They do, but the truth is that there are a little more than a handful of factories that make nearly all the bikes in your LBS. Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries recently thought of as third world manufacturer bikes for known brands. It’s been a long time since King Lou and Tony Lo made sub $300 bikes for Schwinn and Specialized in Taiwan. Italian luxury brands have carbon superbikes made in China. Some of these bikes are very good, and some are dangerous. Nobody asked me, but I do think it was a mistake to stop manufacturing at home. You give up too much control if nothing else.
Bikesdirect Labor Day special arrived today
- Thread starter MrQuackers
- Start date
MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
I picked this up in the rear tire while riding past the Wendy's ~50 miles into ownership
MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
I just installed a new innertube 26 incher works just fine on this 27.5er. Ready for my next flat. I may peruse Walmart app for some replacements. I think I saw Vittoria for a good price.
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MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
This is my first bicycle with disc brakes. I ride smart so don't do a lot of hard braking.
How many miles should I expect between pad replacements?
How many miles should I expect between pad replacements?
Impossible to answer because of the variables, but I can offer some insight. Disc pads don’t last as long as rim brake pads, in general. If you ride a couple thousand miles a year, over rolling terrain, not too often in the rain, and are a smart rider, your front pads will easily last a year, probably two. Rear will last a lot longer. These pads are quite inexpensive. You can get more aggressive stopping pads but for most I think the original organic pads are best. If you want better braking get compressionless housing and keep your slick cables well lubed. I would also frequently clean the pads and rotors. You may want to try a few different brands to see what works best for you, while remembering nearly all the real braking is done up front.
With discs, both pads and rotors are consumables, just like cars. And similar to cars, you typically go through several pads for each rotor.
You also get a choice of different kinds of pads:
You also get a choice of different kinds of pads:
- Organic / Resin: quiet with good stopping power when cold, but brakes fade when hot and the pads don't last as long. Rotors last a looong time since most of the wear is on the pads.
- Sintered / Metallic: better stopping power, less fade, longer life. But more prone to squeal and divides wear between pads and rotors.
Another thing to know: hydraulic disc brakes self-adjust as the pads wear, but you need to bleed them just like a car. Some (SRAM) use DOT brake fluid, others (Shimano) use mineral oil. Don't mix them! Non-hydraulic (cable) disc brakes require adjustment as the pads wear.
OP will never have to bleed his brakes, but you’re right that hydraulic brakes should be bled, (and suspension forks should be serviced).These are two things that generally speaking never get done until there’s a problem, which is a problem. In fact, most bearings never get serviced until they fail. The only reason most bicycles roll at all is because they are rarely ever used .
MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
Look what showed up on the porch today. Screaming deal @ 14.95 each
I am just going to run it on the back.
I am just going to run it on the back.
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I have a Motobecane hybrid hardtail bike that I quite like. IGH 8-speed. I have now much better tires on it than in the picture. It's got an old-timey threaded headset which I quite like because it's easily adjustable and serviceable.
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MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
^^^
One of these days I want to acquire a bike like that with Nexus. And a full chain enclosure.
One of these days I want to acquire a bike like that with Nexus. And a full chain enclosure.
I love the Nexus on this kind of bike. If you know of a full enclosure option that can be retrofitted, please let me know. I wish the bike had belt drive. I replaced the handlebar with a wider and taller BMX handlebar and I put on a very good Thomson stem handlebar clamp because I have a history of breaking handlebar clamps.
MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
But those belts cost an arm and both legs. How do they justify those insane prices? Automotive timing belts are way cheaper. I figure a chain drive bike with full enclosure would last almost forever like a timing chain in an ICEI love the Nexus on this kind of bike. If you know of a full enclosure option that can be retrofitted, please let me know. I wish the bike had belt drive. I replaced the handlebar with a wider and taller BMX handlebar and I put on a very good Thomson stem handlebar clamp because I have a history of breaking handlebar clamps.
In 20 years belt drive may be standard. Belt-drive bikes start at about $500 now so they are not that expensive.
MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
I remember in the 2000s seeing shaft drive bikes at Fred Meyer of all places, and affordably priced <600
I thought back to when I was a kid and my dad commuted downtown with his BMW shaft drive
Badass
That would be heavy with a lot of friction. I remember seeing an AWD MTB with dual drive shafts many years ago. It was insanely expensive.
MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
Hmm I found this on eBay item number 285642274883
When this is the common drive for bikes I am sure the price for Gates etc will be more reasonable
When this is the common drive for bikes I am sure the price for Gates etc will be more reasonable
MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
16 Dollar upgrade
I'd go get a Chris King Aheadset for the steering. Maybe now they aren't needed. Back in the day they were the thing to have on high end mountain bikes.
MrQuackers
Site Donor 2025
Nice, but I paid 240 bucks for this Gravity Basecamp so nah
Oh made right in my hometown
