Dface
Retro Guru
I definitely have that.Rider fatigue is a different matter!
How much do you trust an old bike
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highlandsflyer
Retro Wizard
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This question really goes to the heart of this whole site. There is an oft repeated suspicion of composite and bonded frames, and a bent towards old skool steel. Fair enough. I don't think it is quite as cut and dried as some make out, but generally we are all leaning on our own experience. I would happily hammer an 'old' carbon frame that passes a visual inspection; if I believe it was lightly used. I would think that a better bet than heading down a mountain on an out and out downhill rig I know was used in anger. Still a bet though. That 'light use' may have been outside its limitations; vastly overforked or sat in the wrong place for its years, until I pick up the frame on its own.
The way I see it is I am a heavy older fella; and I don't generally have time or space to cosset a carbon bike for daily use. Day to day bikes here are thrown in vehicles, or stacked up and moved around with no attention paid to fragility. So in my use case scenario, old steel bikes make sense. I do have a bonded bike, which will be looked at very carefully before use. I also have several carbon bikes, which shall be sold. Just kidding, I will keep them from sunlight and proximity to anything lest they explode.
Aluminium is an odd one. I don't feel worried on them, but I know thirty years plus is a long time to amass lots of microfractures. Especially if that lightweight Klein came from an actual rider, who used it as intended. Unlikely I know. Then it is a case of using it lightly.
I think we all, to some extent, think the other way when it comes to longevity. Comes with the territory.
The way I see it is I am a heavy older fella; and I don't generally have time or space to cosset a carbon bike for daily use. Day to day bikes here are thrown in vehicles, or stacked up and moved around with no attention paid to fragility. So in my use case scenario, old steel bikes make sense. I do have a bonded bike, which will be looked at very carefully before use. I also have several carbon bikes, which shall be sold. Just kidding, I will keep them from sunlight and proximity to anything lest they explode.
Aluminium is an odd one. I don't feel worried on them, but I know thirty years plus is a long time to amass lots of microfractures. Especially if that lightweight Klein came from an actual rider, who used it as intended. Unlikely I know. Then it is a case of using it lightly.
I think we all, to some extent, think the other way when it comes to longevity. Comes with the territory.
stephan
Retro Guru
The only really way to check a frame and forks integrity is with an Ultrasound scan.
highlandsflyer
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That is pricey!
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
The trouble with a bond is the whole join can fail at once.
That doesn't make it more likely to fail, just harder to predict.
Most metal frame failures tear across over time - there are noises, visual signs, excess flex, usually there's some warning.
That doesn't make it more likely to fail, just harder to predict.
Most metal frame failures tear across over time - there are noises, visual signs, excess flex, usually there's some warning.
stephan
Retro Guru
I had a friend at work who did a scan of my Kinesis Carbon fork, the results were remarkably good from them who specialises in Materials. I don't know the cost of getting this done as it was part of some research, the hardware is expensive!
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stephan
Retro Guru
That is a good point "But that’s part of the fun. I keep that bike within its reasonable expectations"
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
I must have looked at 100s of bikes broken in use or abuse.
Sudden catastrophic failure i'm struggling to recall even one (excluding bond failure, viscount fork anyone?)
Snapped driveside dropout is the closest, almost always on a dirty, undermaintained bike, often with the wrong axle length fitted.
Pre-existing damage unnoticed or ignored is almost always discernable.
Crank, handlebar or pedal snapping is probably more likely to put you in hospital unannounced.
But other "road users" are much more of a risk - in Bristol its those **** scooters!
Sudden catastrophic failure i'm struggling to recall even one (excluding bond failure, viscount fork anyone?)
Snapped driveside dropout is the closest, almost always on a dirty, undermaintained bike, often with the wrong axle length fitted.
Pre-existing damage unnoticed or ignored is almost always discernable.
Crank, handlebar or pedal snapping is probably more likely to put you in hospital unannounced.
But other "road users" are much more of a risk - in Bristol its those **** scooters!
I have a 1995 Giant Rincon hard tail, named by my college roommate in Portland Maine "The Red Rincon Ryder". I have literally put 10's of thousands of miles on the bike. Over the years I have performed regular maintenance, namely cleaning and repacking, adjusting all bearings. keeping the bike relatively clean and storing it in a dry place.
Last winter I decided to give the bike a major going over, I'll keep from calling it a major rebuild. I replaced the front controls with a current Shimano ST-EF500 3 x 7-Speed Brake/Shift Lever Set which was perfect fit, and added a 4pc universal cable set. Finally installed a Greenfield KS2S kickstand w/retro kick, which brings the total investment to $47.50 this decade. I may have replaced the drive chain at some point during it's lifespan. As a former motorcycle racer, I have utmost respect for drive chains and always keep them clean, lightly lubricated and properly adjusted. Small rust spots on the frame were prepared, gray primer and followed up with Rust oleum red gloss spray paint which I was delighted to find matched very well.
This all started when my GF who has a nice stable of road and hybrid bikes tried to shame me into buying a new bike. No way was I prepared to part ways with my old friend.
Granted the frame is rather heavy by 2024 standards, it wasn't a lightweight even in 1995. I am 6'3" tall and was 200lbs at the time so neither am I (down to 170lbs currently). I bought this bike from Quinn's bike shop in Biddeford, ME. The owner interviewed me and concluded I would be happiest with the Rincon, he was 100% spot on. That bike has been my major form of transportation for many times over the years. It has lived in Biddeford, Portland and Boothbay Maine for a decade total. It lived in Johnson City, NY for 2 years while by GF at the time completed her residency at Wilson Memorial. Finally it landed in the Western Philadelphia, PA suburbs where it currently resides. Where I live now has an incredible amount of bike friendly paths along rivers, hills and parks with more being opened every day. Most of the bike's life always had those type of trails available. I did climb Cadillac Mountain in Maine, probably it's most notable trip.
Currently the only feature I may be updating is the handlebars, not exactly sure what direction I want to go, I am in no rush.
The bike has only taken what I would call a major spill, the from when the tire got caught in rather wide exposed seam in a concrete road at the bottom of a hill at a high rate of speed. I high sided so I took more damage than the bike did. We are both completely healed up after that incident.
I am not sure about some of the older bikes discussed here, but my almost 35 year old Giant is a tribute to their ability to produce a highly durable hybrid bike that with a little care will last a lifetime. Currently the bike performs as good or better than the day I wheeled it out of the bike store.
Last winter I decided to give the bike a major going over, I'll keep from calling it a major rebuild. I replaced the front controls with a current Shimano ST-EF500 3 x 7-Speed Brake/Shift Lever Set which was perfect fit, and added a 4pc universal cable set. Finally installed a Greenfield KS2S kickstand w/retro kick, which brings the total investment to $47.50 this decade. I may have replaced the drive chain at some point during it's lifespan. As a former motorcycle racer, I have utmost respect for drive chains and always keep them clean, lightly lubricated and properly adjusted. Small rust spots on the frame were prepared, gray primer and followed up with Rust oleum red gloss spray paint which I was delighted to find matched very well.
This all started when my GF who has a nice stable of road and hybrid bikes tried to shame me into buying a new bike. No way was I prepared to part ways with my old friend.
Granted the frame is rather heavy by 2024 standards, it wasn't a lightweight even in 1995. I am 6'3" tall and was 200lbs at the time so neither am I (down to 170lbs currently). I bought this bike from Quinn's bike shop in Biddeford, ME. The owner interviewed me and concluded I would be happiest with the Rincon, he was 100% spot on. That bike has been my major form of transportation for many times over the years. It has lived in Biddeford, Portland and Boothbay Maine for a decade total. It lived in Johnson City, NY for 2 years while by GF at the time completed her residency at Wilson Memorial. Finally it landed in the Western Philadelphia, PA suburbs where it currently resides. Where I live now has an incredible amount of bike friendly paths along rivers, hills and parks with more being opened every day. Most of the bike's life always had those type of trails available. I did climb Cadillac Mountain in Maine, probably it's most notable trip.
Currently the only feature I may be updating is the handlebars, not exactly sure what direction I want to go, I am in no rush.
The bike has only taken what I would call a major spill, the from when the tire got caught in rather wide exposed seam in a concrete road at the bottom of a hill at a high rate of speed. I high sided so I took more damage than the bike did. We are both completely healed up after that incident.
I am not sure about some of the older bikes discussed here, but my almost 35 year old Giant is a tribute to their ability to produce a highly durable hybrid bike that with a little care will last a lifetime. Currently the bike performs as good or better than the day I wheeled it out of the bike store.
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