How much of your bike is original?

Cee-Jay-Cee

I've my bike 3 months now and only the frame, forks and group set are original. Seat post, saddle, wheels/tyres, stem, handlebars, bar tape, cassette and brake blocks have all been changed. I have it now the way I want it and have no further plans for it other than to ride it plenty. I managed to sell quite a few of the original parts and in many cases sold them for the same price as the new parts so it hasn't been an overly expensive exercise.

thebouldwhacker

Depends on which bike you are enquiring about.
Some bike are original ..... Some bikes are not so.

SomeFool

just the frame on each of them, thats quite bad, I may have a problem!

diomed

My best bike: frame bought, then built up.
Changes since: handlebars; saddle; bottom bracket; wheels; cassette.

happytramp

Good question. I've often wondered what turns a person from being someone who rides a bike into being a 'cyclist'. And as far as I can tell it's the first time you look to buy a part for your bike that isn't broken or needs replacing. You want it because it will make your commute/race/ride/ better, faster or more comfortable.

loveBBhate

I got mine in Smyths/Argos 2 year ago and she's still going mighty. Not a bit of custom work done.

smacl

loveBBhate wrote: »

I got mine in Smyths/Argos 2 year ago and she's still going mighty. Not a bit of custom work done.

Got my bike 2nd hand a couple years ago. Since then new wheels, shifters, front mech, stem, bars, saddle, pedals, brakes, cassettes, chains, cables. So all that remains are cranks, BB, rear mech, frame, and seat post.

loveBBhate

smacl wrote: »

Got my bike 2nd hand a couple years ago. Since then new wheels, shifters, front mech, stem, bars, saddle, pedals, brakes, cassettes, chains, cables. So all that remains are cranks, BB, rear mech, frame, and seat post.

I feel so dirty gonna go out and get my bike something new today like a treat! Any recommendations?

Raam

From my first road bike, just the frame, forks, cranks and brake calipers are original.

dermo1990

The seatpost and handlebars is all thats left of the original frame (crash.... Long story), but planning on replacing the bars, they're a bit wide for me

WillyFXP

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Depends on which bike you are enquiring about.
Some bike are original ..... Some bikes are not so.

He means if you bought a factory built bike how many components have you changed.

WillyFXP

I built my first road bike from the frame up. Very satisfying and it worked out cheaper than buying a similar spec factory bike.

smacl

loveBBhate wrote: »

I feel so dirty gonna go out and get my bike something new today like a treat! Any recommendations?

Either the bit that's worn out (wheel rims, front mech, shifters, brakes, cassette, chain, cables for me) or the bit that's a source of discomfort (saddle, bars, stem, tyres, pedals). To be fair, my bike was quite old when I bought it 2nd hand, and I've put about 12k km into it since. I do like getting the brown boxes with bike stuff in the post, and whiling away the odd evening mucking about with the bike.

Of course we haven't even started on accessories, computer, lights, saddle bags, pumps, tools or clothing.

Then of course there's always the second and subsequent bikes...

niceonetom

It's like the Sugababes. This a Trigger's Broom problem. There is no correct answer.

Best to just keep upgrading and eventually you'll have a winter bike's worth of bits to assemble. You could call it Mutya.

dave_o_brien

From my good bike, the only things that are original are the shifters and mechs. Changed the frame, forks, bar, stem, seat post, saddle, brakes, cables, wheels, cassette, etc. I don't know if you can call it my original bike,

Tar.Aldarion

One link on my chain has been replaced

Cee-Jay-Cee

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Depends on which bike you are enquiring about.
Some bike are original ..... Some bikes are not so.

Read the title again

macnab

I built my main bike from scratch but I have changed the crankset, the wheel set, the stem, the handlebars and the saddle since the initial build. My 2nd bike has been treated to a new wheel set, new forks, shorter stem and a better saddle. My hybrid has only had its seat changed, its still uncomfortable for anything over 20km though.

Captain Havoc

Depends when also, groupsets maybe changed over for mountains, wheels for calm or windy conditions etc.....

DirkVoodoo

All of it.

Amprodude

My main bike. I just changed the handlebar tape bottle holders and pedals.

My training bike has new wheels, new saddle. New pedals, different cassette installed and chain. New handlebar and bottle holders. Thats all i intend doing to it.

Lawr

Purchased my bike in 2009 for a thousand euro, a Trek 2.1 with carbon seat stays and carbon fork, Tiagra 9sp and FSA crank. I would say my first upgrade was my saddle, mostly because the original was ruined from so many crashes, usually the result of not being able to unclip in time, but also because it rubbed on the inside of my left thigh. I couldn't get it right. I went through a lot of saddles before I found one I liked, the Bontrager Affinity RXL 128mm wide with titanium rails. I obviously needed a thinner and harder seat. This is a good one.

Problems with tires led me to upgrade to Bontrager xxx clinchers. The tires contain 260 threads per sq. inch. Despite being light, hardly anything gets through to the tube. I'm on my second set. Problems with bottom brackets and rust convinced me to upgrade everything to Dura Ace, beginning with the crank and bottom bracket. My only regret was that the 11 speed gearing came out less than a week after I had purchased the crank and bottom bracket. Since then, I have purchased the brakes, shifters (which come with cables) and dérailleurs.

Now I am saving for new wheels, trying to get alloys below 1300g. After that, I'll upgrade to a carbon frame. A local shop will begin building their own carbon frames soon, so that will be my next upgrade. I've had a lot of problems with the bearings in the Trek headtube. The fork gets loose and the bearings take a beating. It is not easy to decide where noise is coming from on the bike, but I have become adept at that tinny clatter that I get when my quick release or the cap bolt becomes loose. I look forward to a new frame that is better suited to my size. The LBS really didn't care whether the bike was the right size, and at the time, I was a bit of a nube and didn't know better. I'll make a better decision next time.

Lusk_Doyle

I've the same brush for years. Nine different heads and four different handles but it's still the same brush!

Captain Havoc

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

I've the same brush for years. Nine different heads and four different handles but it's still the same brush!

Good one Trigger

RonanCFD

Have changed frameset, wheels, shifters, derailleurs, bars, stem, saddle and pedals. All in just under a year, what's happening to me? :eek: Still the original seatpost though...

Hmmzis

Have changed quite a bit on the bike. Shifters, cables, brakes, derailers, chainset, bottom bracket, bars, stem, bartape, wheels, tyres, tubes, seatpoast, chain, casette, wheels, pedals, saddle, fork, headset, frame.

alastair

Another Trigger bike - nothing is original.

It was originally a Swedish (won it in a competition while abroad around 2000) aluminium framed hardtail mountain bike with unexciting components. Gradually replaced wheelset, shocks, gears, brakes, shifters, saddle etc. Frame eventually cracked and replaced it with a second-hand titanium frame, and any required component changes. That frame cracked a year or so ago, and I replaced it with a second-hand Klein Attitude - moved everything but the shocks onto that frame - along with new seatpost, and front shifters.

2 Wheels Good

alastair wrote: »

Another Trigger bike - nothing is original.

It was originally a Swedish (won it in a competition while abroad around 2000) aluminium framed hardtail mountain bike with unexciting components. Gradually replaced wheelset, shocks, gears, brakes, shifters, saddle etc. Frame eventually cracked and replaced it with a second-hand titanium frame, and any required component changes. That frame cracked a year or so ago, and I replaced it with a second-hand Klein Attitude - moved everything but the shocks onto that frame - along with new seatpost, and front shifters.

Where'd you track down the Klein? Would love to get my hands on one!

smacl

alastair wrote: »

Another Trigger bike - nothing is original.

It was originally a Swedish aluminium framed hardtail mountain bike with unexciting components...

I was half expecting you to tell us that it is now an Italian full carbon road bike with di2 and deep rim wheels

alastair

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

Where'd you track down the Klein? Would love to get my hands on one!

It's a 2001 vintage one, so not the silly money variety. I bought it off a girl in OC Suspension - she had it advertised on Adverts. I think she still has a couple of Attitude frames that were never built up for sale (at a price).

We've (an earlier) Pulse and an Adroit in the gaff too - Pulse was bought from a lad in Cork, and the Adroit I bought second-hand while over in the States.

alastair

smacl wrote: »

I was half expecting you to tell us that it is now an Italian full carbon road bike with di2 and deep rim wheels

No - that's my Chopper.

NeedMoreGears

Have replaced the usual wear parts my TCR from 2011. Brake pads, cables, cassette, chain, chainrings,tyres. Bar tape is manky but original.

I've also replaced some unexpected parts due to failure : bottom bracket (upgrade) , rear wheel due to freehub dying (downgrade) and the original tyres after about 200km because they kept puncturing (sortofan upgrade)

Don't really want to replace anything else for while other than chain/tyres which are nearing the end of their lives.

cdaly_

Frame, seatpost, calipers, cranks. Original fork is back on after an interaction with a car ferry 'cos I'm not sure of the carbon fork upgrade...

Pinch Flat

"Commuter bike" - Utility buys i.e. mudguards the latest and parts are generally replaced as they wear out. Looks like the bottom bracket is the latest for replacing.

"Weekend Bike" - I'm lusting after a pair of Ritchey handlebars and a matching seat post, merely to match the Ritchey stem. I think I've got the bug.....

macnab

macnab wrote: »

I built my main bike from scratch but I have changed the crankset, the wheel set, the stem, the handlebars and the saddle since the initial build. My 2nd bike has been treated to a new wheel set, new forks, shorter stem and a better saddle. My hybrid has only had its seat changed, its still uncomfortable for anything over 20km though.

Today I converted bike No2 from 8 speed Suntour to 9 speed Sora, swapped the rear derailleur while I was at it. I might stick a triple crankset on it next.

DaithiMC

Have the roadbike just over a year and got through 4k on it so far with changes to the cassette (12-26 to an 11-28) and shorter head on the handlebars. Its the Boardman race and I have been very impressed with the frame, feel and look/finish. I plan to upgrade the groupset though, the Sora set just lets it down a little, thumb shifters rather than STI, and I never quite managed to get a full range adjustment without getting a niggle at the outer ranges of the gears so was going to go for a 105 upgrade, probably over Easter next year. After that its wheels but then new bike!

AltAccount

Road bike and commuter are basically how they rolled out of the shop (Halfords ) except for change of saddle and mudguards put on both.

Hacker road bike is a true Frankenstein, hacker MTB is Triggertastic and FS MTB was built from frame up.

TychoCaine

Lawr wrote: »

......After that, I'll upgrade to a carbon frame. A local shop will begin building their own carbon frames soon, so that will be my next upgrade....

What you mean is a local shop will begin buying in no-name brand frames off the Internet from China, putting a few stickers on them and selling them as their own.

ashleey

TychoCaine wrote: »

What you mean is a local shop will begin buying in no-name brand frames off the Internet from China, putting a few stickers on them and selling them as their own.

Merlin Bikes?

rollingscone

My commuter has still got its original frame, forks, chainset, headset and brake calipers after two years I've replaced the cassette and chain (wear and tear), the rear wheel (wear), all the cabling, brake shoes and pads, the stem and bars, saddle, seatpost, shifters and brake levers have been replaced.

The next thing to go on it will be the BB which is looking to be on its last legs.

My roadbike was probably never a complete frame, but I switched out (downgraded) from a standard double and 11-23 to a Compact and 12-28, chain and tyres have needed replacement, along with the usual consumables, brake pads, cables, tyres, bartape.

Edit: My beater although missing some parts (shifters and derailleurs, the rear cassette) is still rocking 20 year old brake pads and tyres...

smacl

rollingscone wrote: »

Edit: My beater although missing some parts (shifters and derailleurs, the rear cassette) is still rocking 20 year old brake pads and tyres...

Wow, I've had to replace pads on my hybrid a couple of times due to running out of compound, and it doesn't see that much use.

rollingscone

smacl wrote: »

Wow, I've had to replace pads on my hybrid a couple of times due to running out of compound, and it doesn't see that much use.

To be fair the bike was my Brother in law's momentary fixation about 19 years ago, and has seen about 1 year of actual use since I rescued it from my dad's garage earlier this year.

TychoCaine

ashleey wrote: »

Merlin Bikes?

Building a factory to manufacture carbon composite products is a very expensive proposition. Even the big international brands outsource the manufacture of all but their top-end carbon frames to anonymous Chinese and Taiwanese factories. There's no way Merlin are making their own in an industrial estate somewhere in the UK.

WillyFXP

TychoCaine wrote: »

Building a factory to manufacture carbon composite products is a very expensive proposition. Even the big international brands outsource the manufacture of all but their top-end carbon frames to anonymous Chinese and Taiwanese factories. There's no way Merlin are making their own in an industrial estate somewhere in the UK.

Irony is lost on some people

Captain Havoc

Frame, fork, handlebars, seatpost and bottom bracket are all that remains of the LIDL bike. The derailleurs, brakes and shifters are in storage, the crankset needs a new middle ring, the wheels will probably never see the light of day again.

Big Eejit

I changed everything out from a practically unused MTB (Only the frameset, fork, stem and handlebars are original). Had had a problem with the transmission system, didn't know anything about bike mechanics at the time, so just replaced everything piecemeal starting from the derailleur until the problem disappeared (Turned out it was a bent spider cocking things up). Still have all the original stuff - old XT/LX stuff that's not really worth selling. Not something I'd do again, with the benefit of hindsight and everything I learnt since then.

Jessicar54

smacl wrote: »

Got my bike 2nd hand a couple years ago. Since then new wheels, shifters, front mech, stem, bars, saddle, pedals, brakes, cassettes, chains, cables. So all that remains are cranks, BB, rear mech, frame, and seat post.

Why don't you get a stationary or a spin bike in place of that, it is much more reliable and do tells about various parameters like burned calories, time etc. You could keep a track record of how much you ride and this you can all do at home. No need to go outside. While working out you could watch TV, talk on phone and do various other works. So, I see it as a great combo. Why don't you try out ?

thebouldwhacker

Jessicar54 wrote: »

While working out you could watch TV, talk on phone and do various other works. So, I see it as a great combo. Why don't you try out ?

I'm afraid if you can do this while on a turbo your not using it right..

Darkglasses

Jessicar54 wrote: »

No need to go outside.

Err that's a massive part of the attraction. Actually, so is getting AWAY from the tv and phones and other jobs.

Jesus, no. I'm not saying there's no point in indoor trainers, I have one myself, but God above. I'd never even thought that somebody would get rid of their road bike to solely train indoors.

Jessicar54

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

I'm afraid if you can do this while on a turbo your not using it right..

It's not like that, I am doing very well to be honest. I am a working woman, I don't get enough time to gear up and go for riding. So, it saves a lot of time and One could burn calories and workout on stationary bike. This is what I do

macnab

macnab wrote: »

Today I converted bike No2 from 8 speed Suntour to 9 speed Sora, swapped the rear derailleur while I was at it. I might stick a triple crankset on it next.

I changed the bottom bracket from square taper to GXP and fit a SRAM Rival compact crankset, a bit of overkill for a Carrera TDF but it was lying around spare. I also stuck on a set of Crud mudguards to winterise the bike. No excuses now!