Fixing up broken bicycle

[tinuva]

Hey,

First time posting here, after advised this is where one can get the best advice on fixing up a bicycle.

I received what looks like an Avalanche atx250 in, sort of ok condition but with multiple problems to sort out to make it functional.
My goal is to just have something I can cycle around with behind my 6 year old who is currently doing it for enjoyment. She is only learning now, but running behind her is becoming a problem to keep up. So that is the goal, to keep up easier haha.

So the list of issues that I can figure out without being an expert:

• The cassette on the rear wheel is missing
• Both wheels have missing or rather broken spokes
• Probably need new tubes for the tyres
• the shocks on the front look like they are leaking
• have not tested gear changing

My thinking is, I need to figure out a plan for the wheels and cassette first.
From the tyres, look like I have 53-559 or 26x1.95 inch tyres/wheels.
The cassette, I have no idea what sort of cassette will fit the existing wheels or if I should look for replacement wheels of the correct size and a cassette that will then hopefully work with the existing mechanism that is on there.

So any advice, even to tell me I am going in the wrong direction appreciated.

Attaching some photos to show more.

 

 

 

 

 

[zeerpuD1]

I would suggest it will be much cheaper to buy a secondhand bike on bikehub than try to fix that bicycle. There are lots of really good value bikes to be had on the forum

[JoeMerida]

1 hour ago, zeerpuD1 said:

I would suggest it will be much cheaper to buy a secondhand bike on bikehub than try to fix that bicycle. There are lots of really good value bikes to be had on the forum

As Above.

Not worth Fixing 

Ditch it and buy a working bike from the Classifieds.

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

New wheels will set you back a minimum of 2k including tyres (the tyres may look fine, but they won’t be). Fixing the drivetrain probably another 2k. The brakes will need new cables and pads and will probably still not stop very well, but let’s call it 1k. Fork is not serviceable so if you get a new one it will be at least 1k and it will be old or ***. So you’re already at 5k and that’s assuming the hub and freebody and BB/crank are still fine which they’re probably not.

It’s definitely not worth fixing and you’ll be much better off buying a second hand bike that has disc brakes etc. 

Edited Saturday at 04:32 PM by RobynE

[David Marshall]

From a professional mechanic - the above advice.

When you buy a bike get someone knowledgeable to check it out first.

[tinuva]

ok thank you everyone. Looks like fixing it up is not the way to go.

Going with another bike then, s any of the parts on this  worth anything or is it really best to just dump it all?

[Scary Rider]

1 hour ago, tinuva said:

ok thank you everyone. Looks like fixing it up is not the way to go.

Going with another bike then, s any of the parts on this  worth anything or is it really best to just dump it all?

Maybe @RobertWhitehead can give you more informed advice on the condition of parts.

[Eugene]

First. Let's look at your intended use. You want to follow your 6 year old around the block. You don't need a high end bike for that. You want something you can pedal safely on and stop you when you need too. 

A bike like this is perfect for that and will not cost you much to fix it up. You don't need expensive parts, entry level stuff will do just fine. 

Spokes can be replaced for a few hundred Rand. If the wheels are not repairable, at most you'll pay R1.2K for a new set. Unless the fork is going to collapse, leave it as is. You don't need suspension for what you are doing with it. Cassettes are available off Temu for next to nothing

The only trick is you have to do most of the work yourself, if you use a bike shop, the labour cost will make it uneconomical to fix. 

Avalanche is a local brand distributed by Dragons. They have a nice catalogue of parts on their website for this bike along with recommended prices. This will give you an idea on what the parts will cost and you will see just how cheap they are. Most bike shops will sell their products

Www.dragons.co.za

 

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

While Eugene is right on the relatively low cost of potentially fixing it yourself, most folks simply aren’t able to.

If you filter a Bike Hub Marketplace search (Mountain bike) between 2K and 4K you get three pages of ads; some bikes even have Mavic wheels and SLX groupsets, most have Maxxis tyres, etc. 

[RobertWhitehead]

21 hours ago, tinuva said:

Snip

Thank you @Scary Rider

Appreciate the vote of confidence. 

For your intended purpose you'll have to at least start with a R50k purchase excl some lekker kit . Just joking. 

The bike doesn't look like it's that bad, if it was me I would take it to Solomons on Lynnwood drive (if in Gauteng) as they'll have all the parts needed to get you back on the road. They'll most likely do it in a day and just hit you with the invoice. 

If you're planning to do a bit more than follow your daughter around then it may be a good idea to look at the classifieds for something slightly more modern. 

Just be very careful, this is a bottomless pit of enjoyment that onlookers rarely understand 😁

 

[Mongoose!]

What will be the maximum limit spend to repair this bike for example at Solomons?

So if  the "op" [original poster] takes it to Solomons for a quote, where should he continue and above what amount should he walk away?

[eddy]

5 minutes ago, Mongoose! said:

What will be the maximum limit spend to repair this bike for example at Solomons?

So if  the "op" [original poster] takes it to Solomons for a quote, where should he continue and above what amount should he walk away?

The bike will be worth around R2500 and  R3000 when he is done

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

1 hour ago, eddy said:

The bike will be worth around R2500 and  R3000 when he is done

There’s the pretty much exact same one for sale on the hub for R2000. Knowing what I know now (having first forayed into v-brake, rigid bikes when returning to cycling following my daughter around the block on her BMX) there is no benefit to fixing up an old bike from a reliability and enjoyment perspective and putting good money after bad, when you can get a great modern bike second hand that stops and goes when you need it and doesn’t ask questions and you can still follow your kid around the block. But maybe that’s just my opinion 🤷‍♀️