Revive old road bike

[Guest]

Ok, so I got this Cosmos from my old man...it still has the shifters on the frame...

 

I am totally clueless when it comes to most things, especially road bikes, but I've been told it would cost an arm and a leg to convert to the shifters that fit on the handlebar?

 

I'm thinking of fixing the bike up and using it for the 5150, but if its going to be more expensive than a new one, why bother.

I attached the only pics I have of the bike...apologies for the quality of the second...

 

Suggestions? Opinions please...?

[Tiny K]

Dude, all you need is the lugs and shifters compatible for the speed you are looking for.

 

Lugs like these (they replace the shifters)

 

[Hairy]

Dude, all you need is the lugs and shifters compatible for the speed you are looking for.

 

Lugs like these (they replace the shifters)

 

 

Correcto Mundo to the above ... but hell, keep it the way it is unless you are going to be riding the bike often.

[Guest]

Thanks Tiny K, sorry for being clueless, but it was explained to me that its not just a matter of extending the cables to the handlebars and attaching shifters? I don't see how these lugs fit in?

[JA-Q001]

The lugs are outer cable stops, what do they mean its not as simple. Get yourself a cheap 2nd hand set of Shimano sora shifters and put it on the handle bars. Only issue you could have is that the sora shifters are 8spd and that setup you have there is 6 or 7 spd. but the spacing on all ofthose are the same, so could just block out some of the shifts.

[Guest]

So this whole shifter move can be done for below R1500 you would say or not? that's sort of the point of not investing in it for me but rather opting for something new.

[JA-Q001]

For shure, just find a cheap set of 8spd shifters.

[nuge]

The lugs are outer cable stops, what do they mean its not as simple. Get yourself a cheap 2nd hand set of Shimano sora shifters and put it on the handle bars. Only issue you could have is that the sora shifters are 8spd and that setup you have there is 6 or 7 spd. but the spacing on all ofthose are the same, so could just block out some of the shifts.

 

(edit - deleted misinformed garbage on second read through)

 

what's wrong with reaching down to change gear anyway? trust me it's not going to make you any faster!

 

my advice, take it to have a service, ride it to death and enjoy being out on the road!

 

then decide only later how far you want to go in proportion to what you want to spend.

Edited July 11, 2012 by nuge

[Guest]

(edit - deleted misinformed garbage on second read through)

 

what's wrong with reaching down to change gear anyway? trust me it's not going to make you any faster!

 

my advice, take it to have a service, ride it to death and enjoy being out on the road!

 

then decide only later how far you want to go in proportion to what you want to spend.

 

you are absolutely right.

thanks for the reality check.

[divernick]

There's nothing wrong with downtube shifters. Keep em!

 

Have the bike cleaned up and serviced and enjoy riding a piece of history!

[divernick]

Or better yet, convert it to singlespeed!

[Guest]

Or better yet, convert it to singlespeed!

 

Maybe later - but will be used for triathlon at first.

[Hairy]

Or better yet, convert it to singlespeed!

 

OP will need a new crank then as the current one is biopace

[divernick]

OP will need a new crank then as the current one is biopace

 

Just a new chainring......

[divernick]

Karma, I'm also in Paulshof, let me know if you want a hand getting it road-ready.

[Guest]

Karma, I'm also in Paulshof, let me know if you want a hand getting it road-ready.

 

Thanks - just waiting for the piece to arrive then I'll start cracking.