It’s all very well banging on about the latest shiny new kit, but what stuff has stood the test of time in my shed?
I realise it’s May but in the world of publishing the spectre of MY27 is very much upon us. MY27 means Model Year 2027 ie. the new wave of new stuff. Which had us thinking about what end-of-year content we might be doing this coming November-December time.
As a counterpoint to all that hoo-ha, I thought it would be nice to highlight some of the things that are very much not-new. But not-new things that I still use fairly frequently. Mostly tools but also some apparel and a couple of actual bike components.
Now then. Just because I still use something does not necessarily mean that it’s brilliant. In fact, it’s probably just stuff that still works “well enough”. Some stuff may still actually be great. Some stuff I’m just putting up with despite myself! And some stuff doesn’t even do the same role as it started out doing…
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My partner only gets on with m747 spds.
fortunately the m520 axles fit them so we have kept them going.
my topeak alien multitool that i bought in 2002.
I figure that my Crank Brothers M19 (or is it a 17?) multitool must be donkeys ages old. It’s a bit rusty, but seems to be in just as good working order as ever. And I still haven’t found anything better after all these years. I’d estimate 2012?
I threw away some roubaix bib tights last year that I bought in the original Ribble shop in  Preston in 1990 – the knees finally wore through – but still use the flo orange Pertex rain jacket I bought on the same day!! Â
May I present….
Avid brake levers on one bike are from 1998, probably the oldest component in use.
Grease, one pot goes back to 1985.
I’ve also got one of those Muddy Fox handlebar pouches that were made when twin stems were the thing. That still gets occasional use and is from 1986. Only realised fairly recently it was made by Karrimor.
A good few tools are pretty old, a third hand and a Cool Tool are probably the oldestÂ
But the winner for oldest thing would have to go the the chrome shraeder dust caps that are late 50’s early 60"s and I have the tin for them too
Topeak multi tool. Bought it 2003 for a trip across France and Germany.
Lost one lever, but otherwise working fine.Â
To be fair the Lava Dome is an absolute classic
I’ve just dug out a USE XCR suspension seatpost from around 1998 and popped it on the gravel bike, it looks surprisingly good
I also have a HyperCracker. And a Cool Tool.Â
Wrench Force track pump still in use from 1998, and as I left work tonight I realised I put on 20year old northwave boots to ride home in…
Snap! Â I have one of those. One of my favourite tools that has saved a few trips over the years.Â
I’ve also got loads old tools (and grease!) including one of the pace grease guns in the article.
Taking those out of the equation,. probably the oldest stuff still. pressed into regular service is my on one pickenflick. Guessing a bit, it’s probably from around 2015. Still going very strong. Built up as a winter/commuter road bike presently, which it’s excellent at. Still on most of the original components I built it up with although it did get a wheel swap when superstar were selling off their wheel stock silly cheapÂ
I’ve no plans to change it at all.
Hmmm, both levers on mine broke the first time I used them!
The oldest bits still in continuous use on my bikes are the 19 year old rear BB7 brake and Pro 2 hubs on my monstercross. The front hub is still on its original rim, a Sunn Rhyno Lite; I opened up the rear hub on Mayday Bank Holiday for its yearly service – quick clean, regreased, good to go…Â
The Lava Dome frame that I commute on is, I believe, a 2006 model, thus 20 years old (I bought it eight years ago). The Surly forks are 19 years old and have been in constant use since I bought them in 2007:
Yes, still have a pot of Pace grease, and the grease gun (and the forks that went with it).
The forks are on my first “decent" XC race bike. Which i still ride occasionally, that’s 1996 vintage.
Lots of kit that’s 20+ years old, winter gear, boots/shoes, gloves, sun glasses, tools…
I still carry my 90s Cooltool and same vintage leatherman in the bottom of my Camelbak in case of absolute emergencies. My goto dry weather winter jacket is a Polaris smock that I think I got in 1998/9 and is still a brilliant bit of kit now.
About 20-25 years ago there was a brief plague of bampot kids shooting at cyclists with airguns and catapults around Stirling. I thought I’d fallen victim to this on a group ride one day, but what had actually happened was the toggle which cinched the elastic at the bottom of my trusty Polaris smock had caught on a bush as I’d gone past at speed and when it eventually pulled free it shot me in the arse so hard I thought I’d been taken down by a sniper.
Happy days
I’ve also got one of those Pace grease guns, in regular use.
I’ve got an old Edinburgh Bicycle Coop branded rucsac, made by Vaude, that still gets regular use. Admittedly not for ‘proper’ MTBing but it’s a superb bag and built like a tank. From 2002 I think.
Reminds me I need to replace the battery in my Animal watch, also bough mid/late 90s. Deserves to be worn.
My kid (47!) brother still uses my MT500 jersey from 1996!  For older bikes I still use my original bike specific tools from the mid-90’s e.g – bottom bracket removal tool, freewheel tool and for all bikes – set of spoke keys!  Â
I have an early 90’s Pertex cagoule in my Camelbak as my emergency/casualty jacket. Last deployed c2014 when MCJnr and I got caught in a heavy shower at Glentress.
I still have that Pace grease gun and use regularly
Interesting that someone mentioned Nike ACG up there.
I reckon my oldest proper ‘in use’ kit is a Nike ACG MTB Jersey I bought at Uni, around 2007. Its a thick, sort of insulated type long sleeve biking jersey with rear pockets and an arm pocket, that fills the gap between jersey and jacket weather. I’ve never found a suitable replacement!
Nike used to do some really good MTB kit under their ‘All conditions gear’ (ACG) brand, long since gone I think.Â
I can also be added into the ‘Still got parts of a cool tool’ gang too. I.E. the Silver bit. 🤣Â
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Just had a look. The oldest stuff in my workshop is probably some of the stickers…
Ive got a QR Hope Bulb TiGlide (90s?) i bought off a mate at Uni. He’d had it on his downhill bike for some years (potentially quite a few), and was retiring it as bikes started to go bolt through. Since then (2005) ive had it on a Dirt Jumper, Street/Trials Bike, XC bike and for the past 12 years or so its been on my Disk trucker as my daily driver. Its been on a couple of Rims before going onto the 700c, but i dont think ive ever touched its bearings, let alone serviced it.
Ive also got a Pair of Original Pro2 hubs on 26″ XC717s (When they first came out, 2006 ish?) that i rode all through uni and up to going up to 29″ wheels (2015) that i was about to ebay, but i realised my daughter is going to be needing a 26″ bike in the next year or so, so might as well keep them.