I am currently riding a 1998 Nishiki Blazer. It was a great bike that has a great frame, fairly light weight and very sturdy. For about the same price I can repair my bike correctly new high quality rims and tires, new seat a thurough tune up and possibly new gears. Or I can buy a relatively cheap bike. If I repair the bike correctly I will end up with a better overall bike but it is getting pretty old.
Please when answering tell me how much experience you have with bicycles.
2006-06-15 07:27:58 · 24 answers · asked by steve 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Ok, so "ardi_95" says he's got experience with bikes... although I'm at odds with his ego, I am in his corner here.
Personanlly I *like* the older bikes and enjoy fixing them up. I wouldn't worry about adding more gears just because that's the trend. If you plan to be a racer, *then* I would worry about more gears and in which case, just buy a new bike. But if you're not a racer, don't worry about what's the latest fad. The important thing is do *you* really like the Nishiki? That is the most important piece -- if the frame fits you, you're comfortable on it and it does what you want, keep it.
If you decide to sell it, call me first!
And since you've asked for qualifications, I will just give a run down of my bike shed...Road Bikes: Trek 400 (mid 80's) Miyata 110 (late 80's), Trek 2300 (late 90's carbon fiber), Bianchi Campione D'Italia (late '80's), Takara (late '70's). Mountain Bikes: Giant ...crap, don't remember (2004), GT LTS Team Issue (2000): Recumbents: BikeE CT (2004), Linear LWB folder (mid 90's). Various BMX, cruiser and other bikes. Anything else feel free to contact me off the list.
2006-06-15 08:12:02 · answer #1 · answered by JD K 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It all depends on how much you are willing to spend to repair/upgrade the Nishiki. What I'd do is go to a couple of different bicycle shops and see how much the total repair will run you using the wheel set, seat and whatever else you need or want. Look and see what the price of a new bike will run versus the repair. At some point it make sense to just buy something new. Story 1: guy dropped $550 (with the shop working a deal on parts & labor) to upgrade his bike from the old down-tube shifters to the current 9 speed STI; He could have bought a new bike for about $600 that was lighter but had the 8 speed components instead. Story 2: lady spent $175 to fix up a huffy road bike that had a tire size that nobody uses any more. For about $75 more, she could have got a new mountain bike that was lighter and more current. Story 3: I had a bike I wanted to repaint & convert to 9 speed. For what this would have cost me, I bought something newer, lighter, with the 9 speed components. The ultimate choice is where you want to draw the line between the cost of repair versus new. Oh yeah, I work at a bike shop going on 11 years now, and the first 2 stories were a couple of my customers.
2006-06-15 16:35:08 · answer #2 · answered by icrashalot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have two bikes that I ride regularly, my road bike is actually a Specialized Expedition touring bike which I bought in 1984, and my mtn bike was custom built for me in 1986. In the 80's I would do all of my own maintenance including a complete rebuild of the Expedition in the late 1980's. I didn't ride at all in the 1990s, but had a complete tuneup done on both bikes when I started riding again in 2003. I have toyed with the idea of getting a new bike, particularly the mtn bike which is a tank by current standards (it weighs about 29 lbs) but both of those still fit me well and run fine so I have seen no reason to "upgrade to a newer model" just for the sake of getting something new. If your old bike still runs well and you are comfortable on it, keep it until it breaks, then get a new one.
2006-06-15 12:39:36 · answer #3 · answered by Rock Doc Rich 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had one of those parents that bought me the bike but didn't want me to ride it and hurt myself. It took me a lot to gain that trust, by doing everything possible with a bike. (including picking up a coin money from the floor while riding the bike) (that was the condition in order for me to ride it on my own, without a parental guide) So, since you wanted to know how much experience I have with bikes, I hope I was clear. In your situation, if you really like the performance of the bike and want to improve a little yes, go spend a little money. It is not like cars every year it deteriorates and loses its performance. A bicycle is a bicycle. It will run forever if you do the little maintenance it requires. Even though technology changes, not so many things change with a bike. Your upgrades are gonna be fancy, light weight, new material nothing else. It is your call. Don't buy a new bike.
2006-06-15 08:30:51 · answer #4 · answered by Tom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you take it to a bicycle shop to see what the damages are if it's say half what the bicycle is worth then repair it . Second Question did you get the Tags and the driver info if it was the drivers fault . This is better if it is then call there auto insurance and get them to give you more the value of your bike if you had the right of way in the case dudes . Third if not the second question and you have to spend your money then (pedals are damaged then cranks is damaged) back rim is bented then the (wheel tire and check the back chains spockets) if the value is more than the bike then buy a better bicycle but that bike is a good brand name dear person .
2016-03-15 05:36:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time to buy a newer one. You need to keep up with the times. Its like new cars, each year they get better. Bikes are the same way. A new bike usually comes with a lifetime warranty on repaire and parts (in California they do, at selected bike shops). If a bike is severly broken, why fix it? Sell it for used parts or try trading it in on a new bike.
2006-06-15 07:37:18 · answer #6 · answered by ZORRO 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to ask yourself how the bike performs for you. Are you pushing it's limits or are you holding back to stay within limits? If you are, think about a new steed. If it's handling everything you're throwing at it and asking for more, then stay with it. But remember, technology trickles down the price hierarchy and what is relatively cheap now may be better quality and have more features than what was top-end a few years ago. I've been in the bike business for almost 20 years now and have seen a lot of changes. The final decision is yours.
2006-06-15 08:58:29 · answer #7 · answered by Scuta M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how attached you are to your old bike... go ahead and repair it if you really want to, but you may want to shop around for a new one. New technology has come down in price and you may be able to decide on a new, lighter bike with better components.
Try www.specialized.com
2006-06-15 07:31:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been riding for about nine years now and raced for three. My best recommendation is to hang out at a couple of bike shops to see what's out there. Technology definitely has improved within the last couple of years. If you find something new you like - go for it. If you feel better fixing your old rig, go that way and maybe upgrade later. So much is based on personal preference and riding style.
2006-06-15 11:43:14 · answer #9 · answered by racerwanab 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the bike and repair it. '98 really isn't that old anyway. Don't go for the cheap bikes. They come with cheap components that you'll end up replacing before too long anyway. It's much better to have a quality "old" bike than a cheap new one.
2006-06-15 08:52:37 · answer #10 · answered by davidvandercook 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋