genejockey 

I've had those days when I feel like a dead cat, riding.

terrymorse 

Cop says, "I clocked your car traveling exactly 72.3 miles per hour."

Heisenberg says, "Great, now I'm lost!"

Rolla

Were it not so grounded in arrogance, I probably would.

vonfilm 

I have no problem with those that spend more money than me if they spend it wisely and get a good deal.

I will continue to ridicule those that get taken to the cleaners.

tomato coupe

It’s very clear from your posts that you think it’s not possible for someone else to spend “wisely” if they spend more than you.

Atlas Shrugged

Your version still is based on what your perception of "taken to the cleaners is". Many people choose to pay a premium for exemplary service. My business depends on this. Others are indifferent to costs just to save time and hassle of going to market, so to speak. I am paying more than my fair share of taxes and giving back where I can, but if I choose to pay a premium or not check prices, that's on me and not for anyone to judge. If, after reading the latest glowing review of an S Works Aethos, I call the local premium bike shop and have them deliver one to me with all the bells and whistles, who is anyone to judge if I pay a couple of grand more for this convenience?

vonfilm 

I have a friend who spends large amounts of money on vintage watches. He is knowledgeable enough to sell them for more than he buys them for. This is his hobby, not his main business.

Another friend spends millions of dollars on Real Estate and has made a good income and has achieved a good ROI over the years.

Another friend has a vintage car collection worth far more than he paid for them.

I cannot compete with what these friends spend. I applaud them. I have learned from them.

vonfilm 

Go ahead and order one. Make your Specialized dealer’s day.

livedarklions

The version I heard was Heisenberg disappears.

livedarklions

I'm pretty sure Schrodinger wasn't actually familiar with poisoning cats.

livedarklions

So your goal here is to ridicule people AND this isn't a troll thread?

Think you should've pled the 5th.

Eric F 

What factors do you use to determine that it was a "good deal"?

Eric F 

Valid argument.

tomato coupe

All irrelevant. Very few people buy new bikes as an investment.

Eric F 

Based on your collection of rich friends, I would guess that some of them have expensive cars that they bought new. Do you also ridicule them? If you drive the same speed in a Porsche as you do a Chevy, what's the point of buying a Porsche?

livedarklions

Now we can discuss the maximum reasonable price for a random cat poisoning box.

genejockey 

You may be thinking about the one where Rene Descartes is in a bar and the bartender asks him if he'd like another. He says, "I think not," and disappears.

vonfilm 

I regard a good deal when one can resell their purchase and make money or lose very little.

I’m not talking about consumables like food, fuel, electricity. Everyone has to spend too much on these because of inflation.

Ten years ago my son, who was 14 at the time convinced my wife he had to have a very expensive pair of basketball shoes. I think they were around $300. Within a week he sold them for $2500. He knew the market well enough before he purchased them that he would make a profit.

genejockey 

How do you make a small fortune buying new bikes as an investment?

Start with a large fortune.

tomato coupe

That eliminates virtually 100% of new bike purchases. BIKES ARE NOT AN INVESTMENT!

livedarklions

They both work--the cop is the observer. He measures the speed, he loses the position.

vonfilm 

The new Corvette does have better performance for the money than a Porsche.
When I was selling Porsches, I was constantly amazed what it cost to service them correctly.

The first friend does buy new Mercedes and keeps them for over 100,000 miles. He could afford to trade every year.

The third friend would never dream of purchasing a new vehicle.

The second friend’s vice is aircraft. He always buys them used.

Eric F 

Based on this, ANYONE who buys a new bicycle is a fool, regardless of price. Same with cars...or baseball bats...etc....

livedarklions

Bicycle depreciation is such that the comparison to consumable makes a lot of sense. When people order expensive food, do you ridicule them?

Eric F 

If I had the financial ability to buy either a Corvette or Porsche, I would pick the Porsche every time, regardless of whether the Corvette performs better. Some buying decisions do not need to be justified with improved performance.

How many miles would someone need to ride on their $14k bicycle to make it acceptable to you to spend that much? Apparently, 100k is okay for cars.

Does friend #3 always sell his used cars for more than he paid? Regardless of new or used, unless it has some sort of value as a collectable, cars depreciate due to the wear and tear of use.