Recondition or buy new.

[Holdsworth]

I have my current bike (90s Holdsworth Criterium) which has paintwork that is far past its best, there is a large rust patch at the BB and multiple thin area and decals need to be replaced. It is all detailed in my respray thread in the "know how" section.

I have prices quoted for around £200 for the frame to be stove enameled and have the transfers recreated and applied. This also includes carriage and the cost of removing a putting back on the chain and cranks/BB.

I have thought that maybe it might not be worth it and I should save up for a few more weeks to buy myself a good quality new bike, preferably a "tourer". I suppose I could pick up a decent one for around £500-600.

I am unsure which would be the best course to take. I like the Holdsworth but I think when all the mechanical bits are upgraded and fixed that it would be better to stump up the difference for new. I could always keep it as a spare and for respray at a later date.

 

[fossyant]

I'd refurbish, I've also got 2 90's steel bikes. One would cost an arm and a leg to get repainted. If you like the bike, why not !

 

[accountantpete]

I wouldn't waste too much money on getting the frame looking good - give it a swill inside with kurust and some black hammerite on the outside if you want to stick with an old frame - £10.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I'd refurb definately and shop-around on the re-spray. Bob Jackson, Mario Vaz etc.

 

[Holdsworth]

The price for the respray is as quoted by Bob Jackson, I doubt that the price is going to come down much between other place for re-enameling. The other option is powder coating and I'd still have to find transfers, it'll probably work out around £60-80 cheaper that way. If I am going to respray the bike I want to be doing it properly, it is in a right state ATM (at least the thieves don't want it

)

 

[festival]

I have my current bike (90s Holdsworth Criterium) which has paintwork that is far past its best, there is a large rust patch at the BB and multiple thin area and decals need to be replaced. It is all detailed in my respray thread in the "know how" section.



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Nah, whats the point, buy a new bike.
Its only a basic mass produced frame churned out by falcon cycles I believe. The famous Holdsworth cycle co was sold in 1987.
If it was an original Holdsworth from the 70s that would be a worthwhile project

 

[Davidc]

Festival is right.

However, those frames are sought after for fixed and SS conversion so if you're going to buy a new bike have a go at flogging it to help pay for the new one.

 

[Alembicbassman]

I renovated an old 90s Claud Butler last year. The frame was almost spotless, no rust just a few small marks.

Paid £200 for it and bought new saddle, tyres, tubes, brake blocks, cables, bar tape, pedals, upgraded chainset (used). Serviced the hubs and bottom braket, adjusted everything so it worked perfectly.

I spent about £70 on bits and peices. So with a frame repaint it'd be a lot more.

I sold the bike for what I paid for it £200 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270675509366

And bought the Carrera Valour (2nd hand unused) for £160.

The CB was nice to ride, but the modern bike is better for me as it has the paddle shifters rather than downtube shifters

 

[tyred]

If you like the way the bike rides and find it comfortable, I'd definitely refurb it. It's fun building them back up again and choosing what mods (if any) you want to make.

 

[the snail]

I wouldn't waste too much money on getting the frame looking good - give it a swill inside with kurust and some black hammerite on the outside if you want to stick with an old frame - £10.

+1 if you like the bike, then you'll have a nice bike that won't appeal to thieves, which would save you worrying about leaving your shiny new bike unattended. Hammerite comes in different colours too!

 

[Holdsworth]

A mixed opinion expressed here, some saying to buy new and others saying to do it up to various standards, much like my thoughts ATM

 

[accountantpete]

What bike size do you take Dave? - I'm picking up a 60's Claud Butler on Thursday.

It's a 531 and the paintwork looks in a reasonable/ little distressed state.

This would be a better proposition for restoration IMHO.

 

[Holdsworth]

I am still deciding on which course of action to take

I could still go the cheaper route and get it powder coated by the local company for quite a bit less than B J Cycles. This would do away with enameling and transfers.

I could also go cheaper and patch up with Kurust and Hammerite and get the components serviced to keep them going. I could do with riding the bike for a few weeks more then deciding ultimately what to do as I'll have saved up more by them. Probably around £40 to get that all done I suppose.

And there is still the option to get it done properly now.

I am leaning towards option two ATM.

 

[festival]

I am still deciding on which course of action to take

I could still go the cheaper route and get it powder coated by the local company for quite a bit less than B J Cycles. This would do away with enameling and transfers.

I could also go cheaper and patch up with Kurust and Hammerite and get the components serviced to keep them going. I could do with riding the bike for a few weeks more then deciding ultimately what to do as I'll have saved up more by them. Probably around £40 to get that all done I suppose.

And there is still the option to get it done properly now.

I am leaning towards option two ATM.

Its a mid priced mass produced frame with no special heritage worth saving.
It was never special when new & the quality of ride so, so.

Have a look at the reynolds sticker it may only have been a main tubes of 501,It was a trick in those days, but either way do yourself a favour and get a new bike.
You say you already have £200,double that and you can get something like a giant defy 4, 2010 model.

 

[Holdsworth]

Well I think a I'll be saving up for a new bike then

I'll keep my current one in fair condition for use a spare shall I.

What would one recommend for a budget of £400-500? Something which is good quality (won't fall apart after a mile) and has eyelets and clearance for 'guards and maybe a rack. The Defy 4 has eyelets but not enough clearance for sks 'guards from what I've heard, I like the idea of 25c tyres and I wouldn't want to downsize to fit 'guards.