for how long is a bike roadworthy?

Recycle, reuse, and in your case renew! Often in our instant gratification society we discard usable items.

The older the rig the more often you need to get it looked after.

I know I would have saved 300 bucks if I had followed that maxim. I was thinking I could save a few bucks by postponing the tune up. Big mistake because so much more money was needed after a critical part broke down because of lack of proper maintenance.

Bikes should be looked at and tuned up every six months or every 700 miles because if it doesn't have all the latest gadgetry on it axles, bottom brackets and other bearing full parts need care as in repacking everything.

Spend a little now so you don't have to spend a lot later.

Hi --

I agree this would be a fantastic time for you to invest in a few tools, a stand, and a manual so you can begin working on your own bikes. It's really a lot of fun, and the investment you make now will pay off in the long run. I agree that 80 pounds is a lot of money to replace brake pads. That is an easy job, albeit one that must be done correctly, but you should be able to do it for around 20 pounds.

As for keeping the bike, only you can determine if it works well enough for you or if it's really worn out. From your description it doesn't seem like it's old enough or has had enough use to be worn out.

I have a garage full of old bikes. I love the way they're made and the way they ride, and I love the gadget-geekiness of playing with them, swapping components, and restoring them. The last new bike I bought was in 1994. I'm having my high-school Raleigh road bike restored and repainted right now -- it's a 1983 model. I guess I'm happy to see the old bikes kept on the road -- it matches my philosophy of keeping things out of the landfill. Good luck and have fun.

Its time to learn how to fix it yourself or find a new bike shop.

£80 for service? Perhaps I'm out of touch, but last time I replaced brake pads, the parts cost me maybe $10. FWIW I've had my current everyday MTB for 5 years, with maybe 30000 miles on it at this point.

If you're tired of the old bike, and want a new toy, that's fine, but its hardly outlived its usefullness

I've had a Trek 620 that lasted about 20 years, riding 5000+ miles per year. I currently have a Trek 520 I bought about 4 years ago and have upped my mileage to about 15000 per year. I bring it in for a tune up once or twice a year and have had to replace the rear wheel a few times because of the lousy roads in Upstate NY.

that really is a personal choice. A bike if it is maintained and cleaned can last a life time. So it really is your choice do you want to spend 80 pounds every couple of years or spend more on a new one an then spend about the same every couple of years after that.

A supermoto/motard is a great first bike. you do no longer scratch lots once you unload it, they are speedy, nimble, and conclusion short. All issues that, IMHO, help a sparkling rider. That being stated, you will kill a single in case you maintain it over 60MPH for lengthy sessions. I did it to a DRz 400s. the subsequent terrific element could be an older, bare SV650 (or 400cc in the event that they are on your u . s . a ..) lots of grunt, velocity, reliability, and what could be low cost coverage.

keep the bike if you like, and try to learn to fix it yourself and save some money, I have a friend that rides 1000 to 1500 miles a year on a 30 year old bike just loves the bike and fixs it himself and updated the drive train when he feels like it.

It's a difficult choice to have to make.

If the bike is well looked after, as yours appears to be, it should be roadworthy for a number of years yet.

As long as you keep your bike in good order, you should have no problems..it should provide you with years of use.

might as well get a new one.