What would you do?

Bob Downie wrote on 05/05/2007 17:16 +0100:

Quoted message said:

So what would you do. Be a realist and throw it away or listen to your
heart and re-build?

Heart. If you like it and it has lots of memories, rebuild it. Don't
worry about the comparative cost but rebuild it so you will continue to
enjoy riding it. e.g. you might save a few pounds with a powder coat
but remember you will be looking down on it all the time so is the
saving worth it?

--
Tony

"The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there
is no good evidence either way."
- Bertrand Russell

In article <[email hidden]>, Bob Downie
BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk says...

Quoted message said:

I have a decision to make. My trusty Raleigh Royale tourer is coming up
for 18 years old and is in a bit of a state. The frame wants a re-spray
(rusting in places) and most of the components want renewing, including
the rims, hubs, bottom bracket and head-set etc., etc..

My dilemma is this. Is it worth re-building? The frame and forks are
hand-built 531ST so I am starting from a good position. However, I am a
realist and know that by the time I have had a re-spray, bought decent
kit and spent ages faffing around, I would probably been better to have
bought a new machine. The problem is that I'm a bit sentimental about
the bike so am loth to scrap it.

I know that there are ways to save money on a re-build, for example
powder-coating rather than a proper re-spray such as Argos might do, but
if I re-build I would want to keep the character of the bike.

So what would you do. Be a realist and throw it away or listen to your
heart and re-build?

I'd rebuild if the bike does what I need it to, or relegate it to hack
status and get a new one if it doesn't. I wouldn't throw away anything
that was vaguely useable.

Bob Downie said:

So what would you do. Be a realist and throw it away or listen to your
heart and re-build?

Look upon this as a perfect excuse to treat yourself to a new bike. You've
kept the old one running for 18 years, you *deserve* a new bike 🙂

Keep the old one and renovate it, everybody needs at least 2 bikes.

A good paint job will cost quite a bit, but decent 2nd hand bits can be
procured from ebay.

--
Mike
Van Tuyl titanium Dura Ace 10
Fausto Coppi aluminium Ultegra 10
Raleigh Record Sprint mongrel

On 05/05/2007 17:16, Bob Downie said,

Quoted message said:

So what would you do. Be a realist and throw it away or listen to your
heart and re-build?

Go for a respray/rebuild. It sounds to me like if you scrap it you will
forever regret doing so.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Tony Raven said:

If you like it and it has lots of memories, rebuild it. Don't
worry about the comparative cost but rebuild it so you will continue to
enjoy riding it. e.g. you might save a few pounds with a powder coat
but remember you will be looking down on it all the time so is the
saving worth it?

What's the drawback with powdercoating as opposed to paint ? I was
thinking of having this done to my frame as the paint's getting a bit
chipped and worn.

Quoted message said:

I'd rebuild if the bike does what I need it to, or relegate it to hack
status and get a new one if it doesn't.

<AOL> me too </>

TheMgt wrote on 05/05/2007 19:26 +0100:

Quoted message said:

What's the drawback with powdercoating as opposed to paint ? I was
thinking of having this done to my frame as the paint's getting a bit
chipped and worn.

None if the finish is what you want.

--
Tony

"The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there
is no good evidence either way."
- Bertrand Russell

in message <[email hidden]>, Bob Downie

('BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk') said:

I have a decision to make. My trusty Raleigh Royale tourer is coming up
for 18 years old and is in a bit of a state. The frame wants a re-spray
(rusting in places) and most of the components want renewing, including
the rims, hubs, bottom bracket and head-set etc., etc..

My dilemma is this. Is it worth re-building? The frame and forks are
hand-built 531ST so I am starting from a good position. However, I am a
realist and know that by the time I have had a re-spray, bought decent
kit and spent ages faffing around, I would probably been better to have
bought a new machine. The problem is that I'm a bit sentimental about
the bike so am loth to scrap it.

Frankly, I would rebuild it (and I might even be sentimental enough to use
period parts). But it would certainly be cheaper to buy a high quality
modern bike.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; I can't work yanks out......
;; Why do they frown upon sex yet relish violence?
;; Deep Fried Lettuce

In article <[email hidden]>, TheMgt
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Tony Raven said:

If you like it and it has lots of memories, rebuild it. Don't
worry about the comparative cost but rebuild it so you will continue to
enjoy riding it. e.g. you might save a few pounds with a powder coat
but remember you will be looking down on it all the time so is the
saving worth it?

What's the drawback with powdercoating as opposed to paint ? I was
thinking of having this done to my frame as the paint's getting a bit
chipped and worn.

Nothing if it's done well and you don't mind your frame looking like
garden furniture. There's generally a limited choice of colours, no
metallic or multi-coloured finishes and it's not very glossy.

I'm not sure I see the dilemma. Short term buy the new bike, long term
restore the old one. Unless of course there is some reason why you can't
store both. There is no such thing as too many bikes.

--chris

Rob Morley said:

In article <[email hidden]>, TheMgt
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Tony Raven said:

If you like it and it has lots of memories, rebuild it. Don't
worry about the comparative cost but rebuild it so you will continue to
enjoy riding it. e.g. you might save a few pounds with a powder coat
but remember you will be looking down on it all the time so is the
saving worth it?

What's the drawback with powdercoating as opposed to paint ? I was
thinking of having this done to my frame as the paint's getting a bit
chipped and worn.

Nothing if it's done well and you don't mind your frame looking like
garden furniture. There's generally a limited choice of colours, no
metallic or multi-coloured finishes and it's not very glossy.

http://www.bbsedinburgh.co.uk/ seem to have metallic colours and it looks
fairly shiny. I'll need to pop in sometime and see if they've any samples
to look at.

On May 5, 12:16 pm, Bob Downie <BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk>

Quoted message said:

I have a decision to make. My trusty Raleigh Royale tourer is coming up
for 18 years old and is in a bit of a state. The frame wants a re-spray
(rusting in places) and most of the components want renewing, including
the rims, hubs, bottom bracket and head-set etc., etc..

I just did a major overhaul on a 16 year old Bianchi and it seems
worth it. Lovely ride. However unless the rust is more than surface
rust I'd leave it with out the paint job I figure a rusty old drop-
bar bike is low on the theft scale. The occasional insult like the
bike racer in the airport line up calling my bike salé is worth it. 🙂

Quoted message said:

My dilemma is this. Is it worth re-building? The frame and forks are
hand-built 531ST so I am starting from a good position. However, I am a
realist and know that by the time I have had a re-spray, bought decent
kit and spent ages faffing around, I would probably been better to have
bought a new machine. The problem is that I'm a bit sentimental about
the bike so am loth to scrap it.

I know that there are ways to save money on a re-build, for example
powder-coating rather than a proper re-spray such as Argos might do, but
if I re-build I would want to keep the character of the bike.

So what would you do. Be a realist and throw it away or listen to your
heart and re-build?
--
Bob Downie
Devotee of the wheel
please remove #n0spam# to reply directly

In article <[email hidden]>, TheMgt
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

http://www.bbsedinburgh.co.uk/ seem to have metallic colours and it looks
fairly shiny. I'll need to pop in sometime and see if they've any samples
to look at.

Indeed, that looks like a pretty good finish - I guess the technology
has moved on since I was in the frame business. :-)

Bob Downie said:

I have a decision to make. My trusty Raleigh Royale tourer is coming up
for 18 years old and is in a bit of a state. The frame wants a re-spray
(rusting in places) and most of the components want renewing, including
the rims, hubs, bottom bracket and head-set etc., etc..

My dilemma is this. Is it worth re-building? The frame and forks are
hand-built 531ST so I am starting from a good position. However, I am a
realist and know that by the time I have had a re-spray, bought decent
kit and spent ages faffing around, I would probably been better to have
bought a new machine. The problem is that I'm a bit sentimental about
the bike so am loth to scrap it.

I know that there are ways to save money on a re-build, for example
powder-coating rather than a proper re-spray such as Argos might do, but
if I re-build I would want to keep the character of the bike.

So what would you do. Be a realist and throw it away or listen to your
heart and re-build?

Get rid of it. It's a machine, made of stuff. It's given you years of
pleasure but owes you nothing. Buy a super new bike to give you many
more years of pleasure. Chuck the old one behind the shed, at once.

In a couple of months you might chance to glance behind the shed and
come upon an idea for a great restoration project, but that's quite a
different matter.

--
Brian G
www.wetwo.co.uk

"Bob Downie" <BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have a decision to make. My trusty Raleigh Royale tourer is coming up for
18 years old and is in a bit of a state. The frame wants a re-spray
(rusting in places) and most of the components want renewing, including the
rims, hubs, bottom bracket and head-set etc., etc..

My dilemma is this. Is it worth re-building? The frame and forks are
hand-built 531ST so I am starting from a good position. However, I am a
realist and know that by the time I have had a re-spray, bought decent kit
and spent ages faffing around, I would probably been better to have bought
a new machine. The problem is that I'm a bit sentimental about the bike so
am loth to scrap it.

I know that there are ways to save money on a re-build, for example
powder-coating rather than a proper re-spray such as Argos might do, but
if I re-build I would want to keep the character of the bike.

So what would you do. Be a realist and throw it away or listen to your
heart and re-build?
--
Bob Downie
Devotee of the wheel
please remove #n0spam# to reply directly

Never throw it away. If you do decide to go for a new bike, give your old
one away to someone who would appreciate it on Freecycle. Just go rid of one
of my old steeds that way.

David Lloyd

In message <[email hidden]>, Bob Downie
<BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> writes

Quoted message said:

I have a decision to make. My trusty Raleigh Royale tourer is coming up
for 18 years old and is in a bit of a state. The frame wants a re-spray
(rusting in places) and most of the components want renewing, including
the rims, hubs, bottom bracket and head-set etc., etc..

My dilemma is this. Is it worth re-building? The frame and forks are
hand-built 531ST so I am starting from a good position. However, I am a
realist and know that by the time I have had a re-spray, bought decent
kit and spent ages faffing around, I would probably been better to have
bought a new machine. The problem is that I'm a bit sentimental about
the bike so am loth to scrap it.

I know that there are ways to save money on a re-build, for example
powder-coating rather than a proper re-spray such as Argos might do,
but if I re-build I would want to keep the character of the bike.

So what would you do. Be a realist and throw it away or listen to your
heart and re-build?

Thanks all for your suggestions which have helped me crystallise some
ideas. The last thing I need is (another) hack bike so if I am going to
do anything with is it has to be a pukka job. How does the following
sound?

1. Dismantle bike and send frame-forks for proper re-spray.
2. Try to use old components where possible. There is nothing too awful
about the shifters, brakes, bars, stem, seat-post, saddle etc. That will
keep some costs down.
3. New rims, hubs, head-set, cranks, bottom bracket, chain, gears,
cabling, tyres etc.
4. Keep eye out for good-quality replacements of the old stuff at good
price (e.g. Ebay).

I haven't costed the above but I imagine that it should come in at
£350-£450 (more?).

A new Dawes Galaxy (the nearest modern equivalent I can find) is about
£700 so a re-build would seem worth it as long as I do not cost my time.

Anything obvious that I've missed?

Thanks
--
Bob Downie
Devotee of the wheel
please remove #n0spam# to reply directly

Bob Downie BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk said:

The last thing I need is (another) hack bike so if I am going
to do anything with is it has to be a pukka job. How does the
following sound?

1. Dismantle bike and send frame-forks for proper re-spray.
2. Try to use old components where possible. There is nothing too
awful about the shifters, brakes, bars, stem, seat-post, saddle etc.
That will keep some costs down.
3. New rims, hubs, head-set, cranks, bottom bracket, chain, gears,
cabling, tyres etc.
4. Keep eye out for good-quality replacements of the old stuff at good
price (e.g. Ebay).

I haven't costed the above but I imagine that it should come in at
£350-£450 (more?).

Almost. I had a quick flick round google and came up with:

Polychromatic stove enamelling from Mercian = £69 + £20 for lug lining and
get them to fit a new Stronglight A9 headset = £15 + £11.50 fitting plus £25
for collection/delivery
Stronglight Impact cranks = £44 - £48 (double or triple) (Spa cycles) +
Stronglight JP400 110mm BB = £10
Handbuilt 700C Endeavour/Deore Touring Wheels, pair = £110 (Spa cycles)
Shwalbe Marathon x 2 = £30 (Spa cycles)

Which leaves you £12 ish for gears and cables.

I'm sure you could save some on these prices if you shop around on Ebay and
still come in under £350 But I would recommend Mercian for the paintwork.

Tom
--
Return address is dead. Real address is at
http://www.happy-penguin.info/address.jpg

On 06/05/2007 18:43, Tom said,

Quoted message said:

But I would recommend Mercian for the paintwork.

I won't disagree with that, but I would like to add a vote for Argos for
the respray.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

In news:[email hidden],
Bob Downie <BobMail@downie-geo#n0spam#.co.uk> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to
tell us:

Quoted message said:

I have a decision to make. My trusty Raleigh Royale tourer is coming
up for 18 years old and is in a bit of a state.

[...]

Quoted message said:

So what would you do. Be a realist and throw it away or listen to your
heart and re-build?

1. Buy new bike
2. Get old frame resprayed / powder-coated / Hammerited
3. Rebuild old frame into fixer

:-)

--
Dave Larrington
<http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk>
It would appear apparent, to me at least, that dinosaurs were
largely burrowing creatures.