My apologies if any of this is obvious, but I have not biked since I was a teenager (35 now).
I am considering biking the 17 miles to work each day instead of driving. I've got an old Trek 830 Antelope someone gave me, and I stripped it down totally because the components were old/rusty/dried up/etc. Looks like I need to replace the chainring, bottom bracket, chain, rear sprockets (is that "cassette"?), possibly the rear hub itself, and all the bearings throughout. Probably the brakes too, though I'm thinking of putting only the front brake back on. Basically, I'm keeping the frame, handlebars, cranks, wheels, and seat.
Several questions:
Is this too outdated to pursue, and would I be better off buying another used bike somewhere?
Is there some way to identify what year bike this is?
How can I tell which new components will fit it? Are some of the components standard-sized?
Am I crazy to try to commute 17 miles through Cobb County in Atlanta?
Thanks for any help and advice...very much appreciated.
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
17 miles is alot but if you work up to being able to do that, then it'll be no problem. You just have to make the time for it.
Could I offer a suggestion on that bike? Keep the frame and all the stuff that goes with it, or just leave it as-is for now. Go spend $100 on a used bike that fits you. Read up a bit on how to find a bike that fits you, its worth it.
The problem with a used bike in that kind of shape is that to buy all new parts for it will cost as much as a new bike, and that might not be what you want to do. Now, if that IS what you want to do, then more power to ya. I've got more money in the wheels on my commuter bike than I paid for the bike itself. It was worth it. If you are comfortable on that bike, and its what you *really* want to do, then go for it. Just prepared to $pend some cashola.
[edit] Its also worth mentioning that I have a 1990 Trek 820 Antelope sitting in my garage. It needs everything but a new seatpost and stem/handlebars. Derailers are OK I guess but it needs wheels, cranks, pedals, shifters, etc, so I know that of which I speak. Of course, now that I have a great commuter bike, and pretty soon a single speed road bike, I will start on getting the Trek back into shape. I might suggest the same for you (锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
. The 830 was never a great bike. It basically a low entry level without too many bells and whistles. If you happen to have all of the parts sitting around from some other bike, I'd say make a Frankenstein bike out of it and go on your merry way. Or if you can salvage some of the old parts and make it work for a while by just replacing the chain and maybe repacking bearings, again, I'd say sally forth. But I think you're going to have to replace more than you think since you might have to replace the shifters and levers, wheels, tires, saddle, grips and several other things I haven't listed. Add to that the fact that many of the new parts may be different dimensions and the task could be come expensive indeed!
Unless this bike has some significance to you, I'd say look around for a good used bike or even a good new one. You could easily spend the amount of a low level hybrid or mountain bike and still not have a bike that performs as well. I'd suggest looking for a Trek, Specialized, or Giant. You should easily be able to find something in the $300-$500 range.
As for being crazy, all of us bicycling commuters are a bit touched. But therein lies the charm. Try talking to a local bike club or go to a bike shop, you may find more commuters than you think and most of them will be helpful. One word of advice on riding to work: Don't think with a car brain. You don't have to ride on the same streets you would drive your car on. There are usually plenty of streets paralleling your route that are quiet and go to the same spot.
Good luck,
Stuart Black
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
I commute 6.5 miles to work each day, and I'm usually racing to get there on time. Unless you are slogging through snow, you might think of eventually getting a light bike with a rack for paniers, and more narrow tires. Panniers allow you to cary workclothes, lunch, lawn darts, ect. Most of us like to have lights for when it's dark. All this can cost a bit, but it's nothing compared to daily public transit, or owning a car. If you begin bike commuting, you will soon be much richer than your coworkers who drive. I suspect you'll be happier and more fit as well, but that's just accidental.
Anyway, start riding whatever you can afford, and eventually, you'll have the cash to buy whatever rig you want.
