Bent the handlebars on 1990's Galaxy

[puffin]

Can anyone give me a few pointers. I fell off yesterday and bent the handlebars on my Galaxy which I have had for about a year. Can anyone advise me off the best way forward? Can they be straightened?

Failing that, what size do I need to order, and being an older bike, will the sizing be different than those stocked today?
Also, they gear changes plug into the end of the handlebars, does this mean I can only order certain types?

Best solution of all... could I take the handlebar and more modern shifters of my Vantage and fit them to my Galaxy?

Last dumb questions, the wheels are looking tired and I am doing LEJOG again. What size wheels do I need to order?

Thanks for any help, sorry about the range of questions

[531colin]

Can anyone give me a few pointers. I fell off yesterday and bent the handlebars on my Galaxy which I have had for about a year. Can anyone advise me off the best way forward? Can they be straightened? Not if you want to live. I have never seen bars so bent....I would be checking the frame.

Failing that, what size do I need to order, and being an older bike, will the sizing be different than those stocked today?
Also, they gear changes plug into the end of the handlebars, does this mean I can only order certain types? the diameter varies where the stem goes round the bars, but not where the levers plug in

Best solution of all... could I take the handlebar and more modern shifters of my Vantage and fit them to my Galaxy? provided the number and type of gears is the same, yes.....you may need a new stem if the diameter is different

Last dumb questions, the wheels are looking tired and I am doing LEJOG again. What size wheels do I need to order? 700c....to take the tyre width you want, and the cassette (number of gears) you need

Thanks for any help, sorry about the range of questions

Questions are not a problem....are you expecting to do the work yourself, or to have a shop mechanic fit parts you buy elsewhere, or what?

[Paulatic]

WOW are you alright? If I straightened them I would never feel safe with them again.

[Vantage]

That looks to me like a quill stem and unless I'm mistaken, they weren't/aren't available in 31.8 bar clamp size which the vantage comes shipped with. You'll need a standard size handlebar (can't remember the exact dimensions). Or, an adaptor such as this to use the vantages bar and stem. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/deda-quill-stem-adapter/
The vantage runs an 8 speed cassette which your galaxy may not though. If the shifters on the galaxy are ok(thumbies are near indestructible) then I'd just go with a new bar.
As Colin said though, get that frame checked. I've never seen anyone do that to a drop bar!

[puffin]

Thanks so much for the excellent advice, you guys are stars. I reckon the best thing to do then is bite the bullet and give the Galaxy to my local bike shop and say "Please don't hurt me" and let them sort it.

Thanks again, I'll post how much it cost me when the deed is done.

PS As a thought, anyone got a Galaxy for sale?

[puffin]

There is a Super galaxy for sale on this site, its a 60cm frame but I'm 6 foot so should be OK.

told my wife who pointed out that you shouldn't negotiate any purchase with a lump on your head, fair point so I should wait a day or so, but she also reminded me how many bikes I have. I've got a Raleigh something racer from 1992, its a steel frame that's all I know, a GT Timberline, a Carera hybrid thing from Halfords, a Vantage and a Galaxy. Is this normal to build up a stock of bikes?

[Vantage]

Not for me, no. I find my vantage can take anything I can throw at it and it does most things quite well so I'm a "one bike for everything" sort of chap, but there are many here with 2, 3, 4+ bikes.
Better than multiple cars I guess enjoy them

[puffin]

This is what I've been quoted, sounds very reasonable

Hi Bill

The bikes in a bit of a bad way here what definitely needs doing

Replace handlebars £30
Handle bar tape £ 9
Gear & Brake Cables £16
True wheels
Labour £35

Total £90

Irishbill, I did LEJOG on my Vantage, then a couple of yeas later on a Galaxy, but can't say I noticed much difference. Are the bikes quite close in terms of spec?

[gaz]

Sounds very reasonable to me too.

[Vantage]

I couldn't say to be honest, I was never posh enough to own a galaxy. On paper, the galaxy has far better quality components although I do wonder if many cyclists would feel the difference between an XT and Acera rear mech. The Acera on mine has been flawless in the 2 years I've had the bike. The only moving parts that ever gave me any grief was the headset (it's a bit on the rough side) and the rear hub/freehub...it's 'orrible. From the sound this thing makes when coasting I'd say it was chewing itself to death and I'm surprised it's still running.
Wider bars, new stem, suspension seat post, SPD's,on my fourth and hopefully last saddle and third set of tyres but other than that, everything else is bog standard from the factory. Great bike, I love it