I like old mountain bikes and more modern bikes with thicker tires. I find it improves the riding experience a good bit. Regardless, the bike you have, and ride, is the best bike
The brakes are probably worse, depending on the bike and how nice a bike you'd compare it to could be quite a bit worse. If you're just riding casually and have foresight it's not going to make or break it though.
Oh, and modern shifters are a lot easier, but again not going to be life changing unless you're riding a ton, especially on uneven terrain
My take: Ride as is if you can stand it, but there's no wrong answer.
I powder-coated a Motobecane of similar age and I don't regret it. The original paint job with hand-painted details must have been great, but decades of sun, rain, and neglect obliterated it. Restoration would have been starting over from scratch so I sandblasted and turned it into an electric blue beast of burden.
Somebody else can restore the original paint job 50 years from now. I'm just keeping the frame safe for them until they're done being born and growing up somewhere. It'll be waiting for them when they're ready.
https://lemmy.ca/pictrs/image/fa6b74f7-e884-4688-a181-efc92f7649a5.jpegCheap powdercoating is one of my favourite things about steel frames. I can get a frame sand blasted and powdercoated for $150CAD. I ride my bike until the paint is damaged and I'm starting to get a bit of rust in spots- then pick a wild new colour, get some decals made and just like that I have a brand new looking bike.
Looks great! I'd probably opt for a rattle can job since I'm already putting at least $200 into new tires, bar tape, cables, and a seat. Just debating whether a rattle can is worth it over keeping it old school...leaning towards a cleanup and clear coat for now.
👆This.
It’s not going to affect this particular bike’s value too much in either direction. If you think the paint prep is worth the effort then go for it!
From a practical standpoint, you might want to consider at least cleaning up any exposed steel and applying a little clear coat.
For sure, I've already started scrubbing the rust away from the chrome using aluminum foil and I'm genuinely impressed by how well that works. The rims and fenders were badly peppered with rust and now look almost new.
I recently repaint my old bmx and give it a fresh look before replacing stuff. I'd say it's worth painting it since you're stripping it apart to replace stuff anyway.
I've seen similar saddles advertised. This one seems to have a better design. I'd be curious to try it. And I'm a daily cyclist who doesn't have much if any trouble with saddles. Tho' I do prefer the more modern 'crotchless' designs, as it's just more comfortable to have room for one's 'bits'.
Actually the climb was super nice now, just dried all my clothes already. Shame about the views i guess, i had zero on the ascend, but 300m down the descend i was out of the clouds.
What was amazing that there was zero traffic, up and down. Just one tractor and one concrete mixer. I don't know why, because of the weather or because the small soulon pass after aubisque was closed for traffic because of construction (was fine with a bike though, thank god).
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