Quote Originally Posted by wannaduacentury
Yes Stella, the tires, brake cables, br pads, chain etc need to be repl. The gears need cleaning and such. I've sat on the bike and w/ the seat lowered it would fit me( I'm 5 ft 8) . It's a 10 speed Spalding I think, black atleast 20 -25 yrs old. I can't see it go to waste it it can be fixed up. I do have 3 other bikes,one's a 25 yrold 3-speed I've had since I was 9, a Schwinn mtn bike for dd and I have a 2005 Trek Hybrid. I just love bikes, no matter what their age
re: loving bikes regardless of age: I hear that one! My beater bike is an old batavus from 1970. I rehabbed much of it myself. the wheels are fine, the frame is fine. brought the cheapest tires, cheap (but safe) brake pads. cost me about $30 total to fix it up so that it is in safe/usable condition.

If you trust your lbs, they will tell you whether it is worth fixing up or not. the shop I go to, they are honest and not trying to sell me new. I hope your lbs is like this, as well.

It can't hurt to get an assessment.

Debw brings up a good point, as well re: dept store bikes and cranksets.