Component and frame failures are a true danger, but with some modern equipment as well as old, heavily used parts. Having broken three cranks, two frames, three rear axles, a platform pedal, a front hub flange, and various spokes, I am always vigilant regarding potential early signs of impending failure. Unfortunately, a lot of stuff snaps without warning.

I did retire the original, high-mileage Ofmega CX cranks on the Bianchi in favor of newer, lightly-used Bianchi-labeled Ofmegas, and the Peugeot UO-8 has a late 1990s Salsa stem instead of anything period-correct. Overall, I tend to favor sturdy and reasonably lightweight over lightest-available components.