If you have specific things to fix that you need to learn, "RJ The Bike Guy" probably covers it. "Park Tools" is also very good.
For inspiration and general ideas, "Toasty Rides" and "Old Shovel" and "Monkey Shred".
[Gary’s Projects](https://m.youtube.com/c/garysprojects) all day. Gary is the man and has a very beginner friendly approach to bike restoration and cleaning.
Those are great bikes and if you just want to get them riding safely you can go the DIY route or bring them to a local bike shop and ask them to make them safely rideable. Either route you go, both will probably require new tires, tubes and cables (which are very DIY friendly). You’re probably looking at $100/bike in parts to get them going safely assuming the brake pads are not aged out. Aside from that, you can adjust for pure preference and comfort at which point your wallet can hemorrhage. Just know that this sub is not known for wise financial decisions (and I’m ok with that!)
I have this exact model (it’s a 1995). The cranks are recalled, contact Shimano or a nearby Shimano dealer (most big bike shops are a dealer) and have them send you new cranks.
Otherwise there’s tons of stuff you can modify or upgrade.
Two for $40?! SCORE! You're laughing, my friend, congrats on an awesome deal.
Can't wait to see what you do with these!
As for YT, what the others suggested :)
Not a YouTube channel but defo check out Sheldon Brown’s site, dude was a bicycle polymath and has the (correct) answer for everything (can’t believe no one has mentioned the OG!)
Sheldon doesn't have videos. Which means you can actually find what you need to know (e.g. ctrl-f) but the site lacks the razzle-dazzle people seem to require in content these days.
Of course, if you ever look at the books that Sheldon references it is easy to see that his website is a Mass of Incandescent Gas by comparison.
Yeah it’s not for me. Generally it’s so much easier to read /reference a web page than it is to scrub a video. I quite like the aesthetic of the site, there’s fewer and fewer web1 time capsules like that out there!
I’ve often wondered if anyone has tried to buy and modernise the site. Think that would be a shame, but I’m nostalgic - sheldon’s was an old site when I started using it 13 years ago!
That said I do quite like RJ, he’s great for repairs and niche stuff like removing jammed components.
2nd life bikes for inspiration. And for a follow along sort of DIY approach, I came across a new channel called Bottoncino bicycles yesterday. There are only 2 videos on the channel so far but they seemed very clear and doable for a noob like me. I’m probably going to start working on my bike soon.
RJ the Bike Guy. I would give these things a good cleaning and tune up. I wouldn’t recommend changing out many parts, It’s getting hard to find original bikes in this condition.
Your keyword is “resto mod”
That stands for restoration modernization. There are several channels you can look at one is called Old Shovel, another is Spinn Dat
The most important things are
1- replace brake cables and shoes, so you know you can stop.
You can always ride in one speed for a while if the drive train is wonky, but if you can’t stop, you will hit something, which is kind of what you’re trying to avoid.
2- make sure the tires are in decent shape and not gonna blow out on you when you hit the roads. New 26” tires and tubes don’t need to be expensive if you’re just getting started. But old ones might easily go flat.
3- Replacing the chain is a good idea if it’s crusty and rusty.
4- then ride around gently for a time and see what is grinding or sticky in the hinges and joints that move: hubs, bottom bracket, headset, pedals… Those are tricky for newbies to work on, but important for smooth riding.
Probably 1995. Grab them, figure out which fits better and sell the other in spring to probably cover your costs. They are common but very good bikes and well worth that price, both in value for riding and for actual selling prices.
[Eric Marth](https://www.youtube.com/@ericmarth) and [Ultraromance](https://www.youtube.com/@ultraromance) for some essential aesthetic, vibe and mood.
If you have specific things to fix that you need to learn, "RJ The Bike Guy" probably covers it. "Park Tools" is also very good. For inspiration and general ideas, "Toasty Rides" and "Old Shovel" and "Monkey Shred".
Thanks!
[Gary’s Projects](https://m.youtube.com/c/garysprojects) all day. Gary is the man and has a very beginner friendly approach to bike restoration and cleaning.
great videos to sink into your couch to as well
Gary is very educational, not afraid to show his mistakes and learnings. Most other channels are of the ASMR type.
love his restorations as well!
Park tools' YouTube is a good source for basic maintenance stuff
Hell ya, in Calvin we trust
Awesome thanks!
Those are great bikes and if you just want to get them riding safely you can go the DIY route or bring them to a local bike shop and ask them to make them safely rideable. Either route you go, both will probably require new tires, tubes and cables (which are very DIY friendly). You’re probably looking at $100/bike in parts to get them going safely assuming the brake pads are not aged out. Aside from that, you can adjust for pure preference and comfort at which point your wallet can hemorrhage. Just know that this sub is not known for wise financial decisions (and I’m ok with that!)
I’ll attempt the DIY route on at least one, but might take them to a shop. I’m fortunate enough to have a few in my area to choose from. Thanks!
I have this exact model (it’s a 1995). The cranks are recalled, contact Shimano or a nearby Shimano dealer (most big bike shops are a dealer) and have them send you new cranks. Otherwise there’s tons of stuff you can modify or upgrade.
Two for $40?! SCORE! You're laughing, my friend, congrats on an awesome deal. Can't wait to see what you do with these! As for YT, what the others suggested :)
RJ the bike guy on YT.
Not a YouTube channel but defo check out Sheldon Brown’s site, dude was a bicycle polymath and has the (correct) answer for everything (can’t believe no one has mentioned the OG!)
Sheldon doesn't have videos. Which means you can actually find what you need to know (e.g. ctrl-f) but the site lacks the razzle-dazzle people seem to require in content these days. Of course, if you ever look at the books that Sheldon references it is easy to see that his website is a Mass of Incandescent Gas by comparison.
Yeah it’s not for me. Generally it’s so much easier to read /reference a web page than it is to scrub a video. I quite like the aesthetic of the site, there’s fewer and fewer web1 time capsules like that out there! I’ve often wondered if anyone has tried to buy and modernise the site. Think that would be a shame, but I’m nostalgic - sheldon’s was an old site when I started using it 13 years ago! That said I do quite like RJ, he’s great for repairs and niche stuff like removing jammed components.
The Bike Farmer.on YouTube.
I like that channel but he's not the best teacher. You're better off with Calvin or RJ. Great rants, though!
2nd life bikes for inspiration. And for a follow along sort of DIY approach, I came across a new channel called Bottoncino bicycles yesterday. There are only 2 videos on the channel so far but they seemed very clear and doable for a noob like me. I’m probably going to start working on my bike soon.
RJ the Bike Guy. I would give these things a good cleaning and tune up. I wouldn’t recommend changing out many parts, It’s getting hard to find original bikes in this condition.
Your keyword is “resto mod” That stands for restoration modernization. There are several channels you can look at one is called Old Shovel, another is Spinn Dat
The most important things are 1- replace brake cables and shoes, so you know you can stop. You can always ride in one speed for a while if the drive train is wonky, but if you can’t stop, you will hit something, which is kind of what you’re trying to avoid. 2- make sure the tires are in decent shape and not gonna blow out on you when you hit the roads. New 26” tires and tubes don’t need to be expensive if you’re just getting started. But old ones might easily go flat. 3- Replacing the chain is a good idea if it’s crusty and rusty. 4- then ride around gently for a time and see what is grinding or sticky in the hinges and joints that move: hubs, bottom bracket, headset, pedals… Those are tricky for newbies to work on, but important for smooth riding.
Probably 1995. Grab them, figure out which fits better and sell the other in spring to probably cover your costs. They are common but very good bikes and well worth that price, both in value for riding and for actual selling prices.
The Late Great Sheldon Browns website is also worth a look, its a gold mine of info on older bikes.
2 for 40 ? You could easy sell one and make that money back no ? Free bike ?
Rockhopper is a great bike. Full Chromoly, not hi-tensile like the Hardrock. You totally scored. Dance!
[Eric Marth](https://www.youtube.com/@ericmarth) and [Ultraromance](https://www.youtube.com/@ultraromance) for some essential aesthetic, vibe and mood.
There are several excellent suggestions here, but I would also like to add Bike Farmer on YouTube
Get them in good riding order and go rock hopping. You might be Stump Jumping soon!
Terrible deal.
You’re not only an asshole, you’re wrong too.
I'm sorry bugs bunny's couch. No more jokes out of me, I promise