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If you go on big rides in the middle of nowhere then you can't really afford to have components fail on you. I always take a few tools, small parts etc. but if

If you go on big rides in the middle of nowhere then you can't really afford to have components fail on you. I always take a few tools, small parts etc. but if something like a pedal or stem fails I'm walking a long way home. Quality components are made of different materials (e.g. higher grades of Alu) and manufactured using better processes (e.g. cold forging, not stamped) so they are stronger and lighter. I also don't pick the very lightest components since I need durability. Aside from that, the joy of riding is what gets me out. Many cyclists choose tough hill climbs for added fitness gains and challenge. There is a good kind of difficulty (steep grade somewhere picturesque) and a bad kind (unresponsive bike that doesn't roll well)

dheera 5y ago
> middle of nowhere I don't usually go to the middle of nowhere, most often I'm going through a bunch of towns. In the worst case I can shove the bus on a bike to get to the next town. Time and time again I have found that failure happens even with the best of components, and having standard components means you can find replacements more easily. Having a steel bike means the village welding expert in a random town in rural China can fix the frame, or fix your broken rack. Having standard spokes, tire, etc. means the LBS in Burmese village (who unlike American LBS, are actually reasonably priced) will have parts that work with your bike. Having standard brake pads and cables means you can get them anywhere when they wear down.