eja_ bottecchia

eja_ bottecchia

seau grateau

But it doesn't even say Specialized on it.

trekmogul 

As with me, bikes and wheel sets, shoes, helmets have a weak spot that make me all fuzzy..!

TMonk

I stick with mid grade stuff, but that's b/c I can't afford it, or rather don't want to... I have a wedding, then family and home ownership to save for! Gotta build up that nest. Having said that if I was rich I'd probably buy nicer stuff.

But I'm also a fit, somewhat-elite amateur racer. There have been times when I got to ride/race on top end stuff for a whole season for free (to me). It feels nice for a few rides but then the novelty wears off. Also it doesn't make a difference and I've inevitably ended up either giving it back to the team/sponsors or buying it for cheap and re-selling it.

TimothyH

@trekmogul!!!

How you been, man?

indyfabz

That's why it's not high end.

caloso

Similar to TMonk. I've ridden/raced long enough that I have a pretty good handle on what's worth spending money to get top of the line stuff and where it really makes no difference at all.

Seattle Forrest

I enjoy riding a nice bike. I can't push it as fast as some, but I sure benefit from the handling coming down the mountain through hairpin turns. I bought my bike first and foremost because it handles the way I think a bike should.

Mr_Crankypants

I'd love to hear your thoughts on where it matters and where it makes no difference. I'm constantly engaged in a mental struggle over whether to upgrade my bike (TCR Advanced) or run it into the ground while saving for a new bike that would be a major step up. Just the other day a riding buddy casually commented that I "should probably consider swapping out that 105 for Ultegra." My gut feeling is that the improvement would not be worth the money and that I'm better off sucking it up and training better.

caloso

Anything that's a consumable for sure. I like Ultegra, but I don't hesitate to get 105 for cassettes and chains. I like Michelin Pro4's but I don't hesitate to get Lithions for training/commuting tires. Even with wheels: I love my Williams 58s for race day but my everyday wheels are RS-11, which is an entry-level Shimano wheelset.

What I don't hesitate to spend on is any contact point: S-Works shoes, Castelli bibs with the good pad; Fizik tape.

trekmogul 

Quite well thank you. Just back from 5 1/2 months of fun in the sun on the emerald island of Sri Lanka.. Lots of bike riding in some very hot and muggy weather.

TimothyH

This is good to hear and I hope you and the people of Sri Lanka are at peace.

-PAX-

TiHabanero

"There have been times when I got to ride/race on top end stuff for a whole season for free (to me). It feels nice for a few rides but then the novelty wears off. Also it doesn't make a difference and I've inevitably ended up either giving it back to the team/sponsors or buying it for cheap and re-selling it. "

When I raced the guys on the team did this every season. We all knew the parts hanging on the frame didn't make us faster or more competitive, especially in crit racing where speeds are up and down all the time. We'd use it, give feedback, sell it on Monday at the shop, but at the end of the season the parts were gone. Wheels are a different story. They do make a noticeable difference.

No question I am a good enough for me person.

colnago62

Dean V

It isn't complicated.
If you view a bike as simply a tool to do the job, whether it be racing, commuting, fitness etc the parameters a quite different to someone that sees their bike as more than that.
It may be they enjoy the technology, exclusiveness, looks, poseur value etc etc.

TMonk

^
I think that about sums it up. Also for those insecure in the latter camp: It's OK to be a roadie. There's a little roadie in all of us!

Pilot321

I get it. A Casio Ironman will keep better time than a nice watch with a mechanical swiss movement, but what would you rather have? However, sometimes the Ironman is just the ticket.

Koyote

I hope you are not suggesting that Calphalon and Henckels are high-end, because they are not. Those brands are just okay.

Otherwise I agree with everything you wrote. I don't really care what anyone (besides my spouse) thinks about my spending, and I don't care about anyone else's spending. Heck, most people think you're crazy if you spend more than $1000 on a bike.

Mr_Crankypants

If bike and component manufacturers were only selling their high-end stuff to cyclists whose performance made them "worthy" of it, they wouldn't make enough money to stay in business. So the rest of us tell ourselves that if only we had X (higher level group set, lighter weight frame, more aero cockpit), we'd be Y% faster. Until we acquire it, and then it's on to lusting after the next thing we don't (yet) have. And on it goes, because the dopamine hit from getting the shiny new thing wears off pretty quickly. I'm no more immune to this than anyone else. That said, I do aspire to be a "good enough for me" type, because I know the performance gains will be minimal and the pleasure of the new toy fleeting. But I still find myself thinking "if only I had..."

Erzulis Boat 

That's ok if you don't like high end bikes. They are not for everyone. I just purchased a matching pair of the 2020 Rouibaix for my girlfriend and I. They should ride great! We are still waiting on delivery here in Santa Barbara, but I will give a ride report. If we have the opportunity. Maybe we will see you on the road, friend!

indyfabz

I know it's not a Specialzed, but if you don;t think my bike is high end than we have differing understandings of that term.

trekmogul 

There should be no reason what so ever to buy 6 Trek Emonda SLR8's ..? Still have 2 in unopened sealed Trek Factory Boxes . This was the last year Trek made these in Wisconsin and from this point on have cheapened them up to keep the price down..

GreenAnvil

For me, if money was no object, I’d be retired, I’d have a camper van for four, and a trailer with the following bikes: 1) road, 2) gravel, 3) mountain, and 4) touring. Then I’d spend the majority of the year in fondos and other events throughout the US and Europe. As it is, I’m not yet retired, and I have only one (1) aluminum/carbon-fork bike. It meets my needs and I am riding the heck out of it. Should I lose it (crash, theft, other) my wife is ok with me getting another one immediately, but I think I’ll stick within the $2k-3k bracket.

I get to see some high end bikes sometimes when I am out on rides and that’s cool as I get a chance to see them whereas otherwise I never would.

I used to get a little worked up at people spending high on gear as that drives the price (if no one buys TLGP5000 @ $75 per tire Conti will have no choice but to lower the price for example), but as I get older I realize it’s all relative and things usually even out. People out riding is a win the way I see it. I’m all for whatever encourage people to ride.