"the old man" with the iron bone: how long can a bike stay with you
A few days ago, the king's “sticks” were passed by the locals — a bicycle older than me, but the paints were still in place. Many wonder: how many years can a bicycle, if it's actually preserved
The answer is much longer than you think。
The bike doesn't have a "conservation period," it's more like a silent old man. I've seen 30-year-old cars in the garage, and they're still moving smoothly, and i've seen new “young cars” that are rusty and rusty every year. It's life expectancy, never looking at the years, but how you treat it。
Brands and materials are the bottom, but conservation is the root
Good bikes do have better “bottoms” - high-quality steel, aluminium alloy or carbon fibre racks are more resistant to corrosion and more sophisticated parts to grind. But even an ordinary commuter would not be difficult to ride for more than 12 or 20 years if he were able to maintain it。
The key is the day-to-day “minor care”: when you ride in the rain and go home and dry, you can avoid the erosion of the chain and bearings by water and steam; you can give the chain regular oil, and you can turn it down gently and quietly; and you can change brake blades in time, both for safety and for the protection of the circle. These little things, which take less than 10 minutes, can significantly prolong the “youth” of vehicles。
Don't underestimate it. It's a car screaming pain
A lot of people wait for the car to hold up, and they can't stop. It's like people get sick for a long time before they see a doctor. Occasional acoustic, minor shaking, often early signals of loose or worn components. A screw and a brake might have avoided major repairs。
The worst hit was not riding much more, but “staying long”. Long periods of idleness, especially in wet environments, with an ageing of the inner tires, rust in the chain and drying up of lubricant in the bearings. Even if it is not frequent, each month it moves and turns, it is a good maintenance。
People and cars, people and cars
Master zhang used to say, "this car has been with me for half of my life, and i know what's wrong with it." it's a familiar one. You're familiar with its spleen, it's adapted to your habits — this simple machine, that's what it's called。
A well-maintained bicycle can span decades and even become a family heir. It's durability, not just steel, but the "care" part. The amount of time and money spent on regular maintenance is much lower than the cost of frequent car exchanges, let alone the emotional value inherent therein。
After all, it's the way people live with things
In this era of pursuit of “fast change”, a bicycle that can accompany you for decades is like a mild resistance. It tells us that good things can last, if we are willing to give sustained, small attention。
The end of its life span is rarely “sudden death”, more slowly forgotten in the corner and abandoned because of a small reparable problem. This may remind us that long-standing relationships, be they with people or things, require patience and care。
So, don't ask how long the bike can ride. Ask yourself, how long will you let it stay with you? A little wipe, a little lubrication, a little prompt repair, and perhaps a long, long walk with you to witness many sceneries until it becomes a steady and reliable chapter in your life story。
Take good care of it. It'll give you back the years。
