New bike on hold, one last hurrah for the old one?
11-26-18, 12:49 PM
#1
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New bike on hold, one last hurrah for the old one?
I've been riding a Trek 4900 for 15 years. I'm mostly a packed trail rider so the bike has served me well. I have hopes to purchase a gravel bike in the spring but with the holidays approaching it's not going to happen for several months. I doubt there will be one under the tree.
With that thought in mind, I am considering on making some purchases that allows me to use it for winter riding. I'm thinking of cheap upgrades like fenders and maybe a set of decent nubby tires along with progressive layers of foul weather gear to keep me from getting pneumonia. Hopefully the two of us will come through this winter ready for another good season under bluer skies. If it has to be one of us who makes it through, better that it's me; I'm sure the BB, chain and cogs are toast but I've gotten my money's worth out of it.
With that thought in mind, I am considering on making some purchases that allows me to use it for winter riding. I'm thinking of cheap upgrades like fenders and maybe a set of decent nubby tires along with progressive layers of foul weather gear to keep me from getting pneumonia. Hopefully the two of us will come through this winter ready for another good season under bluer skies. If it has to be one of us who makes it through, better that it's me; I'm sure the BB, chain and cogs are toast but I've gotten my money's worth out of it.
Last edited by PGHNeil; 11-26-18 at 01:08 PM.
11-26-18, 01:30 PM
#2
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BB, chain and cogs are easily replaced consumables. I have old bikes, which were all new bikes at one time. Point being, getting a new bike doesn't mean dumping the old one because of a few worn parts that can be replaced. That's where the +1 concept comes from. Buying new doesn't mean you have to dump an old and trusted friend. I've had the same old Legnano for 54 years since I got it new. I've got newer ones, but the old Legnano is a keeper.
11-26-18, 02:47 PM
#4
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11-26-18, 03:00 PM
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if the BB was toast you would know it
so basically, you want to ride thru the winter for the first time? bravo! go get 'em kid! we got your back!
so basically, you want to ride thru the winter for the first time? bravo! go get 'em kid! we got your back!
11-26-18, 04:34 PM
#6
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It’s actually gotten less noisy but yeah, it’s still got life in it. I just meant to say that the bike is due for an overhaul.
11-26-18, 05:24 PM
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11-26-18, 07:35 PM
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Your bike is ONLY 15 years old and you're going to replace it? Youngster for sure. My one and only ride is 34 years old and there are NO plans to retire it. I bought it new and it still looks and operates as well as it did on day one. Just 'cause it's "old" doesn't mean it has to be put out to pasture.
Jon
Jon
11-26-18, 07:50 PM
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New bikes are no fun after a few days. They don't need work on them yet and they are just appliances. Old bikes blinged out have panache 
11-27-18, 07:22 AM
#10
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Your bike is ONLY 15 years old and you're going to replace it? Youngster for sure. My one and only ride is 34 years old and there are NO plans to retire it. I bought it new and it still looks and operates as well as it did on day one. Just 'cause it's "old" doesn't mean it has to be put out to pasture.
Jon
Jon
11-27-18, 07:58 AM
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Sounds like you just need to fix your Trek and buy another bike to better suit your needs.
I own 4 bikes and each one fills a type of riding I want (for the day). My wife thinks I have 3 too many bikes....
I own 4 bikes and each one fills a type of riding I want (for the day). My wife thinks I have 3 too many bikes....
11-27-18, 07:59 AM
#12
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LOL. I like that train of thought, unfortunately things are quite tight in the basement. I need to make room without sacrificing something.
Thanks for the pick me up, guys. Snow has arrived and I'm fighting the urge to hibernate.
Thanks for the pick me up, guys. Snow has arrived and I'm fighting the urge to hibernate.
11-27-18, 08:26 PM
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50 ? That was a good year. It was 2000, I was 50 and rediscovered my love of cycling again. I feel better now than I did at 50. I'm sure the bike miles helped. My Legnano was only 35 years old then.
11-28-18, 06:20 AM
#16
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Thanks for the inspiration, guys. I'm looking forward to 50 and I have a special needs kid who will never be able to live independently so I need to keep in shape somehow.
Yesterday I dropped the saddle and put on the parka and took a test drive around the block in light snow. I know that's not a lot but it's the first time I've ridden since I went OTB in September and my neighborhood is atop a pretty high hill - although the road was clear - so my conditioning leaves a lot to be desired. My goal is to go down to the bottom and venture on a crushed limestone/gravel trail that is not maintained in the winter so it can get icy then boggy depending on the weather.
I think a trip to REI is in order; the cold air burns the lungs. I need to peruse the advice in the winter riding section.
Yesterday I dropped the saddle and put on the parka and took a test drive around the block in light snow. I know that's not a lot but it's the first time I've ridden since I went OTB in September and my neighborhood is atop a pretty high hill - although the road was clear - so my conditioning leaves a lot to be desired. My goal is to go down to the bottom and venture on a crushed limestone/gravel trail that is not maintained in the winter so it can get icy then boggy depending on the weather.
I think a trip to REI is in order; the cold air burns the lungs. I need to peruse the advice in the winter riding section.
