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A bicycle can last for 30+ years, or even a lifetime, if the frame and forks are strong and good quality. The life-expectancy of components is far shorter, and variable. You’ll need to change different components between 1000 and 10,000 miles.More videos on YouTube
A car can easily reach over 100,000 miles in good condition, and so could your bike. But just like your car, you can expect a lot of the components of your bike to be replaced, upgraded, and repaired during its life cycle.You should expect at least 4-5 years, but it’s just not that simple. Frames and forks may last a lifetime, but some components only withstand 6-12 months of daily use. It depends on quality, conditions, maintenance, and the individual rider.
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How many miles can you put on a road bike?
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A car can easily reach over 100,000 miles in good condition, and so could your bike. But just like your car, you can expect a lot of the components of your bike to be replaced, upgraded, and repaired during its life cycle.
How long should good road bike last?
You should expect at least 4-5 years, but it’s just not that simple. Frames and forks may last a lifetime, but some components only withstand 6-12 months of daily use. It depends on quality, conditions, maintenance, and the individual rider.
What is high mileage for a road bike?
Generally, high mileage on a motorcycle is anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 miles. For sport bikes, the high mileage number will be on the low end (usually around 25,000), while cruisers and touring bikes typically become high mileage in the 40,000- to the 50,000-mile range.
How many kms Can a road bike last?
It depends on how many km’s the original owner put on them and how they looked after the bike. Anything under 10000km should be fine. You might get away with just a new cassette, chain, chainrings and cables.
Do cyclists live longer?
Longer life
One analysis compared 834 cyclists who rode the Tour de France from the 1930s-1960s and found that they lived, on average, eight years longer than the general population. Another study examined all 786 French competitors in the Tour from 1947-2012 and found they lived on average six years longer.
What is the lifetime of a bike?
A bicycle can last for 30+ years, or even a lifetime, if the frame and forks are strong and good quality. The life-expectancy of components is far shorter, and variable. You’ll need to change different components between 1000 and 10,000 miles.
What is the lifespan of a carbon bike frame?
Unless they are damaged or poorly built, carbon bike frames can last indefinitely. Most manufacturers still recommend that you replace the frame after 6-7 years, however, carbon frames are so strong that they often outlast their riders.
Which bike frame lasts the longest?
Carbon and titanium bike frames will last the longest with proper care, with some even outlasting their riders. Aluminum and steel bike frames should easily last 6 years but will require regular maintenance to keep them running any longer than 10 years.
How long will a carbon road bike last?
Carbon composite based on epoxy resin shows a very long lifetime during fatigue testing, thus there’s no degradation of the composite over the lifetime of a bike. Only long-term strong UV exposition can harm the epoxy structure, but all our frames have a UV protective agent included in the final paint layer.
How many miles can a 600cc last?
This is because these bikes typically get a lot of abuse, so they won’t last as long as touring or cruiser motorcycles. Of course, if it’s ridden gently and maintained at the highest level, a 600cc bike can even last 100,000-150,000 miles, but this is far above average.
How often should you get a new bike?
To summarise, a bike will have a lifetime of approximately five everyday-riding years before it gets shot to pieces. This lifetime can be extended indefinitely through new components and diligent maintenance (or instantly shortened in the case of a crash).
How long do bike gears last?
Expect between 1,500 and 3,000 miles from a 10-speed chain.
Is it worth fixing up an old bike?
If the integrity of the frame is compromised, it’s time for a new bike. If the frame is bent, cracked, rusted through, has broken welds, a stuck seatpost or bottom bracket, it’s time for it to be retired.
How long do sport bikes last?
Motorcycle values depend on a handful of factors, one of those being mileage, but past accidents, consistent (or not) oil changes, fluid top-offs, and other regular upkeep matter, too. With a clean background, a bike could clock in at 50,000 miles or more without an issue.
How many miles can you bike in 2 hours?
For the average person, a 2-hour ride with a 12 mph speed would cover 24 miles and is quite fine as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
How many miles do bicycle tires last?
While a lot of different factors go into tire lifespans, there is still an expected average. In general, you can expect to get somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 miles out of your average tire.
How many miles can you bike a week?
Because cycling is a compliant, non-impact sport, we don’t get such a dramatic warning that we’ve reached our mileage limit. But current thinking places it at about 110 to 150 miles per week for people who work for a living. That’s 6 to 9 hours of riding.
How many miles should I start biking?
To give you an idea of distances and speed, the average cycling speed for a beginner is about 12mph. This means that in your first week, you’ll be covering distances of up to 2 miles. After eight weeks, the 10-mile ride shouldn’t feel daunting at all.
How Many Years Does a Bike Last? [BICYCLE LIFE EXPECTANCY]
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What’s the Real Lifespan of Your New Bicycle? – We Love Cycling magazine
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Mileage
Component corrosion
Have more than one bike
Racing and risk
Does steel last longer than carbon fibre
How Long Do Bicycles Actually Last? – Two Wheels Better
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What Is High Mileage for a Motorcycle?
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How long should a road bike last? – Australian Cycling Forums – Bicycles Network Australia
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How Long Do Bicycles Actually Last? – Two Wheels Better
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How often should I replace my bike
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Is my bike worth fixing
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What’s the Real Lifespan of Your New Bicycle? – We Love Cycling magazine
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Mileage
Component corrosion
Have more than one bike
Racing and risk
Does steel last longer than carbon fibre
maintenance – How long is the life cycle of a bicycle? – Bicycles Stack Exchange
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How long is the life of a road bike frame
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How Many Years Does a Bike Last? [BICYCLE LIFE EXPECTANCY]
There are so many reasons to cycle. You don’t have to be a dedicated enthusiast, or know the inner workings of every part of your bike, to enjoy travelling by two wheels.
You might know these things, of course, but many people just want a bike to get around on and for the pleasure of riding. And whether you’re an enthusiast or a newbie, the indisputable facts remain: cycling is healthy, eco-friendly, and a lot cheaper than running a car.
If you’re thinking about taking up cycling, or are relatively new to it, you may be wondering about the bike’s lifespan. It’s a fair question. Your bike will become (if it isn’t already) your trusted companion, so it’s natural to question how long it’s going to work for you.
How Long Should a Bicycle Last?
If properly maintained, a bicycle could (in theory) last a lifetime. Particularly if the frame is a decent quality, and worn components are replaced regularly. It will also depend on how the bike is used, how often, and the conditions it’s ridden and stored in.
It’s a little bit like asking, “How long is a piece of string?”. But if you have a good bike (which doesn’t necessarily mean expensive) that’s well-maintained, it will last you a very long time.
Keep reading and we’ll break down what “well-maintained” looks like in practice.
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How Long Does a New Bike Last?
The lifespan of your new bike will depend on the quality of the bike and how it’s treated. “Quality” doesn’t mean spending a fortune, as long as the frame and parts are sound. Even a relatively cheap bike can have an enduring lifespan, if it’s looked after and regularly serviced.
However, there’s cheap, and then there’s “cheap”. Buying a budget bike from a reputable buyer like Decathlon, is different to buying a brand new online bike for £100.
I used a small, independent bike shop in London for my services. They refused to take in any bike that wasn’t a trusted/known brand. The reason they gave was that there’s no point working on a bike that’s going to fall apart within months.
If these super-cheap bikes seem too good to be true, that’s because they are. Buying one of these is a false economy. They really do tend to fall apart within a few hundred miles of use. The uber-cheap ones (we’re talking some plastic parts, here), might just get you round the block a couple of times.
Most bikes have 25 essential parts, which when broken down amount to close to 1000 pieces. It’s a complicated machine. Think about how many times you brake and change gears when cycling – literally thousands. So you need these components to be reliable, strong and safe.
If bike components are cheap and nasty, they will not only be short-lived but highly dangerous too. The last thing you want is something crucial breaking on your bike when travelling at speed.
Most leading bike brands have a huge range of bikes on offer for a range of prices. Trek Bikes, for example, range from around £400 to well over £10,000. The lower-end components might need replacing more often than the high-end ones. However, this will also depend on how many miles you’re putting in.
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Bicycle Life Expectancy
A bicycle can last for 30+ years, or even a lifetime, if the frame and forks are strong and good quality. The life-expectancy of components is far shorter, and variable. You’ll need to change different components between 1000 and 10,000 miles.
It’s difficult to pinpoint “average” bike use. In terms of commuting, studies show that of the 75% of people asked (who do commute), 47% cycle for 29 minutes or less (one way) and 22% up to an hour. We could approximate that an average weekly commute is 5 hours. At an average of 12mph, this amounts to 60 miles.
You may cycle more or less than this. However, it’s useful to have an idea when thinking about how long your bike parts will last:
Components
Your bike chain needs to be changed every 2,000 miles
Brake pads will last for around 1,000 miles
Chainrings can last for 20,000+ miles
Cassettes (if looked after) can last for 10,000+ miles
Cables may last for around 5,000 miles
Tyres can last anywhere between 1,000 and 7,000 miles, depending on the type
These are approximate figures. Exactly how long these parts last depends the amount of wear and tear they have, and that can vary considerably depending on the type of riding.
Frames
The longevity of your bike frame depends on the type and quality of the frame you have.
Aluminium is the most common and generally the cheapest. A reasonable aluminium frame, if looked after and not hammered into oblivion, could last for 30 years or longer.
Carbon frames are more expensive, with a higher strength-to-weight ratio. They can last a lifetime, although are more susceptible to damage in an accident.
Steel frames are the strongest and most durable. They won’t fatigue after years of use and will take substantial knocks. They are heavier, however, than their aluminium and carbon counterparts, and can corrode if poorly treated.
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When is a Bicycle Considered Vintage?
Bicycles over 25 years old are considered vintage. This is a generally accepted timescale. Bikes that were made before the 1920s are considered antique.
“Vintage” as a term for a bicycle, can be suggestive of “old” or “out of date”. But a reasonable bike that’s been properly maintained can still be going very strong after 25 years.
If you’re thinking about getting a bike and are on a budget, it’s worth getting a good-brand second-hand bike. Most bikes decrease in value significantly, and you can expect to pay around £200 for a reasonable used quality brand.
You’ll find bikes being sold for less than half their retail price after only a couple of years.
Some bikes, however, due to reputation and desirability, do hold their value. It would be extremely rare to find a cheap second-hand Pinarello or Canyon bike for sale. But if you did, you’d have a bargain.
How Can I Make My Bicycle Last Longer?
The short answer is you can extend your bike’s life by keeping it clean and lubricated, and checking components for wear. Getting it serviced regularly, and storing it in a sheltered space, will also help.
You know when key parts of your bike are worn or damaged. They’ll be working less effectively. But it’s best not to leave things until they’re on their last legs. Regular DIY checks can prevent this.
Replacing the chain around every 2,000 miles, even if it feels fine, will prolong the life of the drivetrain. A worn chain will wear the cassette and chainring, and it’s much cheaper to replace a chain than a cassette.
You need to inspect brake pads often. If you wait until they’re grinding on metal, this will damage the wheel rim or the disk brake rotor. It’s also just plain dangerous.
Dirt, grit and grime can wear and damage moving parts of the bike over time, so keeping it clean will contribute to a longer lifespan. Often, a sponge and soapy water is enough, but sometimes you may need a more robust bike cleaner to remove a build-up of grease.
Common sense is a factor here. If you’re often out in the rain and mud, you’ll be cleaning the bike more regularly than if you only cycle on tarmac in fine weather.
As a guideline, to keep your bike running as smoothly (and for as long) as possible, you should take it for a full service every year if you cycle frequently. A full service will involve thorough checks, adjustments, cleaning, lubricating, and replacing parts if needed.
When Should You Get a New Bike?
There are numerous reasons why you might want a new bike. It may be practical, in that the sizing or geometry is wrong. Your needs may have changed in terms of how far or where you cycle. Your bike might be in a terrible state of repair or, most commonly, you may just want a better or newer model.
It’s usually possible to sell a used bike, but if you feel this isn’t possible due to the condition, old bikes can be donated to a number of different charities where they are refurbished and reused. Even if the state of repair is atrocious, they can still be used for parts.
Unless the frame of the bike is damaged, “when” to get a new bike is another piece of string question. If the bike fits you, suits your riding needs, and is well looked after, then it should last you for as long as you want it to.
What’s the Real Lifespan of Your New Bicycle?
Mileage
Don’t think about ownership in terms of years. Just like a car, a bicycle will wear out from the friction of the moving parts. Stored properly, any bike will, more or less, last a couple of decades. But take it out for a ride and you’ll wear down the moving parts. Tony 10 Speed explains:
A car can easily reach over 100,000 miles in good condition, and so could your bike. But just like your car, you can expect a lot of the components of your bike to be replaced, upgraded, and repaired during its life cycle.
Component corrosion
Let’s say if you cycle about 100 miles a week, you can expect to change your brake pads every couple of months. If you live in a mountainous area, you’ll change them more often. Also if you’re skinny, you won’t have to change them as often as someone who’s overweight.
Your chain is likely to need changing every few months too, but that depends on if you ride on salty roads, or mineral-rich trails – both of which will wear your chain, cassette, and front sprockets a lot quicker. SickBiker can show you what to look out for in the harshest conditions for your bike:
Have more than one bike
If you commute every day, a deep clean after every ride simply isn’t practical. The solution to this is to have a “rain bike”. If it’s spring or summer and there’s not a cloud in the sky, go ahead and take your full-carbon race bike for a joyful spin to the office.
Nothing will extend the lifespan of your new bike like using your old bike through the winter, or when it rains. Your rain whip should be a cheaper bike that you’re not afraid to get scuffed. Remember – a £10 chain can be changed 3 times as often as a £30 chain!
Racing and risk
Your bike will last longer if you take no risks. Racing a carbon bike on the open road increases the risk of collision with other road vehicles. And yet, in the 30 years I’ve cycle-commuted on England’s supposedly ‘unfriendly’ roads, I’ve never had a collision or serious altercation with a car.
If you don’t want to risk damaging your downhill full-suspension MTB frame, then never take it on a difficult downhill route. And that’s the point – the lifespan of your bicycle is largely dependent on the risks you’re willing to take with your purchase.
Does steel last longer than carbon fibre?
Based on the evidence available, yes. We know this because we don’t see any carbon framed bikes from the 1970s’, yet we see plenty of vintage steel-framed bikes for sale. Obviously, I’m joking – but it’s easy to see why people are spooked by carbon given manufacturers advice on carbon-care.
The truth is that any frame, provided it’s properly cared for, will last a lifetime. In reality, the temptation of eventually getting a new bike is what will increase the lifespan of your ride until long after you’ve stopped riding it.
How Long Do Bicycles Actually Last? – Two Wheels Better
As a new (or new-ish) cyclist, you’re trying to make cost-effective choices on several levels.
“Is that new bike worth the price? Should I just fix mine? Do I really need that nice of a pannier? Could I get away with my ‘normal’ jacket?”
But the real challenge isn’t weighing upfront cost versus benefits. Rather, it’s figuring out how much these things will truly cost over time. After all, if you can spend twice as much for a bike that lasts five times as long, it’s a bargain!
For bikes themselves, it’s a little complicated. They’re not a single item, but a big collection of parts. All of these parts have different lifespans, but are usually easy to replace.
We all want to spend wise and avoid unnecessary headaches, so let’s take a closer look at what really affects a bike’s lifespan.
This article might contain affiliate links. As a member of programs including Amazon Associates, I earn from qualifying purchases.
How long do bicycles actually last?
You should expect at least 4-5 years, but it’s just not that simple. Frames and forks may last a lifetime, but some components only withstand 6-12 months of daily use. It depends on quality, conditions, maintenance, and the individual rider.
(Note that cutting-edge bikes/parts may become obsolete every couple years, but should remain serviceable.)
Mileage and weather make an enormous difference. You might avoid significant maintenance for years by sticking to brief rides in dry but not dusty conditions. But the exact same bike may need replacement parts and extensive maintenance multiple times per year if ridden for long, daily commutes in wet, gritty conditions.
How many miles can you get out of a bicycle?
There’s no limit to how many miles a bike itself will last, but individual parts wear out at different intervals. Just for example, you might need to replace a chain every 1,500 miles, tires every 3,000 miles, but bottom brackets once every several years.
If you replace these wear-and-tear parts as needed, then your bike can last essentially forever…assuming it doesn’t develop cracks or suffer major damage in a crash.
Below are some very approximate lifespans for major components, based on manufacturer documentation and my own two-plus decades of firsthand experience.
Belt drive: 20,000+ miles
Bottom bracket: 10,000+ miles (but often many more)
Brake pads: 500-1,500 miles (generally applies to both rim and disc)
Cassettes/cogs and chainrings: 3,000-5,000 miles
Chain: 1,500-2,000 miles
Freehub/freewheel: 5,000+ miles (highly variable)
Headset: 10,000+ miles (but often many more)
Hub bearings: 5,000+ miles (highly variable)
Tires: 3,000-6,000 miles
These assume at least mid-range parts, proper day-to-day care (like chain lubrication), and riding on mostly street/path/smooth dirt. Ranges are even wider for off-road riding due to the huge varieties of conditions and of riders’ aggressiveness.
It’s also important to understand that heavier or more aggressive riders will get fewer miles out of the exact same part. When you exert more torque on the drivetrain and more weight on tires and bearings, they simply wear out sooner.
What’s “high mileage” for a bicycle?
You could say a bicycle is “high-mileage” after 10,000 miles or more. At that point, all drivetrain parts and tires have probably been replaced at least a couple times. That may equate to 2-5 years of regular use.
But practically speaking, cyclists don’t often think in those terms, since not all miles are created equal. For instance, 1,000 miles of wet gravel roads with a big rider and heavy cargo might cause more wear than 5,000 miles of a child cruising down a sunny street.
What’s more, mileage is less of a concern with bicycles or any other non-motorized vehicle. Bicycles have no engine, no automatic transmission, and (usually) no complex electronics, so high mileage rarely causes the devastating problems that plague cars.
Why cheap bikes don’t last as long
Cheap bikes, like the ones from department stores and big-box stores, often have problems during the first few riders. If that happens, it’s usually because of improper assembly, not necessarily the bike’s quality.
However, many ultra-cheap bikes also have shoddy internal parts, like headset or hub bearings. Those may have issues in a few months that better bikes don’t have for years.
Fortunately, the threshold for “better bikes” isn’t too high. We’re talking just $500, give or take, to buy an inexpensive bikes from a major brand at a bike shop. Bikes like that should last a typical commuter or recreational rider 6-12 months with no maintenance besides chain lubrication, tire inflation, and cable tension adjustment.
Can a bike last forever? If a bicycle is ridden regularly, then it probably can’t last literally forever, but it should last several decades with proper care. You’ll need to replace many parts along the way, however. A steel bike has the greatest potential (not guarantee) of lasting forever because it’s highly resilient and repairable.
How often should I replace my bike?
You don’t need to replace your bicycle unless it has serious frame or fork damage. Even then, steel and carbon bikes may be repairable if there are no dents, rust, or corrosion. However, it’s worth replacing if it doesn’t suit your needs or preferences anymore, and modifying it would be difficult or cost-prohibitive.
Many cyclists prefer tried-and-true components that have not significantly changed in the last couple decades. That rules out high-performance, racing-influenced features…but it also rules out obsolescence and ever-changing standards.
Conversely, others simply prefer to have all the latest and greatest components, so they upgrade every couple years. That doesn’t mean you should; that’s just how often most types of bicycles see meaningful changes.
Do bike frames wear out?
Yes, bike frames can and do wear out, but it’s not inevitable. This usually happens in the form of a crack near a weld or joint. It’s likelier with aluminum than with other materials, although design, construction quality, and use matter more than material.
Better manufacturing techniques are making bikes more durable, too. And for every report of a massive frame failure after just a few years, there’s someone else who still rides a bike from the 1970s.
How long do aluminum bike frames last? About 10 years is a good rule of thumb, but it’s extremely variable. Some may fail in a few years whereas others can last decades.
Unlike other frame materials, aluminum accumulates fatigue with use. At some point, the accumulated fatigue may be enough for it to break.
This happens even without visible damage. Even gentle, unremarkable forces still cause the gradual fatigue that predisposes aluminum to breaking (source).
Gentler use can delay breakage for decades, but it does have a finite life. Whether you own the bike long enough to reach the end of that finite life is harder to predict.
(By the way, this is why touring bikes and traditional city bikes are almost always steel. They’re expected to bear loads reliably for years—or even decades.)
When aluminum frames do break, they’re almost always replaced. It’s an extremely difficult material to repair safely.
Some cyclists believe that aluminum develops a “dead” feeling after several years of use. It’s often described as a lack of springiness that used to be present. I’ve never detected it myself, but many cyclists are adamant that they have.
How long do steel bike frames last? Well-constructed steel bike frames can last forever. That’s because steel (and titanium) has a fatigue limit, which means it can endure any duration of any force that isn’t strong enough to bend or break it immediately. In other words, unlike aluminum, steel doesn’t inevitable fail because it can’t wear out per se.
Now, steel can and does break anyway. But that’s not because of accumulated fatigue; it’s because of construction or use problems like overly lightweight tubing, overly aggressive riding, or poor welding.
How long do carbon fiber frames last? Carbon fiber does not have a limited fatigue life, either, so it could theoretically last forever (source) as long as it’s not subjected to breaking forces.
While researching the warranty information below, I was surprised to learn that many manufacturers now offer lifetime warranties on carbon frames and forks. (Of course, that assumes it’s used for its intended purpose…and plenty of other caveats.)
That was unheard-of for quite a while, and it attests to how mature and downright good carbon-fiber construction has become.
However, carbon fiber may have a limited practical life, since it’s more brittle than aluminum or steel and easier to crack with moderate side impacts. It can usually be repaired, although repair services are hard to find in many places. Keep in mind that minor carbon fiber damage may be hard to see, since the material can’t bend or be dented.
Do bikes have a lifetime warranty?
Many major brands offer lifetime warranties only for frames and rigid forks. Suspension forks and most other components virtually never have a lifetime warranty. Note that warranties may vary by country, and are void if the bike is modified or is used beyond its intended purpose.
Manufacturer warranties give some sense of a frame’s typical lifespan, but it’s not an exact science. A longer warranty doesn’t mean one brand is necessarily more durable, nor that it will actually last your whole life. It may just come from a less risk-averse legal department, or from accountants who assume you’ll sell it before problems arise! (Remember, lifetime warranties only apply to the original owner—with bicycles or just about anything else.)
With that said, here are the warranty periods for some major brands, as of 2021. (“Forks” means rigid forks. Suspension forks are almost always from another manufacturer.)
All the above assume you purchased your bike new from an authorized dealer, and registered it with the manufacturer. Those factors usually qualify you for warranty coverage and/or extend the coverage. Note that some brands have different periods for different frame/fork parts, especially on full-suspension bikes.
Needless to say, the warranty is usually void if you modify the frame/fork or if you ride the bike beyond its intended purpose. Different terms may also apply in different countries.
As always, confirm these details with the manufacturer.
Is my bike worth fixing?
Your bicycle is worth fixing if it’s comfortable, it meets your needs, and it’s not from a big-box-store or other extremely low-end brand. However, it’s not worth fixing a bike with a cracked, dented, rusty, or corroded frame.
Always ask your bike shop for an estimate, since extensive parts and labor often cost more than a new bike!
Most bike shops charge around $60-$100/hour for labor. Most also have have fixed prices for common services, like installing specific parts or performing a general tune-up. In most cases, you’ll also need to pay the retail price for any parts or accessories used.
If multiple parts of your bike need replacement or major repair, then it’s easy to rack up a bill of several hundred dollars. In fact, it may approach the price of a worthwhile hybrid bike (or something similar), which will include a warranty and, often, a year of free tune-ups from the shop. Again, it’s worth getting an estimate before you commit to having your bike fixed.
If it’s more cost-effective to replace your bike, but your old one isn’t worth much before repairing, that doesn’t mean it’s relegated to the dump. Many charities accept repairable bikes that have seen better days, do the work, and donate them to those less fortunate. Seattle’s Bike Works is a relatively well-known one, but there are countless others around the world.
A well-maintained bicycle can last an extremely long time. “Forever” is optimistic, even with a lifetime warranty. But a steel frame from a reputable brand, combined with regular maintenance, should keep you rolling for decades.
You’ll need to replace wear-and-tear parts relatively often. Whether your bike costs $400 or $4,000, some parts are simply supposed to be replaced.
If you want a long-lasting bike on a budget, then check out traditional steel-frame city bikes like the Brooklyn Franklin reviewed here. And is price isn’t a priority, then you can have your pick of boutique brands for fancier models that may well last a lifetime.
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