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Restoring the bike is a great way understand the bike. My history is similar to yours. Gave up bikes around 10. Wife want to me ride with her. I got a top of the line bike on CG for peanuts. of course, it was top of the line around the 90s :) cleaning start by REALLY cleaning the bike. simple green and brushes. don't be afraid to wet the bike. just avoid ...

Yeah, it's an old bike -- before "indexed shifters", making it at least 20 years old, I suspect. (The reflectors suggest to me that it's probably not over about 30 years old, though.) Apparently, from the sound of things, it's working fairly well, though, and should be reasonably safe if a few details are given attention. First off, the tires and tubes, ...

This really depends on the type of stationary bike you are talking about. There's the older style as well as bikes that resemble road bikes (at least in terms of body position), as well as some recumbent bikes. There are bicycles that match pretty well to all three of those stationary bikes. However, it's worth mentioning that just because you are ...

With all respect, you should look at a new bike, or a used one which is far more current than the one you've got now. If you are uncomfortable riding it, feel unsafe, or it requires more skill than you have to ride it comfortably, then get one that is comfortable and safe for you. You can buy a new, basic mountain bike, hybrid. or urban bike for about $500 ...

You mentioned long distance ridding. Here is what I would be thinking about: Comfort When I think about comfort there are two things that I think about. Most importantly I think about handlebars and more specifically how many places you have to put your hands. Drop bars are nice because you get three positions, but I don't like drops when I am riding ...

The two upgrades which make the biggest difference are the wheels and the frame itself. (I know, better shifting is fun but it won't change your speed/distance much) You could also look at getting better tires, but since you have a commuting bike they should already be fine. Given the price of a good wheel set you might be better off with a complete bike. ...

Good Stuff Kalamane, Nothing like finding an old bike and doing it up. There does not appear to be much wrong with it that a good clean and oiling/grease will not solve. As mentioned by others go over the mechanical components/nuts and ensure they are fixed and tightened up. The components maybe old fashioned (retro?) but will work just as well as new ...

This looks well worth the effort. As @gcb says you can do it yourself and learn how to take care of everything on the bike. Although it does not have index gears and everything else fancy and sophisticated you can ride worry free about anyone stealing it and those handlebars should be nice and relaxed. One point of concern is the front brake - I would like ...

You're an exceptionally experienced programmer, you know by now that life is a series of compromises and trade offs. Yes the diamondback is a good bike for that price, but you get what you pay for. If you really want a bicycle you'll enjoy, go to a family owned local bike shop and trade a little extra money for an experienced employee to fit you to a bike ...

A very significant factor with 99% of stationary bikes is that they have no momentum -- when you stop pedaling the bike stops, and it takes extra effort to resume pedaling, even if you only stopped for an instant. You simply can't reproduce this behavior on a "real world" bike. Beyond that, your basic stationary bikes provide no variability in resistance, ...

Both the 7.5 and 7.7 are great bikes. An alternative would be a Specialized Sirrus. I have owned 2 Sirrus' and loved them. I only upgraded to a Specialize roubaix so i could participate in competitive road biking. The difference between the 7.5 and 7.7 is pretty big. 7.7 has much better road worthy components and will be several pounds lighter.

You've got a bike there with thoroughly outmoded technology. The handlebar-mounted friction shifters are likely functional, but take quite a bit of practice to use properly. The old-style cantilever brakes are likely functional as well but not nearly as powerful as modern equipment. I would imagine that's a ten-speed (5-cogs) freewheel on the rear end of ...