StratoPT

My bike was stolen and my insurance company will reimburse me for up to $5749. While I'm sad about my bike getting ripped off, it's also a chance to think about something new. Unfortunately, I only got to ride this bike twice before it was stolen, so I didn't get a chance to fully evaluate how much I liked it!

What I had stolen: 2009 Kestrel RT 900 SL, all SRAM red gruppo (compact, 11-28), Selle SMP Pro seat, Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels.

I can get the 2010 Kestrel, which has some differences (now Dura Ace, now Cole wheels) from the manufacturer for $5749 (https://www.kestrelbicycles.com/Road/RT-900SL.aspx). The 2009 was much better looking in my opinion, but the manufacturer's site doesn't list it anymore, and they changed out SRAM Red for Dura Ace and Mavic Ksyrium SL for Cole wheels, so I wonder if that means the 2010 bike is a better one.

OR: I can buy any other bike for this amount of money. What would you buy if you were me?!?! I like to ride 25-100 miles, LOVE to climb. I am a better climber than I am on flats/rollers. I don't ride in a very aggressive position due to limited back flexibility and history of neck issues. I love to travel in/out of the country, and I love to take my bike with me when I do.

I look forward to hearing your opinions on any or all of this! Feel free to make any suggestions!!

Steve90068

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...l/rt800_09.htm buy that and pocket the rest

wirelessness

My local shop has a 2009 Cannondale SuperSix Hi-Mod with full Di2 and Ksyrium SL Premium wheels for $6k. I would get that.

Val23708

+1

FlatSix911

I agree ... that is a lot of bike for the money ...

2009 Kestrel RT800 Carbon $2995.99
Shimano Dura Ace 7900 Group
Kestrel Carbon Bar, FSA Stem,
Mavic Ksyrium Equipe Wheels

td.tony

^ with the addition of a nice set of deep dish carbon wheels. Perfect.

LesMcLuffAlot

That is a very nice bike.

plasticmaam12

+1 on the RT800.

RichinPeoria

here we go again

RichinPeoria

A shill is an associate of a person selling goods or services or a political group, who pretends no association to the seller/group and assumes the air of an enthusiastic customer. The intention of the shill is, using crowd psychology, to encourage others unaware of the set-up to purchase said goods or services or support the political group's ideological claims. Shills are often employed by confidence artists. The term plant is also used.

Shilling is illegal in many circumstances and in many jurisdictions[1] because of the frequently fraudulent and damaging character of their actions. However, if a shill does not place uninformed parties at a risk of loss, but merely generates "buzz", the shill's actions may be legal. For example, a person planted in an audience to laugh and applaud when desired (see claque), or to participate in on-stage activities as a "random member of the audience", is a type of legal shill.

"Shill" can also be used pejoratively to describe a critic who appears either all-too-eager to heap glowing praise upon mediocre offerings, or who acts as an apologist for glaring flaws. In this sense, they would be an implicit "shill" for the industry at large, possibly because their income is tied to its prosperity.

DrPete 

I'm fairly sure the insurance company won't see eye to eye with the idea of buying a $3K bike and pocketing $2750.

plodderslusk

A long distance biker I know is buying an S&S coupled Moots ( All Moots S&S are custom built and can of course accomodate a more upright position easily) to last him the rest of his life. Maybe would get you a bit above budget but what a bike! If you travel a lot it is great to have a smaller bikecase. I am green with envy and love hearing every detail about the whole process.

akansaskid

Mine - free shipping!

youcoming

^^^^^This^^^^^

Smallguy

Guess it depends on whether they ask for your receipt after

I've always heard of insurance companies just cutting people a cheque

I was recently rear ended and I'm waiting on replacement money for my bike rack so I guess I'll know more soon

DrPete 

More importantly, to the OP--how is your bike insured? I haven't been able to do it through my policy without a really expensive floater.

Nachoman

I didn't get any extra floater, or rider. My agent made sure my homeowners policy covered "replacement" value, for my bikes, instead of "fair market" value. Otherwise he said I'd end up with a new used bike.

DrPete 

As I understand it, though, homeowners' won't cover crash damage. I mean, if I drop a 2x4 on my Cervelo and crack the frame that would be covered, but if I damage it riding I'm fairly sure I'm SOL.

flaco

Most policies are for replacement cost, not cash value, so you present a receipt and they reimburse you.

roy5000x2

Geez, I remember when I crashed my Trek 5000. The deductible was $2500 for a $2000 bike. That was rather pointless.

Make sure you've got everything squared away and spelled out to the last detail with the insurance company before you make your purchase. It'd suck if you bought a $3000 bike, and then they pulled the other $2749 out from under you.

mrbUSA

I can agree with this.
It's sort of money spent/money to spend. I'd buy as much bike as possible. Burn it all.

DrPete 

I guess it depends on how they reimburse you.

I had an iPod stolen when my car got broken into, and my insurance company asked what model it was, how much it cost, etc. and direct deposited the replacement amount into my checking account that day. I never did have to prove to them that I'd bought a new iPod. So I guess it could go either way.

Jynx

insurance just cuts you a check. what you do with the check is up to you.

sojourn

https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2010...Series/Z2.aspx

khatfull

I think you should make lung an offer on his Merlin here.