cellery

I can also buy a 50 inch TV for $350, $500, 700$ and well into multiple thousands of dollars. Many have features I don't know if I want until I actually own it. Many of them have better or worse picture quality that is not noticeable until I own multiples of them. Which one(s) I end up buying and keeping are personal choices that reflect my budget and personal desires and percieved needs. For some reason, people like to act as if bicycles are unique in this category of need vs. want consumer products where certain price points garner slight or intangible improvements in quality.

Doge

For a 5K/year plus rider - racer or not...you are paying for
-Spare parts - As parts get worn, as parts break - can you get the replacement parts.
-Supported - Like the above is it something the LBS - or you can deal with fixing, tuning.
-Function without thought - Do the things work without you having to finesse them.
-Power transfer / performance - Does the bike handle your power in a way you enjoy.
-Reliability - does it give you the life you expect.

Racers:
-Weight
-Lowest friction Watts loss
-What is neutral support running
-Aero for whatever you are doing
-Team/sponsors - is it what the team thinks is cool

Me for my kid:
-Is it cool, minimalist, on the edge, outstanding performance and has me holding my breath to see if it makes it to the end of junior's race.

Gweedo1

There comes the point of diminished returns meaning that when those better frames and components that are easily recognisable as expensive have zero effect of on a rider's performance, they do in fact become glitz or rather vestiges of conspicuous consumption and status symbols as much as an indicator of a cycling enthusiast.

Not that that means anything of any significance other than perhaps the person riding the 10K bicycle who is only capable of riding along at 14 mph, has either a lot of discretionary income to spend, or a blistering passion for cycling, or both.

If I had the dosh, I would ride a "better", as in premium brand with best components bicycle and make no excuses for my speed because I would enjoy riding it for every bit I'm and it's worth. Simple.

As it is for me, I ride my "training quality" bicycle as passionately as I can because for me, it's the equivalent of a 10K bicycle because it likely moves me just as quickly/efficiently for my skills set and so I treat it like a 10K bike and enjoy it for all it's worth and then some.

Just ride.

Maelochs

Back to what the op claims his point to be: he needs to arrange long test rides or better still weekend bike rentals of the high-end gear and make his own opinions.

Sy Reene

I think I'd challenge this premise. More expensive (i have a problem with the word 'better') chainrings and cassettes are lighter, but ask yourself why. Those titanium sprockets likely hold up to wear n'tear less so than steel counterparts. From this respect, 105 probably holds up better than Dura Ace. Campy Record less durable than Athena

noglider 

You're right, and I suppose it's gotten worse in recent years. Sometimes the more expensive thing is lighter and more durable, but sometimes it's lighter at the expense of durability. And they never tell you which, of course. I'm hopelessly sentimental about Campagnolo Nuovo Record and Super Record stuff from the late 70s and early 80s. In some ways, nothing else made since then is as durable. They did some dumb things like titanium BB spindle and even worse, the aluminum freewheel cogs. But generally, not only was it reliable and durable, it seemed designed to withstand crashes better than anything. The rear derailleur and brake levers stick out more than anything, and they held up well. I don't think crashworthiness is even a design criterion any more. Of course, I could be wrong.

SquireBikesalot

Like, what do you literally pay for? It's mostly different materials as far I can tell. I just ordered a new handlebar for my "cheaper" bike that's exactly the same as what I've been using on my carbon fiber bike, but it's a lower grade of aluminum, the higher version is claimed 20g lighter for 50% more money, hah! I obviously can't say yet if they feel the same, but I'm willing to bet I won't be able to tell the difference through cushy bar tape.

Rider_1

This is why I left this forum for years. Cranky, know-nothing know-it-all posters who look for any reason to jump on someone. Who said I was offended? Certainly not me. I was simply relating an experience and trying to offer some understanding of what the OP might have meant. How's that ulcer working out?

Rider_1

Thank you. It's nice to know that there are (were?) reasonable members here. I got jumped on by others for my post.

Sy Reene

Welcome back... it's been so long.

Biketiger

SHELBYFV:
Why not follow your own advice - if you don't see this a legitimate topic - Why bother posting a reply?
Given the number of responses, you haven't discouraged anyone who does deem it legitimate from replying.
If it means nothing to you, move on. Seems like every single thread, there is always someone who has to criticize the OP.

Atlas Shrugged

Strong
Light
Cheap

Pick two.

Rider_1

Thank you.

Doug64

I bought my wife a custom built frame and fork that cost $3,500, and built it up with "good" parts and accessories. It is a very nice bike, and was her retirement present. During the 9 years she has had the bike she has toured 25,000 self supported touring miles, riding a total of 2 years in 11 different countries. That does not count her "other" mileage, training and fun rides. There has never been a second of buyer's remorse. Convesely, it is one of the best investments I've ever made Yesterday, when I told my wife about this thread while we were riding together, she said, "tell them it is the gift that keeps giving".

Why:

• Because I wanted to get her a nice bike, she deserved it.
• She is short and it is hard to find small bike frames that fit her. The new bike fits perfectly.
• I wanted S&S couplers on it.
• Lifetime frame warranty, and the shop is nearby, located 40 minutes away.
• Beautiful bike, well built, and built to handle the rigors of self supported touring. It also handle exceptioally well. She has pulled away from me when I was clocking 45 mph going downhill.
• Excellent cusomer service.

When I had the bike put together enough for a trial fit and short test run, I was concerned that the standover height was too tall for her. I took it into the shop,and the owner did a remeasurement her, put her on the bike and said it should be OK. We were leaving on a 2-month tour in a couple of weeks, and I was a little concerned about her using the bike. The owner said, " ride it around for awhile, take it on the tour, and if she does not like the bike, we'll build a new one for her when you get back". When we got back, I could not pry that bike out of her hands if I wanted to.

Her bike was damaged during a flight home from a tour. I did not notice it until I was going over it getting ready for another tour that year. The cantilever brake's mounting post was bent and the brazing was cracked. I called the shop, and they said bring it in today. They looked at it and said it should be replaced. We were leaving in a few days. No problem, they called me the next day and said the new one was installed. They apologized for not having time to paint it, but coated the area with primer, and assured us that they would paint it when we got back.



Maiden Voyage-- The smile was worth the cost

tomato coupe

If you left this forum for years because you didn't like the online bickering, why did you resurrect a 4-year-old thread that exemplifies the behavior that made you leave?

BNSF

Maybe we'll have to stay tuned for four years to see the response...

Rider_1

To see if anything had changed, if the discourse had matured. If you are implying that I exemplify that behaviour, I fail to see how, unless this is an other case of blaming the victim. Did you even read my completely neutral and innocuous post that the guy jumped on? I'd say that your post is more of an example of the negative behaviour here. Why do you feel the need to try and question and police? Talk about cycling. Stop digging at people.

I might disappear again, or I might decide to stick around an stir it up if misfits and malcontents continue to be misfits and malcontents.

tomato coupe

You jumped right back into a spat you had 4 years ago in order to see if things have changed? I'd say that pretty much guarantees that things haven't changed.

badger1

This must qualify as one of the strangest dead-thread resurrections in the history of teh Biek Forms. And that is saying something.

Long-absent BF member nursing a four year-old grudge comes back to re-start things. Another member takes up The Cause, addressing one of the participants in a spat in which he (or she) played no part at all. The member on self-imposed Biek Forms furlough then enjoins yet another member to "talk about cycling", but reserves the right to "stir it up" should other members not conform to his (or her) high standards of forum decorum.

Rider_1

I guess I'll be sticking around then.

krecik

OP asked:

What is the difference in performance between starter, mid and high end bikes and does it justify the difference in cost.

What everyone with "nOiCe" bikes thought he said:

If a bike for 1000 bucks has everything you need, why do you buy more expensive bikes?

Everybody that says buy what you want and let others do the same, it just shows you don't really know what you gained yourself by paying more other than a brand name and an ego boost. If you knew, you wouldn't get so defensive when faced with a question of this sort.

Kret.

indyfabz

Maybe he’s changed his view in the 4 years since this thread was started.

indyfabz

Phil_gretz

Okay, I just spit coffee out of my nose. Thanks for this. [ding]

Rider_1

Because of crap like this: https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...your-ride.html

The very first comment! And there were more. Most just went with it as intended and recounted their own experiences, but there are always a few killjoys who have to suck the air out of the room.

I try to just have fun but people just jump on others for no good reason. I don't start it, but if someone who needs to start trouble for no reason brings it to me, I sling it back. I don't start, I respond. So yes, if people would stick to cycling instead of having to satisfy their need to dominate, things would be good. It's not about conforming to my high standards, it's that I will gladly agitate those who obviously have a compulsion to crap on others. I know how to push their buttons. Don't start nothing, won't be nothing.