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Just got my tax refund…Looking for a new graveler bike!

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Just got my tax refund…Looking for a new graveler bike!

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Old 04-18-19, 11:23 AM
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Motivated
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Just got my tax refund…Looking for a new graveler bike!

I need some assistance in buying my new graveler bike. I haven’t ridden a bike in years, but now I’m looking to get in shape again and do some gravel racing.

Some requirements…..I need an all-metal bike...I want to be safe. Also, I need lots of speeds, the most I can get. And I’m willing to spend top-dollar to get these speeds….I’ll spend upwards of $1000, (maybe a little more) to get a bike that will last me a good long while. So how many speeds can I get for $1000? What about for $1500? Oh, and a speedometer. I definitely need a speedometer.

What do the experts here recommend? I want something I can grow into too. I don't want my new bike to be obsolete the day it leaves the dealer's floor. I want something spiffy!
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Old 04-18-19, 11:35 AM
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It's not all about speeds. It's about gear range. For that you can have as few as one or as many as 33 in a standard configuration if you desire...and more if you go non-conventional. The question then becomes: "How many duplicates do you want?"

All-metal? Why not all-carbon? All-wood? All bamboo (which is a grass)? Materials science has come a long way. No one material is better than any other. A decent steel bike can weigh less than carbon these days, & aluminum can be remarkably comfortable.

It's good you are motivated, listen to the people here, they'll point you in the right direction. Most wouldn't consider $1000 or $1500 top dollar. But a grand can get you a perfectly servicable bike.
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Old 04-18-19, 11:58 AM
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One possible option is to start with a less expensive used bike and save your money for when you have a better idea of what type of bike you will enjoy. It is very unusual that someone finds the perfect bike on the first go around, which is one reason why so many of us have multiple bikes.

My suggestion is to learn your size, then look for a good used hybrid in the ~$200 range and ride it for a few months. Once you learn what you want in a bike, buy your $1000-$1500 bike and maybe resell the first bike. Note that the used bike may need a tune up and parts, look for ones that are in good shape or maintained.
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Old 04-18-19, 12:22 PM
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Speedometer?

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Old 04-18-19, 02:37 PM
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The experts recommend you troll somewhere else.
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Old 04-18-19, 02:52 PM
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I knew this was bogus as soon as it expresses some positivity in the context of tax refund.

tRump took my Trek Emonda SLX7 from me.
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Old 04-18-19, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by wgscott
I knew this was bogus as soon as it expresses some positivity in the context of tax refund.

tRump took my Trek Emonda SLX7 from me.
Should have saved the extra you got in your paycheck. Could have earned interest instead of letting Uncle Sam keep it for free.
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Old 04-18-19, 03:51 PM
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You get speed from the engine, not the bike.
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Old 04-18-19, 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Speedometer?

You darned commies with your metric system/
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Old 04-18-19, 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by teejaywhy
Should have saved the extra you got in your paycheck. Could have earned interest instead of letting Uncle Sam keep it for free.
Interest is what, maybe 2% on a savings account? Earn enough interest in a year to maybe buy a bike stem.
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Old 04-18-19, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Marcus_Ti
Interest is what, maybe 2% on a savings account? Earn enough interest in a year to maybe buy a bike stem.
2% Ha! Maybe on a CD. Most interests rates are more around 0.2%!

This thread did start off awfully trolly, but I figured better safe than sorry. Ya never know when someone really, really doesn't know but is enthused nonetheless. Call me gullible.
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Old 04-18-19, 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by teejaywhy
Should have saved the extra you got in your paycheck. Could have earned interest instead of letting Uncle Sam keep it for free.
Reading comprehension fail. I live in CA. The new tax law is rigged to raise tax on folks like us. $7K in my case.
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Old 04-18-19, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Marcus_Ti
Interest is what, maybe 2% on a savings account?
What country do you live in?
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Old 04-18-19, 07:47 PM
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This is getting close to political. Let’s keep politics out, ok?
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Old 04-18-19, 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by wgscott
Reading comprehension fail. I live in CA. The new tax law is rigged to raise tax on folks like us. $7K in my case.
I wasn't aware the federal tax law was different for California residents.
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Old 04-18-19, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by teejaywhy
I wasn't aware the federal tax law was different for California residents.
The difference shows up because of high state income tax and property tax (CA, NY, etc). So if you paid $15K in state income tax and $10K in property tax, you can now only deduct $10K, rather than $25K. It targeted people who didn't vote correctly.

It also targeted middle-class people with children, especially adult children, who now only count 1/2 as (reduced) dependent deductions.

I suppose it could be considered "political" to point this out, but both parties are out to decimate the middle class.

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Old 04-19-19, 05:59 AM
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Obvious and uninspired. Be sure your speeds include 53/11.
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Old 04-19-19, 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by pickettt
The experts recommend you troll somewhere else.
IKR. Way too obvious.
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Old 04-19-19, 01:36 PM
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Fuji Jari
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Old 04-19-19, 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by wgscott
Reading comprehension fail. I live in CA. The new tax law is rigged to raise tax on folks like us. $7K in my case.
P

People still live in California.?? Huh, I didn't know that. I wonder why.??
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Old 04-19-19, 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Originally Posted by pickettt
The experts recommend you troll somewhere else.
IKR. Way too obvious.
Top dollar!

Originally Posted by indyfabz
Speedometer?

How come everything crappy gets the "Sport" tag treatment? It's how I instantly judge the quality of something. Example, my C&V Panasonic - oh good manufacturer - Sport - stamped drops and high ten sucka!
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Old 04-19-19, 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Motivated
I want something spiffy!
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Old 04-19-19, 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by GrainBrain
I saw that at the Sea Otter. It looks quite impressive in person.
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Old 04-19-19, 09:58 PM
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.....

Last edited by Cyclist0108; 04-20-19 at 08:23 AM.
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Old 04-19-19, 10:07 PM
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.....

Last edited by Cyclist0108; 04-20-19 at 08:23 AM.
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