My millennial son doesn't have a car, either, and doesn't want one. He uses BART to go to work. And spends his money on bikes and beer :lol: (and interesting ways to hang them in his apartment).

Alright guys, enough with the political discussion . . . and ranting.

Thankyouverymuch!

Fair and Balanced. Do you prefer CNN?

CNN and company - 97% - coverage
FOX - 48-52%

Citizens or residents? This sound like another "talking point"

Can't we learn from countries in the EU? It is a disaster there and we are not learning from their mistakes!

Come on, the boss has asked us to tone this down, now a common or garden forumite is doing so. If I want this sort of discussion, I go to A & S

Agree and apologies. I responded before I got to request/end of the thread.

My apologies as well for my contribution.

Or, to have had the wisdom and foresight to pick rich families into which to be born.

Stop pointing out the mistakes I've made in life. I've had wunnerful parents thank you very much, they've just been less affluent than some might have hoped. Dad keeps telling me that when he dies, I'll get a bill :twitchy: Cripes, my kids'll probably get a bill :eek:

I live in hope that one of my kids will hang onto my beloved Hillbrick and tell every visitor, "Dad commissioned that bike" (neither are long enough in the legs to ride it). I fear that it'll be more a case of "I wish we could sell the rotten thing"

The most expensive bike is often cheaper than the least expensive car. If having the right bike pleases you buy it or order it built.

Must be nice to have unlimited funds. Both my bent and my trike are only a few levels up from entry level machines.

Bike statistics:

Statistics Library - Participation Statistics Archives | PeopleForBikes

I find that cycling is relatively inexpensive compared to some other hobbies. Think of the costs of boating, golf memberships, ski trips, RVs. I think most of us ride the bikes we want to ride. I doubt many here spend much time wishing they could justify a more expensive bike, at least not those over age 18.

I agree. :thumb:

I'm a bit of a stats geek, find this interesting, thanks for posting.

Exactly. I rode motorcycles off-road for 10 years, I dabbled with a boat, I restored (sort of) old cars, and I experienced divorce. The cost of high-end cycling is Nothing compared to some other hobbies, especially divorce.

I'm a pissant car mechanic and I can buy whatever bicycle I want, big deal. If you want an expensive bike, whatever that is to you, just get it.

After you have all of the equipment. Very expensive to get started.

Boy, you've got that right! Once you get the bike and basics.

The clothes have a way of lasting forever. I have jerseys 25 years old and still wear them.

The bikes are relatively cheap and last forever. A $500 bike is perfectly fine for most things, and at that price, cost less than the average pair of skis ... which is just a few layers of fiberglass and metal glued together. And then you have to buy boots.

lol ... that there is simple truth.

I think you should change your title on FB from "senior member" to "pissant mechanic."

i dont have huge income but i am saving for an off the peg bob jackson world tour frameset. my 61st bday is a perfect excuse.

Buy used. I purchased two used Moots frames for a fraction of what they cost new. Titanium doesn't rust and unless there is some obvious crash damage metal fatigue is not an issue. The frames come in all sizes so fit shouldn't be an issue unless you are a platypus. I built up a PsychloX for gravel duty, in all honesty it could replace the Compact as it is a versatile bike and could do double duty as a decent roadie with an extra set of wheels or a tire change.

I worked for a guy who road enough to ride about 5% of a charity/ fund raising event and then didn't ride until the following year. he needed to have kit and bike to fill out his street image in the parade. but he had enough money to back it up and I assume he also made a donation.

i'd but 20 bikes by different builders if I had the money. but then I would probably want something else after that ....

I'm thinking of getting a Utopia, because I'd like a larger gear range for steep hills and they can be ordered with a Rohloff. Set up the way I'd like, it would be a bit short of $3,800, plus importing costs.https://www.utopia-velo.de/fileadmin...int_59_rot.jpg

If a bike is your primary vehicle, I think there's a good use case. No reason why the average Joe couldn't have one -- it's cheaper than the typical entry-level used car.

To answer the original post...not me. As many have mentioned - for a lot of us it's really about priorities. I'm happy on a low-end Trek hybrid. Could have spent a little more, but don't know that I'd have felt good about it. Having said that, I have zero problems with someone in my financial circumstance choosing to spend big bucks on a custom bike. My two main guitars (one custom, one limited edition) would make me a hypocrite to think otherwise.

I was tempted to buy a Schwinn something-or-other that was marked down to $450. I was about to pull the trigger on it when I started to notice the welds on it. Really ugly.

For $350 on ebay I got a 1960's Viking, 531 frame and full Campy components, and an Ideale saddle to boot. Its like a work of art in comparison. Classic English 40/32 spoked wheels. If I tried to buy a comparable new lugged frame I would be out $1000 or more.

I'll save my pennies and stick with vintage steel.