Pinkbike Poll: How Long Do You Keep Your Bike?
The RAAW Madonna V2 is about as close to bombproof as a full suspension bike can be.
From those who cycle through a bike each year to those who build bikes with longevity as the top priority, there are countless approaches to buying and keeping or selling a bike. It's easy to be caught up in trying to always have the newest and shiniest things, but with a bit of maintenance and attention, bikes can stay dialed for longer than we sometimes expect.
Brian Park, Pinkbike's head of editorial, recently showed off his RAAW Madonna V2, which he built with a 10-year lifespan in mind. (Though he admits he won't actually keep it for that long.) There are plenty of others out there, too, who put their retro bikes through the wringer at bike parks all summer. We suspect there are lots of you who pick your parts in hopes that they'll last forever, and we want to hear about it.
On the other side of the spectrum, there are those who get free bikes for one reason or another, work in the industry, or are willing to pay for cutting-edge tech, and we're curious about that, too.
Author Info:
Member since Jun 19, 2015
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
New bikes never shown up so I have NONE Enduro bikes in the garage... dangit...
Plus when I think of an ‘updated geo’ wife I think of all the wasted time dating (finding the perfect new bike) and efforts I’d have to put into ‘customizing’ my new ride. Because there’s quirks the old bike had that we’re JUST RIGHT... which the new bike doesn’t have. I.e. 180mm dropper, silent hub etc. that the new bike most definitely wouldn’t have...
Dang it I love my wife and I need to go hug her... maybe even score. PEACE
You are lucky if you get any bike at all. Those beige bikes included
“Wait, why is your bike orange? Was black before.”
“Oh honey, you so crazy!”
You really need to start moderating these kinds of comments, at no other place on the internet I visit do I find so much misogyny as the pinkbike comment section. No wonder there's so few women here...
(The string in the end is ment for easy removal, you really shouldn't light it on fire. You could end up hurting yourself badly)
Kinda like the fraudulent presidential elections, and the winner is ????
As long as they are the same colour, you’re gold.
DO NOT CHANGE COLOUR !
Unless of course it affects family finances, at which point bikes are of no importance.
1-When changing a bike out, try to purchase a bike that is of similar colour to the previous bike.
2-if you have a complete colour change, try and hide the latest purchase for a minimum of 3 months. When it’s cover is blown by the good lady, you can state it’s not brand new and more importantly, you can’t take it back....
3-ALWAYS refrain/dodge from telling your good lady what you spent on the bike. If you lie and underprice it, she could well sell it for the RRP you told her
4-NEVER COMPARE THE QUANTITY OF YOUR BIKES TO THE NUMBER OF SHOES AND HANDBAGS the wife owns............
If your wife is a mountain biker as well, be aware you are living in the “unicorn zone” of relationships. You MUST socialise with your wife at as many biking events as possible, just so your friends believe that she exists.
I thought there is some kind of federal or state tax equal for everyone
Idk how true it is but hey it's nice to think there are truly nice/ generous people out there
Old bikes are not worth a lot...and I think it is kinda fair to give back when you can buy bike stuff for cheap working in a bike shop
It was an older bike, but top of the line XC race bike in its day, Easton ultralite frame, SRAM 9.0SL shifters, XTR cranks, Hayes mag brakes, Sun DS1 wheels, Answer Taperlite cockpit, Manitou Black Ultimate fork.
Edit: This doesn't work for high-end bikes. There a few people who want to pay $7k for a second-hand bike, but plenty who will pay $3k for a bike that retailed for $5k for which you only paid $4k (whatever, but you get my drift).
Also, on a 5k dollar bike, you definitely won't get a 500 dollar cassette
Yeah I do change my chains when they get too long and I rotate between two of them to keep the wear on the cassette minimal. I think I went through 4 or 5 chains with the last cassette.
My method works well for those companies that bring out year models early, so I can be selling a 2015 model bike in the year 2015. My Santa Cruz Bronson is Mk3 so it became out of date half a year after I bought it. Mind you, I love it and will keep it, it is my XC race bikes I'll churn yearly and I put big miles on them and they don't take as much of a bashing as my enduro bike. I'm also lucky I'm a medium so I have maximum chance of finding a buyer. Someone who is XXL or XXS is going to struggle.
@conoat You nailed it - I'm doing 7k a year and paying $500 for the cassette. Due to COVID, I'm about to spend a grand on consumables I wouldn't normally be buying and will be selling a two-year old bike instead of a one year old bike. First world problems.
@elyari Exactly. I've got four chains that get swapped regularly, and when the ring teeth look like shark fins, the drivetrain is toasted.
@iantmcg Sure, it won't work for everyone. I just wanted folk to know that there's a good chance that they can get, say, a new $5k bike every year but it may only cost them $1k per year. There's a perception on PB that only dentists can afford a new bike every year, but it isn't true. If you have a 2014 bike then you are up for a new bike soon. Once the demand and supply weirdness due to COVID dies down (no-one is doing deals at the moment because demand is high and stocks are low), have a chat with your LBS and see what they can do. Maybe take a few other riding buddies or someone who wants to get in to the sport and see how you go. A bike shop has overhead in putting bikes on the floor and storing them. Imagine how happy they would be if they could sell five bikes at once, and you all know what model and size you want. That's free money for the LBS without the overhead of storage or floorspace or hours of staff time selling bikes. And if you don't want to buy new, I'd start saving your pennies because some of the people who got into MTB due to COVID will lose interest and my guess is that will be a good supply of barely-used second-hand bikes for sale by the end of the year.
I posted not to flex but to give an idea for those of you that think a new bike is impossible. Have a think about it. I'd love to hear from a shop owner too.
What is this 'shorts' you are talking about? Is that suitable for breakfast with Weißwurst and Weissbier?
Not everyone sells old bikes. Some just keep them and hang them in the garage, or hang just the (often broken) frames in the garage and build off a new frame or sell parts if new frames aren't compatible.
Plus I don't get why you would replace the whole bike if say only the drive train needs doing. Surely if you like the bike you want to keep it. If you don't like the bike why did you buy it in the first place?
But the question is, if nearly every component on a bike has been replaced multiple times throughout its life, is it still the same bike?
On a related note: To all the companies that still manufacture and sell 26” wheels, tires, quick releases, 1” stems, skinny handlebars, 5 bolt chainrings, 27ish diameter seatposts, forks with v-brake / canti brake posts, cable brake levers, etc., THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! If you’ve kept a bike as long as I have, it’s no longer just a bike... it’s practically a pet or family member (who still needs love).
The answers have changed over the years. I spent 10 years in the industry, allowing access to the latest and greatest tech. Life expands (wife, children...) and budgets tighten. 2020 brought a new bike to the garage that I am stoked about and a tween who wanted to rip with dad. Go back 2004 to the last new bike that I still ride today. It also pulled the kids around in a trailer. Lastly there is the dj bike. This one is real old, 2001 z1 drop offs, profile racing cranks (25+years) and a collection of junk keeping it rolling. New parts have been added over the years when needed.
I would say I am nostalgic there is a Free Agent Rick Thorn Stiletto the boy rides and an original Kona humuhumunukunukuapua'a modded with a rear disc brake for my daughter.
Keep them clean, tinker constantly and they last a long time, " sit down, shut up and peddle"
How many parts do you need to replace on a bike for it to be considered new?
#2 reason for I take immaculate care of my rides but occasionally I break one...or destroy it via dents and or cracks...which sucks I love riding and love my rides so when it happens it's a bummer...
My new to me ride 2nd ride dented the hell out of the swing arm, launched into a rick chutes and caught some rocks bad...was fastest way through by far bit came at a price...I'd do it again...
But I love bikes, love new designs, love trying out new rides and seeing how they fit.my style....
I still miss that bike, but I know it went to a good home.
My list of bikes isn't too impressive, mainly because I tend to keep them forever:
'99 Gary Fisher Sugar 3
'02 Santa Cruz Heckler
'15 Santa Cruz Chameleon (many upgrades, still ride it)
'18 Mondraker Foxy XR
Back in the early 2000s I lusted after those Ellsworth bikes so much, but ended up going SC with the Heckler. Wish I still owned it!
Ellsworth get a lot of stick for their advertising but the frames were solidly built.
New bike is always in mind, but since I have kids it is harder to get monney on it. Luckilly I have opportunity to test new bikes so it helps a lot
When I made a choice years ago, I thought about how I could grow into it, but I only took into account a certain amount of personal growth. It's akin to future-proofing. I eventually reach a plateau in progress/growth, and advertising suggests that a new product has higher limits. Sometimes this takes me 1 year to reach, sometimes 2 or 3. I start seeing limits in my old choice. I may be skeptical at first, but hearing testimonies eventually opens me up to the new ideas/products.
To end this cycle, I essentially have to stop chasing growth and find something more down-to-Earth to satisfy me. Something close to home, or close to my heart, that the advertisements don't target... basically, I forego "progress" and settle with complacency, and reprogram myself to be happy with my current level, and appreciate everything I currently have access to as something beautiful. That said, I have tried this before, but I find things start to go downhill when I stop progress. Personally, it feels that maintaining a certain level is torturous on my mind/psyche (stagnation), to the point it forces me to make a choice to continue going up or retire.
I’m keeping my bikes for a while now. Even if I wanted to buy a new one, I’m not keen on paying the increases prices. And there’s no stock.
So I’m going to HODL!!!1!1
- I have all of the components (swapped frame) from a Kuwahara Sierra Grande I purchased Jan 1988
- I have a Kuwahara Trial KN (trials bike) with 24" wheels purchased in 1987
- I bought a used Norco rigid frame mountain bike in 1993 for $185 and still have too.
Oh, plus my newly retired 2002 Gary Fisher 4+
I buy good equipment, maintain and treat it well and expect it to last a long time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmJ2wVL64LI
So what's this I hear about replacing bikes???
- Are those expensive products that cost a lot, designed to stand the test of time? (designed honestly)
or
- Those bikes that cost a lot & quite above a lot, are designed to fail after a couple of seasons?
This has nothing to do with the evolution of technology. It has to do with how honest your product is, especially if we consider how much a “good” bike costs today.
Reliability, serviceability and ease of maintenance should also be a priority of the modern bike.
I will also buy a new bike if I branch out my skill set - like my fat bike for snow/mud riding.
If I had cash to spare I'd replace it with a GG Shred Dogg and hang the Prophet frame on the wall in my basement work space.
I appreciate these companies that make a performance product with adequate durability (for its intended purpose). I find that failing in a safe undramatic way matters more than not failing at all. Customers just want to be satisfied and be able to afford to sustain a happy lifestyle for a long time. Service can make up for this and also form an essential feedback loop between maker and consumer.
As much as I dislike the waste of consumer-society and the inconvenience of failures, I doubt making parts more tank-like is the way to go. Akin to someone saying cars aren't made like they used to be, implying that the sight of cars crumpling up is bad, ignoring the condition the occupants end up in. I wish it were as simple as pointing to a sweet spot between disposable and made-to-last. People have different reasons behind their choices--I am all for epic adventure while others might for higher performance.
I have turned it into my second bike now so love taking it out.. the older geo is great for trail riding. The new meta has made me faster and i know its not going to break any time soon..
Got a Tallboy3 in 2016, upgraded most part on it and now switch all the parts to a bitchin 2021 Hightower CC ❤️
2008: I've bought some 23kg cheap steel full suspension for $200.
2011: new alloy frame;
2012: another frame, wheels and fork;
2013: new drivetrain, bars etc;
...
2020: new 29" frame, fork and wheels (I used my old rear hub because it's good enough)
2021: new drivetrain.
To be continued.
Then between 2 and maybe 4 years it breaks and I have to get a new one.
I ride them until they die, then put them in the wall in my garage.
As yet, I have not tested a faster Dh bike than the old 26er V10.5 (yup, it smoked a commy).
Maybe if I had Trickstuff brakes, Cane Creek Cranks and some other fancy parts my bike would last 10 years.
Got the new geo / tech and wagon wheels, now my older grom can grow into the old bike, Win-Win.
2014 Enduro
2009 Enduro SX
2006 Enduro Expert
2005 Enduro Comp x 2
2004 Enduro SX
1999 FSR DH
I have ridden most of the newer Enduros too, looks like standards have settled down enough to contemplate 29er. Except the base model Enduro and Stumpy Evo cost double (in real prices) what I paid for my last bike. For average components too.
Specialized Enduro Expert costs A$9900 (US$7660). Fox Performance elite level suspension, X01 groupset and alloy rims with a DT360 3-pawl driver.
Compare it to the Canyon Strive which gets you a similar XO1 spec drivetrain with Lyrik/Super Deluxe Ultimate and carbon wheels for $8k (including shipping). You could buy the CFR with full Fox Factory, XTR groupset and DT Swiss EXC1200 wheels at A$9399 (US$7273) and still save $450 on the specialized.
I rode both bikes (4 days in Derby on the Enduro Expert, not a car-park demo!) and preferred the handling of the Canyon enough to live without a SWAT box.
Nevertheless I prefer to keep bike entire warranty period, or based on wear and tear
2snapped Vitus sommets
2 snapped nukeproof Mega’s
I keep my bike until it's holding me back!
So every 3-4 yearsish