How long do you keep a bike ....

[Cyklon]

Do I tend to hang on to my bike and kit too long ? I see a lot of classified with high end bikes and accessories with tags like used once, or only 100km done or never used. Yet evidence in the photos may show evidence to the contrary. Some of these bikes or kit or sometimes so high end that upgrading means going to the future. 

 

I tend to move components from frame to frame and reuse on new builds, but my current ride the frame is 2009 (full suspension and still going strong) replaced fork last year with new fox talas  (kasheeeeeeema) but my old fork now adorns my steel hardtail build. Wheelset is stans hoops on hopes and they are also 2009, and still true. From about 1986 my XC path was basically Raleigh Bomber, Avalanche, Trek 800, Trek 7000, Trek VRX500, GT LTS, GT Zascar, Scott MC20, Yeti As-r, Yeti ASR 5 and now Niner Jet9 bought as a frame only. Must say I love the feel of the niner suspension, really works well for me. Still running some components from the VRX500 on it (Hayes disc brakes).

 

So my question is how long have you had your bike, and why did you upgrade and did it do for you what you thought it would ?

[dirtypot]

What defines a bike?  Since I bought my current bike, I've replaced every single component, nut and bolt apart from the frame.  If I replace the frame now, is it a new bike?  Or just an evolution?

[TheJ]

I do it exactly the same way.

 

I still have most of my old bikes, dating back to circa 1995. The best of the components always floated onto the "best" bike I had at the time. The thing with bikes is they have nearly no re-sale value, or you have to drop the price too much. I've got a very pimped 26er (full carbon, dual suspension), spent probably close to R30k on it after upgrades. And that was maybe 5 years ago, bike still in pristine condition. Today guys are selling them for R8-10k, in worse condition. So for me its better to just hang onto bikes, or to pass them onto my parents to ride. My dad is currently riding my previous "best" bike, 2 bikes "ago", a previous generation Cannondale Scalpel 3000. My current 29er is a frame I also bought loose. On it are parts dating back to 1998, right next to more modern parts.

 

So yeah, I also stretch things out until they are absolutely unusable anymore.

[TheJ]

My current MTB shoes are coming on 5 years old now. I noticed the other day that the left shoe's upper is holding onto the sole by faith alone. And I'll probably replace them only the day that the shoe comes apart completely.

 

Rode for years with an old Limar helmet that had bits of the foam glued on.

[cat-i]

I have a rigid  Giant Sedona that I bought in 1992. Replaced the rear shifter some 2 years ago (ordered the shifter from CRC and then had to hack it a bit to make it fit the number of gears.)

 

I still use it to commute every so often.

[BBN]

Until I find a better one! Currently riding a PYGA OneTen29, one of the first 100 produced, and have not found anything better, for me, yet. Now on its third drive train.

[Mntboy]

Do I tend to hang on to my bike and kit too long ? I see a lot of classified with high end bikes and accessories with tags like used once, or only 100km done or never used. Yet evidence in the photos may show evidence to the contrary. Some of these bikes or kit or sometimes so high end that upgrading means going to the future.

 

I tend to move components from frame to frame and reuse on new builds, but my current ride the frame is 2009 (full suspension and still going strong) replaced fork last year with new fox talas (kasheeeeeeema) but my old fork now adorns my steel hardtail build. Wheelset is stans hoops on hopes and they are also 2009, and still true. From about 1986 my XC path was basically Raleigh Bomber, Avalanche, Trek 800, Trek 7000, Trek VRX500, GT LTS, GT Zascar, Scott MC20, Yeti As-r, Yeti ASR 5 and now Niner Jet9 bought as a frame only. Must say I love the feel of the niner suspension, really works well for me. Still running some components from the VRX500 on it (Hayes disc brakes).

 

So my question is how long have you had your bike, and why did you upgrade and did it do for you what you thought it would ?

Interesting question Cyklon. Personally I think one can get a new bike every two years but that there's no specific need to obey that 'rule'. If you still like the bike you're riding why change? I definitely could understand adding a new bike to cover a discipline that your current bike doesn't cover but again that's personal preference.

 

Btw some very nice bikes on your list!

 

Sent from my GT-S6790 using Tapatalk

[travisza]

Do I tend to hang on to my bike and kit too long ? I see a lot of classified with high end bikes and accessories with tags like used once, or only 100km done or never used. Yet evidence in the photos may show evidence to the contrary. Some of these bikes or kit or sometimes so high end that upgrading means going to the future. 

 

I tend to move components from frame to frame and reuse on new builds, but my current ride the frame is 2009 (full suspension and still going strong) replaced fork last year with new fox talas  (kasheeeeeeema) but my old fork now adorns my steel hardtail build. Wheelset is stans hoops on hopes and they are also 2009, and still true. From about 1986 my XC path was basically Raleigh Bomber, Avalanche, Trek 800, Trek 7000, Trek VRX500, GT LTS, GT Zascar, Scott MC20, Yeti As-r, Yeti ASR 5 and now Niner Jet9 bought as a frame only. Must say I love the feel of the niner suspension, really works well for me. Still running some components from the VRX500 on it (Hayes disc brakes).

 

So my question is how long have you had your bike, and why did you upgrade and did it do for you what you thought it would ?

I havent sold a bike yet so the answer currently is "forever:.

 

1. First mtb bought 2009 - now my spare bike in case my girlfriend feels like meandering on the spruit

2. Road bike, bought 2nd hand in 2012ish. Its a 2009 frame and I can't imagine getting rid of it. Does everything I want and more and I still feel good getting on it (Pinarrello Prince)

3. 2nd MTN bought 2nd hand last year. 2012 frame and going strong - loving it.

4. Tri bike bought 2015 - also can't see why I would sell it at this stage.

 

Like others have mentioned the problem is what they are worth on the 2nd hand market - my 26er is probably worth R8,000 on the 2nd hand market....I couldnt get anything to replace it for anywhere near that.

[rock]

I have a rigid  Giant Sedona that I bought in 1992. Replaced the rear shifter some 2 years ago (ordered the shifter from CRC and then had to hack it a bit to make it fit the number of gears.)

 

I still use it to commute every so often.

 

pic please, my first 26" MTB was a Sedona in '92.

[Stretch]

my main bike is 8 years old now..and I have no plans on upgrading any time soon

 

Its all bloody consumerism

 

26, 29, 27.5

3 x 9

2 x 10

1 x 11

1 x 12

 

they all do the same bloody thing and at the end of the day..unless you are a pro/elite/podium racer they are gonna make bogger all difference

[TheJ]

my main bike is 8 years old now..and I have no plans on upgrading any time soon

 

Its all bloody consumerism

 

26, 29, 27.5

3 x 9

2 x 10

1 x 11

1 x 12

 

they all do the same bloody thing and at the end of the day..unless you are a pro/elite/podium racer they are gonna make bogger all difference

 

You forgot the new " + " wheel options, which manufacturers would like you to believe have made all vanilla wheel widths suddenly redundant.

 

I've always said, and I agree with you, that it is MUCH easier for companies to convince people already in the sport that their current equipment is useless compared to their new whiz-bang "invention", than it is to get new people to enter the sport to buy that same whiz-bang "invention". Because, having a cable move your jockey around is so 2012, now you need a battery and a few wires.

 

The moment they brought out a 29er specific saddle a few years ago, I knew it was all BS consumerism.

 

http://www.bikerumor.com/2014/07/29/review-fizik-thar-29er-mountain-bike-saddle/

[V12man]

I have NEVER sold a bike of mine in the past 28 years.... (or more) - although I have bought a few.

 

Kids bikes excluded...

[Belgarath]

What defines a bike?  Since I bought my current bike, I've replaced every single component, nut and bolt apart from the frame.  If I replace the frame now, is it a new bike?  Or just an evolution?

 

My previous bike was like that. Only got rid of it because I wanted a (2nd hand) 29er. In hindsight I should have kept it for the wife.

 

I like my current frame, only upgrading/replacing parts (I break wheels... a lot). Would like a carbon, but...

[J∆kk∆ls]

Kit wise I found that the more kit you have the longer it lasts. 

I have already killed 3 bibs cause I had ridden them out one at a time. 

 

Thinking about getting a second helmet to just for commuting! 

 

Going to keep riding 26" till I can justify getting a 29er. So far I have not been able to convince myself. ( Except maybe tyres are a tiring battle!) 

[worriesnot]

I have NEVER sold a bike of mine in the past 28 years.... (or more) - although I have bought a few.

 

Kids bikes excluded...

 

well then either you are giving them away OR you have a big bike shed 

[V12man]

well then either you are giving them away OR you have a big bike shed 

Big bike shed..... and 2 are at work, and 2 in CT with Bogus.....