What smd64 said. It's me, too
I love the wrenching aspect, or I think I do.
Then I have to do the work, which I'm capable off at a basic level, but I find it takes me forever, and it's futzy. So I drag my feet on it.
For me, the real reward is RIDING the bike when I have it JUST SO.
I get the most satisfaction out of finding a solution that really works well, for my type of riding.
My best bike for riding with friends, or long rides in good weather, is a too-large Cannondale ST from the 80s, with 9 speed STI bar-ends and 32 mm tires. That's nothing rare or special, but it works great for the kind of roads I ride, and I have the fit dialed in.
Today I finally started working on a Trek 710 that won't fit fenders with 700x32s, so it's getting 650b'd, and I spent an eternity getting the rear wheel trued and centered. I think it'll be great when it's done, and it's mine in a way I can't buy ready made, new or used.
cheers -mathias