Oldest bike component still in use

rjsterry

Whilst I cleaned my 13 yr old Giant Peloton 7200 over the weekend, which still has a lot of its original components, I wondered whether this was unusual or not? Also, are components more or less durable than they used to be?

So what is the oldest still functioning part of your bike in continuous everyday use and good working order (not including frame)?

My starter for 10 is the 1997 Shimano RSX shifters (7speed), + the 'matching' RX100 front derailleur. The stem, bars, seatpost, brake calipers and cranks are all original 1997 as well, but other than the calipers (unbranded) they are all just solid lumps/tubes of alloy so don't really wear out as such (although I am perennially worried about my seatpost or bars failing).

MonkeyMonster

Gregg66, though does he strictly count as a component?

rjsterry

MonkeyMonster wrote:

Gregg66, though does he strictly count as a component?

will3

1994 suntour 6 speed indexed shifters with matching front and rear mech.

NGale

MonkeyMonster wrote:

Gregg66, though does he strictly count as a component?

damn you beat me to the punch on that one

rjsterry

NGale wrote:

MonkeyMonster wrote:

Gregg66, though does he strictly count as a component?

damn you beat me to the punch on that one

But what ... err... manufacturing year should we assign him?

godihatehills

1995 time atacs, still spinning well, in fact better than their supposed replacements bought in 2001.

wgwarburton

rjsterry wrote:

So what is the oldest still functioning part of your bike in continuous everyday use and good working order (not including frame)? ....

Probably the seatpost, currently installed on the fixie, which is a Reynolds alloy pin originally fitted to the bike my dad bought in 1948.

Cheers,
W.

AndyOgy

I commute on a 1991 Trek 6000 and it still has the original bars, stem, headset, front mech, rigid forks, seatpost, wheels and Suntour chainset, complete with 'Ninja' granny gear.

It still had the original pedals until last year.

Bassjunkieuk

My 9 year old daughter is currently using the same MTB that my brother had when we're kids :-) I reckon it's about 15 years old!

jonginge

1988 Peugoet Aravis. All components original except pedals (swapped in spds for the commute), bb, wheels, cassette, chain and bars (crash damage). I should really replace the headset...

fossyant

1986 Shimano 600 Cranks, Callipers and seatpost - all on the Training bike.

1990 Full Dura Ace 7400, handbuilt SLX frame, seat post.... best bike - has had wheels rebuilt, newer bars/stem and saddle (but still 'period')

bigmat

I think the Iron Horse is about 16 now, changed the wheels afterthe freewheel started playing up last year although that could be fixed, otherwise have changed saddle (Turbo is a similar vintage though), brakes, chainset, chain and cassette, everything else is as original.

Older Shimano kit was a lot more durable as far as I can tell, original chain / cassette lasted about 13 years, have since needed to change on an annual basis!

bannedbiker

When my bro was a kid he got a Raleigh Chopper for his birthday (about his 6th, making that 29 years ago), it was second hand when he got it. He sold it at a car boot sale when he was about 9 or 10 to a local family. Just before christmas, he bought a Raleigh Chopper for his son (he's only 1, but he'll grow into it!) from a guy he works with. Turns out this guy's older bro bought it from the family my bro sold his to. ITS HIS BIKE FROM 30 YEARS AGO! God knows how old it is but its at least 30 and still has original tyres on it, the seat's original, everything, even the chain, possibly even the brake pads!

rjsterry

bannedbiker wrote:

When my bro was a kid he got a Raleigh Chopper for his birthday (about his 6th, making that 29 years ago), it was second hand when he got it. He sold it at a car boot sale when he was about 9 or 10 to a local family. Just before christmas, he bought a Raleigh Chopper for his son (he's only 1, but he'll grow into it!) from a guy he works with. Turns out this guy's older bro bought it from the family my bro sold his to. ITS HIS BIKE FROM 30 YEARS AGO! God knows how old it is but its at least 30 and still has original tyres on it, the seat's original, everything, even the chain, possibly even the brake pads!

Mind you, those Choppers were built out of scaffold poles if I remember trying to ride them up hills correctly. Thirty-year-old non-perished tyres is good going though.

Fireblade96

My commuter is a 199x Diamondback Sorrento - a CroMoly framed rigid MTB that I acquired second hand. Apart from the comsumables and saddle I believe it's all original, including the Alivio shifters one of which is held on with a jubilee clip and has survived in that state for 5 years of daily (ab)use.

jrduquemin

I ride to work on a 1999 Sunn Roader +. It's been upgraded with a 105 groupset however. I was using a pair of 1990 Deore XT cranks on it until last year.

bannedbiker

rjsterry wrote:

Mind you, those Choppers were built out of scaffold poles if I remember trying to ride them up hills correctly. Thirty-year-old non-perished tyres is good going though.

Most defintatley built solid! Ha, I never said the tyres weren't perished, just that they were original...!

Clever Pun

My 1960's AF Mills frame. Might even be older than old Greg 66

pst88

The oldest bike I own is from 2007 and my current commuting bike from 2008 so I guess I lose.

Sigurd

1989 XT 7 speed thumb shifter.

Headhuunter

My commuter is a 531c steel framed bike. The frame must be from the 80s, the components are mostly campag bits and pieces from the early to mid 90s I would guess and the brakes are Shimano Tiagra - they must be the newest bits on it

mr_hippo

Not a component so possibly will not count - a 1962 dogbone spanner.

Headhuunter

If we're including tools, I could probably find something really historic in my dad's garage which I have used on my bike. Half the tools he uses were his dad's before him. Some of the spanners and screwdrivers etc are probably from the 1930s....

will3

Headhuunter wrote:

My commuter is a 531c steel framed bike. The frame must be from the 80s, the components are mostly campag bits and pieces from the early to mid 90s I would guess and the brakes are Shimano Tiagra - they must be the newest bits on it

I't s OK you are allowed to say Apollo

or did that get totalled in the scrunch

roger_merriman

My road bike aka "old red" dates from mid 80's so while quite a lot has been replaced still a few parts that are orginal. such as the front Suntour derailer.

Headhuunter

will3 wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

My commuter is a 531c steel framed bike. The frame must be from the 80s, the components are mostly campag bits and pieces from the early to mid 90s I would guess and the brakes are Shimano Tiagra - they must be the newest bits on it

I't s OK you are allowed to say Apollo

or did that get totalled in the scrunch

Yes, the Apollo is no more. It was a write off, bent forks and head tube. Shame, I was a proud Apollo rider. However I don't think Apollo ever made anything with 531 tubing! I'm down to 2 bikes now, I ride 2nd best bike to work these days until I get time to go bike shopping for an Apollo replacement on the B2W scheme.

Splottboy

ME.

Splottboy

ME.

lae

My daily 1980 Raleigh is pretty much as it left the factory, apart from singlespeed conversion and modern wheels.

My Coventry Eagle butted 531 frame+forks is mid 70s, I think, unfortunately I can't find any info on it.

For classic cars, I have some parts of an Austin Seven in my room, which are from the 1930s... although the oldest thing I have 'in use' is a big "DATSUN" badge off the back of my beloved Datsun Cherry, which is being 'used' as wall decoration!

I think the oldest 'thing' I have that is functional (although I've only used it two or three times) is a straight razor from 1870.

redvee

A pair of silver XT SPDs that have been on my old Specialised road bike and various other bikes over the years though they are due to be retired with a new pair of XT SPDs when I get round to changing them over, I'm also still using a Squire Paramount U-lock at work that is at leat 9 years old but has also been retired today by £120 Abus chain.