Bike sat idle for a few years - Service Costs?

[bitchstewie]

I have an Orange Gringo that I got in 2004 or there abouts. It's sat in the shed/garage unused for a few years now and I fancy digging it out.

The tyres are totally flat as you'd expect.

Other than sticking some air in them and giving the thing a general fettle and clean/grease am I asking a bit much to expect it to work?

I won't be doing anything nuts just gentle road/cycle path use.

I've not checked what the local bike place charges but looking online at service costs for a bike, plus suspension fork servicing, plus tyres and tubes and anything else and you seems I could be up to 2/3rds the cost of a new bloody bike!!

[castex]

It's not a nuclear submarine. Pump up the tyres, try the brakes, get on and ride it. Anything needed will swiftly become apparent.

[numtumfutunch]

^^^ this plus oil the chain

the forks will prob need a tinker too

[944fan]

As above plus check all the nuts and qr are tight.

[ALawson]

I was thinking the same after seeing this on Gumtree http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/marin-rift-zone-...

I was doing a random search to see if I could find a bike stolen in 2003 (and thoughts about getting a replacement). I expect that these Marin frames are well out dated now!

[bitchstewie]

castex said:

It's not a nuclear submarine. Pump up the tyres, try the brakes, get on and ride it. Anything needed will swiftly become apparent.

I think that sums it up quite nicely tbh. It's been kept indoors so everything that was greased was still greased and there's nothing frayed or loose etc.

Basically I gave it a bloody good wash down and a scrub with hot soapy water taking care around the bottom bracket and headset, dried it off, went and got some GT85 and Dry Lube from the local bike place and went over the mech and tried to get in the cable runs, then I cleaned off the chain as thoroughly as I could before greasing it.

Just been out for an hour or so and it seems fine - not entirely convinced by the tyres (WTB Weirwolf) but that could be that they're not designed for road/cycle path use - I guess it is a mountain bike so the clue's in the name.

Might look for a new saddle too as my arse hurts.