caloso

I'd tell my wife that a new bike is cheaper than a Porsche or a mistress.

BobbyG

Several thousand miles a year? That takes some self-discipline and commitment. In my book that alone makes you deserving of a nice bike, irrespective of retirement.

For 27 years I've been bike commuting to work 3-4 days a week with one or two longer rides a weekend. Four years ago my wife told me to go buy a new commuter bike to my liking. I got exactly what I wanted, although I did get a deal. Bottom line...I love bike commuting even more now.

If you know what you want, and it feels right in all other ways except money, and you can do the money...buy it! You deserve it.

DiabloScott

This would be a trophy for yourself. You don't justify it with performance or ambitious goals, you justify it by knowing it's something you will love and you've earned.

Enjoy, and post some photos.

nesdog

This. Thank you for offering some perspective.

I am sorry for your loss, that's awful.

nesdog

I didn't realize I actually had some choices. I thought it was just about the bike!

phuntley

Thanks for that, it was much tougher than I ever thought it would be, Of course, I thought it would be another 20-30 yrs.

Flip Flop Rider

do it. you can afford it and you only live once

Barrettscv 

You should realize some tangible performance benefits with the new bike, especially if the fit is perfect, which is critical.

Electronic shifting really allows you to shift at any time with minimal finesse required. I have mechanical Ultegra 11-speed on existing bikes. Most shifts were fast enough, but using the shifters while standing was never perfectly smooth or reliable. When I switched to electronic shifting, it became possible to drop from the big chainring to the small chainring anytime, I don't have to reduce my effort or cadence. Going up and down the cassette is also much easier while standing, no finesse involved, just perfect shifts every time. I have found that shifting at-will while climbing is a huge benefit. I can select the perfect gear and stay in my target cadence range while making a 100% effort.

The carbon wheelset also improved performance. Mine are 45mm deep and 27mm wide which really improves aerodynamics over my previous wheelsets. They are also lighter than the alloy wheelset I had been using. Accelerating in the 18-30mph range is now easier than before and holding higher speeds for longer periods is possible. I'm fitting a wide 700x25 tire that measures 27mm wide. Ride comfort is improved with wide rim, which improves air volume compared to a more narrow rim.

Finally, the frameset. Most modern framesets have improved the stiffness where it matters without a ride comfort penalty. Aerodynamics of the frameset will also be improved, providing more speed from the same power.

Each one of these improvements is subtle, but when combined, they add up to a real and measurable improvement. I would venture that the new bike will feel remarkably faster. Just be sure that the fit is ideal for you.

Artmo 

Artmo 

jon c. 

Guilt is an unproductive emotion. Follow your heart.

freeranger

We just might be "twin sons of different mothers"! I have the same problem-not so much with bikes, but with guitars. But, as you most likely ride better, and more often than I play guitar, I'd say GO FOR IT!! (If I was better at guitar, there's one absolutely beautiful one I've seen lately, but won't spend the $$$$ for).

Biker395 

Ask yourself what you will think on your deathbed:

If you are going to regret buying that bike, don't buy it.

If you are going to regret never buying the bike, definitely buy it.

If you aren't going to care one way or the other, buy it.

Oh, and do something nice for your wife too.

frogbiscuit

My wife puts it in terms of new Louis Vuitton purses, which go for about $2k. I say I want a new bike, she says "how many Louies will that cost?"

Which basically means that any bike purchase the cost is automatically doubled.

Retro Grouch 

There's your answer.

If you don't buy the bike, what are you going to do with that money? Leave it for the kids? If your kids wouldn't approve of a simple extravagance just to make you happy, they don't deserve the money when you go.

OldTryGuy

The ONLY BENEFIT that I require is that a bike MAKES ME FEEL HAPPY when I ride it.

nesdog

Aha....got my tax return back from the CPA. We have a nice refund coming. So, in theory, I can just say I'm putting some of that towards the bike!

Got some good feedback here. (well, what did I expect anyway?! Post a question like this on a bike forum and I'm shocked! shocked! to see that posters support my issue!)

Seriously, though, it's myself I have to convince and you are all playing a part in banishing my doubts. Hoping to get over to the LBS today for a test ride.

IronM

Buy quality and keep it for years. Life is too short to ride a bike that's 'just OK'.
The way I justify cost: Look at the utility cost, not the purchase cost. so if you're going to ride a custom $5,000 bike for 10 years, then you're utility cost is $500/year. Not really that expensive that way, and considering how health gains, fun, adventure & quality time we get from riding, it's an excellent value.

Hondo Gravel

Patriot1

CodyDog

What are you waiting for? Go get a new bike!

Phil_gretz

Guilt is the appropriate response to a moral failure.

Buying a nice bike (the scenario the OP described) doesn't contain a moral component, unless there's something he hasn't said about what else he might have done with the money instead.

If the OP believes that there is a higher purpose for that money, then he should do that.

bargeon

Take out "bike" and substitute "bass guitar" and you describe my identical dilemma as I retired. And for about the same cost. Fretted for months over it (ironically, because it's a fretless bass)
Regrets?
NONE!
best money I ever spent. Love that baby every time I pick it up, which is pretty much every day.
So I'm betting you'll amortize your cost with pleasure every time you hop on that bike.

nesdog

Yesterday afternoon, I took the bike out for a test ride. I rode to the shop on my 4.3 so I'd have an easier comparison; both frames are identical in geometry.

Notes: smoother than mine, the SLR sports 28's vs my 25's. Bars are upgraded and IsoSpeed front and rear. A bit more muted for sure.
Front end felt lighter and more responsive.
Brakes were way better than my rim model. I couldn't believe how much worse mine felt when I rode home afterwards. Did think the discs need some tuning as the braking wasn't linear and felt spotty.
32 cog rear pretty handy as we live in an area with tons of climbs, definitely a notch up from my 30.
Electronics were okay, first time I've tried them. I suppose using the buttons over levers will matter when I've aged and my hands don't work anymore!
Reach to the shifters a tad longer than I like but I suspect that is adjustable. My 4.3 also has a 90mm stem, not sure what this model had.
Assuming I go this way, will have to decide between all white or the red Trek racing colors.

I do Saturday shop rides with a different LBS that features BMC, Pinarello and Spec....more expensive top line stuff. Will check out their models over the weekend as well as see if I have any interest in the C'Dale line.

jadocs

You will get used to electronic shifting very quickly. Once you do, you will never go back to mechanical. I like to get in an aero position and rest my hands on the horns....shifting can be done with my pinky without moving my hands (and I do not have big hands).

When you say reach to the shifters are a tad long, do you mean your reach in general or the levers you press to make a shift?