I've got a 1996-1997 vintage Diamond Back Outlook which my parents bought for me when I was a teenager and I've let it neglect and collect rust behind the backyard for the past 10 years. I found a volunteer shop that also lets you work on your own bikes - which saves $ on tools. The bike's been stripped bare, there's surprisingly little rust on the frame, except at the rear wheel dropouts and where the kickstand mounted - I'll address the kickstand mount with POR-15. My plan of attack is to change out the headset, bottom bracket and crank as I can't find bottom bracket spindles, install new levers/cables/grips, true the front wheel, and touch up the paint.
I had some parts sitting in my garage - but I have a rusted but functional front derailleur, but the back derailleur needs a new upper chainwheel. Should I just clean the derailleurs and replace the chainwheel on the rear one or should I replace those? Should I also replace the brake pads - the junk Lee Chi brakes were replaced with Shimano Deore LX cantilevers which sat outside, but the brakes themselves are in great shape for the conditions they sat in.
I had some parts sitting in my garage - but I have a rusted but functional front derailleur, but the back derailleur needs a new upper chainwheel. Should I just clean the derailleurs and replace the chainwheel on the rear one or should I replace those? Should I also replace the brake pads - the junk Lee Chi brakes were replaced with Shimano Deore LX cantilevers which sat outside, but the brakes themselves are in great shape for the conditions they sat in.