New Vs Re-build challenge

Noting has fallen off of broken for a few days now - so I am going to go out on a limb and say that the bike is operational again.

So have a managed to repair my old steed for less than the price of a new bike from Halfords? Er no.

What needed to be fitted:

• New left hand crank
• New brake and gear cables
• New front and rear brake blocks 
• New rear cassette
• New chain
• New pedals
• Two nearly new wheels (free! - borrowed!) 
• Lots of bike grease and WD40!

Grand Total: UK£110.94
UK£40.95 over the price of a new bike.

Of course that does not include the price of the tools I have to buy in order to get the old parts off and the new parts on.

• Bottom bracket tool
• Crank puller
• Rear Cassete remover
• Chain whip

Another UK£35.96

So there you have it - I could have had a completely new bike for almost £80 less than fixing my old one. It just goes to show the amazing value you get when buying a bike now! Indeed I could have got two new bikes for the same money!


Do I regret the decision to re-build? Not really - I may have laid out more cash than I had too - invest time and get covered in old oil, but its great to have an old traveling companion back on the road with me - and lets face it, with the cost of fuel today, it will not be long until I have made the entire amount back by switching from car to bike on more of the short journeys that I do.

Now I just need to get out and ride!