MTB too expensive to continue....

[live2ride]

Buy a chain checker, replace your chain religiously at 75% wear and you will get easily opto 6000 km out of one cassette and double that from the chain rings

[Johan Bornman]

I thought I was doing a great job of cleaning my muddy bike after each ride. But I was doing more damage than good 'cos I wasn't rinsing the degreaser off properly' date=' so it chowed the new lube off. I have trashed my chain, casette and middle blade in 4 months!

 

VERY expensive lesson!

[/quote']

 

I think you have cause and effect mixed up.

 

You don't say how you know these components were trashed or how much you ride. 4 Months is a meaningless term in bicycle component life.

 

A bit of residual degreaser won't do the type of damage you're describing.

 

 

[Azonic]

 

My every day road bike has 8 speed' date=' 105 drivetrain, 1" threaded Look frame/fork, 105 hubs with 36 hole wolber rim. Does the job perfectly, and requires less attention than my 9 speed, Dura Ace racer. [/quote']

 

You fancy guys with your 9-speed Dura Ace machines....

 

Sarcasm noted.

 

Having 1 extra sprocket on the back of your bike does not make you any faster. The only difference it makes is when you need to replace the chain and cassette.

 

[Mellow]

Azonic... that pic of yours is giving me a headache!!!

[Willehond]

My every day road bike has 8 speed' date=' 105 drivetrain, 1" threaded Look frame/fork, 105 hubs with 36 hole wolber rim. Does the job perfectly, and requires less attention than my 9 speed, Dura Ace racer. [/quote']

 

You fancy guys with your 9-speed Dura Ace machines....

Sarcasm noted.

Having 1 extra sprocket on the back of your bike does not make you any faster. The only difference it makes is when you need to replace the chain and cassette.

 

Don?t worry, I have a 9-speed 105 bike and it?s my only (road)bike!  My chain costs R180 and it lasts forever.

Willehond2008-10-06 08:51:47

[stratus5]

My understanding is that if you keep replacing the chain at .75% wear, then you can put  a new chain on without a replacement of the cassette or blades. Of course at some point you will need to do a major upgrade, but that will be in a year or two rather than months, but then eek every last bit out of the current chain and cassette.

 

In your case the LBS has decided that the cassete is too worn to put a new chain on the bike...so why not keep riding until the bitter end? You wont be grounded soon or suddenly. Somebody is pulling a sales job on you.

 

You are most unlikely to have a sudden failure. More you may find a gear jumping or battle with incurable chainsuck. To get to the point where your chain jumps you will need to wear your cassette teeth down to almost nothing. Chainsuck is likely to be the real pain, but you can file hooked teeth to alleviate the problem for a few more months at least

 

So if you accept that the next time you replace the drive chain, it will be chain, cassette and possibly all blades, then you can ride for months more and then start with a brand new setup.

 

If you have an XT or XTR granny gear throw the damn thing away and put a LX spec gear on. Its much harder and lasts longer and only slightly heavier.  Mine (XT) wore in four months and by wearing trashed the chain quicker than usual.

 

 

[linnega]

I saved a long time to equip my MTB with SRAM X-0...but I do realise more and more that it is expensive to maintain...too expensive and not worth the gain at the end of the day.

I imagine that would be your primary problem.  Top end kit is expensive and not particularly durable with a few exceptions (XTR hubs for example).  Wear and tear stuff like chains and cassettes, stick to LX or the SRAM equivalent, or a decent aftermarket brand.  Will last longer and is cheaper.  Just because you X-0 RD, doesn't mean you need high end cassettes and chains.

[Johan Bornman]

as much as i am annoyed by your answers and changes in statements this is one think that I do appreciate - you encourage people to go and cycle and not move a bling-bling object around puddles!
It's the legs' date=' not the bike! stick with you gruppo and spend the money for a good cause and buy stationery for a school or send it to the US - apparently they need any cent there at the mo!
[/quote']

 

Thanks for the compliment but why the sideswipe? Have I ever not given full explanatory answers backed up with examples and real-world analogies? When do I change my statements? And if someone makes me see an alternative option, why should I not be open minded enough to acknowledge it?

[TheLegend]

 

as much as i am annoyed by your answers and changes in statements this is one think that I do appreciate - you encourage people to go and cycle and not move a bling-bling object around puddles!

It's the legs' date=' not the bike! stick with you gruppo and spend the money for a good cause and buy stationery for a school or send it to the US - apparently they need any cent there at the mo!

[/quote']

 

Thanks for the compliment but why the sideswipe? Have I ever not given full explanatory answers backed up with examples and real-world analogies?

 

your answers are usually quite "exhaustive" but occasionnaly they don't satisfy my small and general knowledge brain.

 

When do I change my statements? And if someone makes me see an

alternative option' date=' why should I not be open minded enough to

acknowledge it?

[/quote']

that's a very good statement and absolutely correct. especially speaking from a scientific side of view. Understandings and insights are always only limited in time and valid unto the moment where a new discovery is being made, knowledge improves and old statements and "thruths" have to be revisited.

Nevertheless, you made me smile on two occassions: there was a lenghty debate between you and minty some time in the past where minty spoke about his "experience" which you didn't want to consider as valid since you had your "textbook" (theories, research, whatever) insights.

some time in the past and also recently you tried to justify something solely by your experience (yes, without the so loved scientifical proof). not a too big thing in general but since you jump on everyone doing this it is quite remarkable.

But this is just an observation, I don't want to start an argument here. This thread is about people realizing bike stuff is too expensive, stores liking to replace bike parts too early and the sudden discovery that it's not all about the bike and that there are still people riding antique 9 and 8-speed bikes - and probably stronger than many bling-bling 10-11 speed (9 mtb) guys.

 

lekker aand everyone!

 

[Zoo Cookie]

i do not mind getting a little grease under my fingernails (nothing good old sunlight liquid can't get rid off), and would love to do some sort of course on how to maintain my bikes. I absolutly hate taking my bike to the lbs for a service and then have to take it back again because the bike is worse than before the "service".

 

someone did mention a website the other day , but for the life of me I can't remember.

would you fundi's be so kind as to post the links to these wonderful sites, please?

[wackwack]

i do not mind getting a little grease under my fingernails (nothing good old sunlight liquid can't get rid off)' date=' and would love to do some sort of course on how to maintain my bikes. I absolutly hate taking my bike to the lbs for a service and then have to take it back again because the bike is worse than before the "service".

 

someone did mention a website the other day , but for the life of me I can't remember.

would you fundi's be so kind as to post the links to these wonderful sites, please?

[/quote']

 

Do a course - www.yellowsaddle.co.za (Well worth the money)

[mountain_lion]

 

 

I've been wondering when I'll find the first honest person to question the cost of cycling. I too think it has become ridiculous but then I immediately point the finger at the public. They've bought into excessive weight saving' date=' the latest 9/10/11 speed groupsets, titanium sprockets, carbon bikes, disk brakes and other nonsense. It is now all about the bike and not the ride.

When last have you heard someone here talk about a a great route or outing? It is always about the latest toy they've either just bought or the next one they absolutely must have.

Keep the cost of cycling in check by:

Buying a retro 8-speed bike with good components but V-brakes. An 8-speed chain costs R80 vs R250 or more for a 9 or ten speed chain.

Keep your old bike forever.

Service it regularly and learn how to service it. With respect, a R300 course can't teach you enough. Two intensive days and my students are only 750% there, the rest they must gain through experience.

Lubricate with free engine oil you find in the dustbin at garages.

 

Don't be fooled by stupid light parts. Stick to what you've got.

 

Fix your punctures.

 

Never buy tubes. These are free at races where spendthrifts discard them because they're punctured.

 

Buy the right tools for the job.

 

Use car grease and cheap Prepsol degreaser.

 

Start enjoying cycling and forget about the bike.

 

[/quote']

 

Well said JB.

 

My "road" bike is a 1997 Trek Hybrid, steel frame (CrMb), 7 speed cassette, but with triple chain ring. Going up Helshoogte on Sunday a few people on their fancy road machines wanted to know how I managed to spin so easily...

Weighs about the same as my full suspension MTB (LX spec), so no surprises when I go for a proper ride...

(The Hybrid goes like a rocket down hill... Got 75km/h going down Hels on Sunday without much effort)

 

I consider myself a "fun rider" who rides for enjoyment rather than race glory. I am a mountain biker who also ventures on to the tar (ride in the Alphabet soup).

 

I have considered buying a proper road bike a few times, even spoke to my LBS recently about it, but when I ask myself if I will enjoy my riding more on a different bike, I struggle to convince myself...

 

mountain_lion2008-10-06 14:18:05

[Hog_]

 

 

 

 

Start enjoying cycling and forget about the bike. 

 

This must be some of the best advice on this forum in ages!

 

Unfortunately I suffer from serious GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), not because I think another upgrade will make such a huge difference, just because I enjoy spending the money I work for, and I enjoy spending it on things I like! Like my bike!

 

Seriously, good advice JB!

 

As for the original post - How many posts have been here where guys complain that bike shop X or Y serviced the bike and now 2 weeks later the gears are jumping / chain is worn / something is out of place? If I was the LBS owner I would also rather replace than deal with a come-back and a pissed-off client.

 

The best advice, which has been given already, learn the basics yourself. My bike goes to the shop every now and then for a complete strip & rebuild. Not because it needs it, because it's always so nice and clean when I get it back! Also, I don't have all the tools or the skills. I can try to service my own shock, but I'm sure I'll be going to the LBS the next day with a box full of parts.

 

Check for a book called 'Zinn and the art of mountain bike maintenance.' It will get you on the right track quickly.

 

 

 

[deanbean]

Zinn and the art of mountain bike maintenance, by Leonard Zinn, Best investment on my bike I've made, so far.

[dirtrider]

I did not read all but Williehond hit it on the head ! Stick with the LX stuff (or whatever they are replacing LX with) . And then like most other hubbers commented learn to do the basics yourself . Replacing a DT is so easy and if the setup of the gears is a headache then let the LBS do that . By doing it yourself you will also learn your bike and know when something needs to be replaced or not . I know the white coat people will tell you to replace everything when you need to but I only replace what I think needs to be replaced . I have been mixing casettes , blades and chains for years now and in all these years have only once broke a chain and have never had to withdraw from a race or ride due to DT failure .

[Tumbleweed]

anyone know the weight difference between an lx and an xtr chainset?