Turning Charity buy into something better looking!!

[DannyB]

Just bought this bike from the Charity shop for £18 inc pannier, Not sure what to do though the bike works great only needing a rear tyre as its out of shape.

I'm wanting to make it less grandady so any help appreciated I am thinking lose the panniers/rack and change the bars but not sure which bars would suit? flat with bar ends or those multi hand position jobbies? I usually ride mtb but fancy a rat i can get a few road miles in (hopefully pushing on) without worrying about it getting stolen etc

Any ideas for making it a little more pleasing on the eye welcome apart from skip it

 

[Midorimage]

Hard to see what you from the picture.....it looks like it has 700c wheels. Can't see you turning this into a mountain bike... but it could make a nice utility / shopping bike. I would keep the panniers and rack. Maybe change the contact points to something you like.. Brooks saddle.. comfortable soft foam grips, some nicer pedals. (I know that Brooks saddles are expensive... but they last a long time and you can move it to your next bike if you ever change bikes)
I think silver components look nicer than black.. but I wouldn't throw a lot of money in to it. Maybe you can strip the paint from the handle bars and polish them up.. Just take some wet/ dry and a lot of elbow grease.
Keep the parts you replace.. if you ever sell the bike you can put back on the original parts.
Good luck!