as soon as my sprockets start to look like sharks teeth, I change them and the chain. I may be wasting money, but I never walk home.my family is so into bikes we buy upgrades instead of game boys, how many 8 yr old girls can tell you the size of their bottom bracket, the height of their frame or the head angle of 3 different bikes brands in the house. we dont try to get xtra miles on a component package, just like we wont drive on bald tires or not have a spare. of course, we quit driving cars this year and totally bike, sometimes with trailers for errands etc. using something past its mechanical life span is not recommended by any means. would you put a new 350 hp motor in to a vechicle with a 15 yr old tranny. parts like to be the same age and wear best when they are. . and for the 25% grade for 100 miles??? Im a hill junkie and traveled to 48 states and 23 countries and have not seen the beast you speak of. Even the germans and spanish who climb really well dont have said beast available. As for your sponsorship, custom frame and your choice components, I AM JEALOUS> MY next bike will be so... Am really impressed with lemonds bikes at their web sites, even though the frames arent made just for me, they seem pretty awesome..
