slipknot0129

My family always says why did I spend $1000 on a bike. I got a cannondale touring bike. I told them its because of my weight of 268,I wanted something that wouldnt break under my weight. What reasons is a touring bike expensive? What do you justify buying a expensive bike compared to a walmart bike? My brother said I should have gotton a walmart bike. Then if one breaks down,I could buy another one. I said,"so its better to have the bike break under me then risk a injury?"

neilfein

The answer that comes to mind: Have you ridden a $1000 bike? If not, come back when you have.

You don't need to justify your decision.

I suspect touring bikes are expensive at least in part because not that many are sold. At least in theory, touring bikes should come standard with components that will resist wear for much longer than a standard road bike, let along a wallyworld piece of garbage, and good components are expensive.

Timber_8

It is kinda what bicycles cost

FunkyStickman

Heh, not really. Still, there are hundreds of fantastic bikes under $500.

However, if you can afford one, and plan on using it and getting your money's worth out of it, nothing wrong with it.

caloso

Better not tell your family I just spent $500 on wheels that I'll only use a couple of dozen times a year. And I think I got a screaming deal.

pablosnazzy

if you are gonna do something, you want to do it correctly. you want quality. a bicycle isn't a toy (well, not *just* a toy). you spend money on cars, on tools, on houses, because you want quality things. a bicycle is no different.

thompsonpost

Never ever buy a Wal-Mart bike. You will regret it from day one.

travelmama

No need to justify anything bought with my own money.

RonH

Take them to a bike shop so they can see the prices of bikes. $1000 is not a lot for a bike. Make sure they see the high end bikes -- $4000+.

If you bought it for exercise/weight loss/health reasons then ask them which is cheaper:
a $1000 bike to help you reach your goal
or
a stay in the hospital after a heart attack or for diabetes treatment
or
.......

FunkyStickman

Not a good idea to generalize... there are always exceptions. Just saying.

Scrockern8r

Me: Check out this bike I'm going to buy.
Wife: A $1000? You ain't spending a grand on a bike!
Me: What's your problem? My first wife let me spend a grand on a bike.

(She is my first wife)


Works every time...

Retro Grouch 

Pretty much anything can be made a little more cheaply and sell for a little less. If price is your only consideration, you are doomed to owning products that, even when new, can just barely perform their function.

I've fixed bikes for many years. I HATE working on department store bikes. It's all the little details. The brakes won't retract evenly and won't line up straight. Derailleurs shift sloppy. Wheels won't stay true. Everything feels clunky. I get no satisfaction because I can't make everything work up to my standards. I keep finding things that I know could have been made a lot better for only a few pennies more.

Why even own a bicycle? I do it for my personal enjoyment. I know myself well enough to know that I would never be satisfied with an entry level bike. Tell your brother that he should do what he thinks is best for him and you'll do what you think is best for you.

zazenzach

i exclusively use my bike for transportation. i dont really have to justify dropping money on a bike, because it gets good use.

CNY James

The only one I would (in theory) have to justify it to is my wife but she knows how much enjoyment I get from riding and I don't think she would really question it. At least I'm hoping not...

CbadRider

Higher quality products will hold up better and last longer. If you ride that bike on a regular basis, you'll still have it 10 years from now. How many cheaper bikes would you have gone through in the same amount of time?

I do the same thing with work clothes. I spend more for quality stuff, but then I'm still wearing it 10-12 years later.

coldfeet

"Why are you spending $1,000 on a bike?"

"Why are you spending so much on a Ford/Chevy/Toyota, (whatever) I can get you a screaming deal on a Yugo.."

tsl

<devil's advocate>

How do your brother justify spending more than $10,000 on a car? And going into debt to do so?

Why doesn't your brother just go down to the corner sandlot dealer and pick up a nice $1,500 car. That's all he really needs.

</devil's advocate>

BlazingPedals

Along the same lines as tsl: "It was this or a $50K Corvette. At least this choice will work in snow."

xizangstan

People asked my how I could spend over $3000 on a mountain bike when I bought my titanium GT Xizang back in 1995. My answer at the time was, "Because I don't have a wife to tell me I can't". That always shut them up.

Over the 15+ years since my very wise investment, this bike has turned out to be one of the best deals I ever made. She's been no trouble - even after a lot of crashes over the years. A cheap bike would have been toast long ago. And not only that, but a quality bike is a real source of pride and comfort. I just like nice things.

Do you have friends who have hobbies or are into recreation? If so, how much money do you suppose they spend on their habits? Golf clubs? Boats? Fishing gear? Bowling? Tennis? Camping or hiking equipment? How about hobbies like antiques, travel, music, casinos, dining out, shows?

I would say my expenditure of ONLY $3200 when amortized over 15 years and counting beats the snot out of any deals my critics might have found.

And don't forget the health benefits of bicycling. How much is a 5-way coronary bypass operation going for these days? Worse, how much for funerals and coffins?

fietsbob

I got a Used bike for 2K, the hub in the back wheel costs 1.2K new.
German Precision.

electrik

Cheap bicycles aren't very durable, they're heavy and lack newer features.

xizangstan

I didn't want to scare him. But yeah, we can get into it, just like people get into their other interests like gun collecting, etc. I have spent over $2600 so far this year on new components, freshening up my 1995 bike. I feel like I got some good deals...

StanSeven

My favorite LBS has $4000 as maybe the average price. The high end are $10K. I drool.

mwchandler21

How long do you plan on using the bike? Lets say 5 years, hopefully longer. Is $1000 expensive for something you use a lot over the course of 5 years? Well why not compare it to say a gym membership. When I lived in Chattanooga I once paid $30/month for a gym membership, in many places it is considerably more but lets go with $30. So that becomes $360/year in 5 years $1800. So even if you used it for 3 years you would be ahead over a cheap gym membership.

ratdog

Touring bikes hold value ridiculously well. 15 to 20 Year old Trek 520's and Cannondale T700 or T800 still go for close to 50% of original sale price if well taken care of. FWIW, a 20 year old used touring frame from a reputable manufacturer will re-sell for more than a new Walmart bike.

I can't imagine what a Walmart bike would be worth in the same amount of time. That is if it's still around.