Bikes don’t last forever. Many bits and pieces will wear out over time and will need to be replaced. Which parts need replacing — and how often — depends not just on where you ride, but how and when too.
What Are You Always Replacing on Your Mountain Bike?
Many mountain bike bits and pieces will wear out over time and will need to be replaced, some more frequently than others.
Presta valve cores. This is the absolute worst technology on the bike. I probably break one every 10-20 uses of a pump. So much new tech in the industry, it’s time someone reevaluate the humble valve core.
I have done that one time since I started using presta 40 years ago.
Maybe you need a new pump 🤷♂️
Santa Cruz just did! You should check out the new Filmore Valves from reserve. Same fitting as presta so no adapters needed
Derailleurs and derailleur hangers
I more than often need to replace my saddle due to crashing.
I’m glad that it isn’t just me
CHAINRINGS!!!
Chain stretch due to the silly low gearing and amount of climbing mountain life adds to a simple ride. Replace annually or as needed to prevent a chain failure.
Other sundries are brake pads and a bleed if needed although these seem to outlast the above.
Annnd, Jeff didn’t rail my bike so parts are holding up nicely! ;P
I’m somewhat regulary put on new zip ties to hold down the housings. They break on me in weird ways. Still zip ties are far better than the c-clips that my bike brought stock. I lost most of the c clips in the first few weeks of owning my bike
Drop post cabling
Fork and shock seals/dust wipers
Where’s the option for nothing?
lucky you…
Seems like I always neglect my drive train just enough to require a new cassette on the regular… maybe once every year or two. Don’t get me wrong, I clean it fairly regularly, but not every ride and not always a fully spotless 100% deep clean. And I don’t check the chain like I should. So basically it’s my own fault, but that’s my personal experience since you asked.
Brake pads. Surprised no one in the comments has that problem. I have cantilever brakes, and the rubber peels, the block of rubber comes off the case, or the bolts fall clean off. I once had the rubber heating up too much down one of the steepest slopes.
Chains on my eMTBs because I do a lot of steep climbing. If I was shuttling this would change to brake pads…