How many miles can I expect to get out of my components?

[indysteel]

Every drivetrain--no matter how good--will need to be replaced to some extent over time. Chains, followed by cassettes and brakepads, cables and housing, are probably the quickest to wear. How long each of these items, along with the rest of your drivetrain, will last depends in part on how well they are maintained and on the conditions in which you ride. How well the drivetrain performs is also a question of regular maintenance. If you never get a tune up, your shifting and braking will get sloppy, but that doesn't mean the drivetrain itself is toast.

So, the short answer is that I'm not sure there's a good answer to how long your drivetrain--as a whole--will last. In my opinion, if you want a new and better equipped bike, get a new and better equipped bike. I wouldn't rest your case on your drivetrain simply failing. It won't fail on you--at least in any catastrophic way--unless you just take really bad care of it.

[Owlie]

My bike is Giant's equivalent of yours. It's closing in on 2000 miles and I think it still has plenty more in it before anything needs to be replaced (and upgraded). I clean everything semi-regularly, and have it annually tuned-up. The only thing that's been replaced is a shifter cable.

[Kathi]

12,000 for mine.

Cables, chain and brake pads only components replaced.

[Bike Writer]

I'm glad you asked that question because I have wondered the same thing myself. I've logged just over 1500 miles on my bike and have not replaced anything except inner tubes and last week I replaced my pedals because I broke one of them. It was kinda a freaky thing how it broke.

I keep my bike cleaned up pretty decent and had it tuned up last year after the original couple hundred miles I put on it. I'd say right about now it's ready for another tune up just because. I am not experiencing any shifting or braking problems but it's just time for it.

[goldfinch]

I bought a Cannondale Quick 4 a bit more than a year ago and have maybe 2000 to 2500 miles on it. Recently I replaced the chain and cassette due to wear. I ride it in sometimes wet and sometimes dusty conditions, it is my grunge bike. But I do keep the chain clean and lubed.

One brake cable also broke on this bike, out of nowhere.

[westtexas]

I have Ultegra parts and got 3000 miles out of my cassette, cables and chain before replacement. I clean every 100 miles or sooner if riding in wet or dusty conditions.

[indysteel]

I'm surprised you didn't get more miles out of your cassette, Westtexas. Please tell me that your shop didn't convince you that should replace it at the same time you replace your chain. IMO, put a new chain on first. If it still skips on the old cassette, then replace the cassette, too. Otherwise, there's no need to replace it.