• TheFeatureCreature@lemmy.world
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    23 days ago

    The company is billing it as a highly sustainable alternative to regular bicycles

    This is one of the most “We are a plastics company and will say any silly thing to justify the existence of our product” things I’ve seen on a long time. Regular bicycles are already extremely durable, serviceable, and have plenty of parts options. They can last 20-40 years easily. Something I doubt this Fisherprice-esque bicycle will do as it sheds microplastics everywhere and can’t actually be recycled because plastic is one of the most difficult to recycle materials in the world.

    Sorry to nitpick it so much. I probably wouldn’t have been so salty if they didn’t make the BS claims. A simple “We are plastic company! Look, plastic bike!” would’ve been fine.

    • Showroom7561@lemmy.ca
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      23 days ago

      Regular bicycles are already extremely durable, serviceable, and have plenty of parts options. They can last 20-40 years easily.

      Yes! Provided that you can keep the frame in good shape, there’s no reason why a regular bike can’t last a lifetime.

      Just throwing in a little win here: I recently prepped my 30+ year old MTB for winter.

      • Replaced the rear derailleur with a Deore LX (also from the early/mid 90s)
      • Got new friction shifters to replace the original grip shifters. The friction shifters will outlast me, and can be used with any derailleur now and in the foreseeable future).
      • Was able to find a “NOS” (new, old stock) front crank/chainring combo to replace the original that was on there. Also a part from the 90s!
      • Coated the inside of the frame with a rust inhibitor (steel bike, after all!)
      • Cleaned and tuned the original cantilever brakes.

      This bike could easily last another 30 years if I don’t get hit by a car. LOL