simulacrum
Retro Newbie
Hi, I have a Raleigh Serengeti that was bought in probably 1991-92 (I can't remember exactly). It was my first 'good' bike. I rode it a lot and then life happens and you don't have time anymore. I've rode it off and on over the years, a few times/summer on the road/paths. And now the front suspension (aftermarket Marzocchi xc600 in gunmetal blue) is completely mush and it's probably not a good idea to ride it as is. And the shifters (STX) slip a bit and need to click more than once in order to get them to go sometimes. The bike has always been stored indoors and would appear to be in good shape (to the largely untrained eye - mine).
I was going to get a used bike for a couple hundred dollars as I'm not going to be riding hardcore or anything, mostly on streets/paths, but I would like the ability to cut across a few fields, up down hills etc.. if I want to. I would feel really lame not being able to - even if I don't end up doing it a lot.
So, the question... What to do? Is this frame (Tange Infinity - double butted) worth hanging onto and fixing up a bit. From what I can tell the Tange Infinity steel is pretty decent and so I'm thinking maybe I should keep it. Especially when I've been reading that Aluminum frames (which is what pretty much any used bike is going to be) are basically completely unknown in terms of the frame not cracking etc.. after 5-10 years - which again... is probably what all the decent used bikes for 2-$300 are going to be.
I have the original rigid front fork that I could put on it, or I could see if the suspension fork is easy to fix (is an air /oil fork) Maybe just needs air/ oil ??
The other potential issue is that it's a threaded headset.
And the shifters I could live with but would be nice to fix so they always shift when I want them to lol. Maybe my handle bars are too old and will brake ?
I think I'd be comfortable putting about $200 (canadian) into this bike if it would last another 5-10 years. I would love a new bike but I'm not spending $700 right now. Maybe in a few years if I find I'm riding more again.
So do I get a used aluminum bike (whose history I don't know) with upgraded components compared to mine but maybe the seller is sketchy and I get a cracked frame that's painted over etc...
Fix mine up, is it worth it ?
I was going to get a used bike for a couple hundred dollars as I'm not going to be riding hardcore or anything, mostly on streets/paths, but I would like the ability to cut across a few fields, up down hills etc.. if I want to. I would feel really lame not being able to - even if I don't end up doing it a lot.
So, the question... What to do? Is this frame (Tange Infinity - double butted) worth hanging onto and fixing up a bit. From what I can tell the Tange Infinity steel is pretty decent and so I'm thinking maybe I should keep it. Especially when I've been reading that Aluminum frames (which is what pretty much any used bike is going to be) are basically completely unknown in terms of the frame not cracking etc.. after 5-10 years - which again... is probably what all the decent used bikes for 2-$300 are going to be.
I have the original rigid front fork that I could put on it, or I could see if the suspension fork is easy to fix (is an air /oil fork) Maybe just needs air/ oil ??
The other potential issue is that it's a threaded headset.
And the shifters I could live with but would be nice to fix so they always shift when I want them to lol. Maybe my handle bars are too old and will brake ?
I think I'd be comfortable putting about $200 (canadian) into this bike if it would last another 5-10 years. I would love a new bike but I'm not spending $700 right now. Maybe in a few years if I find I'm riding more again.
So do I get a used aluminum bike (whose history I don't know) with upgraded components compared to mine but maybe the seller is sketchy and I get a cracked frame that's painted over etc...
Fix mine up, is it worth it ?