Frame Life
10-11-07, 11:18 AM
#1
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Frame Life
What is the mileage life expectancy of a steel frame (Columbus TSX tubing on a Pinarello). Discounting other factors (assuming this is a fair weather bike only), if someone says they have 4,000 miles on the frame, should that be a factor in evaluating the value of the bike or is that an inconsequential amount of miles?
10-11-07, 11:22 AM
#2
What is this demonry?!
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it'll outlive you if you take care of it, but just barely since once you die you won't be able to take care of it. 4000 miles is nothing. If it has no cracks anywhere then it's fine.
10-11-07, 11:25 AM
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the 4000 miles would be more applicable to any components that are on the bike. components such as bearings, chains, brake pads, legs and hearts wear out, frames don't really.
10-11-07, 11:28 AM
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Assuming you don't crash it and keep it rust free, your grandson's grandson could ride this bike.
10-11-07, 11:30 AM
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a steel frame will basically last forever, but if you are buying a used bike with 4000 miles on it, while the frame will be fine, thats enough mileage for a bike to have some wear if not cared for, if you buy a bike from one of those people who never cleans their drive train or changes chains or even lubes them, expect to have to replace the drive train, however people like that rarely have road bikes, so your prolly fine, just be aware that it is possible to have put wear on other parts of the bike
and as a preemptive: yes i know that prolly no one on bf would let that happen to their bikes, but those people do exist in the world, so you have to be wary on craigslist ect
and as a preemptive: yes i know that prolly no one on bf would let that happen to their bikes, but those people do exist in the world, so you have to be wary on craigslist ect
10-11-07, 11:43 AM
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a steel frame will basically last forever, but if you are buying a used bike with 4000 miles on it, while the frame will be fine, thats enough mileage for a bike to have some wear if not cared for, if you buy a bike from one of those people who never cleans their drive train or changes chains or even lubes them, expect to have to replace the drive train, however people like that rarely have road bikes, so your prolly fine, just be aware that it is possible to have put wear on other parts of the bike
and as a preemptive: yes i know that prolly no one on bf would let that happen to their bikes, but those people do exist in the world, so you have to be wary on craigslist ect
and as a preemptive: yes i know that prolly no one on bf would let that happen to their bikes, but those people do exist in the world, so you have to be wary on craigslist ect
4,000 miles is trivial.
10-11-07, 12:47 PM
#8
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Don't be so sure about steel frames being eternal. I cracked two steel road frames last year without crashing them. Both of them were used frames from the 1980's that I had built up as beaters, and I don't know how many miles were on them before I got them, but both appeared to be in good shape with excellent original paint job. One BB shell cracked, and on the other the seat tube cracked above the BB shell. I have also cracked a large number of high quality steel BMX frames, not from crashing, but just from riding them hard until they were fatigued from flex, usually in the BB area, but occasionally in other places. You'll probably get a lot of miles out of a good steel frame, fewer miles if you ride it hard, but nothing lasts forever.
Also, if someone says that they have "4000 miles" on a frame...it could be a lot more. Its easy to underestimate mileage when you are selling your bike or components.
Also, if someone says that they have "4000 miles" on a frame...it could be a lot more. Its easy to underestimate mileage when you are selling your bike or components.
10-11-07, 01:08 PM
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You can ruin any kind of frame thru abuse. A riding buddie of mine has over 50,000 miles on a Raleigh R700 frame. IF you take care of stuff it will last a pretty long time.
10-11-07, 01:21 PM
#10
How much does it weigh?
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10-11-07, 02:55 PM
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Don't be so sure about steel frames being eternal. I cracked two steel road frames last year without crashing them. Both of them were used frames from the 1980's that I had built up as beaters, and I don't know how many miles were on them before I got them, but both appeared to be in good shape with excellent original paint job. One BB shell cracked, and on the other the seat tube cracked above the BB shell.
