noglider 

@Wildwood, please give kisses to your greyhound and your kid. I've had two of each.

PhotonDon

From 20 or so years ago. Can't remember what they cost, but it wasn't cheap.

tgot 

The funny thing is that the competition for the carbon fiber strider-bike are the ones made of *wood*, substantially heavier than a gas-pipe one.

Prowler 

I think a strider thing is a great idea. Learn em up on balance with no pedals whacking their legs all the time. BUT (warning - grumpy ole man here) there was a time when any Dad knew how to pop an Ashtabula crankset out in minutes. Help the kid learn balance, then pop the cranks back in an away they go. I assume there are legions of wealthy, successful dads and moms who know all about 5G and tiktok and Tesla tiles and Bitcoin and Wahoo Kicker but don't know which end of an adjustable wrench is adjustable. And don't talk about that yucky grease.....

But, yeah, got $1000 for a strider. No problem, free shipping?

Tom Rush was right:

Kids these days they don't value a dollar
Don't like chewing but they sure can swallow
Wasn't that way in my younger days
There's something wrong with kids these days…

camjr

Does this count?

Wildwood 

Will do. Youngest grandchildren are always the cutest.

blacknbluebikes 

Funny thing about marketing. Lotta smart people don't always "get it." Question is not "does this product make sense." Question is "how many buyers at what margin" and Spesh knows a LOT about this. We're pretty quick to trash the Walmart bikes, but, ah, how many of those get sold every year? Probably like a zillion, plus or minus a million. So, here's the question: how many overpaid San Fran tech workers have run out of exotic xmas gifts for their kids and don't care what they spend as long as it impresses their vapid circle of friend-ed instagram followers? Probably a couple thousand. Spesh knows this, and that's the result. Frankly, I'd have an easier time selling 10 of these versus one S-Works Roubaix ... in the right market.

xiaoman1 

I read it fast and thought it said "Dolt" but oh well I still think that!
Too much money and money can't buy you love....at least long-lasting!
Is that latex on the "tube".
Best, Ben
Best, Ben

veganbikes

It may be silly and crazy and expensive but come on folks, that thing is kinda cool! You can't tell me if you had one of those as a kid you wouldn't be overjoyed. Sometimes a little excess is kinda nice. Is the 50th Anniversary Campy set really that much better than the Super Record (aside from looks) probably not but goddamn is it sexy as hell and you want it and if you don't there is something wrong with you.

xiaoman1 

I am not sure kids think sexy, more like fun.....I think it's more fun to have something that can be banged around without the parents worrying about damaging their big dollar investment...and maybe making their kids conscious about it.
I never had one but these (big wheels) are still around 50 years later with a few variations...no worries about whether or not the carbon is cracked, sending pics to the forum for advice etc.
I guess some parents need to gloat on how much expendable income they have in order to outspend the Joneses.
Personally, I would be ashamed to demonstrate this excess, even if I could.
JM2C's, Ben

nomadmax 

I may not live long enough to see it but Specialized's pricing will eventually be their undoing.

RobbieTunes

“Long term” is so 80’s.

TiHabanero

Knowing Specialized as I do, this was a pet project granted to someone within the org and brought to market. Limited one time run. Seen as a reward to a VIP within the company. Seen it before several times.

repechage

This specialized strider bike has now set the entry point for every bike that follows it.
I see the $5k junior road bike coming, with electronic shifting later

repechage

my son liked his Trek Trekster trike.
he was three, it was really really a challenge to explain that that floor sample he was testing was not for sale but another same ownership shop had it... woe was that.

xiaoman1 

And so it goes,,, Nothing like privilege.
Best, Ben

Spaghetti Legs 

I hear for an extra $200 it comes with Colnago decals

cudak888 

It comes with Windsor decals free if you use it in a Strider race.

-Kurt

blacknbluebikes 

taking another look, I'm really glad to see rotation arrows on the tires. gosh, if someone got that wrong...

SkinGriz

^ This.
And to some people 1,000 isn’t a lot of money.

Some people don’t mind buying big box bikes.

The opposite of hipster rich?

My understanding is there is a global shortage of cheap bikes and bike parts because people are now using bikes as transportation due to Rona in urban mass transportation.

I try to ask myself, “Am I making this purchase because it will actually add value to my life, or is it to signal something about myself? Am I going to be concerned with what the neighbors think of me when I’m changing the trucks wheel bearings in the front yard?”

I make incorrect decisions that run contrary to what I say my life’s goals are ALL THE TIME.

jackbombay

If your neighbors look down upon people who are mechanically capable you might need new neighbors!

SkinGriz

My neighbors are fine. I’ve actually liked most my neighbors in most of the places I’ve lived in my life.

I’m just saying probably everyone (except maybe certain outliers? Like people with Downs or Autism or really cool old people who don’t give a care anymore) everyone from time to time makes weird decisions. Maybe some interplay of the way they view themselves, the way they view others, the way they want to be perceived by others.

downtube42

Two grand is kind of a lot of money to me. Not life changing, but still a lot. If it wasn't, would I get one for each of my grandsons? Probably.

I know this is C&V and the OP claimed this was about steel love rather than carbon hate, but the thread went in the predictable direction.

Whilst researching balance bikes, I stumbled across a balance bike convo in a 20 incher forum. The direction there was to keep the seat slammed as the kid grew, so he wouldn't get led down the wrong path. 20 inchers for life, baby.

And so it is with C&V.

mstateglfr 

I suggest waiting for the futureshock model in 2022. Comfort and lightweight? Your toddler deserves it.

SkinGriz

.

it’s bicycles, I don’t understand how there can be a wrong path...

But for some reason “20” for life” brought back memories of my Profile Rocket, GT180mm cranks. 43/15. Sharp steel cage pedals (still have the scar behind my left knee...) that bike flew. Aluminum frame a little stiff, but it was a good bike.