Repair my old bike or buy a new one?

[Sanchez]

Like a lot of people, my employer do the Cycle2Work scheme and I've been thinking about getting a new bike for a while. When not used for getting to work it would be used for family bike rides really, nothing too serious.

I've already got a bike in the garage which I haven't used for ages. It would need to be fully serviced I'm sure and various parts replaced too. The bike I have is pretty old (2002), it's a Specialized HardRock A1 Comp FS. It's the same as the one in this advert:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/2002-specialized-hardrock-a1-comp-mountain-bike-/1166183401

Spec

Spoiler

2002 Specialized Hardrock A1 Comp mountain bike

Bicycle Type Mountain bike, front suspension
Weight Unspecified
Sizes 13", 15", 17", 19", 21", 23"


Frame & Fork
Frame Construction TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material Specialized A1 aluminum
Fork Brand & Model Rock Shox Judy TT
Fork Material Aluminum, triple-clamp crown
Rear Shock Not applicable

Components
Component Group Mountain Mix
Brakeset Specialized linear-pull brakes, aluminum linear-pull levers
Shift Levers Shimano Alivio RapidFire Plus
Front Derailleur Shimano Acera, bottom-pull/clamp-on 35.0mm
Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio
Crankset Specialized Forearm Comp, 22/32/42 teeth
Pedals Specialized twin sided toe clip
Bottom Bracket Shimano BB-LP28, 110mm spindle
BB Shell Width 68mm English
Rear Cogs 8-speed, 11 - 30 teeth
Chain Shimano CN-IG31, 1/2 x 3/32"
Seatpost Aluminum, 30.9mm diameter
Saddle Specialized Body Geometry Sport
Handlebar Specialized aluminum
Handlebar Extensions Not included
Handlebar Stem Specialized aluminum
Headset 1 1/8" Ritchey Logic

Wheels
Hubs Front: Formula aluminum, Q/R, Rear: Shimano RM-40
Rims Alex DM-20, 32-hole
Tires 26 x 2.10" Specialized Rockster
Spoke Brand Stainless steel, 14ga. (2.0mm) straight gauge
Spoke Nipples Brass nipples

Back in the day it was probably an okay bike.

Alternatively, I could get a new bike through my employer's scheme. The Voodoo Bizango seems to get good reviews for a budget hardtail mountain bike.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...go-29er-mens-mountain-bike-16-18-20-22-frames

Spec:

Spoiler

Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Forks: Suntour Raidon 32Boost LOR-DS, 1 1/8" steerer
Frame Material: Alloy
Gender: Mens
Number of Gears: 11
Pedals Included: Yes
Suspension: Front Suspension
Wheel Size: 29"
Bottom Bracket: Sram Powerspline, 73x118mm
Cassette/Freewheel: Sram NX, 11 speed, 11-42t
Chain: Sram, 11 speed, PC-1110
Chainset: Sram NX 32t
Fork Lock-out: Yes
Fork travel: 120mm
Frame: Aluminium - Internal dropper post ready
Front Brake: Shimano M315
Front Hub: Alloy
Gear Shifters: Sram NX, 11 speed
Grips: Black, lock-on
Handlebar Type: Flat bar
Handlebars: Voodoo Alloy, 31.8mm clamp
Headset: 1-1/8" semi-integrated, 44mm upper and lower
Pedals: Flat Wellgo Alloy, 9/16"
Quick Release Front Wheel: Yes
Quick Release Rear Wheel: Yes
Rear Brake: Shimano M315
Rear Hub: Alloy, boost 141, 8/9/10 speed freehub
Rear Mech: Sram NX, long cage, 11 speed
Rims: 29" Alloy, black, 32H
Saddle: Voodoo MTB
Seatpost: Voodoo Alloy 31.6mm, 35mm Q/R seat clamp
Stem: Voodoo Alloy, 31.8mm clamp
Type: Mountain Bikes
Tyre Size: 29" x 2.25"
Tyres: Maxxis Ardent, 60TPI, folding bead

It would be about £350 for the new bike.

What are people's thoughts? Should I fix the old bike? A local bike show will do a full service 'from £70' but then obviously I would also have to factor in any replacement parts as well. And I assume the front forks would need to be serviced? The bike hasn't seen much use since I bought it in 2002. It's never had any maintenance work done on it, other than oiled the chain.

 

[mattyfez]

If the old bike has had hardly any use, and been stored in a dry environment then a £70 service should be all it needs, probably less if the bike shop does a good appraisal, it's a pretty cool retro bike for pootling about on.. New chain, new gear and brake cables, maybe new tyres, jobs probably a good un.
Judy forks whilst old and not particularly good compared to modern ones, also have a certain retro appeal.

What's the general condition of the bike? If it's good to excellent, I'd be tempted to resurrect it.
Although if it's full suspension it will need more TLC than a hard tail like the bizango.

The bizango is a very good bike for the money and quite a different beast as a lot has changed since..

What sort of riding do you do, if it's simply commuting and family rides, it might be a bit overkill, that said it will be a much nicer ride all round.

 

[Sanchez]

If the old bike has had hardly any use, and been stored in a dry environment then a £70 service should be all it needs, probably less if the bike shop does a good appraisal, it's a pretty cool retro bike for pootling about on.. New chain, new gear and brake cables, maybe new tyres, jobs probably a good un.
Judy forks whilst old and not particularly good compared to modern ones, also have a certain retro appeal.

What's the general condition of the bike? If it's good to excellent, I'd be tempted to resurrect it.
Although if it's full suspension it will need more TLC than a hard tail like the bizango.

The bizango is a very good bike for the money and quite a different beast as a lot has changed since..

What sort of riding do you do, if it's simply commuting and family rides, it might be a bit overkill, that said it will be a much nicer ride all round.

Thanks for the reply Generally it's in good condition. I think it has a minor ding in it. I'd be surprised if it's been ridden for more than 100 miles over the last 16 years. It's been mostly kept indoors (I think maybe 6 months outside in my first year at uni). It's really not going to be used for anything other than trails suitable for a 6 year old and a 2 mile trip on roads to the train station.

I'm sure it's overkill, my thinking was if it's going to cost £x then maybe just get a new and much better bike. I'll take it for an appraisal at my local bike shop and see what they say. Thanks for your input.