Playing The Long-Game In Cycling Gear

 I read a lovely article about sustainable choices for cycling gear and kit from 'cyclingnews.com' which you can check out here, if you like. It's titled "Buy it for life cycling tech - The antidote to Black Friday". The article was endearing to me, and this made me step back and think about why that article tickled my sensibilities so. 

When it comes to a lot of things surrounding "sustainable" gear, I think much of that thought is tied directly to what bicycle mechanics see come through their work stands. It doesn't take very long for a mechanic, or any service person, for that matter, to understand the difference between marketing hype, the desire to own the "shiny new thing", and what actually is reliable, long-lasting, sensible kit. 

Call it being a "retro-grouch", or "old school", and if you do, it is usually with a sneer and disdain for the individual who uses things that seem outdated or backward. Heaven help the person who actually promotes said gear, as they will be likened to some crazy old prophet who should just go away, or worse, be stoned, for their opinions on such matters. But is using old technology a bad decision? Not if you use it for reasons of durability, ease of use, ease of maintenance, or other prudent, practical reasons. 

And using such stuff really plays into the whole "bicycling is good for the planet" theme. A thought which most cyclists probably subscribe to, since much of this sort of cycling kit is long-lasting. Certain components and gear don't require being completely replaced because of sustainable design, and therefore such things put much less pressure on our resources when we choose to use them. 

And of course, there are some new things which fall into this category. I think that article I read mentioned in the first paragraph above did a great job of featuring some newer technology. For example, the disc brakes and modern design messenger bags, but I would also go further than that. Following is just one example of many, I am sure, which could be put forth.

A smartly designed set of carbon disc brake wheels should last for a decade-plus.

While it may seem that carbon rimmed, disc brake wheels would not be on the list of things that would fall into the sustainable cycling gear category, they actually can be something that lasts for a very long term. 

Again, they have to have serviceable hubs, readily available spokes, and smart design. I think a wheel set like the GRX Carbon wheels I am reviewing for RidingGravel.com now are just such a wheel set. They have serviceable cup and cone bearings, spokes made of steel that are readily replaceable, and the rim is smartly designed. I see no reason why a person could not ride these for a decade or more. 

Dead-reliable. Super-low maintenance.

That said, many of the older steel framed, friction shifted, basic bicycles are game for this longer view of cycling sustainably. These sorts of bicycles will be around longer than any of your newer electrified bikes, 12 speed carbon wonder bikes, or anything with electronically shifted derailleurs. 

But these are not very fashionable choices, are they? These bicycles won't likely get you noticed, have any rear-rack social status, or be pawns in conversations meant to impress others. No one cares about my 1986 vintage Schwinn High Sierra. But it just works. Friction shifted, roller cam brakes, leather saddle, and even older Mongoose wheels from 1984! 

The bicycle industry really doesn't seem to want this trend to take off either. The industry seems conflicted. They "plan obsolescence" on one hand (increasing gear count, electrification) and preach the benefits to the planet and to human health from cycling on the other hand. Sustainable kit doesn't make money as fast and in such quantities if you choose to use it. The cycling industry would rather have you feel that "my bike is old" and there are new, shiny 2023 bikes to look at. The idea is formed that "you really need to have THIS to do it faster!" This thing is LIGHTER! You can do those things with more ease than ever! 

And sometimes these things are necessary, good, and make it so more people can ride bicycles. That's cool. But there is a place for sustainability and practicality within all of that which gets pushed back and ignored by much of the cycling community. This is not healthy or a good use of resources.

It is a rebellious thought to reject the marketing strategies of the day. "Black Friday" and all that it stands for is at odds with "what works", is sustainable, and is reliable in terms of cycling kit. In the end, you do you. I happen to believe in a more sustainable outlook on cycling. Call it "buying for life" or just smart. Call it being dumb, being a retro-grouch, or backwards for the sake of being contrary, (I may resemble that last one a bit, actually!), but I think we could do with a bit more of it in the cycling world.