There’s no doubt that an investment in a bike can be priceless in terms of the health and wellbeing benefits, however as we all tighten our belts amidst rising energy bills, you may be wondering how long your bike will last.
The lifespan of your bicycle depends on several factors relating to its material, how it is put together, whether it takes on impact during a ride, gets damaged and how many miles you do in the saddle. Ultimately, it also depends on how well you maintain your bike.
There are plenty of considerations that can be determined as fixed variables however, and that is down to the materials used in the bike, their strength and resistance to corrosion and damage.
Structural integrity is also a consideration, and in this blog we will aim to answer some of these questions to ensure you understand how long your bike is likely to last.
It is difficult to pinpoint lifespan of a bicycle based on usage, for example calculating an ‘average’ number of miles per year for any cyclist can wildly differ. However, the materials and frame building experience of Reilly Cycleworks bikes will give you an excellent starting point to have a bike for many years to come, and if titanium, a lifetime warranty.
Component Parts
When purchasing a Reilly Cycleworks bicycle, you can expect components and accessories to be covered for a period of 12 months after purchase, with all material defects covered. It may be that during your bike’s lifetime, you may need to replace component parts, however we work hard to ensure we use the best possible components to optimise your cycling experience. Again, any Reilly or preferred component part supplied by us will be selected based on its investment value, meaning you get what you pay for!
Considerations for component replacement depends on the conditions you cycle in, for example, you may need to replace your chain if you encounter salty sea spray terrains or pursue off-road climbs of mineral rich tracks.
Maintenance
For the occasional rider, it can be easy to ensure you follow each adventure with a deep clean to ensure all parts are well maintained to ensure longevity. However this may not always be practical if you are using the bike every day, for example going to work.
What Is My Bike’s Warranty?
Our warranties vary depending on which bike you purchase from us, and give a good indication of what a first owner can expect depending on which model is purchased. Depending on which of our bikes you purchase, warranties are as follows:
- Titanium road bicycle frames - From delivery for the lifetime of the original owner, all material defects are covered.
- Carbon Fibre road bicycle frames - From delivery and for a period of 5 years after, all material defects are covered.
- Steel road bicycle frames - From delivery and for a period of 10 years after, all material defects are covered.
- Product finishing applied to any of the bicycle frames listed above (including frame treatment, paint and decals) -.From delivery and for a period of 12 months after, all material defects are covered.
- Other components and accessories - From delivery and for a period of 12 months after, all material defects are covered.
Lifespan Of A Titanium Bike
Some might say that titanium really took off in the 1990s and was a luxury purchase that only a few could afford. However, investment in a titanium bike is now much for affordable depending on whether you’re an everyday commuter or off-road endurance adventurer.
Regardless of which end of the titanium spectrum you sit on, all our titanium road bikes come with a lifetime warranty. This guarantees use over a lifetime for the first rider. Titanium is lightweight and extremely durable, compared to crack-prone and brittle carbon, which, coupled with its resistance to corrosion makes it an all-rounder that performers harder for longer.
Lifespan Of A Steel Bike
Maintenance is key to maintaining your steel bike for as long as possible. You may want to consider weather conditions as a factor, some cyclists hold the view of having a ‘rain bike’ for certain conditions should the weather take a turn for the worse, saving your performance bike for the best conditions.
Before the onset of titanium and carbon, there was a time when most performance bikes were made of steel, many of which survive decades. When considering damage risk as a factor that affects lifespan, often, steel can be relied upon for its resistance to cracks, which can be an issue with carbon counterparts, which means its overall mileage can be potentially more resistant to damage over time.
Lifespan Of A Carbon Fibre Bike
Carbon fibres are bound together with a resin that forms the construction of a carbon bike frame. While the fibres themselves are strong the resin is susceptible to degradation over time. One of the biggest factors that affects the lifespan of a carbon bike is how often it is ridden and then how you choose to store the bike.
For example, storing your bike in a hot car or garage will only work to impact the structural integrity of the resin, as will prolonged sun exposure. Then, looking at the likelihood of risk from crashes and impact, you can expect to have much more problems to deal with, which would require specialist examination, and adjustments such as tightening bolts, which can lead to cracks in the frame. That’s why you can rely on Reilly Cycleworks to ensure you have expert advice from a passionate team of bike nuts who have decades of frame building experience.