Bikes While Full Time

[gertpacu]

Originally Posted by n2zon

My bikes are pretty old now, sort of like their owner is becoming, but I used to ride a lot, in the range of 3-5K miles a year, because I commuted to and from work by bike 9-10 months out of 12. I have a freewheel (yes, a freewheel, not a cassette) with at least 20K miles on it and it has yet to need a new pawl or even a gear. I've replaced a couple of worn-out chainrings in that time, and worn out one rear wheel (the wheel itself) from braking. I keep the drive train clean and oiled, and change chains when they show 1/8" wear over 12". I don't know anyone with a mountain bike that gets that much mileage out of components, but as with everything else...YMMV. I have gone through any number of cables, tires, chains, and spokes (the spokes fatigue and start to break in the 5-7K mile range for me). The local bike shop tells me most people who are less serious about maintenance go through a cassette and chain every 5K miles or so; I'd expect that to be a bit less on a mountain bike ridden on dirt because even if you use a dry lube and clean the chain and gears after every ride, it's still abrasive during the ride.

I don't think this experience is unusual for an active cyclist. It's certainly in line with what my contemporary commuters reported.

I do agree that using a road bike on unpaved trails is a terrible idea. The position and tires are ill-suited for that. On rail trails, it's OK, but you have to go slower than you'd like much of the time to dodge the walkers and baby carriages and such.

For the OP I think it really depends on what he prefers and what his body remains happy doing. I think the days of 100+ mile solo days are in my past these days, but I'm still happy on my road bike so far.

Yah, I think they can wear out. I was the one to always upgrade before things wore out. My MTB is close to 10 years old now. Just replaced o rings and seals on rear suspension. Replaced front suspension seals about 2 years ago. Surprisingly I have not had to replace chain yet under heavy use. Oh and I have replaced tires and tubes quite a bit. But surprisingly enough I have spent less than $100 on the new parts for suspensions. Not sure on tires and tubes. I tend to go with the expensive stuff so I am sure it's a few hundred dollars. Oh forgot I do have to tighten nipples on spokes quite a bit in order to true rims, or sometimes replace the rims totally when I cannot get the rims re-trued straight enough. My fav is downhill mountain biking. Used to race downhill years ago..

[mrome54369]

Originally Posted by Spdracr39

We are in the process of moving into the bus full time. We are paring down everything. I was an avid cyclist with many 100 mile rides and lots of mountain biking. I don't ride like that anymore just don't have the time. My wife rides a little but still new. We have 5 bikes between us an can only keep 2. Question is road bikes or mountain bikes. I do not want folding bikes or e bikes.

I'm thinking about my next bike and am watching some "MTB vs Gravel" Youtube videos. one argument for mtb, my aging joints, wrist pain on rough roads with no front suspension. Wife and I currently each have a road and mtb neatly (tightly) stored into the back of a 2008 Honda C-RV

[markandkim]

Lectric bikes for us.

All terrain.

[G Schulz]

Two folding electric Pedego bikes in the cargo area of our 2019 Ford Edge ST.