Lately it has been reported by bicycle repair shops across the nation that repairs of old bicycles has been on a stratospheric rise. More crusty, rusty, web covered rigs are being drug from the dark recesses of garages and sheds to be made road worthy than ever before. Interestingly, the price of gasoline at the pump has been pointed to as the main motivator for folks to do this. Now that gas prices have relaxed a bit, it will be interesting to see if this phenomenon continues.

As a shop mechanic, it is a tough thing to look at a bike that you just put tubes and a tune up into that is only worth $25.00 to begin with. On one hand, you are glad to see someone getting back into cycling and “re-cycling” an old rig. On the other hand, it’s hard not to imagine that the cycling passion and sheer joy of riding a bike might be enhanced by that customer buying a new rig. However that plays out in repair shops across the nation, the fact remains that a lot of old bikes are getting revived, and apparently ridden, than ever before.

What should you look at if you are considering having that old steed in the garage uncovered and spruced up a bit? Well, here is a short run down of some items that may help you determine what is best for your needs.

Tires and tubes: This one is fairly easy to figure out. First, try airing up those old tires, maybe to around 40-50 psi, just to be safe. If they hold air for an hour, they will most likely hold air for a week. Tubes are shielded in most cases from ultraviolet light damage and “dry rot”, so you very well may be okay on the tube front. However, for your own conscience sake, you may still have them replaced. Just indicate to the mechanic that you know they may be okay, and that the old tubes should be donated, re-used, or recycled. Next, the tires should be checked. See if, after airing up, there are any cracks, grainy sidewalls, or deformities. If anything looks suspect, it will need to be replaced.

Rust and Crust: Check over your bike for rusty and corroded parts. If there is a lot of this going on, especially with the frame, it may be time to look for a new bicycle. Don’t forget to look at cables and housings. If the exposed cable runs are rusted, or the housings are cracked, those will need replacement too.

Old components: Some other things to think about are related to components. If you have old seven speed Shimano shifters that are seemingly not working, it may only be that they are only in need of a cleaning. (The old grease tends to hang up the pawls on the ratcheting mechanisms) However, it also is true that many of these old shifters are very worn and in need of replacement, so you still may need new shifters. Don’t expect direct replacements either!

Then there are old shocks, Sun Tour components, and some proprietary parts that may need a case by case examination by your local shop mechanic to see if anything can be done to help revive that old mountain bike.

In the end, only you will be able to say if fixing up that old bike is “worth it” or not. Hopefully the cost/benefit analysis will be a little clearer after you take a closer look at what you have to work with.