<span class="bsf-rt-reading-time"><span class="bsf-rt-display-label" prefix="Reading Time"></span> <span class="bsf-rt-display-time" reading_time="3"></span> <span class="bsf-rt-display-postfix" postfix="mins :"></span></span><div id="bsf_rt_marker"></div><p>As I’m writing this, at the start of 2025, I must confess that I’m not planning on buying a new bicycle. That was an option, and of course I considered it. However, buying new seems so utterly wasteful, and upgrading seems to be a far better choice. In fact, I previously wrote about how <a href="https://www.willcycle.com/2024/04/16/upgrade-is-the-new-n1/" title="Upgrade is the new N+1">Upgrade Is The New N+1</a>.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading">If not a new bike, then what?</h2><p>I have a very clear idea of what I want for my bike, and what I want <em>from</em> a bike. I really like my current bike. The bike is <a href="https://www.willcycle.com/2021/05/17/my-bike-a-5-year-review-of-a-genesis-cda/" title="My bike – a 5-year review of a Genesis CdA">a Genesis CDA 20</a>, which I purchased new back in 2016. It’s served me really well, and off all the bikes I ever owned, it’s my favourite.</p><p>It’s also done tens of thousands of miles, had several crashes, and is looking more than just a bit worse for wear. As a result, it’s well due a complete reworking. The plan is to strip the frame right down, and sand it down to bare metal (it’s an aluminium frame). I’ll remove the forks from the frame, and sand those down, too. They’re carbon, but with an aluminium steerer tube.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading">Respray</h2><p>Yes, I’m aware of the benefits of having the frame professionally powder coated, but it’s important to me that I do all the work myself. As a result, I’ll be respraying the frame myself, and that will be done using rattle-cans. I years gone by, I used to respray my motorcycle helmets that way. While I accept rattle-can paint is thinner, I remain convinced I can do a decent job. In case you’re curious what colour I’ll spray it, this is <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175180174634" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="">the exact paint I’ll be using</a>.</p><p>I’ll be respraying the handlebar stem, as well as the aero bars I have on my bike, using the same colour. The handlebars themselves will remain black. The new rear rack will be sprayed the same blue as the bike frame, and the same goes for the crank set.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rebadge</h2><p>I’ll be buying new Genesis decals to apply to the frame, after the respray. The new decals will be white. However, there’s one exception: I’ll be removing the current Genesis aluminium head-tube badge from the frame.</p><p>The new head-tube badge will be the old CTC (<a href="https://www.cyclinguk.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="">now called Cycling UK</a>) “winged wheel” logo. I spent a fair amount of time recreating that logo as a 3D .stl file, and the image above is a basic representation of that. The logo will be silver, on a dark blue background.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cycling UK</h2><p>Why am I doing that? Simple: in Cycling UK, I found my people. They’re a strong campaigning organisation, with strong routes in cycle touring. Cycling UK isn’t perfect (who is?) but there’s serious value in being a member.</p><p>For starters, membership is only £4.34 per month, and you get a LOT for that! My favourite membership benefit is Cycle magazine, out every two months. But there are many more benefits, so <a href="https://www.cyclinguk.org/join-cycling-uk-today" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="">go have a look for yourself</a>.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuild</h2><p>Before reassembling my bike, the frame will receive <a href="https://www.hktproducts.co.uk/products/hkt-protect-xxl-kit-contour-1?variant=39507108560977" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="">these frame protectors</a>. For starters, frame protectors are a great idea, and secondly, the contour lines will be a nod to WillCycle.com.</p><p>When rebuilding, I will wrap the bars in blue bar tape. All cable outers will be replaced with blue ones, and of course, all inner cables will be replaced. Though I haven’t decided yet, I am considering replacing the BB7 brakes with Spyres.</p><p>As part of the rebuild, I’ll fit a new chain and cassette, and I’ll probably replace two chainrings at the same time. I will also fit a new suspension seat post.</p><h2 class="wp-block-heading">The finished product</h2><p>When done, I should effectively have a new bike, and yet it will still be my old bike. The cost of all the parts and components needed for this rebuild is a fraction of the price of a new bike. As an added bonus, rebuilding my current bike will be far less wasteful than buying a new bike too.<br/><br/>And there you have it! 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