Dug my vintage bike out...is it worth the rebuild?

Hi everyone. Hope this is in the right place?

Today I dug out my vintage Peugeot and it's safe to say she hasn't aged all too well. I used to love riding it and want to get back out there but do you think this resuscitation job worth it (from a financial standpoint) or should I spring for something more modern and road worthy?

I love vintage bikes so she does have some sentimental value but I am also very keen to get back on the road asap. I'm very not mechanically minded or tooled up so dropping it off at a bike shop for the labour would be the only real option for me.

Not looking to rebuild it with vintage parts this time either. Most likely a single speed conversion with upgraded brakes, wheels etc.

What do you think? Cheers!

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Do it. Learn how to fix up a bike on this. Even if it does not become your main squeeze you will learn enough that you will make good decisions when you elsewhere which will save you a ton of cash. In my experience fixing up my old Raleigh was great. The Peugeot still looks great you can respray white and get replacement graphics. The cogs, cranks etc are pitted but you will probably swap them out. Do a good job and you will love that bike for another 25 years!

Thank you for the inspiration! Honestly if I had the tools and the space I might try and get this done myself. It's a shame as I do share your mentality about new skills saving money in the long run but I have also reached a point in life where I realise I just can't be capable of everything. It's the "Do a good job" part which is the real spanner in the works...excuse the pun.

I would say that if you were going to give it a bash yourself then definitely do it. Although it looks daunting at first - converting to a SS really isn't so tricky on these bikes (my first build was doing exactly the same thing on the same bike!)

However, by the time you've got it to a shop, to replace the parts, and the bits they recommend plus the labour will add up to the point where you might as well get something newer and ready to go (take a look in the classifieds section here).

TL:DR

If doing yourself - go for it
If not - spend your money elsewhere and maybe try and sell this bike on for a few quid to someone who will be happy to take it on as a project.

I'm going to argue for buying another bike. It sounds like you want to ride a bike not learn how to fix one.

Repairing bikes has costs parts tools, a bit of grease, chain lube paint can soon add up also your time. What's your time worth on an hourly basis ? £10 any hour ? More ? It all soon adds up. Say, maybe it dosen't come together ? Then you've got an expensive pile of bits in the corner that isn't a usable bike.

Surley much better to buy a new or second hand one. Sell the Peugeot to help fund the project, so that it becomes an asset not a liability. There are plent of single speeds from cheap to expensive as well as plenty vintage bikes out there. Lots of choice of ride home stuff about without the stress.

Just my thoughts, I wish you many happy miles.

She really hasn't aged too well but hopefully you can look beyond her haggard exterior and she will become your main squeeze again.

With absolutely no lack of respect intended, if you can renovate it do so. If it isn't within your range of skills and current tool collection, don't bother to pay for the work as it would probably cost more than the value of the bike after renovation.

looks like it has steel rims that are rusted. braking with steel rims only really seems to work in dry, slightly wet and you'll need to plan your braking in plenty of time.
Does it all work at the moment?

If you have some spare time on your hand, I say do it. Get some steel wool, brunox and get to work. And get a new chain. For a few quid you'll be happy af riding that old pug around town. I know I did, cleaning up my moms rusty old step-through pug. My gf learned to love riding on that thing and a few years later we were riding the Canarian Isles, Mallorca, Italy, the works. Just do it and see what happens. Enjoy!

Personally I’d also do it but it makes zero financial sense.

You’ll immediately need new tubes and tyres, chain and cassette and cables. I’d personally also stick new brake calipers and levers on it. Already that adds up. On top of that paying for someone else’s labour....

BUT, if you can afford it, and it has sentimental value, it’s great to recycle something.

If you change your mind, start a thread on here and people will help you. Otherwise have a look in the classifieds as already suggested, and maybe donate the bike to someone here if you want to see them do it up.

I don't think it needs much investment at all. Probably only new bit you possibly NEED is a chain, but only if this seized. (and maybe brake cables). Those cassettes will last longer than the earth. Tyres/tubes only if they don't hold air and the tyres cracked.

If anything it just needs a thorough clean and rust scrub. Then lube the chain.

At a real push new wheels wouldn't hurt, a set of super cheap 2nd hand one's in reasonable nick.

There’s nothing wrong with that bike it’s just dirty. Get wire wool on the corrosion, pump the tyres up, some soap and water it will look miles better in about ten mins.

Unless you’re magnificently lazy you wont need to pay someone to do it.

Then look at it objectively. The chain is rustyish but this won’t make it unusable, wire brush from 99p shop, wash the grot off, dry and lubricate it, it will be fine.

The only thing that could be a problem is the rusty rims. Wire bush on that as best as you can and it will probably be ok. Otherwise swap out for a secondhand set of 700c wheels of your choosing.

This sort of thing only gets expensive when you try modernising it. It’s not a modern bike though so just keep it as is.

I’ve refurbished loads of bikes like this, seriously, it looks bad as it’s got flat tyres and dirt on it. Underneath all that it’s likely fine. Unless you put it away broken it needs some oil on the chain and check over the brakes and you’ll be good.