equipment that works the list

[frejwilk]

Some 'normal' stuff that has lasted exceptionally well for me includes Chris King headsets, Thomson posts, Salsa skewers, Blackburn Mtn cages, ODI lock-on grips,  DT spokes, Sun Rhyno Lite rims, Specialized bottles. All pretty normal choices probably.

I've also had very good experience with Notubes rims (especially ZTR355's and ZTR Flow's), most WTB mtn tires, Easton handlebars, Shimano clipless pedals, Golite clothing, and Fox suspension products. But personal maintenance and build/installation are going to make those kinds of items tough to put on a blanket list.

Less 'normal' stuff (that I personally wouldn't consider current) would include Salsa quill stems, Shimano threaded headsets, higher end (LX or better) Shimano cantilever brakes, Shimano UN51 or better square taper BBs, Phil Wood bottom brackets, and pretty much any brand (higher end) of non-cassette cone and cup hub (but then you've got a freewheel....).

I think some components are less prone to failure than others - to the point that it seems kind of funny to point them out in a list like this. Crank arms specifically come to mind. I've seen some cranks crack and even break, but I can't think of many higher end crank arms I wouldn't completely trust (assuming I trusted their BB of course). Same with most mtn threadless stems. Friction shifters in general fall into this category for me as well.

I get a kick out of seeing all the 20+ year old components listed. I think many of those components were designed really well. Especially in terms of durability. If you've been using them since new, they really were often designed with more durability in mind. But if these items are being acquired used, a lot of that good design is kind of out the window. The life they've lived is way more important than the original design.

FW

[sean salach]

Totally forgot Time Atac clipless pedals. They last for friggen eveeeeeer.

[DoctorRad]

@chrisx - 5-to-8-speed chains are all the same these days, it's just 9 and 10 speed which have to be narrower.

I get a kick out of seeing all the 20+ year old components listed. I think many of those components were designed really well. Especially in terms of durability. If you've been using them since new, they really were often designed with more durability in mind. But if these items are being acquired used, a lot of that good design is kind of out the window. The life they've lived is way more important than the original design.

I buy a lot of 20+ year old gear if it's in good condition, and will continue to use it for as long as it remains serviceable. It's the stuff I wanted when I was a kid but couldn't afford. While New-Old-Stock (NOS) gear can have high price tags, good condition used gear can be very economical and more durable than modern gear.

[sean salach]

Mr Salach
would you be kind enough to specify which model
Time ATAC XS Titan Pedals 374
Time ATAC Aluim Pedals  $71
Time ATAC XS Carbon Pedals $200
etc...
or all models

All models. The nice thing about Time pedals is that their cheapest model, the Alium, also happens to be their most durable, by way of the aluminum body.

[Erichimedes]

-REI (god only knows the model) synthetic sleeping bag. Running strong (if a little cold) into it's 10th year.
-Patagonia stretch capilene base layers. Stinky as hell but still warm.
-Pendleton wool shirts.
-Lowe Alpine daypack. Been through hell and back, and still kickin.
-MSR whisperlight international.
-Any Surly product made.
-Suntour ratcheting thumb shifters. These are the Best!
-Crank Bros multi-tool.
-Leatherman.
-King Cage bottle cages.

And a tribute to those products that made everything else last just a little longer:
-Sewing machine
-Seam Sealer
-Barge

[Mike Brown]

seconding all jannd products, period.  Heavy but sturdy.

[bmike-vt]

All models. The nice thing about Time pedals is that their cheapest model, the Alium, also happens to be their most durable, by way of the aluminum body.

+ 1
I have a pair of ATACs with composite body. 10 years and I just replaced the bushings.
The ATAC Zs I have on the Pugsley (and prior to that the SS / FG) are well made and easy to get in and out of.

I have a pair of their RXS Carbon on my rando bike. Broke the nose off the pedal last fall. It was out of warranty but Time Sport USA replaced it for me. These wear and are a bit more fragile than their MTB style pedals.

When I wear through my SIDI road shoes I'll be putting some ATACs on the rando bike.

[sherpaxc]

I have had 3 King Cages break on me. 

Big fan of the ATAC Aliums.  They have taken a BEATING and work as new.  Probably the most durable piece of equipment that I can think of. 

[skunkawombat]

Time ATAC pedals - all but the old yellow composite ones were/are the best

Suntour thumbshifters - been on numerous bikes, now on the Xtracycle  flawless for a decade +

Bontrager Race Lite cages - not as pretty as Kings, but they are compostites (so they are durable as heck) and don't let go of the bottle unless you want them to come out

Phil Wood hubs - heavy but bomb/idiot proof

Chris King headsets

Saddles - Brooks or Selle Antatomica for leather, WTB SST for plastics

Thomson stems and seatposts

[sean salach]

Chris that list is going to get awfully long soon. Maybe stop listing stuff until it's had multiple votes?

[bmike-vt]

Everything works great, until it doesn't.
There is always someone on the internet who is wrong.

This list will likely grow unmanageable and might contradict itself.
I am having fun reading along.

But, I find individual set up articles or blog accounts more valuable as I can get a sense of the conditions, rider style, etc.

Carry on.

 

[sean salach]

I would say 3 votes to get on the list, 3 to get off the list.

[frejwilk]

Please consider the King headsets and Thomson posts as my only contribution to the list.

In my previous post, I was not articulating very well that not every item might be appropriate for your list. I wrote too much and ended up in tangent land.

FW

[Slowerthensnot]

Please consider the King headsets and Thomson posts as my only contribution to the list.

In my previous post, I was not articulating very well that not every item might be appropriate for your list. I wrote too much and ended up in tangent land.

FW

I quite enjoyed in fred!

[Emily]

there is disagreement over bottom brackets. I still have a twitch in my knee from the time I could not replace the wobble BB immediately.  no one has piped in, ( I got 30,000 miles out of a ___________ bottom bracket )  I recall scratching my head when I took the xt 9 speed out of the box and screwed the plastic cups into my bike.  It still goes round and round, what that annoying click with each stroke is,  ...  I don't know  

Chris King external bearing Bottom Brackets. I have one of the mtb version and one of the road, both have been flawless so far. Worth the $$.

[Mike Brown]

Emily- while I agree the King BB is a great item that I use and love, IMO they have not been on the market long enough to be on this list.  The useful life of an item like that,  serviced correctly, should be 5-plus years.  So, when mine hits that point, I'll vote for it.
All the other items I've put on the list fit that criteria- taken care of and never failed within their useful life. 

[Emily]

Although which really matters, the number of years, or the number of miles traveled during those years?

[Emily]

Hi Emily
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=25887&category=268
Is this the bottom bracket in question?
Tell me one thing please, do you think I should take the xt plastic cones off my bike and replace them with a Chris King external bearing Bottom Bracket?  If so, do you think I could pedal from Ensenada to La Paz on roads not maintained in ¿?¿? years with out a worry over maintenance? Is that 2 things?       




I start that journey in 14 hours. This list is not abandoned.  I decided to go ride my bicycle in the mountains. I will be away from computers for many days.  I estimate my zig zag route gives me about 1,200 miles or more before I reach the next bike shop with 9 speed parts and disc brakes. 

uh... no. Personally, I would not recommend changing anything on a bike 14 hours before a 1200 mile ride. 

It sounds like a nice trip though! have fun!

[boddunn]

Hi Chris,
 Sure, why not; I've had a King BB since June (ish) 2009 and it's done around 20'000 miles so fill your boots! Have to agree with Emily though, never change anything before a big ride.

[sean salach]

Right;  much better to get long lasting parts and be prepaired for the ... .. .....

You're back! What happened? How was the trail?