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I see a lot of vintage parts like they are new . In the past things get build to last a lifetime.
My surly chainring worn out after 35 000 km
Tires 9000 km = 4 months.
Front wheel , 6 months (I use my front brake a lot, 100 deliveries a day..)
Bottom bracket and headset 6 months and wheelbearings 6 months. But I change all bearings at 6 months . I don't want to find a shop when its to late. I have everything spare at home. But after the 6 months they are almost worn out.
About the chain , I can't find a better one then izumi. I have a chain checker tool and at 2500 km the chain is worn out 75% Sometimes in winter I cycle longer with the chain and you can see that its not going straight any more. I cycle 400 to 800 altitude a day.
Rear wheel is hand build with a surly ultra new hub and front wheel is what I can find in good condition and a quality wheel.
The sram crank is new since yesterday. Before I had a sugino messenger rd2 and never had a straight chainline.
I was thinking about a disc fork but the 38mm rake of the steamroller fork is what make the bike so good.
Yves-
Which city do work? Don't you get sick of riding so much in the same place all the time?
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I was in the same boat as you are, eating front wheels on the job :-D
From my own experience: high quality pads don't eat the rim so much (I was using swissstop green pads).
But seriously - order a custom made disc fork, it'll change your life. Polish framebuilders can provide beautifully-made disc forks, for a messenger-friendly budget :-)
kjlem
Pish
A chain a month probably means your chainring and sprocket last a lot longer too so you avoid spending on those.
Guy I work with has like an '80s or '90s road bike that's on it's original chainrings and cassette because he fits a new chain 3-5 times a year. It's Dura Ace stuff so replacing chainrings and cassette could be a considerable expense.