I commute on a "vintage" steel road bike. The same style road bike I commuted on when this style was new. I try to ride on dry days, and have always kept my bikes very clean. It is really easy for me to disassemble the bottom bracket, hubs and headset to clean and regrease the bearings. I use motor oil and WD-40 to "oil" parts that need it regularly. It is what we used in the bike shop I worked in as a teen. I true the wheels, and adjust the cables as needed. Tires, tubes and brake pads get changed when needed. Components also get changed if needed. I keep a sufficient size inventory of spare parts and supplies on hand. So...keeping a bike super clean and lubed, looking it over when you clean it and lube it, and keeping up with scheduled maintenance is the way I would describe it. Good vintage bikes are good for many thousands of miles. Plus, avoiding pot holes in the road can add thousands more.