this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2024
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Buy it for Life

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Repairable Bike Tips (self.buyitforlife)
submitted 1 week ago by houseofleft to c/buyitforlife
21 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I'm looking to purchase a bike (probably second hand) and I want to make sure that it'll be easily repairable in the future for at least standard maintenance stuff.

Thing is, I don't know anything about bikes- I've heard people say off hand that modern bikes might perform better but are less maintanable, is this a thing? What qualities/features in a bike tell me that it'll be easier to maintain in the long run?

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[–] plactagonic@sopuli.xyz 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

There are few things to look for and it all depends on what bike you want.

  • derailleurs and shifters: With friction shifting you can slap any derailleur on bike and it will work. Otherwise look at the brand, model and number of speeds, they can have different cable pull standard that isn't in production.

  • bottom bracket: It is mess of different standards but it shouldn't be problem sourcing replacements.

  • frame: Good steel frame will outlive all the other components, so look at the mounting points for them. Flat mount disc brakes or type of V brakes, BB diameter and type,...

  • fork: Go for rigid fork if you want less things to worry about.

Basically look for all the parts, how to buy them, change them, if they require special tools...