Can you be too precious about your bike?

ademort

MoscowFlyer wrote:

Some good replies here. I still haven't been able to convince myself recently, to the point where even the Boardman which is the commute bike stayed in the garage the other day as the roads were wet. I was tested big time this morning as no sooner had I gone to get the 'good bike' out of the garage for a planned 40 miler with a mate, it started to rain. I sat there for ten minutes trying to decide whether to ride at all or leave it because of the dirt on the roads!

I did actually think back to this thread and decided just to go for it, pointless paying that much for a bike only to not bother riding it if it's wet, especially in this country. It was wet everywhere and the bike got caked in crap. You can't really tell how much by this, especially the state of the rear end of the bike, but when I got home it was pretty dirty to say the least.



However, half an hour later and it was looking like this.



I 'think' I may now be cured...

The bike does not look that bad actually. I,ve cleaned my bike but will post a picture next week when it,s really caked up, just for comparisn.
Ademort

Monty Dog

Bikes are tools to be used - if you want something to hang on the wall to stare at lovingly and live in fear of it getting damaged, buy a painting / piece of art - there's at least a chance of it appreciating in value.
Unless you're spending heaps of cash on a genuine, limited edition model with provenance, no bike appreciates in value, so simply get on it and ride the blasted thing!

simon_masterson

Monty Dog wrote:

Bikes are tools to be used - if you want something to hang on the wall to stare at lovingly and live in fear of it getting damaged, buy a painting / piece of art - there's at least a chance of it appreciating in value.
Unless you're spending heaps of cash on a genuine, limited edition model with provenance, no bike appreciates in value, so simply get on it and ride the blasted thing!

Well said.

You could use it every single day between October and March, only giving it a drizzle of oil every so often, and it would more than likely scrub up better than you did on your wedding day. I do not understand what people think is going to happen to their bikes. If what the road is throwing up were enough to ruin your bike beyond redemption, it would probably be dissolving your flesh as well! My favourite bike was my dad's and spent 30 years being undermaintained at best and kept outside at worst. During the first couple of months of ownership I destroyed (literally) the transmission, but I managed a good few miles beforehand.

The 'winter bike' appears to have become a must-have accessory for the cyclist, when the real reason to own one is that your fancy bike has a top-end groupset - the consumables for which cost more than some peoples' bikes! - featherweight silk tubs and silly carbon wheels. If your bike is a sub-£1000 Specialized or Giant, let alone befitting of the criteria above, you don't need a 'winter bike'.

Monty Dog

My experience that older, top end groupsets survive winters far better than cheaper parts - its also a very good excuse to furnish upgrades on your good bike and use the hand-me-downs on your others!

simon_masterson

Monty Dog wrote:

My experience that older, top end groupsets survive winters far better than cheaper parts - its also a very good excuse to furnish upgrades on your good bike and use the hand-me-downs on your others!

Good point!

Markjaspi

Being pretty new to this forum, although not new to cycling generally (although just recently bought my first road bike after many hybrids), I have followed this thread with interest.

I manage to get out 4-5 times a week, between 16-22 miles a time, on a road/cycle path route that can be described as dodgy at best. And as long as it's not raining when I start I don't mind too much. I can't afford more than one bike (well more like the Mrs wouldn't be happy if i got another) and mine is a Specialized Allez Sport 2013 with some Mavic Askiums & Ultremo ZX HD's (so nothing special to some of the awesome bikes on here). But I find a quick wash down, wipe and re-lube and it looks brand new again.

I think I would be the same with a much more expensive machine, but lets see maybe next year when I invest a bit more cash!

suddons

My rule is if its raining when I step out the door then bike number 2.

If not then posh bike - followed by deep clean.

In the event of snow then bike 2.

lef

Rolf F wrote:

lef wrote:

i will probably keep a bike for about 4-5 yrs max. I ride so called 'good' bikes all year. The bad weather will not knacker the bike in that time. I can handle having to replace the odd chain, cassette a little more frequently. If you want the bike to last 20 yrs with minimal replacements then agree, hang it up in winter. But why spend so much on a bike and watch it depreciate for half the year?

Who gives a stuff about depreciation? Besides, you are losing far more on depreciation by replacing a bike every 4-5 years than you will by keeping it for 20 plus and running a cheap bike for the 10 weeks or so of winter that does the real damage.

I think a £1000-£1500 frame over 4-5 yrs is pretty good going no?

Admittedly I've had a rear mech seize once and a rusty seat collar screw but all in all riding through winter hasn't been as costly you'd expect. Plus I live in a flat and another bike sat around for 10 months (even more depreciation! ) just wouldn't be practical.