What's the most you'll spend on a bike?
05-08-19, 02:08 AM
#51
Senior Member
Nowt wrong with that .... when me were about 26 me and the now Mrs bought Halfords Apollo bikes for £90 each.
We had those bikes for years at a mobile home at the coast and used them every weekend pre kids and then mounted kiddie seats on them when the little ones came along (now 21 and 19).
It opened up cycling to us and we did absolutely miles on them but it wasn't just that ..... it was about exploring an area and the discovery .... often not knowing where we were heading but just taking in the sites, sounds and smells around us and seeing where the road took us ...some of t.he best memories I have of my younger years and all for virtually no cost.
It's not really about what it costs but the enjoyment you get out of it!
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05-08-19, 02:49 AM
#52
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People don't like to hear it, but my honest answer would be around $500-$600.
Whenever I’m asked about buying a bike my questions are what do you want it for, and how much to spend?
IMO bikes of similar quality by brand names stratify in groups of about approximately $US 200 intervals [up about $1500-2000, then the price interval spreads widen:
IMO bikes of similar quality by brand names stratify in groups of about approximately $US 200 intervals [up about $1500-2000, then the price interval spreads widen:
... FWIW, I also have a Giant Escape hybrid bike [no pictures] that I recently bought for rehabilitation, because I was having trouble with my neck and shoulders riding the drop bars.
That bike cost about $600, and IMO was a good value as an all-round bike, certainly more amenable to off-road riding than my expensive carbon fiber road bike, and sturdy for my urban commute on the mean streets of Boston.
That bike cost about $600, and IMO was a good value as an all-round bike, certainly more amenable to off-road riding than my expensive carbon fiber road bike, and sturdy for my urban commute on the mean streets of Boston.
Nowt wrong with that .... when me were about 26 me and the now Mrs bought Halfords Apollo bikes for £90 each.
We had those bikes for years at a mobile home at the coast and used them every weekend pre kids and then mounted kiddie seats on them when the little ones came along (now 21 and 19).
It opened up cycling to us and we did absolutely miles on them but it wasn't just that ..... it was about exploring an area and the discovery .... often not knowing where we were heading but just taking in the sites, sounds and smells around us and seeing where the road took us ...some of t.he best memories I have of my younger years and all for virtually no cost.
It's not really about what it costs but the enjoyment you get out of it!
We had those bikes for years at a mobile home at the coast and used them every weekend pre kids and then mounted kiddie seats on them when the little ones came along (now 21 and 19).
It opened up cycling to us and we did absolutely miles on them but it wasn't just that ..... it was about exploring an area and the discovery .... often not knowing where we were heading but just taking in the sites, sounds and smells around us and seeing where the road took us ...some of t.he best memories I have of my younger years and all for virtually no cost.
It's not really about what it costs but the enjoyment you get out of it!
…FYA, when I got into cycling in the early 70's, without advice, I bought a Schwinn 5-speed suburban for about $100, I think.
After I got hooked and wanted something real good, again without advice, my then-girlfriend-now wife touring companion and I bought French road bikes, Merciers, for about $250, a considerable expense back then for a college student.
Nice bikes but not touring bikes; they even came with sew-up tires. Nonetheless…
After I got hooked and wanted something real good, again without advice, my then-girlfriend-now wife touring companion and I bought French road bikes, Merciers, for about $250, a considerable expense back then for a college student.
Nice bikes but not touring bikes; they even came with sew-up tires. Nonetheless…
05-08-19, 07:17 AM
#53
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The most I've ever payed (for my recumbent) was $700. If you add all the lights, computer, rack, and other accouterments I added for commuting, it's closer to $1100.
I'm about to spend $5k on a velomobile for winter commuting, and another $600 on the 'race hood' for it so it will be completely enclosed in the winter.
I'm about to spend $5k on a velomobile for winter commuting, and another $600 on the 'race hood' for it so it will be completely enclosed in the winter.
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05-08-19, 07:29 AM
#54
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I don't think that I have more than $1500 or so in any bike, but that includes all "permanent" accessories associated with that bike (rack, lights, panniers, etc.).
But I'm about to find out. Later today, I'll be buying a Chinese carbon road frame from a local seller (bought wrong size for him), to plan for a high-zoot build over the next two years or so. How much for the bike "all in"? I haven't worked out a build plan yet. It won't be cheap.
But I'm about to find out. Later today, I'll be buying a Chinese carbon road frame from a local seller (bought wrong size for him), to plan for a high-zoot build over the next two years or so. How much for the bike "all in"? I haven't worked out a build plan yet. It won't be cheap.
05-08-19, 07:39 AM
#55
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I like to have enough money left over so that I have enough to spend while out riding the bike.
05-08-19, 08:13 AM
#56
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Around a 1000. And I've never bought myself a new bike. There's no point IMO. I'll let someone else take the depreciation hit. My last purchase was around 1050 shipped for a 2 year old bike that retailed around $5k at that time. All I had to do is replace the derailleur and tires.
05-08-19, 09:54 AM
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I hope one day to be able to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a bike! Seriously though, even with the means I would find it hard to spend more than $2500 on a bike.
I tend to have a bike project a year, but have only bought a complete bike once, for about $1200 six years ago. Otherwise I either buy used bikes or bare frames and build them up with a combination of take-offs from a donor bike, parts from the bin, and some new parts. That makes it hard to keep track of how much I have in any bike at any given time.
I tend to have a bike project a year, but have only bought a complete bike once, for about $1200 six years ago. Otherwise I either buy used bikes or bare frames and build them up with a combination of take-offs from a donor bike, parts from the bin, and some new parts. That makes it hard to keep track of how much I have in any bike at any given time.
05-08-19, 09:56 AM
#58
Banned
eye for savings
Used,
$3600 bike (2004 prices) full touring bike made in NL (not sold in US) with R'off drivetrain
(hub now Selling for about $1400)
Magura Hydro Brakes, racks mudguards bottles , etc.
for $2k. including shipping from east coast , to west ..
...
$3600 bike (2004 prices) full touring bike made in NL (not sold in US) with R'off drivetrain
(hub now Selling for about $1400)
Magura Hydro Brakes, racks mudguards bottles , etc.
for $2k. including shipping from east coast , to west ..
...
05-08-19, 01:00 PM
#59
Senior Member
I don't race so I don't need a bike for racing. I don't need to go particularly fast but I do sometimes go long. I like geared bikes but my two fixed gear bikes a lot more fun to ride.
My "new" geared bike is, well, really old and I'm looking for a new one. I'm well past 55 and can afford pretty much any bike I "want". I know inside that I don't need an expensive bike but I want one; however, I won't go much past $2,000.00 because any more bike than that won't make me go any faster or any longer.
My "new" geared bike is, well, really old and I'm looking for a new one. I'm well past 55 and can afford pretty much any bike I "want". I know inside that I don't need an expensive bike but I want one; however, I won't go much past $2,000.00 because any more bike than that won't make me go any faster or any longer.
05-08-19, 01:56 PM
#60
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$0 to $15K. I am very capricious. Once, while visiting the Ferrari museum in Maranello, I snagged a 60th anniversary Colnago/Ferrari C50 complete with full Campy Super Record/Boron wheels - just happened to be my size. 😁
05-08-19, 08:24 PM
#63
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My threshold is $500. The best combo is a beat up frame with a big head tube sticker "Made in China" while sporting mainly XT components with "Japan" all hidden from view. Thieves are very racist, they don´t like Chinese stuff.
05-09-19, 09:35 PM
#64
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I had a 2000 Subaru Impreza that I absolutely loved, but it was a third car for two drivers. It wasn't being driven very much, so I sold it to a neighbor. It hurt to see it drive by every day, then a Culprit Croz Blade came along, carbon everything, Di2, disc brakes, rides like a 2 wheel Ferrari, at least to me. I sold the Sube for $3500, got the bike, a demo for $3600 (actual list price over $5K). So I guess the bike only cost me $100 net. Would you rather have an old Subaru or a new bike? Its possible to justify almost everything, depending on your priorities. 😁
New bike or ...
...old Subaru?
New bike or ...
...old Subaru?
05-09-19, 09:49 PM
#65
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Is this like the Trolley Dilemma?
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05-09-19, 09:55 PM
#66
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And That Much.
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05-10-19, 06:10 AM
#67
Senior Member
I had one as well 15 years ago .... WRX STi .... absolutely amasing cars .... was constantly grinning from ear to ear ... especially with the short shift, close ration gear box, coming out of a sharpish bend at about 3200 revs right on the edge of the turbo's power band and hit the gas 
Close thing but I think I'd have kept the car and gone for a lesser bike
Close thing but I think I'd have kept the car and gone for a lesser bike
05-10-19, 06:34 AM
#68
Senior Member
I'm just finishing up my bike build now, I tried to keep it cheap by going Emonda ALR Disc frameset (1k right there...) 105 disc (another 1k), crank based power meter ($700), XXX carbon seatpost and handblebar/stem (I don't want to talk about price...) and Aeolus 5 pro disc wheels (1.5k).
Sooooooooo, I'd say $5k is about my limit.
Sooooooooo, I'd say $5k is about my limit.
05-11-19, 04:13 PM
#69
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I find that my current 'sweet spot' for new bikes seems to be in the $1300-$1500 range, as far as component level (105/Deore) and features that work for me.
However, in the real world, if I had $1500 cash around, i have other things that would get precedence over new bikes. I have a couple of very nice bikes in the stable for regular use (commuting, and the 'fast' road bike) so all of the N+1s are 'for fun only'
I don't mind used bikes, and consider myself pretty savvy at picking out decent doners for component swaps and flips; I can build a lot of bike for $300 (net)
However, in the real world, if I had $1500 cash around, i have other things that would get precedence over new bikes. I have a couple of very nice bikes in the stable for regular use (commuting, and the 'fast' road bike) so all of the N+1s are 'for fun only'
I don't mind used bikes, and consider myself pretty savvy at picking out decent doners for component swaps and flips; I can build a lot of bike for $300 (net)
05-12-19, 03:55 AM
#70
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if weight is not a problem then you can build a really nice bike for about $500. My strategy goes like this:
buy a vintage ride with decent quality wheels and frame. Spend some time truing the wheels and get a used groupset package on ebay and you have a very nice ride.
buy a vintage ride with decent quality wheels and frame. Spend some time truing the wheels and get a used groupset package on ebay and you have a very nice ride.
05-12-19, 07:02 AM
#71
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05-12-19, 07:07 AM
#72
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My latest build is an Italian frame from 1979 with an orphaned 2014 Campagnolo Record groupset from a sold frame, spare set of wheels, carbon bars, and a stem from a drawer. It's currently my favorite ride and ridden more than my $4500 modern road bike.
Having said all of that, at my old age after a life of working hard and being blessed, I'll spend anything on a bike.
Having said all of that, at my old age after a life of working hard and being blessed, I'll spend anything on a bike.
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05-12-19, 07:58 PM
#74
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As I consider buying a new bike, I find myself in a dilemma...
Knowing the type of bike I want, and all the components that I "must" have, I have found myself thinking...Well, for just a bit more I can have this... and for only another $$$ I can get this... But if I just double that, I can have the ultimate bike of my dreams!
Where do YOU draw the line?
Knowing the type of bike I want, and all the components that I "must" have, I have found myself thinking...Well, for just a bit more I can have this... and for only another $$$ I can get this... But if I just double that, I can have the ultimate bike of my dreams!
Where do YOU draw the line?
05-12-19, 08:46 PM
#75
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I start with the bike and components I want, then pay the price. I've done that already, so I'm not looking for another bike.
I may get a new WRX -STI but I feel guilty about spending my kids inheritance. kinda. Don't tell them.
I may get a new WRX -STI but I feel guilty about spending my kids inheritance. kinda. Don't tell them.
