Are bikes disposable consumer goods?

[Tin Pot]

In getting involved in maintaining my bike, I notice I could do with new tyres, tubes, wheels, cassette, chain, stem, saddle, bar tape, brake calipers, brake holders and pads, cables and pedals.

The front dérailleur is looking a bit iffy too, and possibly the crank set.

The cost of all these is approaching the cost of the bike in the first place!

So - economically speaking - do I retain the frame, fork and handlebars and buy all new components, or just bin* the thing and buy a new one?


*Hypothetically speaking obviously, I won't bin my bike.

But to continue my rant, it seems bikes are sold as a decent frame with bare minimum components as an after thought! Argh!

Why can't it be economic to do minor upgrades - and why do good wheels cost so freakin' much!?

<breathes>

 

[stoatsngroats]

Disposable items...?
Tyres and tubes, saddle, (brake) pads, cables, bar tape = yes
Wheels, stem, brake calipers, brake holders and pedals = no.

Items which are prone to wear:
Cassette, chain.

So hardly 1 whole problem to deal with.

Regular maintenance is the key, so that it's not needing replacing at the same time.

If the frame and forks are ok, why get another..?

Recycling a bike should just be a matter of looking after what works, and changing what doesn't.

 

[welsh dragon]

[QUOTE 3859957, member: 259"]It's the same with brooms![/QUOTE]


Ah. Triggers original broom.

 

[DEFENDER01]

Ah. Triggers original broom.

I have two Trigger brooms they are great never can wear them out.

 

[bianchi1]

Disposable items...?
Tyres and tubes, saddle, (brake) pads, cables, bar tape = yes
Wheels, stem, brake calipers, brake holders and pedals = no.

Items which are prone to wear:
Cassette, chain.

So hardly 1 whole problem to deal with.

Regular maintenance is the key, so that it's not needing replacing at the same time.

If the frame and forks are ok, why get another..?

Recycling a bike should just be a matter of looking after what works, and changing what doesn't.

Wheels will wear out in time, or more specifically the rims will gradually get worn down by the pads. Expecialy if you use them in in the winter with all the grit and crap on the roads.

It used to be that you would just buy a new rim and re use the hub, but is it really worth it on a factory built wheel?

 

[bpsmith]

We're a throwaway society in all number of ways these days. It should never be cheaper to buy a new bike than to replace a number of parts. Unless, of course the remaining parts themselves are the weak point.

If the frame and forks are the cheaper items, then that could explain why the components being replaced add up to so much, I guess.

 

[mustang1]

If the cost to replace all the parts of your bike are approaching the cost of a new quality bike, then get a new bike.

Otherwise, well, get the new parts fitted.

 

[Crandoggler]

As long as you sell *read recycle* your old bike. Who cares.

 

[Tin Pot]

Okay, to illustrate my point:

I could buy a new groupset and wheels.

Khamsin Assymetric
£90
Blend of Chorus /Athena Carbon
~£700

Or,

Planet X Pro Carbon which has Khamsins and Chorus/Athena
£999

The groupset and wheels alone are 79% of the cost!


This is the real reason behind n+1...we have been duped I tell you!

 

[Crandoggler]

Know what I'd do. You could make back a ridiculous amount just by selling your old shoot.

 

[Cyclist33]

In getting involved in maintaining my bike, I notice I could do with new tyres, tubes, wheels, cassette, chain, stem, saddle, bar tape, brake calipers, brake holders and pads, cables and pedals.

The front dérailleur is looking a bit iffy too, and possibly the crank set.

The cost of all these is approaching the cost of the bike in the first place!

So - economically speaking - do I retain the frame, fork and handlebars and buy all new components, or just bin* the thing and buy a new one?


*Hypothetically speaking obviously, I won't bin my bike.

But to continue my rant, it seems bikes are sold as a decent frame with bare minimum components as an after thought! Argh!

Why can't it be economic to do minor upgrades - and why do good wheels cost so freakin' much!?

<breathes>

I bet at least half of the parts you think need changing, don't.

 

[bpsmith]

Okay, to illustrate my point:

I could buy a new groupset and wheels.

Khamsin Assymetric
£90
Blend of Chorus /Athena Carbon
~£700

Or,

Planet X Pro Carbon which has Khamsins and Chorus/Athena
£999

The groupset and wheels alone are 79% of the cost!


This is the real reason behind n+1...we have been duped I tell you!

Why are you shocked by this particular comparison though?

This just emphasises the cheaper Planet X frame/fork being used, along with cheaper finishing kit.

 

[jazzkat]

and economies of scale.
PX will buy a shimano group set cheaper than you could buy it because over a year they'll buy hundreds (thousands even) of them, so Shimano will give them a nice discount.

I was in the same situation with an old bike years ago the frame was great but everything else was worn out. Bought a new bike, recycled the old and never looked back!

 

[Tin Pot]

and economies of scale.
PX will buy a shimano group set cheaper than you could buy it because over a year they'll buy hundreds (thousands even) of them, so Shimano will give them a nice discount.

I was in the same situation with an old bike years ago the frame was great but everything else was worn out. Bought a new bike, recycled the old and never looked back!

Yeah (my rant is over btw), I'll either buy a new groupset and wheels, or get something like the Px and have a spare frame!

 

[jazzkat]

Yeah (my rant is over btw), I'll either buy a new groupset and wheels, or get something like the Px and have a spare frame!

new bike, new bike, new bike!
you know it makes sense.