Not counting knees, what outdated stuff do you still use on or around the bikes? Prompted by my son saying my workstand belonged in a museum yesterday.
I’ve a set of gloves that have to be about 25 years old. Ripped to bits, but they ‘originally’ came with really thick soft gel on the palms, and i suffer a bit from numb hands after too long a ride. I still use them but i have to wear a pair of thin long fingered gloves underneath.
They’ll fall apart if i ever wash them, so they havent been washed in at least ten years.
Lava Dome – 28ish years old
Buffalo Special 6 shirt – 27 years old
Ron Hill Tracksters – at least 30 years old
Edinburgh Bike Co-op Track Pump – 15 years old
I bought a second hand pair of Endura ST shorts from here 11 years ago. The seam completely split shortly afterwards, they were sewn back together and still going strong. I know 11 years isn’t ancient, for a pair of shorts it’s pretty good!
Silca track pump, only very recently retired due to its low capacity. Bought in 1992.
Polaris windproof smock. Possibly dates from <1991. @lister and I did a bike tour around the lakes before either of us could drive & I had it then.
Granddad’s Thor Ali/Nylon soft faced hammer – used for thwacking things into submission. It was well used when I found it in his shed & he died in 1980.
Edit: Oh, and his AVO meter, which still gets used to check batteries. 1939.
97 Kona cinder-cone with 1999 z1s and 2000 Time Atac 2002 Shimano hydro brakes, 2005 Cotic-soul, with 2002 Fox vanillas. In fact, don’t think I’ve got anything under ten years old
I think the oldest thing in frequent use is a 1993, purple annodized, chain pup multi tool. Still going strong in the bar bag of my commuting bike although I have had to tack weld the allen key back together. Also got a Lowe Alpine bumbag from about the same year, purple and green for full ’90s cool points, which gets used for fell running and for carrying my big bike lock or climbing boots on the bike.
Up until relatively recently, it was a 1989 left hand SIS thumb shifter but all my bikes other than the tandem are 1x now so it’s redundantly sitting the spares box along with various front mechs.
I’ve also got my grandfather’s tool chest from when he was in the merchant navy in WW2, and a King Dick compact adjustable spanner which came with it but I think is a tad newer. Neither sees much use but aren’t going anywhere!
I’ve got a duofold base layer that I bought in 1995 and still gets worn regularly.
It’s by far the best piece of technical clothing I’ve ever had for use in British weather (mild and damp). I’d like another one but I’ve never seen them since.
Since i retired my 90s Carrera Krakatoa, it’s a camelbak from 2008. Or some altura shorts from about the same time but I have 3 pairs of those and I don’t know if any of them are the original pair.
“Forgot about my original Topeak Alien. That must be old enough to drink now”
I’ve got one of those in my pack, bought it in 2001! Still my default multitool. Also a retired Buffalo S6 Shirt (stored in the car for emergencies) from 1994, and some Ron Hill Tracksters from about the same time (still used when it’s cold enough). I’ve got a saddlebag that’s a bit older but it doesn’t fit with the long dropper posts.
15 years old Time ATAC XS Carbon pedals still going strong, the Shimano shoes bought at same time might be getting their last few weeks of use on the commutes.
I’ve got a pair of Endura shorts that I think I bought in about 2004 . Not sure which model but they’re brown camo and very thick material. Zip has been replaced but otherwise still in good condition.
1993 Kona Cinder Cone which still gets used weekly at least (tyres, brakes and saddle aren’t original)
15+ year old Time ATAC pedals which I’ll be using tonight (and a spare pair in the draw!)
Built my road bike in 2008
Couple of pairs of 12 year old Campag bib shorts that have been demoted to turbo duties
20 year old Joe Blow track pump died last Thursday – replacement ordered yesterday
15 year old Gore windproof jacket, still going strong
Endless stuff in the garage that gets used less frequently. Basically, other than the new MTB (replaced a 10 year old one) and a few bits of clothing, everything I own is older than my kids.
I have a Nike Makalu waistpack from mid-90s that was hardly used. Looks minty.
And this thingummy that I use as a headset press, bought from an 80+ yr old cycle mechanic:
And that bike, which I use as a road bike, fetching and carrying and touring implement (also bought from an 80+ yr old cycle mechanic, albeit a different one!)
– Thingummy is indeterminate age (not yet carbon-dated) handbuilt in Worcester
– Bike is circa 1989 handbuilt in Powys, collected from Surrey.
(Please don’t give me any shit about lawn/garden or DIY, I get it)
Deore DX spds, from I think 1992. They need a firm press to engage but do still work. I also have a Lusso fleece headband I won in a junior XC race, of about the same vintage.