Metieval

Well then, I might have started down this path, but I am in territory over my head now......

Cyclist0108

I attributed it to the audiophool part.

He is also an attorney (patent).

Cyclist0108

That's actually a really good point I hadn't though of.

GrainBrain

That's it then, isn't it? The longer you're into something the more you know what you want. If he's not into bicycling $500 is fine. But the longer he rides potentially the better he wants the experience to be, or he wants it to his taste.

I just bought my new bike, and I had to figure out something that could do long hauls, but be fun. Light but durable, compliant but stiff. Fast but comfortable. I've been cycling long enough and finally had some resources so I went for a pricey bike that was a little exotic in its approach. I'm happy with it.

​​​​​I had built up a gravel bike from a mid 70s bike boom frame with a decent wheelset and ok groupset. If I didn't have the cash could I have rode that and been happy? Yup. But it wasn't as smooth, nor as fast.

SethAZ 

Tell them there are people with "golden legs" who can tell the difference in bikes.

Metieval

Funny thing is, I don't see bicycles any different than audio equipment. they all resonate.

Some frames are like speaker boxes. Even if the dimensions are correct how they are assembled could ruin them. I am not an expert on bike frame making or speaker box building. I however would like to think I can tell the difference between them.

Harmonics, vibrations....

how a bike frame resonates even. I mean a guy riding a 47 CM frame from the same line as a guy riding a 61, are going to feel 2 different things. In my opinion. So Technically speaking $5,000 bicycles compared to $5,0000 are not even the same thing.

Machines, well all moving things have frequency to them.... Blah my ability to express this is going to be a fail here. It's like driving a car down the road and feeling the brakes, feeling the U-joints, feeling the CV joints, feeling the bearings, feeling the rear end. Most people can't tell the difference between brands of tires, and then some of us can pin point the things that is slightly off and that is going to break next.

squirtdad

problem is letting him frame the argument and basically troll you

why a more expensive bike

• Quality of the ride and handling due to better design and frame (often forgotten)
• components that work better, last longer and are easier to work on (of course there is the point of diminishing return)
• Can ride longer
• puts a bigger smile on my face

and then ask him why anyone would by a $400 remastered vinyl LP when they can get a $50 remastered LP, It doesn't play louder, so what is the use and why not just use an mp3 or spotify streaming with bose wireless bluetooth speakers....the music is the same

Ogsarg

I would say your friend has a point. If what he wants from a bike is to get exercise and enjoy scenery, a $5k bike really doesn't have much value over a much less expensive bike....at least not for him.

As far as spending money goes, I don't know a single person that doesn't have some kind of recreational activity or hobby that they spend more money on than most people would consider normal. Cameras, audio equipment, cars, food, wine, artwork, skiiing, the list goes on and on. Judge not lest ye be judged. In other words, he should not question what you spend on cycling just as you should not question what he spends on audio equipment.

GlennR

In 2015 I replace a Madone 4.6 (Rival) with a Emonda SLR (eTap) at a graduation gift to myself when my youngest was off the family payroll. It was a "stupid" expensive purchase and a total splurge. But after riding it I really got to appreciate all the little aspects. During Presidents week, I go to Scottsdale and rent a bike, for 3 years it was a Emonda SL with Ultegra. A really nice bike, but I could tell the difference in the performance and handling.

So until you spend time with and expensive bike, you won't know the difference. And if you can't tell them apart.. buy the cheaper one.

Metieval

Would it be as big of a difference with the same wheels, and same tires?

I am not questioning just curious. Most people say they can't tell the difference in Cannondale hi-mod vs regular carbon. I could, so I paid for the hi-mod. but maybe it was because all the hi-mods I've ridden had better wheelsets. *shrugs* Congrats on eTap! I have di2 and well it spoils me. Get so lazy with super easy button pushes and it just instantly shifts. Again using e-shifting as an example of that mechanical bits moving that some riders can feel. It's a dream to ride.

Edit:
so there is this club ride near me, that I occasionally cross paths with, and they occasionally ride past. One day I heard them coming, well I at least heard 1 of them as his chain was growling big time as his cable needed adjusted. Most of em are older, and half deaf. and Of course I ran into them out on the road 2 weeks later. chain still rattling trying to shift. I said something about it, and the guys was like huh? , he can't hear it.
I said "You can't feel it either?"

wolfchild

If I had a $ 5000 budget to spend on a bike I would buy two different $ 2500 bikes instead of blowing $ 5000 on one bike....

GlennR

Then it wouldn't be a $10,000 bike

If your saying can you tell the difference between a SL and SLR with everything the same except the frame? Since i've never had the opportunity I can't answer that.

I can say the SLR seems to accelerate quicker and handles amazingly on the descents.. better than the SL. But the wheels also are a big factor.

GlennR

If that what works for you.

I drove used cars for 30 years before finally feeling it was time for a new car. I never paid more than $4500 for any of them and put over 150,000 additional miles on each.

We all decide on what's important to us.

CAT7RDR

For $500, one could find a nice vintage steel with upscale components like Ultegra 6600 if one is patient. That would make a nice riding bike for a beginner and maximize that $500. I would not be able to justify spending $500 on new crap.

GrainBrain

For $5k you get custom steel from a small outfit with modern ultegra and a brand new paint job

CAT7RDR

I would have to sell my wife's $5000 car first then pay for a divorce attorney and lose half my assets so I have to stick with $500. It will take a couple years of recyclables but I will make it happen.

downtube42

A $500 bike hangs in the garage because the owner isn't really interested in riding.

A $5000 bike hangs in the garage because the owner is scared of what might happen to it if he rides.

Koyote

My newest bike cost a lot more than $5K, and I ride the hell out of it.

70sSanO

Extreme comparisons are always just trolling.

The truth is there is always middle ground for any purchase. It is never $500 or $5,000 in the real world for anything. And it is not a pristine Colnago on Craigslist being sold by a widow for $500.

Maybe the correct response is to ask how much would he pay for a car to jump in and drive across the country? Bring your suitcase when you pick it up. I mean all you are doing is steering and and pushing a gas or brake pedal; there really isn't any difference. $5,000 or $50,000? I imagine the response might be more than $5,000 but not $50,000. But those are the only choices. And 200 miles from no where in the middle of the night...

John

Gresp15C

Remind your friend that he's not a scientist.

On the other hand, in his favor, he's not making a scientific argument:



He goes so far as to acknowledge a difference, namely speed / efficiency. So that doesn't need to be proven. On the other hand it's a loaded question because it assumes a particular purpose for cycling. If you disagree with this premise, say so: The sole purpose of cycling is not exercise, end of story.

Germanrazor

I am sure it has been posted before I even read through each post......but the difference between a $500 bike and a $5000 bike the last time I stacked and subtract is $4500. Kidding!

Lots of things as to upgrades and too many to list. As to the frames......sometimes not as much as you think.

GlennR

post #3 .

Germanrazor

Bwaaaa ha ha......I hardly ever read through them if there are numerous replies. But #3 !!!! LOL.

Still my TI35 says $4500

ljsense

I just looked at Trek to see what a $5,000 bike is, and one example is the Emonda SL7 with Di2 Ultegra, disc brakes and carbon wheels. It weighs about 17 pounds or maybe a touch more with pedals and a larger size, has an 11-speed cassette and nifty mounts for lights and computers.

If you're lucky, $500 could score you another Trek from the US Postal Service era or maybe even a Discovery Team clone Madone. That's somewhat optimistic -- you'll probably pay more like $800 to $1,000 for a complete bike that's ready to ride. This bike will weigh about the same, be handbuilt in the USA, have easy to work on exposed cables, and have a 9- or 10-speed cassette and rim brakes.

So for the extra $4,500 you get disc brakes, electronic shifting, an extra cog or two on the cassette, more aerodynamic wheels, a warranty program and some more proprietary parts and cabling. A rider should be able to move either one down the road at the same speed; if the Emonda has a slight edge, it's inconsequential compared to the varying ability of riders. I'd take the old Trek and a glass of beet juice over the Emonda and a lousy night's sleep worrying about that $4,500.

This is why I feel for anyone selling road bikes. The past successes make future gains so difficult. It's a legit question, but probably not the tone your friend was taking.

indyfabz

How quickly some forget.

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/1150861-whats-difference-between-3000-bike-700-bike.html

Hopefully this thread will be locked more quickly.