How long do you keep a road bike?
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
How long do you keep a carbon road bike?
I know it’s a broad question, but I’m wondering how many miles most people feel a carbon road bike is good for.
I’m currently riding a 2018, bought as a leftover in 2019, Giant Tcr advanced pro 0. The bike has 3800 miles on it at this time. Originally the bike came with Di2, but was removed before I bought it. It currently has Ultegra 8000 components now. I’m really wanting Di2, which can be added for roughly 1000 if I shop around but I don’t feel like wasting money on a bike that may last 10k miles. Barring any unforeseen accident I would like to keep this bike for 25k miles before I upgrade which is another 5 years. Is that doable with carbon technology?
I’m currently riding a 2018, bought as a leftover in 2019, Giant Tcr advanced pro 0. The bike has 3800 miles on it at this time. Originally the bike came with Di2, but was removed before I bought it. It currently has Ultegra 8000 components now. I’m really wanting Di2, which can be added for roughly 1000 if I shop around but I don’t feel like wasting money on a bike that may last 10k miles. Barring any unforeseen accident I would like to keep this bike for 25k miles before I upgrade which is another 5 years. Is that doable with carbon technology?
Last edited by Lrdchaos; 01-08-21 at 09:24 AM.
#2
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1349 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Got 39,000 Miles . Gave it up after The Second frame cracked
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,516
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20808 Post(s)
Liked 9,450 Times
in
4,668 Posts
Your thread title is misleading. Yeah, some people cycle (har har) through bikes pretty regularly, but it's not because their carbon frame is going to spontaneously assplode or turn in to a wet noodle. 25k miles on a frame is easy peasy.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 56
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
3 Posts
I have over 40,000 miles on my 2010 Trek Madone and plan to put another 40k on it. As the previous commenter said, carbon does not suddenly assplode, nor does it wear down from UV light. Barring any crashes or hard impacts causing a crack you should be able to keep it for a long long time.
Likes For esskay1000:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,844
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6936 Post(s)
Liked 10,940 Times
in
4,674 Posts
I know it’s a broad question, but I’m wondering how many miles most people feel a carbon road bike is good for.
I’m currently riding a 2018, bought as a leftover in 2019, Giant Tcr advanced pro 0. The bike has 3800 miles on it at this time. Originally the bike came with Di2, but was removed before I bought it. It currently has Ultegra 8000 components now. I’m really wanting Di2, which can be added for roughly 1000 if I shop around but I don’t feel like wasting money on a bike that may last 10k miles. Barring any unforeseen accident I would like to keep this bike for 25k miles before I upgrade which is another 5 years. Is that doable with carbon technology?
I’m currently riding a 2018, bought as a leftover in 2019, Giant Tcr advanced pro 0. The bike has 3800 miles on it at this time. Originally the bike came with Di2, but was removed before I bought it. It currently has Ultegra 8000 components now. I’m really wanting Di2, which can be added for roughly 1000 if I shop around but I don’t feel like wasting money on a bike that may last 10k miles. Barring any unforeseen accident I would like to keep this bike for 25k miles before I upgrade which is another 5 years. Is that doable with carbon technology?
You do realize there is a search feature on bf, in case you don't feel like using google? I only suggest it because this has been done to death.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,108
Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 582 Times
in
438 Posts
I know it’s a broad question, but I’m wondering how many miles most people feel a carbon road bike is good for.
I’m currently riding a 2018, bought as a leftover in 2019, Giant Tcr advanced pro 0. The bike has 3800 miles on it at this time. Originally the bike came with Di2, but was removed before I bought it. It currently has Ultegra 8000 components now. I’m really wanting Di2, which can be added for roughly 1000 if I shop around but I don’t feel like wasting money on a bike that may last 10k miles. Barring any unforeseen accident I would like to keep this bike for 25k miles before I upgrade which is another 5 years. Is that doable with carbon technology?
I’m currently riding a 2018, bought as a leftover in 2019, Giant Tcr advanced pro 0. The bike has 3800 miles on it at this time. Originally the bike came with Di2, but was removed before I bought it. It currently has Ultegra 8000 components now. I’m really wanting Di2, which can be added for roughly 1000 if I shop around but I don’t feel like wasting money on a bike that may last 10k miles. Barring any unforeseen accident I would like to keep this bike for 25k miles before I upgrade which is another 5 years. Is that doable with carbon technology?
Your bike will last more than 10 000 miles. CF, alloy, titanium...they all suffer from fatigue at a certain point, but chances are that you won't experience it.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chapel Hill NC
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 645 Post(s)
Liked 797 Times
in
446 Posts
Add Di2 if you want Di2. Barring abuse or trauma, a well-made CF frame should last pretty much indefinitely. If in the unlikely event that it fails, just transfer your components to another frame
Likes For Litespud:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,297
Bikes: Too many.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 174 Times
in
86 Posts
Forever, or until I want another bike. Whichever comes first.
Short of crash damage or a defective product, you're not going to wear out or break your frame.
Edited after thinking about it: I don't think i have a frame that's newer than 2015 or so. The only reason I can date it to 2015 is that it came with 11-speed 105.
Short of crash damage or a defective product, you're not going to wear out or break your frame.
Edited after thinking about it: I don't think i have a frame that's newer than 2015 or so. The only reason I can date it to 2015 is that it came with 11-speed 105.
Last edited by Andy Somnifac; 01-08-21 at 11:00 AM.
#9
Senior Member
Barring accidents bikes last as long as you want it to. When you get new bike envy will be when it starts looking and feeling old. My 2018 Canyon Endurace is approaching 21,000 miles. I don't plan on replacing it but I might add to my stable.
#10
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
My son has a 2008 Cervelo TT bike and I would guess he has well over 50,000 miles on it. He's swapped groupsets a few times but its the same frame.
I have 26,000 miles on my 2015 and while i've replaced the bottom bracket, chain, tires and brake pads, i see no need to replace it. I upgraded from Sram Red 22 mechanical to eTap electronic and glad I did. You want Di2... go for it.
#11
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,605
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10947 Post(s)
Liked 7,473 Times
in
4,181 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,921
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1815 Post(s)
Liked 1,693 Times
in
974 Posts
I am riding a Look 481 SL from about 2004. It's just getting broken in
Giant, like Look is one of a select few bike companies who actually own their own manufacturing facilities
Giant, like Look is one of a select few bike companies who actually own their own manufacturing facilities
Last edited by alcjphil; 01-08-21 at 11:53 AM.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I know it’s a broad question, but I’m wondering how many miles most people feel a carbon road bike is good for.
I’m currently riding a 2018, bought as a leftover in 2019, Giant Tcr advanced pro 0. The bike has 3800 miles on it at this time. Originally the bike came with Di2, but was removed before I bought it. It currently has Ultegra 8000 components now. I’m really wanting Di2, which can be added for roughly 1000 if I shop around but I don’t feel like wasting money on a bike that may last 10k miles. Barring any unforeseen accident I would like to keep this bike for 25k miles before I upgrade which is another 5 years. Is that doable with carbon technology?
I’m currently riding a 2018, bought as a leftover in 2019, Giant Tcr advanced pro 0. The bike has 3800 miles on it at this time. Originally the bike came with Di2, but was removed before I bought it. It currently has Ultegra 8000 components now. I’m really wanting Di2, which can be added for roughly 1000 if I shop around but I don’t feel like wasting money on a bike that may last 10k miles. Barring any unforeseen accident I would like to keep this bike for 25k miles before I upgrade which is another 5 years. Is that doable with carbon technology?
Likes For caloso:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3942 Post(s)
Liked 7,284 Times
in
2,941 Posts
I used to wax my chain every week, but then realized it was quicker and easier to just replace the whole bike. That seemed kind of crazy – and a bit expensive – so now I ride my road bikes for a month before I replace them. I'm guessing most people with carbon frames do the same.
Likes For tomato coupe:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,844
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6936 Post(s)
Liked 10,940 Times
in
4,674 Posts
A cf frame is subject to other potential problems, but is probably even more resistant to fatigue than steel and ti.
At least, the above is my understanding...But I am no metallurgist, so someone else may want to chime in.
#16
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3942 Post(s)
Liked 7,284 Times
in
2,941 Posts
Likes For tomato coupe:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3942 Post(s)
Liked 7,284 Times
in
2,941 Posts
I confess, my statement was a bit of artistic license. I've never waxed a chain, and have no intention of ever doing so. But, I'm going to meet up with GlennR and learn how to wax my helmet. That seems like a good idea.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,297
Bikes: Too many.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 174 Times
in
86 Posts
Not going to lie, waxing is certainly more time consuming, but when done regularly it keeps everything so nice and clean and quiet. Not that I want to get into a chain lube vs wax debate. Before anyone tries to: you do you. Wax and/or lube in your preferred method to your heart's content.
#22
Senior Member
i guess untill it breaks?
my youngest bike is a 07 litespeed vortex... a fine and rare beast... keeping that untill the earth has is hit by a comet or something..,, ..
my older bike is a neat little Schwinn Peloton 99,, nice simple 853 steel.. keeping that till it rust and blows away ....
i like to hang on to good bikes.
my youngest bike is a 07 litespeed vortex... a fine and rare beast... keeping that untill the earth has is hit by a comet or something..,, ..
my older bike is a neat little Schwinn Peloton 99,, nice simple 853 steel.. keeping that till it rust and blows away ....
i like to hang on to good bikes.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3942 Post(s)
Liked 7,284 Times
in
2,941 Posts
Likes For tomato coupe:
#24
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,956
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4926 Post(s)
Liked 8,058 Times
in
3,810 Posts
I just bought a 2018 bike as my "new" bike. It's taking the place of a 2003 bike that has been relegated to trainer duties. Both are carbon. The '03 wasn't slowing me down a bit, I just wanted something a little more current.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#25
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 32,981
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 325 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11953 Post(s)
Liked 6,606 Times
in
3,468 Posts
I've got untold thousands of miles on my first steel bicycle. They hadn't invented bike computers yet at the time of purchase.
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
Likes For BillyD: