Going to drag my old bike out the shed, will it be ok?

stinger67

Basically, just wondering about the life of lightweight alloy frames and forks?

It's an old, approx. year 2000, Specialized Allez Comp, with an A1 alloy frame and forks, not used it for 4 years or so and then it wasn't used much before that, but need to get out and do some decent training as I've signed up for a triathlon, it looks in very good condition, minor corrosion on steel fixings, but I guess I'm thinking more about the forks than the frame. What do you reckon, just get out and ride it cos it was built to last? I'm no lightweight at 84kg and losing, but I'm more used to MTB's which are built heavier and stronger to take abuse.

sheffsimon

stinger67 wrote:

Basically, just wondering about the life of lightweight alloy frames and forks?

It's an old, approx. year 2000, Specialized Allez Comp, with an A1 alloy frame and forks, not used it for 4 years or so and then it wasn't used much before that, but need to get out and do some decent training as I've signed up for a triathlon, it looks in very good condition, minor corrosion on steel fixings, but I guess I'm thinking more about the forks than the frame. What do you reckon, just get out and ride it cos it was built to last? I'm no lightweight at 84kg and losing, but I'm more used to MTB's which are built heavier and stronger to take abuse.

If it looks OK, it will be OK.

Tyre rubber might be a bit split with old age but a bit of oil on the chain, check brakes are OK and off you go.

Wappygixer

The problems we tend to encounter on bikes that have been stood are:
Sticking shifters at the grease can dry out, easy to solve with fresh lube
Sticking cables due to the grease having dried out, new cables needed.
Tyre/inner tubes perrished, replace

Other than these small issues most work fine and not all will need the above as it depends on the conditions it was kept in.

As for your weight you will be fine (less than me) the forks will be pretty good, so get training

stinger67

Ok, thanks for the replies, I'll give it a good going over when I get it out and check the cables, shifters, chain etc.

Cheers

neeb

If it's just been sitting there will be nothing wrong with the frame and forks - aluminium fatigues eventually, but only if you use it!

I'd definitely replace the tyres if possible - even if they look OK they will probably have perished/solidified a little and may not grip as well, which isn't good in the cold & wet conditions you get at this time of year.

tonye_n

I would definitely invest in a full service from an LBS.
Obviously chaining the tyres is a must. IMHO tyre quality is one of the most significant factors affecting ride quality of a bike. I would invest in good tyres and away you go.....

Much better than buying a new bike in these times...you don't get a lot for your money these days.

stinger67

I was just wondering about the tyres, they look ok and feel ok but they do not have a lot of pressure in them so I'm wondering if I'll notice some perishing when I put full pressure in them, which brings me to another question - what tyres? I have no idea about road/racing tyres, so I'll probably have to start another topic for that question.

Thanks.