Bike life span / used bikes
Discussion
I've had my bike around 3 years now, so still relatively "new" in my mind. However I have noticed a number of rock damage dings / dent etc on the down tube, the forks are scuffed from an off and one of the seat stays is paint chipped where I dropped a tool onto it.
The allignment on the gears is impossible to keep perfect for more than a ride or two (although its still well within acceptable), the bars and brakes are scuffed from some transport damage, I have had to rebuild the hubs a couple of times from using it throughout the winter.
On top of that all the bits that wear out (tyres, grips etc) are wearing out.
It has made me consider two things...
Firstly, Used bikes that still command a significnt proportion of the new value.... is the market just super strong? Are these tending to be garage queens that haven't been ridden, and bikes that get used a lot are actually a lot cheaper?
Secondly, at what point do you consider your bike to be "getting on a bit" and when does a bike become "worn out / old"
The allignment on the gears is impossible to keep perfect for more than a ride or two (although its still well within acceptable), the bars and brakes are scuffed from some transport damage, I have had to rebuild the hubs a couple of times from using it throughout the winter.
On top of that all the bits that wear out (tyres, grips etc) are wearing out.
It has made me consider two things...
Firstly, Used bikes that still command a significnt proportion of the new value.... is the market just super strong? Are these tending to be garage queens that haven't been ridden, and bikes that get used a lot are actually a lot cheaper?
Secondly, at what point do you consider your bike to be "getting on a bit" and when does a bike become "worn out / old"
At 3 yrs old it's barely run in;)
Although I don't ride off road, which must increase the wear rate of components a lot I imagine. But apart from the cosmetics, all those issues are easily fixable. And a few battlescars just make you look like a hardened pro, surely?
All my bikes, like my cars, are quite old. Newest is coming up to 5, I realise with a bit of a shock. Still feels brand new to me;) Oldest is probably 30. I had an older gym and shopping bike, but it was nicked. Thief must have been desperate, it wasn't worth more than £50.
Bikes don't really wear out, unless they have a structural issue with the frame. Everything else is just parts.
Re used bikes, there are still plenty out there for sale which have hardly been ridden. People buy with good intentions, ride a couple of times and then put them away. Or they have other bike(s) that they use more, hence the +1 gets sold.
It is less viable buying properly tired old bikes and fixing them up than it used to be, though, because of parts prices and availability.
The supply of used garage queens will presumably dry up at some point though. People aren't buying as many new bikes as they did, which must filter through eventually.
Although I don't ride off road, which must increase the wear rate of components a lot I imagine. But apart from the cosmetics, all those issues are easily fixable. And a few battlescars just make you look like a hardened pro, surely?
All my bikes, like my cars, are quite old. Newest is coming up to 5, I realise with a bit of a shock. Still feels brand new to me;) Oldest is probably 30. I had an older gym and shopping bike, but it was nicked. Thief must have been desperate, it wasn't worth more than £50.
Bikes don't really wear out, unless they have a structural issue with the frame. Everything else is just parts.
Re used bikes, there are still plenty out there for sale which have hardly been ridden. People buy with good intentions, ride a couple of times and then put them away. Or they have other bike(s) that they use more, hence the +1 gets sold.
It is less viable buying properly tired old bikes and fixing them up than it used to be, though, because of parts prices and availability.
The supply of used garage queens will presumably dry up at some point though. People aren't buying as many new bikes as they did, which must filter through eventually.
Some of the damage seems cosmetic and/or due to carelessness. It's relatively easy to fit protection tape or a rubber downtube protector like the ZTTO for a few quid.
Tyres do wear and need changing, that's a given.
A 3 year old bike should still be shifting perfectly. New cable?
It's disappointing on the hub front. What are they? I run DT Swiss and they are super easy to service.
Used value have been super depressed over the past 2/3 years of post COVID oversupply and discounting.
Tyres do wear and need changing, that's a given.
A 3 year old bike should still be shifting perfectly. New cable?
It's disappointing on the hub front. What are they? I run DT Swiss and they are super easy to service.
Used value have been super depressed over the past 2/3 years of post COVID oversupply and discounting.
Thanks both,
I agree on the road Vs mtb thing, my 6 year old gravel bike is in much better condition!
Hubs are DT swiss, its just the sandy / mucky trails in the winter seem to wreak havoc!
Frame has some pretty thick protection tape on parts of the downtube. But Im talking about actual dents / paint cracks from the impact of large rocks kicked up on the trail. The protection tape has a monster tear in it on one place. The only thing caused by carelessness is the seat stay ding, and trust me I have told myself off about that
I agree on the road Vs mtb thing, my 6 year old gravel bike is in much better condition!
Hubs are DT swiss, its just the sandy / mucky trails in the winter seem to wreak havoc!
Frame has some pretty thick protection tape on parts of the downtube. But Im talking about actual dents / paint cracks from the impact of large rocks kicked up on the trail. The protection tape has a monster tear in it on one place. The only thing caused by carelessness is the seat stay ding, and trust me I have told myself off about that
jimmy156 said:
Firstly, Used bikes that still command a significnt proportion of the new value.... is the market just super strong? Are these tending to be garage queens that haven't been ridden, and bikes that get used a lot are actually a lot cheaper?
I haven't found that. I've bought 2 bikes in the last 2 years on Ebay, a gravel and a hybrid. Both were about 2 years old but both were advertised as only ridden once, then put away and not touched. I treated both these claims with scepticism although the photos looked good, but upon arrival both were basically unused. Stickers on the disc brakes, little thin bits of rubber on the tyres, chain bright silver etc. With a bit of haggling and the cash in my hand, I got both for under half price. jimmy156 said:
Thanks both,
I agree on the road Vs mtb thing, my 6 year old gravel bike is in much better condition!
Hubs are DT swiss, its just the sandy / mucky trails in the winter seem to wreak havoc!
Frame has some pretty thick protection tape on parts of the downtube. But Im talking about actual dents / paint cracks from the impact of large rocks kicked up on the trail. The protection tape has a monster tear in it on one place. The only thing caused by carelessness is the seat stay ding, and trust me I have told myself off about that
As DLD said, it sounds like you're using your bike properly AND all year round so kudos for that! I agree on the road Vs mtb thing, my 6 year old gravel bike is in much better condition!
Hubs are DT swiss, its just the sandy / mucky trails in the winter seem to wreak havoc!
Frame has some pretty thick protection tape on parts of the downtube. But Im talking about actual dents / paint cracks from the impact of large rocks kicked up on the trail. The protection tape has a monster tear in it on one place. The only thing caused by carelessness is the seat stay ding, and trust me I have told myself off about that
DT Swiss probably have some of the best sealing so you're probably already optimised on that front (sometimes however too much grease attracts dirt/sand more than it protects from the elements).
Just the shifting thing might need investigating perhaps, bent mech hanger ? (if it's not just the cable).
My "best" bike is a 2014 Neil Pryde Alize which I bought about 6 years ago. It's got a few scuffs and scrapes, but that just means i don't get too precious about it so will ride it in less than perfect conditions.
I couldn't stand the stress of having an immaculate bike that only went out on high days and holidays. Bikes are meant to be ridden!
I couldn't stand the stress of having an immaculate bike that only went out on high days and holidays. Bikes are meant to be ridden!
Personally I think that new bikes depreciate like new cars. Some of the prices asked for secondhand stuff are laughable, and you see people trying for ages to sell bikes for silly money.
There will always be a market for mint bikes that are a few years old though, but probably not at the price the seller wants. Anything with dented frame, scuffed stantions etc. will probably get looked past unless it's cheap.
Some of the FB groups I'm on occasionally have people trying to sell 2014ish era Aluminium MTBs for close to £1k. There's been such a change in geometry since then that sadly those type of bikes are almost worthless.
There will always be a market for mint bikes that are a few years old though, but probably not at the price the seller wants. Anything with dented frame, scuffed stantions etc. will probably get looked past unless it's cheap.
Some of the FB groups I'm on occasionally have people trying to sell 2014ish era Aluminium MTBs for close to £1k. There's been such a change in geometry since then that sadly those type of bikes are almost worthless.
In 2005 I split up with my ex and wanting to get out and about more I bought a Giant road bike and a Giant MTB from my local indie bike shop, a week apart.
Both have had a lot of use, especially the MTB, but are essentially both decent usable bikes. It struck me the other day that they are both over 20yrs old!
I'm in the camp of "buy nice things and keep them until they break" hence running a 21yr old E46 M3 and three motorbikes the newest of which is an '02 plate.
The bottom bracket on the MTB is starting to creak so I am running it as my 'station bike' now. If it gets lifted I will buy something new with the (New for old) insurance money, otherwise run it until it fails.
Both have had a lot of use, especially the MTB, but are essentially both decent usable bikes. It struck me the other day that they are both over 20yrs old!
I'm in the camp of "buy nice things and keep them until they break" hence running a 21yr old E46 M3 and three motorbikes the newest of which is an '02 plate.
The bottom bracket on the MTB is starting to creak so I am running it as my 'station bike' now. If it gets lifted I will buy something new with the (New for old) insurance money, otherwise run it until it fails.
jimmy156 said:
I've had my bike around 3 years now, so still relatively "new" in my mind. However I have noticed a number of rock damage dings / dent etc on the down tube, the forks are scuffed from an off and one of the seat stays is paint chipped where I dropped a tool onto it.
The allignment on the gears is impossible to keep perfect for more than a ride or two (although its still well within acceptable), the bars and brakes are scuffed from some transport damage, I have had to rebuild the hubs a couple of times from using it throughout the winter.
On top of that all the bits that wear out (tyres, grips etc) are wearing out.
It has made me consider two things...
Firstly, Used bikes that still command a significnt proportion of the new value.... is the market just super strong? Are these tending to be garage queens that haven't been ridden, and bikes that get used a lot are actually a lot cheaper?
Secondly, at what point do you consider your bike to be "getting on a bit" and when does a bike become "worn out / old"
it depends on the bike and what is made from ? I tend to keep bikes " forever" The allignment on the gears is impossible to keep perfect for more than a ride or two (although its still well within acceptable), the bars and brakes are scuffed from some transport damage, I have had to rebuild the hubs a couple of times from using it throughout the winter.
On top of that all the bits that wear out (tyres, grips etc) are wearing out.
It has made me consider two things...
Firstly, Used bikes that still command a significnt proportion of the new value.... is the market just super strong? Are these tending to be garage queens that haven't been ridden, and bikes that get used a lot are actually a lot cheaper?
Secondly, at what point do you consider your bike to be "getting on a bit" and when does a bike become "worn out / old"
Colnago C50 with Campagnolo Hyperon Ultra Wheels purchased new in 2006.by Dauphins on Box hill Surrey , a brilliant bike shop sadly long gone
after 10,000 miles still in perfect condition , cost new £7,000 plus £2000 for wheels .
probably worth £1,500 on second hand market . ?insured at replacement value
with old carbon bikes check cracking on the frame then the frame needs specialist repair .
on the other front im still using my Fathers old bike a Reynolds 531 tubing built in 1956 ( rebuilt from a fixed gear) its a 70 year old bike but cycles like a typical old bike , id never sell it just pass it on to my son
any bike can be refurbished , I always replace consumables , I found Gator skins reduce the risk of punctures that's part of the fun of ownership
good luck
Edited by Purosangue on Friday 1st May 12:07
I agree with those saying there are some wishful thinking sellers out there, especially when its old enough that there have been geo changes.
I guess the context is that I am (as everyone is?) always thinking about an upgrade! Simple fixes (pads / chains etc) I do myself but rebuilding hubs, BB replacement etc I get the LBS to do. So in my mind when I am paying for a service + refurbing parts, and the bike is looking cosmetically intidy I am thinking "when will this not be worth it and I should just buy a new bike"
I appreicate the answer to that question is its always the right time to buy another bike!
I guess the context is that I am (as everyone is?) always thinking about an upgrade! Simple fixes (pads / chains etc) I do myself but rebuilding hubs, BB replacement etc I get the LBS to do. So in my mind when I am paying for a service + refurbing parts, and the bike is looking cosmetically intidy I am thinking "when will this not be worth it and I should just buy a new bike"
I appreicate the answer to that question is its always the right time to buy another bike!
You need a bit of luck on Ebay, but I have bought some great bikes there over the years.
My most recent purchase was a gravel bike, a Specialised Diverge. One of the websites did a story on how they make great winter road bikes, and I badly needed one of them so I did my research. I bought a 3 year old one for £1200, the new equivalent was over £3k! It's been fantastic, absolutely suited to the usage I had in mind for it.
As to the age of bikes? My road bike is 11 years old, still love it. It's got through two of Shimano's delaminating Ultegra cranks, so now has a 105 chainset.
Up until a year ago I was riding a 15+ year old MTB on the Downs. It had 26" wheels and the talk od 32"s being the next big thing finally persuaded me to try 29s...
My most recent purchase was a gravel bike, a Specialised Diverge. One of the websites did a story on how they make great winter road bikes, and I badly needed one of them so I did my research. I bought a 3 year old one for £1200, the new equivalent was over £3k! It's been fantastic, absolutely suited to the usage I had in mind for it.
As to the age of bikes? My road bike is 11 years old, still love it. It's got through two of Shimano's delaminating Ultegra cranks, so now has a 105 chainset.
Up until a year ago I was riding a 15+ year old MTB on the Downs. It had 26" wheels and the talk od 32"s being the next big thing finally persuaded me to try 29s...
jimmy156 said:
Secondly, at what point do you consider your bike to be "getting on a bit" and when does a bike become "worn out / old"
All my current bikes are part "Triggers Broom" - but I still consider them the same bikes if that makes sense... Of all my bikes as an adult only one has fully 'died' (a Trek 1000 - my first bike, bought 2003, was eventually made redundant once i'd bought a better bike for racing; and a cyclo-cross bike to wear some mudguards for winter. What finally took it past the point of recovery was someone needed parts to rebuild a bike that had been part stripped by thieves, I offered up the fork amongst other things....)
These are all still with me; and in use:
MTB (Specialized Rockhopper: Bought 2004 - still in use on/off road but the fork is shot (and has been for well over a decade!).
"Race" bike (TIME Edge First): Bought 2006 - carbon frame crack repaired a couple of years ago
Cyclo-cross bike (Genesis Vapour): Bought 2008 as a 'bad weather bike' - now dedicated to the turbo trainer and with paint peeling from the frame/aluminim corrosion on the bare metal surface I do wonder if it will fully expire one day....
Not a surprise that all have had multiple chains/cassettes/bottom brackets and wheelsets over the last 20 years - and tyres are too many to count....
Commuter bike (Batavus 'dutch' bike): Bought secondhand in 2018 - still in daily use on original wheelset; it finally had a new drivetrain 2 summers ago
Winter training bike: Bought 2024 - and essentially 'as new' thanks to the Zwift alternative when it's actually poor weather (and the hub gear setup minimising chain wear)!
Two have been bought then sold (Argon 18 TT bike - bought new c.2007, sold c.2010, VGC due to relatively limited mileage; Specialized fixed wheel road bike bought and sold a couple of years apart - had already been refreshed when I got it but I put few miles on it.).
The only real cliff edge I can see coming is for my 26" wheel MTB. I tried to buy a decent new fork about 5 years ago and it proved impossible.
I have wondered about finally retiring my TIME race bike, but there's no reason for now not to keep it as my 'best' bike...
Been mountain biking for 20 years now and have always been a case of buy a mid price bike (good frame, cheaper components) and upgrade the parts as they wear out for the parts I actually want followed by changing the frame for a newer one with better geometry. The issue with the mountain bike scene in the early 2010s was the change in wheel size and hub size that meant that frame swoops weren’t as easily to do. I did buy a frame that was design to be converted from 26” to 27.5” which did me well but had to look at second hand frames for the next frame change. I n 2016 I bought a nicolai geomatron which was one of the brands pushing the long low slack, it was so cutting edge that even when I sold it in 2025 it was still more extreme than a lot on sale. It was triggers broom but a great bike. Would have cost £6000 to build and sold it for £1000, still fully working with top end components but not the newer 29er wheels.
Recently I have been looking at gravel bike with a plan to buy a sonder cameno, a basic spec one but as I wanted it - in the sale price a few weeks back at £1600. Did look second hand as well but the older frame model with worse spec for still over a grand. The price difference it is not worth it going second hand with no warranty and the potential of warn out components. I don’t know it it’s people that aren’t riders (covid boom buyers) just being unrealistic - I know when I was selling mine I wasn’t too bothered if it sold as I had the space
I have a mate that changes his frames (not full bike) all the time. There was one point he changed the frame 3 times in 6 months! Not because anything was wrong, he just loved trying different bikes.
Recently I have been looking at gravel bike with a plan to buy a sonder cameno, a basic spec one but as I wanted it - in the sale price a few weeks back at £1600. Did look second hand as well but the older frame model with worse spec for still over a grand. The price difference it is not worth it going second hand with no warranty and the potential of warn out components. I don’t know it it’s people that aren’t riders (covid boom buyers) just being unrealistic - I know when I was selling mine I wasn’t too bothered if it sold as I had the space
I have a mate that changes his frames (not full bike) all the time. There was one point he changed the frame 3 times in 6 months! Not because anything was wrong, he just loved trying different bikes.
Grit and mud definitely kill bearings. Shortly after I bought my first new road bike in 2016 I disagreed with strava’s definition of a road in Normandy, that muddy farm track killed the first bottom bracket in that bike. Unfortunately I managed to kill the bike on a height restriction before the push fit BBs were no longer tight in the frame, but it had just had its 4th fitted.
I bought a stop gap replacement that I have since sold, and have recently bought both a new summer and new winter bike, which I hope will do me for a very long time.
With the transition to disc brakes road bikes have evolved quite a bit over this time, which to some is reason enough to change.
Last week I hired a Cervelo in Calpe and was told on returning it it was pretty new, but the headset was already loose and creaky, so maybe even good modern bikes won’t last like the current crop of older ones.
The first bike I bought new ~20years ago (a Trek 6700SLR) I have recently leant long term to a friend so it can continue its good work towing tag along and bike trailers. I think the only original parts are the frame, fork, stem and seat post & clamp though.
I bought a stop gap replacement that I have since sold, and have recently bought both a new summer and new winter bike, which I hope will do me for a very long time.
With the transition to disc brakes road bikes have evolved quite a bit over this time, which to some is reason enough to change.
Last week I hired a Cervelo in Calpe and was told on returning it it was pretty new, but the headset was already loose and creaky, so maybe even good modern bikes won’t last like the current crop of older ones.
The first bike I bought new ~20years ago (a Trek 6700SLR) I have recently leant long term to a friend so it can continue its good work towing tag along and bike trailers. I think the only original parts are the frame, fork, stem and seat post & clamp though.
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