Simplify your bicycle. Simplify your problems.
I have been a "casual cyclist" for about 5 years now, using my bicycle as my main mode of transportation, along with public transit. I bike in almost all weather conditions, all year round, which puts a lot of kilometers and wear and tear on my bicycle. It is the perfect recipe for needing constant repairs, and man do they happen a lot. Tire tubes get ruptured, shifting and brake cables snap, spokes snap, gears wear down, chains get stretched out, screws and nuts fall out, plastic things break, everything gets filthy, things jam and corrode, and so many more wonderful surprises. The thing is, that is just how it goes, and it is never going to stop. Once I came to this realisation, I started strategically simplifying my bike, and am I ever glad I did.
One simplification that I made, was swapping the front and rear hydraulic disk brakes for simple mechanical v-brakes. In my experience, my hydraulic disk brakes needed constant adjustments, so that they did not rub. I may have had some other issues that contributed to it, like a warped disk, or some other misalignment, but it was very annoying. V-brakes are easier to change, adjust, and maintain, and as a bonus, their brake pads are cheaper. I also do not have the need for the extra stopping power that disk brakes can provide, so for me they were unnecessary. Since making this change, I have spent much less time maintaining my brakes and changing my brake pads. I also have a little more of a sense of security for longer rides, for the situation where my brake cable would snap. I simply carry around a replacement cable and could easily change it anywhere. If my hydraulic brake line were to be punctured, or a disk were to get bent, while on a longer ride, fixing it on the spot would likely be more difficult or not possible.
A second major simplification that I made on my bicycle, was changing my drive train from having three gears in the front and eight gears in the back, to having one gear in the front and ten gears in the back. I absolutely did not need twenty-four gears, and I think that most people also don't. When I had twenty-four gears, I almost always only used two to three gears in the back, while shifting the front three gears to gain speed. I also had to do more maintenance because there were two derailleurs to constantly maintain and adjust. With my new setup, I only have a rear derailleur to maintain and adjust, and am more than happy with the ten gear selection that I have at my dispense. I actually have better ratios for climbing now, and I can go just as fast.
Since making these two system changes to my bicycle, I have noticed a significant reduction in the time that I spend doing maintenance, repairs, and even cleaning. It's great, and was totally worth the time it took to make the changes themselves.
There are many different types of bicylces, a huge range of component types, and people have different use cases for their bicycles. Some people need their bicycle to fold, in order to store it in their apartment. Some people need the extra stopping power that disk brakes provide because they often ride downhill. Some people only ride their bicycle when it is nice and sunny outside, so they don't need mud guards, or even lights.
Whatever your use case is, I would highly recommend simplifying the systems and components on your bicycle as much as you can, while keeping in mind that you should still be comfortable and safe. It will simplify your problems, and save you a lot of time.
Don't be afraid to look into the things for yourself, have your own thoughts, and establish your own stance and opinions. Be the curious sheep of the flock.
