Bought a bike for $30 and it needs work-can you recommend parts

[jyyanks]

I bought a bike for $30 from craigslist. I currently have a folding bike and eventually want to upgrade to a road/hybrid in the Spring (haven't decided yet)

In the meantime, I found this used Specialized bike on craigslist for $30. It's an older model and needs new wheels, tubes, new brakes, and grips. I do not want to invest a ton of money as I'm eventually buying a brand new bike. But for now, can anyone recommend some inexpensive parts that I can use to fix this bike up? Does anyone even know what model this is?

This is the picture from the actual craigslist ad (that is definitely NOT my basement). I didn't have time to take pictures of it myself.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Velocivixen]

Do you have a trusted local bike shop you could take it to and have them recommend things? Will you do the work yourself? We have a few bike shops around that sell quality used parts. Not sure if there's anything like that near you, but it might be worth investigating. Sorry, I can't give you any specific part info.

[jyyanks]

Thanks for the response.

My Father In Law was going to attempt to put in the wheels/brakes. He is handy though definitely not a "pro". After he fixed it up, I was going to take it to my local bike shop to look over. I was just going to buy the stuff online but maybe that's not a great idea.

[tulip]

I suggest bringing it to the shop and asking them if they can make is safe and rideable. If the tires are cracked from dry rot, you'll need new tubes and tires. The rest might only need to be lubed and adjusted, unless there is alot of rust, in which case you might need a chain and new cables. Most people who have old bikes in their basements did not ride the bike much, and therefore the parts probably won't be worn out. Most people stash bikes in the basement because they don't ride them.

Are you the person who wanted to build a relationship with your bike shop? It's definitely bad form to order parts online and then expect the shop to do the work. They'll likely comply, but it's not a particularly good way to build that relationship.

Plus, that's a nice little bike. Get it ride-ready at the shop soon so that you can enjoy riding in this fabulous fall weather.

[shootingstar]

Most definitely the wheels and chain need to be looked for replacement or fix.

Hopefully this won't cost you way over $50.00 unless someone has lightly used bike wheels to give to you.

[tulip]

It probably won't need wheels, just tubes and tires. The bike shop can check the trueness of the wheels and make adjustments. While you (or your FIL) could conceivably true the wheels, the bike shop has the right tools and know how. Please post some more pictures, it's a pretty bike.

[Biciclista]

when i fixed up my mixte, the first thing i got rid of were those extremely heavy steel wheels. The bike shop put on a used pair of "alloy" wheels and the bike was suddenly a lot lighter. Plus wet steel wheels are scary to stop.
when my bike was all done being fixed up with mostly used parts, the bike shop made a little money and i had a bargain bike.

good luck! i hope you have a bike shop who will operate that way.

[Biciclista]

ps a larger photo would help us. I can't see ANYTHING on your bike.

[goldfinch]

Do you know how to change a tire? And do you know what kind to get? If you can figure that out, you will save a lot. Do that before you bring it to the shop, and let them advise you on the rest. Plus, it's a good opportunity to learn about tire changing. Bike shops do charge a lot for that service. There are many videos on Youtube that demonstrate. I linked to one once under Bike Maintenance. It's a good video.

I have never changed a tire and I have yet to get a flat. I have watched the videos and have watched others change a tire so I think I could. But I should do it once when I am not sitting on the side of the road.

My bike shop up north charges $10 to change out two tires. Unfortunately, that is cheap enough for me to let them do it even though I know that I should do it myself.

[Biciclista]

My bike shop up north charges $10 to change out two tires. Unfortunately, that is cheap enough for me to let them do it even though I know that I should do it myself.

+++++ support your local business

[tulip]

But Goldfinch, what will you do when you DO get a flat, and you WILL, and you aren't close to your bike shop? I hope you can take some time to practice so that you can take care of it when it happens.

[Bethany1]

Check out your LBS and have them go over it. Mine did a quick lookover and said I needed new brakes since mine didn't have replaceable pads. When I bought my used Trek Y-11 it needed shifters and I knew I couldn't do that myself. I bought them from the used bike store and let my LBS put them on. I would have purchased from my LBS but he'd have to order them in and I wanted the bike done right away.

Tires/tubes are easy to replace. Prices vary on the tires you buy. Cheap ones are about 15 bucks a piece. You'd need to check the rims and spokes for damage though.

Grips are fairly cheap depending on what you want. Around 20-30 bucks for basic ones. Hopefully your LBS carries a variety or they can order you in some. I paid 12 bucks for my Y-11 but those were cheapie mountain bike grips.

Is it rideable? Gears shift through okay?

Do you need new brakes entirely or just the pads replaced?

Working on a bike is fun but takes time. If you don't know what you are doing, ask or pay them to do it right.

Have you had a chance to clean her up some to see what else needs worked on?

Chances are that if it's been sitting in a basement, it's probably in pretty good shape. I was shocked when I realized my Y-11 had rarely been used and is near perfect condition and she's 13 years old.

I bought 2 books for my birthday the other day on maintenance/repair. There is SO much more to fixing a bike than I ever thought possible. No wonder these guys can charge so much to fix one up for you. I need to learn to repair bikes..LOL.

Pics would be great!

[jyyanks]

Thanks everyone! Sorry for the lack of pictures. The bike is at my father in laws house But I will take pictures as soon as I can get over there.

I actually have a decent (albeit new) relationship with my local LBS. I bought my bike from there and then bought my husband one too (which I had to return). I plan on buying my new bike from them in the Spring. In the meantime, my FIL brought it in today and they were very helpful. They quoted $25 for the tires and $10 for the tubes. They said everything else looked good.

My father-in-law is going to install the wheels and I will take pictures of the finished product.

On a side note, I am signed up to take a bike maintenance course at Rei on Wednesday so I hope to know more about maintenance after the class.

Thanks again!

[Seajay]

I would think a shop would be happy to work on the bike for you. Just don't expect that just because the bike was $30 that the repair and parts will be equally cheap. Shop time is shop time. $30 bike or $300.
"75 for a tune up...the bike only cost me 30" is an anthem we commonly hear

[jyyanks]

Totally hear you. My LBS is not cheap at all and I don't expect them to be. I fully expect to pay $85 for a tune up. That is the going rate in my area. My father in law is going to install the new tires but I will pay for a tune up/safety check prior to riding.

On a separate note, is it the same price to tune up a kids single speed bike? Or is it cheaper?