shortened the bars to the extent that the shifter/levers pretty much touched the stem clamp to be able to fit a hand either side. It was almost unrideable.

Frame came up really nice after a wash and my now patented Zolatone rejuvenation process. Almost tempted to get some new decals but they’d cost more than the bike. Same goes for bars and paint for the forks!

Marin quill bar ends too, not seen any like that before but guess they aren’t unusual.

 

[Tedgey]

Nice find

 

[ishaw]

Just stripped, degreased and cleaned the bargainbobcat trail. It's come out ok, but why lacquer alloy? Would be tidier if it was bsre metal that could be polished.

Only issues so far are the headset top race rusty and pitted, and one pedal is stuck. Other than that it came apart quite nicely.

Need to regrease and clean up the wheels and it will be ready to bolt back together. Though changing the gearing and might upgrade the brakes too.

One other challenge is the seat post. The gnurled bits are worn shiny and it's a 27.0....

Just want to find some nicer forks.