Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fifty Plus (50+)
Reload this Page >

Who's buying all these high end bikes?

Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

Who's buying all these high end bikes?

Old 06-25-17, 06:51 PM
  #76  
Machka 
In Real Life
 
Machka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 329 Posts
Originally Posted by JagR
After you have all of the equipment. Very expensive to get started.
Not really.

I started with a "hand-me-down" bicycle, and gradually started collecting the stuff ... and upgrading.
Machka is offline  
Old 06-26-17, 12:40 AM
  #77  
70sSanO
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,772

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1935 Post(s)
Liked 2,150 Times in 1,313 Posts
I have been pretty happy with my bikes, although I have pondered a titanium frame.

High end components are somewhat relative in that I prefer older high end and typically buy used, so Dura Ace or XTR is not that expensive. I imagine I am able to spend more, but I have yet to equate too-high-for-me high end and happiness.

The funny thing about the over 50 crowd and high end bikes is that by the time they have the means they are no longer as competitive. Unless of course you drink the kool-aid and believe old guys rule.

John
70sSanO is offline  
Old 06-26-17, 02:02 AM
  #78  
JagR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid-Atlantic, USA
Posts: 357

Bikes: S-Works Tarmac 2017 - TREK Madone - Cannondale CAPO

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Machka
Not really.

I started with a "hand-me-down" bicycle, and gradually started collecting the stuff ... and upgrading.
One way to do it...but if you add up the cost of the "stuff"??
JagR is offline  
Old 06-26-17, 06:18 AM
  #79  
OldTryGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,604

Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1063 Post(s)
Liked 771 Times in 499 Posts
Wife is bugging me to buy a new Future Shock Roubaix after test riding one this past weekend. LBS owner let me have one for a 121 miler on Thursday and 60 miler on Saturday following 92 miles on my Paramount. Like the ride better than the 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL so I might be adding a new bike to the inventory. Would be an Expert or higher.

Just registered yesterday for 2018 Bike Sebring 12/24 Hour RAAM Qualfier and that Roubaix would most definitely make the required 400 miles in 24 hours a lot more enjoyable.
OldTryGuy is offline  
Old 06-26-17, 02:26 PM
  #80  
trekmogul 
Senior Member
 
trekmogul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,455

Bikes: Salsa Beargrease XX1, Trek Eqnuinox 9.9 SSL, Trek Madone 6.9 ,Trek District Carbon, Trek Boone7, Trek Fuel EX9.0,Trek Fuel 9.5, Trek Rumblefish Pro, Trek Remedy 9.9, Trek Equinox7, Trek District Belt

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 578 Post(s)
Liked 82 Times in 45 Posts
With a new 2017 PINARELLO F10 Frameset & a set of MEILENSTEIN LIGHTWEIGHT WHEELS you are already at $15,000.00
__________________
Trek Fuel EX9.0 Trek Fuel EX9.5 Trek Equinox 9.9SSL TTX Trek Madone 6.9 Pro Red Project One, Trek Boone 7, Trek Rumblefish Pro, Trek Remedy 9.9, Trek Carbon District
trekmogul is offline  
Old 06-26-17, 02:56 PM
  #81  
ThermionicScott 
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,625

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,560 Times in 1,574 Posts
Originally Posted by big john
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.
I'm not 50+, so I probably shouldn't be posting in here, but one thing I learned from the "Rene Herse" book is that he had customers all the way up and down the income scale. Lots of younger folks with mid-level jobs, who cut back on everything else so they could afford his custom bikes.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 06-26-17, 03:11 PM
  #82  
bbbean 
Senior Member
 
bbbean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,689

Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 413 Times in 246 Posts
FWIW, I live in one of the poorest counties in the US, and note that I routinely pass house trailers that have $30-50K pickup trucks and $4-8K 4 wheelers parked in the yard next to the satellite dish. People will adjust their spending to afford what they really want. Compared to trucks and 4 wheelers, a few thou on a bike that requires minimal maintenance seems pretty cheap.
__________________

Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton

bbbean is offline  
Old 06-26-17, 04:11 PM
  #83  
Doug64
Senior Member
 
Doug64's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,485
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1182 Post(s)
Liked 830 Times in 433 Posts
Five years ago I bought my wife a custom built frame that was right at $3000 as a retirement gift. I built up the bike using good components. It was the best investment I ever made.

A major consideration was fit issues.

She has ridden the bike over 18,000 miles in 11 countries during the last 5 years

On a short 3-day tour last week she thanked me again for the bike. If it makes her happy it makes me happy.




Last edited by Doug64; 06-26-17 at 04:28 PM.
Doug64 is offline  
Old 06-26-17, 05:34 PM
  #84  
tommy2000
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by RockiesDad
Just wondering who do you think are buying all these high end designer/handmade type bikes? My guess is most of the folks in this particular forum (+50). I think most of us here can afford to get a Ti or custom steel frame if we really wanted to. Do you think the average Joe Biker can afford to get these? A young person with a family or at work trying to make ends meet wouldn't choose one of these so that leaves us old farts with enough disposable income to keep all these small business in business...

Personally, I would like a Ti gravel bike...

What do you think?
I did a ride a few weeks ago, Michigan Mountain Mayhem, and there were a lot of 50+ riders along with some very expensive rides. Definitely in the $5K and up range for them. For an especially hilly ride, I was probably more amazed at how good of shape many of them are in. :-)

I just bought a $3K bike last week, a Specialized Diverge Comp, and I was still astounded that I was spending that much on a bike. And my LBS had a good number of $5K and up bikes too. But at 59, I feel like I can spend a bit more on myself. I'd have never considered it when the kids were still in the house.

That said, when I was in the bike shop, there was a guy getting his Schwinn Varsity serviced. I looked it up, that bike was $66 in the 60's. :-)
tommy2000 is offline  
Old 06-26-17, 09:33 PM
  #85  
skidder
Pennylane Splitter
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,873

Bikes: Yes

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1751 Post(s)
Liked 1,422 Times in 973 Posts
Don't know if a situation like this has already been mentioned. I was in my LBS a few months ago (new bikes came out in March) looking at a Trek 520, and another customer walks out with a brand new Madone. The sales guy I was talking to mentioned he's one of the regulars that come in every year (or other year in this guys case) and trade in their 1-2 year old high-end road bike for the newest model with all the latest 'bling'. That's some serious bike flipping!

FYI: No, I haven't decided yet on buying a new 520, some other brand of touring bike, or building my own new rig.
skidder is offline  
Old 06-27-17, 02:00 AM
  #86  
JagR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid-Atlantic, USA
Posts: 357

Bikes: S-Works Tarmac 2017 - TREK Madone - Cannondale CAPO

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by trekmogul
With a new 2017 PINARELLO F10 Frameset & a set of MEILENSTEIN LIGHTWEIGHT WHEELS you are already at $15,000.00
What does that have to do w/anything? Not sure it addresses the original? Or any that have come up after.
JagR is offline  
Old 06-27-17, 06:15 AM
  #87  
big chainring 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wilmette, IL
Posts: 7,318
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 746 Post(s)
Liked 718 Times in 347 Posts
Old guys with money.
big chainring is offline  
Old 06-27-17, 06:45 AM
  #88  
trekmogul 
Senior Member
 
trekmogul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,455

Bikes: Salsa Beargrease XX1, Trek Eqnuinox 9.9 SSL, Trek Madone 6.9 ,Trek District Carbon, Trek Boone7, Trek Fuel EX9.0,Trek Fuel 9.5, Trek Rumblefish Pro, Trek Remedy 9.9, Trek Equinox7, Trek District Belt

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 578 Post(s)
Liked 82 Times in 45 Posts
Originally Posted by big chainring
Old guys with money.
fullsizeoutput_21.jpg


Boy you sure have that right.. Old coot here with my new Pinarello F8 Dogma & Reynolds RZR 46 Wheels..
__________________
Trek Fuel EX9.0 Trek Fuel EX9.5 Trek Equinox 9.9SSL TTX Trek Madone 6.9 Pro Red Project One, Trek Boone 7, Trek Rumblefish Pro, Trek Remedy 9.9, Trek Carbon District
trekmogul is offline  
Old 06-27-17, 03:54 PM
  #89  
milesp1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Where I live any bike that cost more than about $250 is money lost. Bike theft is so rampant here that it's just not worth having anything valuable.
milesp1 is offline  
Old 06-28-17, 09:51 AM
  #90  
bbbean 
Senior Member
 
bbbean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,689

Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 413 Times in 246 Posts
Originally Posted by RockiesDad
Do you think the average Joe Biker can afford to get these?
Yes, if it is a high enough priority. People spend thousands of dollars a year on cell phones, internet access, cable, HVAC, eating out, gas, vacation travel, clothes, event tickets, etc. By simply trimming or eliminating a few of those things, one can free up the price of a nice bike.

BB
__________________

Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton

bbbean is offline  
Old 06-28-17, 12:51 PM
  #91  
Rider51
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: New England
Posts: 85

Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 2, S-Works Camber, Eddy Merckx Ti-Ax

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by bbbean
FWIW, I live in one of the poorest counties in the US, and note that I routinely pass house trailers that have $30-50K pickup trucks and $4-8K 4 wheelers parked in the yard next to the satellite dish. People will adjust their spending to afford what they really want. Compared to trucks and 4 wheelers, a few thou on a bike that requires minimal maintenance seems pretty cheap.
I live in the wealthiest state in the nation (or one of them, CT), and have been on bike rides where people are on 20 year old Specialized Allez or Cannondale RS-400s.

No matter what your income, you're going to spend the money on what's important to you. Be that a new car, a top of the line iPhone, or $5k bike.

Originally Posted by tommy2000
I just bought a $3K bike last week, a Specialized Diverge Comp, and I was still astounded that I was spending that much on a bike. And my LBS had a good number of $5K and up bikes too. But at 59, I feel like I can spend a bit more on myself. I'd have never considered it when the kids were still in the house.
I'm younger than you, but have ridden this exact bike, and to me it was worth every penny you spent. That is the most fun, comfortable, responsive, balanced bike I have ever ridden. If I didn't have a nice Giant Defy already, I wouldn't hesitate to drop that on the Diverge carbon. It's the perfect harmony between a road bike and a grinder. It handled tough roads and dirt fine, but felt completely like a road endurance bike on the asphalt. Don't look back my friend.
Rider51 is offline  
Old 06-28-17, 01:06 PM
  #92  
JagR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid-Atlantic, USA
Posts: 357

Bikes: S-Works Tarmac 2017 - TREK Madone - Cannondale CAPO

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Riders51 - I agree w/you. People will find a way to spend $ on what they want.

FYI - The list is as follows...4. Connecticut...3. California...2. New Jersey...1. Maryland. I think that you might be referring to counties...I could be wrong.
JagR is offline  
Old 06-29-17, 10:41 AM
  #93  
SWorksRoubaix
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 140
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
But ... do you ride them? Or just brag about it?

Originally Posted by trekmogul
Attachment 569415


Boy you sure have that right.. Old coot here with my new Pinarello F8 Dogma & Reynolds RZR 46 Wheels..
SWorksRoubaix is offline  
Old 06-29-17, 04:19 PM
  #94  
trekmogul 
Senior Member
 
trekmogul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,455

Bikes: Salsa Beargrease XX1, Trek Eqnuinox 9.9 SSL, Trek Madone 6.9 ,Trek District Carbon, Trek Boone7, Trek Fuel EX9.0,Trek Fuel 9.5, Trek Rumblefish Pro, Trek Remedy 9.9, Trek Equinox7, Trek District Belt

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 578 Post(s)
Liked 82 Times in 45 Posts
[QUOTE=SWorksRoubaix;19685345]But ... do you ride them? Or just brag about it?[/QUOTE



Goes out on a sunny nice warm morning when conditions are perfect as i don't want any thing that gets on my RZR 46 Reynolds...Must keep them nice bright and shiny...
__________________
Trek Fuel EX9.0 Trek Fuel EX9.5 Trek Equinox 9.9SSL TTX Trek Madone 6.9 Pro Red Project One, Trek Boone 7, Trek Rumblefish Pro, Trek Remedy 9.9, Trek Carbon District
trekmogul is offline  
Old 06-29-17, 04:23 PM
  #95  
trekmogul 
Senior Member
 
trekmogul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,455

Bikes: Salsa Beargrease XX1, Trek Eqnuinox 9.9 SSL, Trek Madone 6.9 ,Trek District Carbon, Trek Boone7, Trek Fuel EX9.0,Trek Fuel 9.5, Trek Rumblefish Pro, Trek Remedy 9.9, Trek Equinox7, Trek District Belt

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 578 Post(s)
Liked 82 Times in 45 Posts
Originally Posted by sworksroubaix
but ... Do you ride them? Or just brag about it?


IMG_0239.jpg
__________________
Trek Fuel EX9.0 Trek Fuel EX9.5 Trek Equinox 9.9SSL TTX Trek Madone 6.9 Pro Red Project One, Trek Boone 7, Trek Rumblefish Pro, Trek Remedy 9.9, Trek Carbon District
trekmogul is offline  
Old 06-30-17, 12:25 AM
  #96  
mpath
Recusant Iconoclast
 
mpath's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
Posts: 2,560

Bikes: Look 695, Wilier Izoard

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 247 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times in 29 Posts
Originally Posted by SWorksRoubaix
But ... do you ride them? Or just brag about it?
Proof or brag?



mpath is offline  
Old 06-30-17, 09:13 AM
  #97  
Biker395 
Seat Sniffer
 
Biker395's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,617

Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 938 Post(s)
Liked 1,967 Times in 562 Posts
Originally Posted by mpath
Proof or brag?



Haleakala? Always wanted to do that ...
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...

Biker395 is offline  
Old 06-30-17, 09:23 AM
  #98  
Rider51
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: New England
Posts: 85

Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 2, S-Works Camber, Eddy Merckx Ti-Ax

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by JagR
FYI - The list is as follows...4. Connecticut...3. California...2. New Jersey...1. Maryland. I think that you might be referring to counties...I could be wrong.
Thanks for the update. I definitely do NOT live in the weathiest county in the state! I do believe in the past CT was the "highest" in weatlh. Either way, if you've ever been through CT, you'll notice it isn't cheap, and there are a lot of people with $$$ (I''m not really one of them, but do have a good career job).

Sorry for the diversion there. Great picks there guys. Inspiring. There are a lot of tough rides in the US I have wanted to do, and Haleakala is one of them. Seeing these pics makes me think I'm not too old.
Rider51 is offline  
Old 06-30-17, 10:13 AM
  #99  
JagR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid-Atlantic, USA
Posts: 357

Bikes: S-Works Tarmac 2017 - TREK Madone - Cannondale CAPO

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Rider51
Thanks for the update. I definitely do NOT live in the weathiest county in the state! I do believe in the past CT was the "highest" in weatlh. Either way, if you've ever been through CT, you'll notice it isn't cheap, and there are a lot of people with $$$ (I''m not really one of them, but do have a good career job).

Sorry for the diversion there. Great picks there guys. Inspiring. There are a lot of tough rides in the US I have wanted to do, and Haleakala is one of them. Seeing these pics makes me think I'm not too old.
Agree 100%....beautiful state! A few friends recently moved out of NYC to Greenwich.
JagR is offline  
Old 06-30-17, 01:08 PM
  #100  
mpath
Recusant Iconoclast
 
mpath's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
Posts: 2,560

Bikes: Look 695, Wilier Izoard

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 247 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times in 29 Posts
Originally Posted by Biker395
Haleakala? Always wanted to do that ...
Yup. Bucket list ride.
mpath is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.