Gear Acquisition Syndrome - Anyone Catching it?
 

In photography there's a term called GAS. Stands for Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Happens when photographers see a new lens/light/stop/whatever and just keep buying and buying. Either because they think the new item will make them a better photographer, or because it's fun to spend money. Anyway...

This started me thinking. Is there such a thing in cycling? Maybe not buying a new bike all the time, but constantly upgrading to new bibs, new helmet, new gloves, etc.

I sometimes find myself falling in to the that trap on here. Cruising the forums I see new bike swag and think how great it would be to have X, Y, or Z item. That's not to say I end up pulling the trigger on many of the items here, but it certainly is tempting sometimes to get in a constant state of new gear.

Do t shirts count? I like driving my bike to ride in better scenery and on new roads. There's nothing like putting on a clean cotton shirt after getting all sweaty.

Been there done that.
This is after I sold off some cameras on eBay:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...297af51bdb.jpg


Bicycles?
About the same.
Except now I live in an apartment so I can only fit three or four bicycles.
I recently bought a set of wheels from a dude who seriously put me to shame.
His was all over the place, still brand new in boxes!

I have a new rule; cannot purchase until two days (and hopefully GAS) have passed.

Every once in a long while I'll get a project in mind and splurge all over the place, but mostly on used gear since the stuff I like doesn't come cheap, and I want the most out of my fun tickets.

Bikes & Cameras all the same
 

Yes cycling equipment is no different then buying every single camera body and lenses as they come out...Leica, Hasselblad, Nikon and Canon go hand in hand with Trek, Pinarello, Zipp, Lightweight Meilenstein and Reynolds.. You can also include Luggage etc etc etc etc into the GAS....

GAS happens with music gear, too. I've had to block myself from looking at drumkit cymbals (not to mention custom drumsets), and my SO is constantly talking about the next guitar pedals and amps...

The only thing that saves me (as far as cycling GAS) is that I do my own maintenance, so upgrades require extra time spent working on my bike rather than riding it. Obviously, this just means I need more bikes :lol: I'd like to have the latest and greatest kit, but remind myself that I should probably save money for clothes for, like, going to work and other stuff...

Are you saying you don't have a significant collections of wheelsets, shoes, helmes, handlebars, rollers, trainer, kits...?

I need a tubeless wheelset :(

Also need to pick up a set of Donnelly MXPs..

And a frame bag. And new helmet. And more CO2. And another bike..

First thought when I saw the topic was "cameras!!!!"

I was not disappointed.

I think cycling appeals to the GAS type as there is a lot of tech and product involved to obsess about. It's similar to PC hobbyists but they replace things (usually) rather than simply accumulate more computers.

In my defense I will say that liking the camera/cycling stuff I own makes me use it more and happier when I use it. It gives me something to learn about and get better at. Plus, my wife is sort of into both, too! She doesn't obsess about the tech but she's a better photographer and will use a "real" camera rather than a phone camera to take pictures on vacations. And she's started using the Wahoo Kickr almost as often as I have.

I've spent a fair amount of money doing the need/want/upgrade XXX over the previous few years, but I happy to say that (so far) in 2019 I have spent $0.00 on cycling stuff. My bikes are where I want them, shorts and jerseys aren't warn through, and I have enough tubes, tires, and lube to last me a while. I'll need to get a chain and possibly a cassette later this fall but that's it.

That new Scott Addict RC 2020 sure does look sexy though.....

GAS knows no bounds. I've experienced it in photography, audio, bikes, espresso, cookware and was most recently introduced to it with kitchen knives. Yes. Fo real.

Yep, I'm currently in a KAS, Kit acquisition syndrome, browsing the Rapha archive sale section and looking out for discounts on the other brands I prefer like an addict.

Don't talk to me. I race and cruise a 40' sailboat.

My GAS got quite bad that I turned my garage into a workshop and started building guitars :(. Haven’t started winding my own pickups yet though, so my doctor says there might be hope for me. :D

I sorta kinda want a scott foil :)

I cant really justify it though. Dont really plan on racing crits consistently. Gonna buy the tubeless wheelset for the cross bike instead. Probably a gps as well. My cross bike will keep me happy for a long time i think.

Why the unhappy face? Building guitars sounds pretty damn cool to me. Then again, I haven't lost a garage!

Yeah, I'm in to photography too and I find the crossover between cameras and wanting to buy cycling stuff happening all the time. Plus being on here and reading about new helmets, kits, chain cleaners, etc. makes me want to get in and do all that stuff too. Luckily Mrs. NoWhammies doesn't mind me indulging, although she does wonder where all the gear is going to go/fit.

Good rule. I'm going to try to abide by this.

I've recently been feeling the itch...and there's nothing wrong with my bike right now aside from the fact that it's a 2018 model (TCR) and has a few paint chips. It does however have - wait for it - rim brakes. But I'm telling myself I'm not going to upgrade until aero bikes and lightweight bikes converge a bit more - it's starting to happen already.

Just out of curiosity, how often on average do you replace your road bike? Assuming you have one main road bike, and not a stable full of them.

one can be addicted to anything

Paging Trek Mogul.

It's real. I had the Snap On bills to prove it.

You say that now, but the next time a pickup stops working, you know you'll be tempted to rewind it. :D

I've come to terms that I'm a compulsive sufferer of GAS. Whenever I pick up a hobby/interest...GAS. Usually though, it's mostly up front, and wanting to get the best possible gear I can afford (without compromising my normal way of life) so that I am the limiting factor vs. the gear for whatever activity it is that I am engaging in.

I thought this thread was going to be about the desire for a 13 speed drivetrain.

I do, but I compensate buy buying pre-owned stuff, as much as possible. got a nifty 80? yr old french pedal wrench a cpl years ago. don't know what took me so long. maybe I was unknowingly, waiting for the universe to bring it to me?

Apparently the 48 hour rule doesn't work. I just bought some new cranks.

I don't usually replace. I just add to the stable. You know, like cameras.