Just ordered a service kit for my Manitou X4 Swinger - it's 11 years old. What do you keep looking after and using out of necessity, rather than sentimentality?
Polaris retroactive jacket. Probably about 20 year or so...
Dualco grease gun
Myself.
Some 11 or 12 yr old xt cranks and some even older LX cranks. Still fine.
I do have a really old sella trimatic something or other saddle from around 17 or so years ago, but it's ready for the bin now. Rails would snap if you looked at it wrongly I reckon.
I'm currently wearing a Mountain Equipment Polartec hooded fleece that's 20 years old, gets at least 200 days use a year - there's one small hole (small as in a struggle to find it) in one of the pockets where some keys wore through. We were in an outdoor shop last year and the assistant noted that "they don't make jackets that last like that any more" in a sort of "look at the crap we have to sell these days" voice!
I'm still using a Lowe Alpine bum bag that is at least 30 years old - don't use it for running any more, it's my "man bag" 🙂 , the buckle needs replacing but that's about it really.
I still regularly use my Hope Mono Minis dated November 2004. Used them last night in fact and plan to use them again tonight.
Next oldest component is probably an XT M760 crank from 2007 which is on the same bike.
20 year old!(!) Karrimor windproof smock thing & a 15 year old gore gillet which I've had repaired several times.
My slop bike is from 2004 does that count?
Raceface turbine cranks and ISIS bottom bracket* (yes, ISIS bottom bracket*) from about 2002.
It's on my old Zaskar frame so doesn't get used a great deal but I have spare rings and I keep on top of the BB as they can be temperamental. Although having said that it's been fine for a good few years.
* The BB isn't the original RF version though that lasted about 3 months before seizing up so I've had a few others and currently on one of the better FSA versions, which has been remarkably trouble free given the propensity to self implode at the first sign of mud.
The cranks are ace though.
EDIT: Hope E4s from same era (2002 ish) on the youngests bike and still have service kit to repair if needed although they just seem to keep going.
30+ year old Lusso thermal bib tights and one of those Muddy Fox handlebar pouches designed in the days of twin stems bought in 1986 I think. Saddle on the off road commuter is from a 1998 Marin East Peak.
I've got a set of 2001 Z1 BAMs that I serviced at Christmas (new seals and oil) to put on a singlespeed build. They'd been out of action about a year after starting to piss oil out and then me getting a new frame, forks and wheels to go 29er.
I just had to remove the bars from it for the same 29er as I noticed a potential issue on them! 🙁 I'll get it going one day.
Merlin built Mavic on Hope wheels. 2 pairs, about 12 years old, no idea of the mileage but it's high, never had an issue. Been abused, toured on and off road with heavy luggage, unkillable.
12 year old Hope Mono Minis - on the wife's bike - two services, work like new.
Brooks B17, 20 years old, worth twice what I paid for it new?!?
Karrimor Panniers and bar bag. Originally bought in the 80's by my wife and now being used by my niece. No idea how they've survived the UV, I wouldn't put anything valuable in them.
Shimano Deore hubs, 17 years old, still on the same bike they came with. Due for retirement, just starting to get a bit tired.
There's loads more, tbh.
I don't mean just old kit that hasn't broken though - stuff that needs money spending on it like forks for servicing etc.
‘96 Pace RC36 that are on my ‘92 Klein Fervour.
I don’t mean just old kit that hasn’t broken though – stuff that needs money spending on it like forks for servicing etc
Oh, nothing then. I used to have some very old magura louise frs that I would still be now if it wasn't for the mounts not fitting any more (dedicated IS mounts only). Everything else in recent years is almost disposable - look at shimano brakes ffs.
2007 Manitou Nixons - Finally stripped them down for the first time on Sunday - They had been working fine up until now but damping performance had started to drop off. All looks fine inside including wiper seals just needed some fresh oil.
I just bought the last of XT 9 speed cogs & rings for my 95 DBR Axis TT. Still the fastest bike I own.
A set of 1998 XT Disc brakes. Set up back then and never needed bleeding. Just kept clean and looked after well.
I don’t mean just old kit that hasn’t broken though – stuff that needs money spending on it like forks for servicing etc
I've washed my 30 year old bib tights at least once, and maybe even twice in that time so I have spent a little on upkeep.
Forks are Rebas and SIDs, 10 years old, get serviced every 18 months usually. They<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> work fine, just like they always have. </span>
If you look after well sealed cup and cone hubs they can last forever - the 17 year old Deore are still usable and could be rebuilt.
Leather saddles take time, not money but I enjoy the process of looking after them.
Shimano brakes and Hollowtech are a pain in the arse. I won't spend anymore time, money or effort on such cynical, poorly designed crap. Away with thee.
Suntour XC pro shifter pod. Left, for the front mech.
Is on my Specialized camber trail bike, running full 3 x 9.
Love it.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=277463
2003 XT cranks, still going strong, been on many many bikes.
Silver.