How much do you trust an old bike

[Dface]

Rider fatigue is a different matter!

I definitely have that.

 

[highlandsflyer]

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.

 

[stephan]

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 only really way to check a frame and forks integrity is with an Ultrasound scan.

 

[highlandsflyer]

The only really way to check a frame and forks integrity is with an Ultrasound scan.

That is pricey!

 

[bikeworkshop]

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.

 

[stephan]

That is pricey!

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!

 

[fennec]

I have a bike that’s 20+ year ols compliant aluminum, idk how long until one of my flexible chainstays flexes for the last time. I don’t trust it in the slightest.
But that’s part of the fun. I keep that bike within its reasonable expectations, I know it can’t take the same hits as my modern bike. But should one day a jump snap a chainstay, so be it, it dies a hero’s death.

I think I would treat any old hardware the same way. Composite carbon, early aluminum, rare pieces, aging components. The museum pieces are already out there in museums, I’m not going to baby something I enjoy because it might break.

 

[stephan]

I have a bike that’s 20+ year ols compliant aluminum, idk how long until one of my flexible chainstays flexes for the last time. I don’t trust it in the slightest.
But that’s part of the fun. I keep that bike within its reasonable expectations, I know it can’t take the same hits as my modern bike. But should one day a jump snap a chainstay, so be it, it dies a hero’s death.

I think I would treat any old hardware the same way. Composite carbon, early aluminum, rare pieces, aging components. The museum pieces are already out there in museums, I’m not going to baby something I enjoy because it might break.

That is a good point "But that’s part of the fun. I keep that bike within its reasonable expectations"

 

[Imlach]

I don't trust them at all, every time I look at them my bank rings me

 

[bikeworkshop]

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!