Post by chrisb on Sept 11, 2015 9:35:02 GMT
Hello, nice to be a part of the forum. I am hoping to start out with receiving some advice. I have a 1979 Superbe. The frame is good, the paint reasonable with some minor surface rust here and there from exposed metal (paint chips, minor abrasions etc). The chrome on the bars is pitted a little, although shiny and presentable. Dynohub is not working. Rims need to be replaced, rear is damaged and rusty, front chrome is good, but slightly damaged too - enough to make braking annoying with lurching. It appears to be all original, I think even the tires, cables etc. I've been riding this bike as is now for about 5 years. I'm faced with the classic decision of restoring or not. Although I have an appreciation for stock, I would likely replace the rims with alloy, and probably have a rear wheel built up to keep the original SA 3 spd hub in place. A local shop has estimated about $150 to build a rear alloy wheel with the stock hub. I would likely forgo the front dyno hub and replace with a basic alloy wheel. Then there is the cables, tires, tune up, and of course, the need to address the bottom bracket and headset bearings, etc. I can see this approaching $4-500+ fairly quickly, but would probably have this bike to last my lifetime (I'm in my 50's and ride for leisure only). Probably be a good investment.
My other option is to buy a 1984 12 speed Sprite that has come up locally for $350. It is in beautiful original condition. Elderly man owned, rarely used, stored indoors always. Really is in lovely condition, essentially new. This is a very tempting purchase. Eventhough it is in mint condition, it is still 31 years old. Would this bike need a tear down and rebuild as well? And, of course, there is the steel wheel replacement question for this bike. I ride occassionally in the rain, but typically avoid it - so alloy rims for the Sprite would not really be a priority. The only reason I'd go with alloy on the Superbe, is to replace the rusty and damaged originals.
I love the Sprite that is for sale, it looks fantastic and rides like new. But I also love my Superbe! It is green (which I prefer over the Sprite's black), has a more classic vintage look to it, and still rides nicely. I also like the idea of the 3 speed hub over the 12 speed with deraileur, although that alone is not a deal breaker (there is something about the 3 speed that is so appealing, I think perhaps it's reliable simplicity).
I realize this is somewhat of a subjective question (although there are objective factors involved), but what would you do? Restore the Superbe, or go for the mint Sprite?
Thanks kindly!
Read more: raleigh-action-bikes.proboards.com/thread/3336/hello-newbie-forum#ixzz3lQA8n091
My other option is to buy a 1984 12 speed Sprite that has come up locally for $350. It is in beautiful original condition. Elderly man owned, rarely used, stored indoors always. Really is in lovely condition, essentially new. This is a very tempting purchase. Eventhough it is in mint condition, it is still 31 years old. Would this bike need a tear down and rebuild as well? And, of course, there is the steel wheel replacement question for this bike. I ride occassionally in the rain, but typically avoid it - so alloy rims for the Sprite would not really be a priority. The only reason I'd go with alloy on the Superbe, is to replace the rusty and damaged originals.
I love the Sprite that is for sale, it looks fantastic and rides like new. But I also love my Superbe! It is green (which I prefer over the Sprite's black), has a more classic vintage look to it, and still rides nicely. I also like the idea of the 3 speed hub over the 12 speed with deraileur, although that alone is not a deal breaker (there is something about the 3 speed that is so appealing, I think perhaps it's reliable simplicity).
I realize this is somewhat of a subjective question (although there are objective factors involved), but what would you do? Restore the Superbe, or go for the mint Sprite?
Thanks kindly!
Read more: raleigh-action-bikes.proboards.com/thread/3336/hello-newbie-forum#ixzz3lQA8n091
