Pushbike query (Pash to thread!)

mine is a giant gsr 400, I think, and has lost one of the back gear cogs (the 7th gear, I think.) it used to have 21 gears (7 back, 3 middle). it needs the back tire re-aligned so it doesn't rub against the frame anymore, and it probably needs new tires. how much d'you reckon it'd cost to fix this stuff? is it worth it? it's a good bike, I think.

You might find that though that there are other things that are knackered too, like your headset, hubs, drivetrain... all those will start adding up and it might be more sensible to splash out on a new bike. Again, your local shop will assess it for you for nowt.

is the wheel warped? if not just loosen the nuts on the wheel, adjust it a bit so it doesn't rub and bobs yer uncle...no?

As above, have you tried loosening one of the wheelnuts and re-aligning the back wheel?

Usable tyres start at around £8 apiece, better stuff from a tenner upwards. Generally, I prefer to fit schwalbe tyres myself.

Further question, then - what's the minimum I should be looking to spend to get a passable new bike with a comfy saddle - I don't want a mountain bike really.

Long term, the best saddle is a Brooks leather saddle, such as the "B17" model (unsprung) or "champion flyer" (sprung) figure on paying approx £30 for one. They need to be "broken in", which isn't so nice, but it's worth it.

Stuff I sell that may be relevant (nb, I try to only sell stuff I like) Schwalbe "marathon" tyre - kevlar belted for puncture resistance, hard-wearing, 30-32 quid a pair. They are available in 27X1 1/4".

brakes - try replacing the cables and blocks first. Cables rusting inside and seizing = nr 1 problem w/brakes. Make sure you get teflon-lined outer casing. Check the pivot bolt that goes through the middle - is it siezed up? Oil it, and see if you can free it up.

Road bikes, what used to be called "racers" are a minority thing now - there aren't many cheap models, and to be honest, most cheap (read; under 200 quid) bikes are shit. Dearer bikes all come with 9-speed sprockets which can be problematical, and the parts are expensive. Second-hand, it's a buyers market. For the last 2 years, more bikes have been imported into britain than actually sold. Used, look for a Dawes Galaxy or Super-Galaxy from a few years ago, and bargain hard. Taske along someone who knows about bikes to check it over so you don't get sold a knackered old dog.

DO NOT buy something that just needs a few gear/brake parts replaced at the moment. Sh|M4N0 has fukced up in some way, and parts are very slow to arrive, like 190 day lead times are being quoted for some stuff.

If you are purely commuting, buy a new Brompton.

Inner tubes - Im used to sell michelin and schwalbe, but Raleigh's own brand is just as good, and a lot cheaper. 700c inner tubes will fit 27" tyres.

I'd be sad in a way to get rid of the Holdsworth - although the brand name was bought by inferior manufacturers years ago, my local bike shop is THE original shop, and still holds the name, where the marque started out 80 or so years ago.