I'm considering getting into bicycling. I discovered that there are a few hundred miles of safe, paved bicycle trails in my area, and extending out to a state park. Biking seems like a good exercise and good low-cost family outing. My wife borrowed my mom's bike, which is a $600 Trek brand bike from a bike shop. She loves it.
I on the other hand, found my bike behind my mom's garage; a '92 Schwinn Mirada Sport. It has been sitting out in the rain for 3 years or so. She bought it at a garage sale for 35$. The shifters didn't work and the tires were nearly reduced to dust. I took the shifters apart, oiled and cleaned them, put them back together and they work almost great now. Still one shifting bug I have yet to work out. I replaced the back tire and tube for $30 but I can't decide whether it's worth putting any more money into.
I got a bike trailer from the flea market and we have gone on 2 bike trips so far, both <10 miles. Pending more trips to see if we all actually enjoy it, I think I want to get into touring. Not extreme touring days or weeks at a time, but just day trips, maybe out to the state park for camping. So I want to get a touring bike that it rugged and I can pack a gear on. I'm going to have gear packed on the bike frame itself and I'll be pulling a trailer with 2 kids and more gear in it, so I'll need low gears.
So here's the question parts of my question: (1) Why do bikes cost so friggin much? Everything I read about bike touring says the Surly Long Haul Trucker is the king of the road, but it's $1400. It's made of steel, just like my Schwinn. Even the frame alone is >$500, 5 tubes of steel welded together. (2) Is my Schwinn worth putting any more money into? It is actually set up like a touring bike, with the mounts for panniers and racks, and it is the perfect size for me coincidentally. Looking at ebay, walmart, craigslist, etc. the only bikes I can find that meet those two needs cost at least $500. (3) What is the deal with bike shops? I've heard the the majority of bike shops won't even touch a Schwinn. Is this some sort of elitism or is there a legitimate reason for it? (4) Is there any reason why I shouldn't try to build my own touring bike? As I mentioned in question #1, if there's something magical about the construction of a bike frame, I don't know about it. I can sorta weld, and I've got half an idea how a frame jig should work. I think I could make a passable bike frame. I assume the fame would need to be annealed after welding to relieve stress; I might be able to do that at home if I can come up a way. That would save me at least a portion of the cost of getting a nice touring bike. (5) If I did make my own bike, would the bike shop turn their noses up at it like they do the schwinn?
I on the other hand, found my bike behind my mom's garage; a '92 Schwinn Mirada Sport. It has been sitting out in the rain for 3 years or so. She bought it at a garage sale for 35$. The shifters didn't work and the tires were nearly reduced to dust. I took the shifters apart, oiled and cleaned them, put them back together and they work almost great now. Still one shifting bug I have yet to work out. I replaced the back tire and tube for $30 but I can't decide whether it's worth putting any more money into.
I got a bike trailer from the flea market and we have gone on 2 bike trips so far, both <10 miles. Pending more trips to see if we all actually enjoy it, I think I want to get into touring. Not extreme touring days or weeks at a time, but just day trips, maybe out to the state park for camping. So I want to get a touring bike that it rugged and I can pack a gear on. I'm going to have gear packed on the bike frame itself and I'll be pulling a trailer with 2 kids and more gear in it, so I'll need low gears.
So here's the question parts of my question: (1) Why do bikes cost so friggin much? Everything I read about bike touring says the Surly Long Haul Trucker is the king of the road, but it's $1400. It's made of steel, just like my Schwinn. Even the frame alone is >$500, 5 tubes of steel welded together. (2) Is my Schwinn worth putting any more money into? It is actually set up like a touring bike, with the mounts for panniers and racks, and it is the perfect size for me coincidentally. Looking at ebay, walmart, craigslist, etc. the only bikes I can find that meet those two needs cost at least $500. (3) What is the deal with bike shops? I've heard the the majority of bike shops won't even touch a Schwinn. Is this some sort of elitism or is there a legitimate reason for it? (4) Is there any reason why I shouldn't try to build my own touring bike? As I mentioned in question #1, if there's something magical about the construction of a bike frame, I don't know about it. I can sorta weld, and I've got half an idea how a frame jig should work. I think I could make a passable bike frame. I assume the fame would need to be annealed after welding to relieve stress; I might be able to do that at home if I can come up a way. That would save me at least a portion of the cost of getting a nice touring bike. (5) If I did make my own bike, would the bike shop turn their noses up at it like they do the schwinn?