I have an old bike that needs a total rebuild (20+ year old, Sears Free Spirit 18 speed). It's been my commuting bike for the past two years and it's in really sorry shape. I've never torn a bike apart before but it sounds like a fun project. I like the old steel frame on it (which is still in decent shape), but all the equipment is garbage and it's getting rougher to ride everyday. I need to do something about it soon before it's too late, I just can't decide what. I basically want to keep the frame, but strip the bike bare give it all new equipment from scratch. I want to keep the cost low though because I only make min. wage these days. I have basic everyday tools, but nothing bike specific.
Here's the thing, I have mechanical skills, but nothing that is really bike related. Now I can adjust the brakes, clean and oil the chain and gears, fill the tires and replace them, adjust the derailleurs, etc. But I know nothing about choosing # of gears or the teeth on the gears, sizing the bottom bracket, sizing the chain, etc... and I don't have a bike manual to tell me the bike's specs to know what will fit and what won't.
I want to do the whole thing for under $500, can it be done? What (if any) specialized tools will I need? Will I be wasting my time? Should I just buy a whole new bike, or should I attempt the rebuild? What do I need to know to pull this off without a hitch?
Got any advice for me?
Here's the thing, I have mechanical skills, but nothing that is really bike related. Now I can adjust the brakes, clean and oil the chain and gears, fill the tires and replace them, adjust the derailleurs, etc. But I know nothing about choosing # of gears or the teeth on the gears, sizing the bottom bracket, sizing the chain, etc... and I don't have a bike manual to tell me the bike's specs to know what will fit and what won't.
I want to do the whole thing for under $500, can it be done? What (if any) specialized tools will I need? Will I be wasting my time? Should I just buy a whole new bike, or should I attempt the rebuild? What do I need to know to pull this off without a hitch?
Got any advice for me?