Thaddeus Kosciuszko Posted July 28, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 28, 2014 I was given two bikes. The first was a department store bike, a rusted hybrid sort of thing, just about as near to death as a bike could be. I completely disassembled it, cleaned all the bearings and races, put it all back together with new handlebar grips, new tubes and new tires. Three hours and $40 later, it still looks rather sad but rides near new - such as that ever might have been. Madness? The second was a steel road bike, 8-speed, with Campagnolo components. I couldn't get the shifting dialed in, which was unusual. I took it to my favorite mechanic, who said the mechanisms inside the levers were worn and needed repair or replacement. Either of which would cost far more than the bike was worth. So I converted it to downtube shifting with some Campagnolo levers I'd had bouncing around for years. Looks a bit goofy with the original brake/shift levers but it works. Sadness, for what I did to it? Did the bike deserve better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrAzY Posted July 28, 2014 Share #2 Posted July 28, 2014 It is rideable, and that what counts! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyBob Posted July 28, 2014 Share #3 Posted July 28, 2014 All bikes deserve love. You have done well. If the brake handles bother you I have a couple sets of aero levers in my stash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destination Posted July 28, 2014 Share #4 Posted July 28, 2014 Thaddeus, I'm wondering if it would be worth your time to scour Craigslist or Ebay for a used or reconditioned set of Campagnolo levers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 28, 2014 Share #5 Posted July 28, 2014 Niether madness nor sadness. You brought two bikes back to life. Lets just say happiness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted July 28, 2014 Share #6 Posted July 28, 2014 You should weld them together and make a sad/mad tandem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zealot Posted July 28, 2014 Share #7 Posted July 28, 2014 Neither madness nor sadness. And I still prefer downtube shifters. Just put a nice set of aero brake levers on and it'll be golden. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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