Where do you spend your money? Questions on cycling spending
#51
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Sunnyrider56 : If you really "needed" a new custom frame, or anything else, you'd probably know it already - and you wouldn't ask for our advice on spending your money.
John
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#52
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#53
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Undoubtedly some trolls and socks here. OP joined, posted twice in this thread, then disappeared until the bizarre resurrection.
#54
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I'm not disparaging anyone for spending the money, but sincerely asking because I'm trying to wrap my head around nice gear and where to draw the line, where to maximize the investment.
I really like riding, and have for a few years ridden at least 20 km 5 days a week, be it commuting or groceries or long fun rides (I don't own a car). I have some cash saved in my cycling budget, and I'm wondering if dropping it on something like a custom frame in steel or Ti (Moots, Firefly, etc) is really the best place for it. While having a beautiful, durable, fitted frame would be nice, I also realize that a crash (or theft) would reduce that investment to zero in an instant, or changing standards making a "forever" bike harder to outfit after some years (even if it's 10-15).
I suppose this is several questions:
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
I really like riding, and have for a few years ridden at least 20 km 5 days a week, be it commuting or groceries or long fun rides (I don't own a car). I have some cash saved in my cycling budget, and I'm wondering if dropping it on something like a custom frame in steel or Ti (Moots, Firefly, etc) is really the best place for it. While having a beautiful, durable, fitted frame would be nice, I also realize that a crash (or theft) would reduce that investment to zero in an instant, or changing standards making a "forever" bike harder to outfit after some years (even if it's 10-15).
I suppose this is several questions:
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
For myself, I bought my "dream frame" used 17 years ago for ~$1k and built it up with mid-range parts from my previous bike. It remains my "dream frame" (although if someone threw a Colnago Master my way, I'd make room in the garage for a second bike ). These days, I spend money on maintenance parts and occasional clothing/gear to replace worn stuff, but it's pretty guilt-free spending, because it's really not that much (one kid starting college this year and the other next year, so there are always "bigger fish" to factor into large purchases), but in terms of cycling needs and wants, I am replete without having to spend a sh1t-ton. Maybe when the kids are out of college I'll look into a trip to Mallorca......
Last edited by Litespud; 08-04-20 at 02:48 PM.
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I'm not disparaging anyone for spending the money, but sincerely asking because
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
#56
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Is a zombie sock the same as a sock zombie?
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Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
#59
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Clothing wise I bought 3 bike jerseys and UV sleeves for the summers here. It gets overt 100 degrees F with 100% humidity. For night rides I have a reflective vest, horrible for the summer heat but makes me a beacon on the roads. Neon green gloves so it's easier to see me signal (not that many driver's know what it means).
I'm concerned with safety because there is very little safe infrastructure where I ride and I often find cars in the bicycle lane honking at me for blocking them in at red lights.
I'm concerned with safety because there is very little safe infrastructure where I ride and I often find cars in the bicycle lane honking at me for blocking them in at red lights.
#60
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Since you have enough money to even ask the question about spending more money on something not entirely necessary, you are already past the two lowest levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
So am I, and I buy a new bike about every 10 years. I'm really not buying a new bike for the Love and Belonging, as I don't even wear bike "kit" and don't do that many group rides, let alone race.
If I'm honest, the Esteem level does come into play - going from my 1996 steel Trek 520 to my 2017 carbon Trek Domane definitely hit the "self-esteem, strength and freedom" buttons even if I really don't think "respect" or "status" came into play.
For that one, I made a deal with myself: lose 20 pounds and spend on a bike that weighed 10 lbs less than the 520. I wanted to climb hills faster but I was also 40 lbs overweight! So, I felt I justified this "need" with "being the best I could be" with lowering overall bike/rider weight, not just bike weight! ...<snip>
So am I, and I buy a new bike about every 10 years. I'm really not buying a new bike for the Love and Belonging, as I don't even wear bike "kit" and don't do that many group rides, let alone race.
If I'm honest, the Esteem level does come into play - going from my 1996 steel Trek 520 to my 2017 carbon Trek Domane definitely hit the "self-esteem, strength and freedom" buttons even if I really don't think "respect" or "status" came into play.
For that one, I made a deal with myself: lose 20 pounds and spend on a bike that weighed 10 lbs less than the 520. I wanted to climb hills faster but I was also 40 lbs overweight! So, I felt I justified this "need" with "being the best I could be" with lowering overall bike/rider weight, not just bike weight! ...<snip>
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Take 3 or 4 weeks off. Fly to France or Italy or Spain or Tasmania, wherever suits your level of adventure. Buy or rent a bike. Ride from town to town, village to village. Eat great food, drink coffee and wine, stay in small places. Come home, ride what you have. Money well spent, no worries about obsolescence.
Stuff doesn't matter one bit.
But again that's what makes me happy. YMMV.
Stuff doesn't matter one bit.
But again that's what makes me happy. YMMV.
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Once you have the bike or trike you want, cycling is not that expensive. Cost are mainly tires and tubes, and once in a while a chain. Just dont buy into advertising that says you just have to have this _________ what ever latest thing to be considered to be a cyclist.
Some of the guys that I worked with golf, and they tease me about the cost of my bike and trike. Yet it seems like that every couple of years they go out and buy another really expensive driver or putter.
Some of the guys that I worked with golf, and they tease me about the cost of my bike and trike. Yet it seems like that every couple of years they go out and buy another really expensive driver or putter.
Last edited by rydabent; 01-18-21 at 11:23 AM.
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I'm not disparaging anyone for spending the money, but sincerely asking because I'm trying to wrap my head around nice gear and where to draw the line, where to maximize the investment.
I really like riding, and have for a few years ridden at least 20 km 5 days a week, be it commuting or groceries or long fun rides (I don't own a car). I have some cash saved in my cycling budget, and I'm wondering if dropping it on something like a custom frame in steel or Ti (Moots, Firefly, etc) is really the best place for it. While having a beautiful, durable, fitted frame would be nice, I also realize that a crash (or theft) would reduce that investment to zero in an instant, or changing standards making a "forever" bike harder to outfit after some years (even if it's 10-15).
I suppose this is several questions:
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
I really like riding, and have for a few years ridden at least 20 km 5 days a week, be it commuting or groceries or long fun rides (I don't own a car). I have some cash saved in my cycling budget, and I'm wondering if dropping it on something like a custom frame in steel or Ti (Moots, Firefly, etc) is really the best place for it. While having a beautiful, durable, fitted frame would be nice, I also realize that a crash (or theft) would reduce that investment to zero in an instant, or changing standards making a "forever" bike harder to outfit after some years (even if it's 10-15).
I suppose this is several questions:
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
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I would spend it on an engine upgrade: personal coaching.
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I bought a new bike recently. I could have spent anything I wanted, but when I started looking it became unclear what more money would get me that I needed, so when I pulled the trigger the only model upgrade that seemed meaningful was disc brakes. Would a fancy drivetrain have been worth the money for my recreational puttering around for exercise? I can't see it.
For people at the margins of sport riding, sure, maybe, but how many of us fit that description?
For people at the margins of sport riding, sure, maybe, but how many of us fit that description?
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The more I ride the more I realize I am my best and worst cycling asset.
My next bike in about five years will likely be at the Tiagra level. It will work just fine and anything above that is just wasted money.
My next bike in about five years will likely be at the Tiagra level. It will work just fine and anything above that is just wasted money.
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OP might find this refreshingly specific and focused:
https://intheknowcycling.com/enthusi...ng-priorities/
https://intheknowcycling.com/enthusi...ng-priorities/