Are Old Mountain Bikes Still Good?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The best used will be those that are only a couple years old. Less than 5, absolutely . Get older than that, and people will probably start wanting more than they're worth, and you're going to have a tougher time getting a full history on the bike.

When should I replace my mountain bike?

Is it worth upgrading an old mountain bike?

If your bike is more than a few seasons old, it likely makes more sense to upgrade to something new that will offer better suspension performance, more current standards and bigger wheels.

How long does a MTB drivetrain last?

Mostly, mountain bike drivetrain can last up to 15000km before it gets one replacement cycle, drivetrain components vary in life span, the chain is the fastest worn part followed by cassette and chainrings, the chain should be replaced when it reaches 0.75% of a stretch when both cassette and chainrings should be ...

Can a bike last forever?

To summarise, a bike will have a lifetime of approximately five everyday-riding years before it gets shot to pieces. This lifetime can be extended indefinitely through new components and diligent maintenance (or instantly shortened in the case of a crash).

What do you do with old mountain bikes?

How long do MTB pavement tires last?

For How Long Can My Mountain Bike Tires Last on Pavement? It would take roughly 2 years for a reserved rider to need a new set of MTB tires. However, if you are this biker who has to be on the road on a daily basis, you will need to replace those tires in about 3 months .

How long do bike tires last years?

Bike Tire Type Expected Mileage (Lifespan) Mountain bike tire 1,000-7,000 miles Hybrid bike tire 1,000-3,000 miles Racing bike tire 1,000 miles Puncture-resistant tire 3,000-5,000 miles

How long do MTB brakes last?

Your disc brake pads are also likely to trap sand granules and other small particles, which can wear them down. For such reasons, an MTB's disc brake pads are likely to wear down much faster. On average, you can expect them to go for 100-500 miles depending on the weather, road conditions, and frequency of riding.

Is 100mm travel enough for trail riding?

Depending on your skill, riding style, and terrain, there is likely an ideal amount of suspension travel . Other specs such as geometry, wheels, and tires matter too, but they are usually tailored to match a bike's suspension. Most modern mountain bikes will have somewhere between 100mm and 170mm of suspension travel.

What should I upgrade first on my mountain bike?

The first thing to upgrade is anything that might be bothering you, or to fix any annoyances on your bike . That might look like different grips, wider bars (or in some cases to cut your bars down), a shorter stem, more grippy or lighter tires, a saddle and pedals.

Do you really need a full suspension mountain bike?

The brief answer is: Choose a full-suspension bike if you are willing to spend a bit more and you want to ride technical trails . On the other hand, choose a hardtail bike if you're on a tighter budget and/or plan to spend most of your time on smoother trails.

When should I replace my drivetrain?

The drivetrain wears like any other part and if you ride regularly it will need replacing at some point. A full drivetrain replacement is a decent-sized job that is often required after about 5000km of riding but there are ways to extend the life of these parts.

How long does MTB cassette last?

A cassette, in most cases, can last for approximately two to three chain replacements if they are done at the right time.

When should I replace my derailleur?

Derailleurs will last almost indefinitely . The jockey wheels will wear out in time (tens of thousands of km) but the rest of the mechanism shouldn't see significant wear. It could be that the spring will break at some point due to material fatigue, but that is also a relatively easy to replace part on most derailleurs.

Is it worth fixing up an old bike?

If the integrity of the frame is compromised, it's time for a new bike. If the frame is bent, cracked, rusted through, has broken welds, a stuck seatpost or bottom bracket, it's time for it to be retired .

How many miles is a bike good for?

20 miles per day biking is great exercise. As long as your body can keep up, that is. If you find that even 20 miles daily become too much, then I suggest cutting the time down to half or a quarter of that amount.

What is high mileage for a bicycle?

For small sports bikes, 20,000 to 30,000 is on the high side. For larger bikes, 50,000 miles and up is considered high motorcycle mileage. But before you write off any models, consider that a properly maintained bike can last well past 100,000 miles!

How do I upgrade my old mountain bike?

Is it worth upgrading a 26 MTB?

So if you like your 26′′ bike and you aren't planning to replace it with a 27.7′′ or 29′′ one any time soon then upgrading it is definitely worth it because many parts will have a massive discount on them just because they aren't popular anymore ( wheelset, suspension fork, etc.).

Can I use mountain bike for touring?

Mountain bikes are great for touring . They're strong, can deal with rough roads perfectly and it's less likely to get a flat tire. It requires a bit more pedaling but with the right tires and handlebar, you have can make long-distance trips on a mountain bike.

Is it OK to ride mountain bike on road?

Can you ride on the road with your mountain bike? The answer is yes, you absolutely can . It will just feel different from riding a standard road bike. This is mostly because of the thickness of the tires.

Do MTB tires wear faster on road?

Mountain bike tires wear faster on the road because they are not made for the hard and compacted asphalt and cement highways. More friction happens between the aggressive treads pattern and the softer rubber material of mountain bike tires.

Can I ride mountain bike tires on the road?

You can ride your mountain bike on pavement . Just keep in mind that it will be harder to pedal (i.e. slower), and the pavement is hard on traditional knobby mountain bike tires.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.