Are there any brands that are specifically known for having highly compatible parts of long lifespans of products?
How about a Rivendell?
rivbike.com
Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
11–20 of 91 posts
Re: Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
#12All the numbers given here seem tiny in comparison to the emissions from manufacturing or using a car. It seems like premature optimization at best, and might even be counterproductive by implying that because some bikes are more sustainable than others, bikes are somehow unsustainable as a whole.
Re: Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
#13Are there any brands that are specifically known for having highly compatible parts of long lifespans of products?
When I worked at my local bike shop we promoted Seven Cycles as a custom alternative to the retail stuff we were pushing. I know we had several riders who had their bikes well over 15+ years. The titanium frameset lasted easily that long, along with some wheel sets, brake upgrades and component upgrades along the way - but overall the frame and fork seemed to really have some longevity.
They aren't cheap but the investment I've been told is worth it:
Re: Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
#14You think this generation is going to be riding more bicycles?
Likely far far less, the roads are insanely dangerous and toxic now.
I don't know what it is like in other cities but in mine at least one out of ten vehicles is now one of those new ridiculous monster sized trucks that not only cannot see you, they wouldn't care if they did.
The bicycle lane line is now something to cruise over for these drivers while they look down at their phones.
It's only going to take one more generation for people to stop even trying to bike anywhere, people don't want to be that stressed out.
Re: Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
#15All the numbers given here seem tiny in comparison to the emissions from manufacturing or using a car. It seems like premature optimization at best, and might even be counterproductive by implying that because some bikes are more sustainable than others, bikes are somehow unsustainable as a whole.
I read recently someone call something like this a hyperoptimization
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35431391
Re: Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
#16There's nothing wrong with continuous improvement but when you are trying to fine tune something in the flat portion of an exponential scale, and lets face it, even the most expensive bike shown here is 1/2 the burden of an ICE engine car, you have to ask yourself: is this optimisation really the core problem? I argue: it's not. It's polishing. It's functionally a bit time-wast-y compared to reductions in the cost, a…
I paid about $1,000 for a steel-frame touring bike about 15 years ago. I commute/run errands for a few thousand miles a year on it. Every 2-3 years, I get it overhauled at a cost of about $500. Other than that, I’ve replaced wheels and tires a few times and break pads on average about once a year, plus the occasional random issue.
So for me, the cost of maintenance quickly outpaced the cost of the bike. But it’s still a pittance compared to the cost of car ownership.
I would say don’t learn to do maintenance yourself unless it’s something you enjoy. I enjoy riding my bike but hate tinkering with and fixing things. My bike is to get me around, not be a source of grief and annoyance.
Re: Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
#17You think this generation is going to be riding more bicycles? Likely far far less, the roads are insanely dangerous and toxic now. I don't know what it is like in other cities but in mine at least one out of ten vehicles is now one of those new ridiculous monster sized trucks that not only cannot see you, they wouldn't care if they did. The bicycle lane line is now something to cruise over for these drivers while th…
In my city they are massively increasing the bike lane network, along with the city run bike service. The result is that bike ridership has been increasing steadily with each passing year.
I absolutely expect more people to be riding bicycles in this generation. It would be a complete failure on urban planners / municipal governments if that were not to happen.
Re: Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
#18Are there any brands that are specifically known for having highly compatible parts of long lifespans of products?
Orbea has a lifetime warranty on frames + standard components + is a worker cooperative.
Disclaimer: Own an Orbea Vector and love it.
Re: Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
#19You think this generation is going to be riding more bicycles? Likely far far less, the roads are insanely dangerous and toxic now. I don't know what it is like in other cities but in mine at least one out of ten vehicles is now one of those new ridiculous monster sized trucks that not only cannot see you, they wouldn't care if they did. The bicycle lane line is now something to cruise over for these drivers while th…
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Re: Can we make bicycles sustainable again?
#20You think this generation is going to be riding more bicycles? Likely far far less, the roads are insanely dangerous and toxic now. I don't know what it is like in other cities but in mine at least one out of ten vehicles is now one of those new ridiculous monster sized trucks that not only cannot see you, they wouldn't care if they did. The bicycle lane line is now something to cruise over for these drivers while th…
Yup. I used to be an avid road biker, 10-40mi rides multiple time per week, hopping on 80mi day trips, Tuesday evening time trials, racing, etc.
But it has been over a decade since my road bike has seen pavement. I keep it to mountain biking on trails now because the traffic everywhere has gotten too insane, and the drivers just seem less and less aware/alert/smart/skilled.
And I've noticed in the last few month bad news of almost a half dozen champion bike racers killed on roads, the most memorable one in Italy, and one in San Francisco last week. The risk just doesn't seem manageable anymore.
This is the opposite of the direction we should be going, but it is what we have.