What's a lifetime purchase?

[JAGI410]

Let's say you had $1000 to spend on bike stuff, but it has to last you at least 20 years, or the rest of your riding days, whatever comes first. What would you buy?

[Louis]

The "has to last 20 years" requirement dramatically alters my choices. I guess I'd have to go with something like this: (it is Ti)

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTy7Il5SVJol2OQoUHdNw_m8T-KGGBBJ7UHvHwwYZwMFt3HhAdnNg

[cfox]

used ti frame

[branflakes]

maybe spend $500 on lottery tickets hoping to score a larger budget. save the other $500 for the bike project. :eek:

seriously, maybe something like this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-Gunnar-Roadie-w-Alpha-Q-Fork-Chris-King-DreadSet-58cm-Custom-Rasta-Paint-/300897262665?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item460edfdc49), rasta paint included :)

or hope to find another deal like this (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=116699&highlight=gunnar) previously on the forum.

ti is definitely nice, but steel is real.....and less expensive normally.

[rounder]

Serotta steel bike.

[MattTuck]

Spend it on:

1. Quality tools
2. A trip for cycling. Memories will last a lifetime.

[Steve in SLO]

Good tools.
The rest turns over more quickly than every 20 years.

[pbarry]

DCG stock. Kidding, just kidding.. :) Seriously, if that's all I could spend till forever and did not own a bike, I'd go for a nice vintage steel bike on CL, and spend the rest on consumables like chains, cassettes/freewheels and tires.

[christian]

A whole crapload of Regals.

[Louis]

Buying a lifetime supply of the same thing violates the spirit of the rules.

[SlackMan]

DCG stock. Kidding, just kidding.. :) Seriously, if that's all I could spend till forever and did not own a bike, I'd go for a nice vintage steel bike on CL, and spend the rest on consumables like chains, cassettes/freewheels and tires.

+1 As I examine new purchases, I am thinking there are few greater values than older, steel frame bikes.

[cat6]

.

[lhuerta]

Silca Track Pump

Mine just reached 30 years of intense and dependable service...a real workhorse!

Lou

http://www.bikepro.com/products/pumps/silcfloor.html

[OtayBW]

Silca Track Pump

Mine just reached 30 years of intense and dependable service...a real workhorse!

Lou

http://www.bikepro.com/products/pumps/silcfloor.html
+1! 20 years on mine.

[hainy]

+1 Silca Track Pump. Now 23 years and going strong.
Sometimes think I sould buy another brand just to be different but no need
Assos jacket...now 10years and still looks brand new.
Most baselayers last a long time

[christian]

Buying a lifetime supply of the same thing violates the spirit of the rules.Ok. Hmmm. Nah, still the Regals.

[rugbysecondrow]

I would say a schmidt SON hub would be a great investment. Then adding couplers to a current frame for a travel bike.

Does that get me to $1000?

If there is still some money left, Nitto Noodle 48s

[Louis]

Ok. Hmmm. Nah, still the Regals.

I have about 7-8 years on the Regal that's on my daily driver, and it still looks great. Not quite a comfortable as the Selle Italia model it replaced, but that one's not made anymore and I haven't been able to find anything better than the Regal.

[JAGI410]

Those are some hefty recommendations for the Regal. I've been meaning to try one, you guys make it seem foolish not to!

I like the travel and tools comments, and the Son hub idea. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Chris King/Phil Wood bits yet.

[Ken Robb]

A nice used steel frame/fork like a CSi, Strada Bianca, Rivendell, and a B-17 .saddle

[onsight512]

steel framed Serotta (thanks Jack). two years down, eighteen to go.

http://i.imgur.com/cf3g8.jpg

[Steve in SLO]

Silca Track Pump

Mine just reached 30 years of intense and dependable service...a real workhorse!

+1! 20 years on mine.

+1 Silca Track Pump. Now 23 years and going strong.
Sometimes think I sould buy another brand just to be different but no need
Assos jacket...now 10years and still looks brand new.
Most baselayers last a long time



HA! Rookies!

I have 35 years on mine. Now sporting a Hirame head and working as well as ever.


.

[Louis]

HA! Rookies!

I have 35 years on mine. Now sporting a Hirame head and working as well as ever.

+1

I knew they were lying when they didn't say anything about replacing the original Silca head.

Anyone who can live that long with that rubber friction washer is the textbook definition of "long suffering."

[fogrider]

the best way to improve a ride is lightweight wheels...I got my carbon tubulars more than 4 years ago. carbon vs alum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dkuaNX2zEs) carbon tubies are the boss!

[reggiebaseball]

ah yes, the famous, industry standard,

weird frenchie in his apartment leaning on an unlaced rim

test

[Louis]

the best way to improve a ride is lightweight wheels...I got my carbon tubulars more than 4 years ago. ... carbon tubies are the boss!

Wow - CF wheels that last 20 years - they're even better than I thought!

[rustychisel]

+ 1 Silca floor pump

Endura thermal cycling gear. (them Scots know a thing or two about the cold)

[freakforti]

used ti frame

YES YES YES

shure worked for the last 20 years

:banana:

marTIn

[buddybikes]

Although I am not a fan of overpriced ASSOS stuff, I do have a late season jacket that is 15 years old and perhaps other then re-sewing pockets will live a lot more.

[witcombusa]

Gonna need a bigger budget, that 1k wouldn't get me through a year :no:

[Pete Mckeon]

I have had the Campy wine cork unscrew tool for over 20 years and my Legend ti is over 13 years and has been to Europe and many places is the USA. :banana::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:

Let's say you had $1000 to spend on bike stuff, but it has to last you at least 20 years, or the rest of your riding days, whatever comes first. What would you buy?

[AngryScientist]

anything that is completely rebuildable.

stuff i think could easily last 20 years of frequent use:

-dura-ace, record and phil wood hubs come to mind. with replacement bearings, there should be no reason you could not coax 20 years of frequent use out of any of those hubs.

-most good headsets, again with bearing replacements, should last forever

-alloy cranksets. as long as you can replace the rings when necessary, should go and go and go.

-Louis's integra.

[fuzzalow]

HA! Rookies!

I have 35 years on mine. Now sporting a Hirame head and working as well as ever.


.

Yep, Silca floor pump with the recent (in Silca-years that's 5 years) addition of a Tanaka head. There is the ringed line of nicks and wear around the pump barrel from having the old Silca head rattling against it for 30 years from the hose looped over the handle. Traditional orange color which has been proven to conduct nitrogen better than any other color.

[giverdada]

definitely stuff that is repairable and/or rebuildable, like angry said. and some really good handbuilts. although they may not be 'really good', my first set of wheels that i ever built, shimano 600 tri-color hubs, 7-speed, on mavic ma40 rims with dt swiss double butted spokes, are still rolling. the rear got a flat spot in it but the front is in daily service on my wife's commuter, only a couple repacks in the last few years. i built them in high school (1996).

saddles are key. find one that works, buy lots.

a trip would be great. maybe put the lump sum away and withdraw from it at regular yearly intervals to pay for the fuel/mileage/tickets to go somewhere and ride with someone you love.

if i bought 2 bikes right now for my girls, and a rack and some gas to carry us all around on a dreamy vacation with bikes, i bet they'd ride for the rest of their lives. that's a grand well spent...

[oldpotatoe]

Let's say you had $1000 to spend on bike stuff, but it has to last you at least 20 years, or the rest of your riding days, whatever comes first. What would you buy?

NOS Merckx..hey I gots two!!

Well one isn't NOS..

Nice steel frame

[soulspinner]

used ti frame

+1

[ColonelJLloyd]

Spend it on:

1. Quality tools
2. A trip for cycling. Memories will last a lifetime.

This

[Louis]

-Louis's integra.

Ha!

I just checked the other day and Blue Book value is at least $1400, so you're out of luck.

[srice]

+1

I knew they were lying when they didn't say anything about replacing the original Silca head.

Anyone who can live that long with that rubber friction washer is the textbook definition of "long suffering."

Got 14 years on my original Silca head and I'm on the third washer rubber washer in that head. I long ago switched to using only tubes with non-threaded stems.

[mktng]

A nice, well made Steel bike.
Lugged. Hand made.

I think my three Marinoni's will be with me for the duration of my life. <3

[sevencyclist]

Looking at what I have now that should still be around in 20 years and not needing updating, I would say

1. Kent Eriksen Titanium Layback Post
2. Groovy Titanium Luv Handlebar
3. Rohloff Hub Drivetrain (costs more than $1000 though)
4. Brooks Saddle (8 years so far)
5. Chris King Headsets (one 10 years, second is 6 years, third is 1 year)
6. King tulip bottle cage

[steelbikerider]

silca pump with original head going on 34 years now
Dura Ace 32 hole hubs bought in 88, converted to 8/9/10 speed and still used regularly
lots of tools

[JAGI410]

Awesome suggestions. I forgot about the Groovy Ti Luvhandle. Certainly a lifetime handlebar!

[hainy]

Got 14 years on my original Silca head and I'm on the third washer rubber washer in that head. I long ago switched to using only tubes with non-threaded stems.

That's the secret with silca pump heads. Smooth valves

[weehastogopee]

Definitely a nice old steel bike............and some frame saver ;P

[victoryfactory]

When you do anything for the future, do it like a squirrel.
Bury the nuts but don't stress about where you put them.
In 20 years, God willing, The stuff you still have will tell the story*

VF

*sorry for getting philosophical. I do value good tools and good decisions.