What are the biggest wastes of money in biking?
03-22-23, 02:25 PM
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The biggest waste of money is spending 2-3 times as much for a high performance bike in the misguided belief that it will improve the performance of the rider. I have seen this over the past 50 years, starting with some middle age male, often a smoker, with their Masi or Colnogo racing bike. Status symbols are still very important to many people.
03-22-23, 02:30 PM
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The biggest waste of money is spending 2-3 times as much for a high performance bike in the misguided belief that it will improve the performance of the rider. I have seen this over the past 50 years, starting with some middle age male, often a smoker, with their Masi or Colnogo racing bike. Status symbols are still very important to many people.
03-22-23, 02:31 PM
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The biggest waste of money is spending 2-3 times as much for a high performance bike in the misguided belief that it will improve the performance of the rider. I have seen this over the past 50 years, starting with some middle age male, often a smoker, with their Masi or Colnogo racing bike. Status symbols are still very important to many people.
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03-22-23, 02:41 PM
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The biggest waste of money is spending 2-3 times as much for a high performance bike in the misguided belief that it will improve the performance of the rider. I have seen this over the past 50 years, starting with some middle age male, often a smoker, with their Masi or Colnogo racing bike. Status symbols are still very important to many people.
If a high-performance bike will improve the performance of a good rider, why would it not improve the performance of a mediocre rider?
In my own experience as a middle-aged male, and observing others in the same category, sometimes it's about finally being able to afford the stuff you wished you could have had when you were younger, while you're still young enough to enjoy/appreciate high-quality gear. I spent a dozen years racing bikes when I was in my 20s and 30s. Due to other demands that were a higher priority in my life, I stopped riding for 15 years. When I started again a few years ago, I didn't lose my ability to recognize the subtle differences between decent and great gear. I have purchased a few newer high-level bikes for myself during these recent years, and having bikes in my stable that excite me to ride gets me out riding more often. I'll never have the kind of fitness I did 20 years ago, and that's fine. I'm enjoying being back to a level where I can ride with my friends who never took a break from it, and enjoying being able to do it on machines that help me get the best out of what I have right now. These days, I ride for the fun of it, and riding hot bikes is fun.
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03-22-23, 03:56 PM
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The biggest waste of money is spending 2-3 times as much for a high performance bike in the misguided belief that it will improve the performance of the rider. I have seen this over the past 50 years, starting with some middle age male, often a smoker, with their Masi or Colnogo racing bike. Status symbols are still very important to many people.
03-22-23, 04:03 PM
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Yeah it's not quite the same fun riding on some budget bike that looks like crap, regardless of the objective performance difference. People tend to ride what they can afford at whatever level. There are diminishing returns, but a nice bike is still a nice bike even if you are not a world pro athlete.
03-22-23, 04:14 PM
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Yeah it's not quite the same fun riding on some budget bike that looks like crap, regardless of the objective performance difference. People tend to ride what they can afford at whatever level. There are diminishing returns, but a nice bike is still a nice bike even if you are not a world pro athlete.
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03-22-23, 04:21 PM
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Yeah it's not quite the same fun riding on some budget bike that looks like crap, regardless of the objective performance difference. People tend to ride what they can afford at whatever level. There are diminishing returns, but a nice bike is still a nice bike even if you are not a world pro athlete.
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03-22-23, 04:56 PM
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03-22-23, 05:07 PM
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03-22-23, 05:18 PM
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03-22-23, 05:38 PM
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The biggest waste of money is spending 2-3 times as much for a high performance bike in the misguided belief that it will improve the performance of the rider. I have seen this over the past 50 years, starting with some middle age male, often a smoker, with their Masi or Colnogo racing bike. Status symbols are still very important to many people.
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03-22-23, 05:50 PM
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03-23-23, 03:49 AM
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I never intended to imply that anyone NEEDS to spend a certain amount of money to be considered serious. It was my observation that people who do get serious about a hobby tend to spend $1000+ to get themselves outfitted decently. There will be exceptions. There are also some that $1000 doesn't even scratch the surface of start-up expense. My observation is unsupported by data or other scientific factors. It's just a trend I have noticed over the course of many years. I could be totally wrong.
03-23-23, 04:06 AM
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The industry of course needs to keep introducing new product with "higher tech" in order to keep the industry alive. Non-racers may in fact be faster because their cool new CF bike with electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes makes them get out there more, and motivates them to go faster.
There's nothing wrong with the way bicycles are marketed. If they couldn't find new ways to sell bikes by constantly introducing new features and "innovations", the industry wouldn't thrive. People on BF get butt-hurt when anyone says that, but it's worth pointing out that this same exact thing happens with ANY consumer product. Anyone else here seriously into home theater? Talk about pushing product. These same discussions are had in those forums.
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03-23-23, 04:29 AM
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Obviously is a waste of money in that case, but I never thought many people actually believe it does significantly improve their performance. I thought they just liked riding a nice bike and it will be a little quicker in most cases. I could be wrong though. Probably depends on your local biking culture etc.
Why do you care how other people spend their money? Does it affect you in some way?
If a high-performance bike will improve the performance of a good rider, why would it not improve the performance of a mediocre rider?
In my own experience as a middle-aged male, and observing others in the same category, sometimes it's about finally being able to afford the stuff you wished you could have had when you were younger, while you're still young enough to enjoy/appreciate high-quality gear. I spent a dozen years racing bikes when I was in my 20s and 30s. Due to other demands that were a higher priority in my life, I stopped riding for 15 years. When I started again a few years ago, I didn't lose my ability to recognize the subtle differences between decent and great gear. I have purchased a few newer high-level bikes for myself during these recent years, and having bikes in my stable that excite me to ride gets me out riding more often. I'll never have the kind of fitness I did 20 years ago, and that's fine. I'm enjoying being back to a level where I can ride with my friends who never took a break from it, and enjoying being able to do it on machines that help me get the best out of what I have right now. These days, I ride for the fun of it, and riding hot bikes is fun.
If a high-performance bike will improve the performance of a good rider, why would it not improve the performance of a mediocre rider?
In my own experience as a middle-aged male, and observing others in the same category, sometimes it's about finally being able to afford the stuff you wished you could have had when you were younger, while you're still young enough to enjoy/appreciate high-quality gear. I spent a dozen years racing bikes when I was in my 20s and 30s. Due to other demands that were a higher priority in my life, I stopped riding for 15 years. When I started again a few years ago, I didn't lose my ability to recognize the subtle differences between decent and great gear. I have purchased a few newer high-level bikes for myself during these recent years, and having bikes in my stable that excite me to ride gets me out riding more often. I'll never have the kind of fitness I did 20 years ago, and that's fine. I'm enjoying being back to a level where I can ride with my friends who never took a break from it, and enjoying being able to do it on machines that help me get the best out of what I have right now. These days, I ride for the fun of it, and riding hot bikes is fun.
I was just in the LBS, a not so very fit woman was looking at MTB's - and the salesman flat out said "to get a good MTB, you need to spend a min of 5k".
Different LBS - I was trying to help my very out of shape buddy get a basic $5-700 exercise bike - the salesman was pushing hard to get him into the 2k+ range.
Some people understand what they need vs what they want. Some people are oversold a bill of goods that they absolutely don't need - and naturally, being a business that has goals of profits - the bike industry will sell you hard on what you don't need.
I ride bikes in the 2k range. I can afford more, just choose not to. I do hear stuff like this often from other riders "well, that bike is OK for you". Mind you, I can't be or don't get offended by anything, so it makes me laugh. A guy will say something like "well, that aluminum frame and 105 is good enough for your level", then spout off about his this or that bike and CF wheels that cost more than my entire bike... then not be able to keep up on the long ride.
There are absolutely people out there who think the $$$$ parts are needed, vs wanted, for their 18-20 mph group rides.
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03-23-23, 04:37 AM
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I hate to point out this well-iknown fact, but TDF winner's average speed, measured over all stages and across all years, has not significantly improved since the mid 90s. It's really, really hard to make a case that bikes made today are faster.
The industry of course needs to keep introducing new product with "higher tech" in order to keep the industry alive. Non-racers may in fact be faster because their cool new CF bike makes them get out there more, and motivates them to go faster.
There's nothing wrong with the way bicycles are marketed. If they couldn't find new ways to sell bikes by constantly introducing new features and "innovations", the industry wouldn't thrive. People on BF get butt-hurt when anyone says that, but it's worth pointing out that this same exact thing happens with ANY consumer product. Anyone else here seriously into home theater? Talk about pushing product. Those same discussions are had in those forums.
The industry of course needs to keep introducing new product with "higher tech" in order to keep the industry alive. Non-racers may in fact be faster because their cool new CF bike makes them get out there more, and motivates them to go faster.
There's nothing wrong with the way bicycles are marketed. If they couldn't find new ways to sell bikes by constantly introducing new features and "innovations", the industry wouldn't thrive. People on BF get butt-hurt when anyone says that, but it's worth pointing out that this same exact thing happens with ANY consumer product. Anyone else here seriously into home theater? Talk about pushing product. Those same discussions are had in those forums.
03-23-23, 04:49 AM
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They're easier to set up than cantilever brakes, so there's that. I don't use V-brakes and I like the tune-ability of cantilever brakes, but a lot of people find them "fiddly" to set up, so Mini-Vs might be better for them.
03-23-23, 04:52 AM
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I agree - buy what you like. But... but...
I was just in the LBS, a not so very fit woman was looking at MTB's - and the salesman flat out said "to get a good MTB, you need to spend a min of 5k".
Different LBS - I was trying to help my very out of shape buddy get a basic $5-700 exercise bike - the salesman was pushing hard to get him into the 2k+ range.
Some people understand what they need vs what they want. Some people are oversold a bill of goods that they absolutely don't need - and naturally, being a business that has goals of profits - the bike industry will sell you hard on what you don't need.
I ride bikes in the 2k range. I can afford more, just choose not to. I do hear stuff like this often from other riders "well, that bike is OK for you". Mind you, I can't be or don't get offended by anything, so it makes me laugh. A guy will say something like "well, that aluminum frame and 105 is good enough for your level", then spout off about his this or that bike and CF wheels that cost more than my entire bike... then not be able to keep up on the long ride.
There are absolutely people out there who think the $$$$ parts are needed, vs wanted, for their 18-20 mph group rides.
I was just in the LBS, a not so very fit woman was looking at MTB's - and the salesman flat out said "to get a good MTB, you need to spend a min of 5k".
Different LBS - I was trying to help my very out of shape buddy get a basic $5-700 exercise bike - the salesman was pushing hard to get him into the 2k+ range.
Some people understand what they need vs what they want. Some people are oversold a bill of goods that they absolutely don't need - and naturally, being a business that has goals of profits - the bike industry will sell you hard on what you don't need.
I ride bikes in the 2k range. I can afford more, just choose not to. I do hear stuff like this often from other riders "well, that bike is OK for you". Mind you, I can't be or don't get offended by anything, so it makes me laugh. A guy will say something like "well, that aluminum frame and 105 is good enough for your level", then spout off about his this or that bike and CF wheels that cost more than my entire bike... then not be able to keep up on the long ride.
There are absolutely people out there who think the $$$$ parts are needed, vs wanted, for their 18-20 mph group rides.
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03-23-23, 04:58 AM
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I do agree on the 10-12 speed components. I've got a couple of 6-speed freewheels and the current Shimano freewheels are just not the same quality as they once were. Sunrace is no better. They're functional but I don't expect them to last very long.
03-23-23, 05:00 AM
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So is this a 2 wrongs make a right post? Really crappy response to a dumb post if you ask me.
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03-23-23, 05:08 AM
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It happens here. I don't have any data on this, but I think there was a ridiculous inflation in items that were labeled "entry level", and that the marketers seem to have backed away from that at least a little.
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03-23-23, 05:10 AM
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I hate to point out this well-iknown fact, but TDF winner's average speed, measured over all stages and across all years, has not significantly improved since the mid 90s. It's really, really hard to make a case that bikes made today are faster.
The industry of course needs to keep introducing new product with "higher tech" in order to keep the industry alive. Non-racers may in fact be faster because their cool new CF bike with electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes makes them get out there more, and motivates them to go faster.
There's nothing wrong with the way bicycles are marketed. If they couldn't find new ways to sell bikes by constantly introducing new features and "innovations", the industry wouldn't thrive. People on BF get butt-hurt when anyone says that, but it's worth pointing out that this same exact thing happens with ANY consumer product. Anyone else here seriously into home theater? Talk about pushing product. These same discussions are had in those forums.
The industry of course needs to keep introducing new product with "higher tech" in order to keep the industry alive. Non-racers may in fact be faster because their cool new CF bike with electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes makes them get out there more, and motivates them to go faster.
There's nothing wrong with the way bicycles are marketed. If they couldn't find new ways to sell bikes by constantly introducing new features and "innovations", the industry wouldn't thrive. People on BF get butt-hurt when anyone says that, but it's worth pointing out that this same exact thing happens with ANY consumer product. Anyone else here seriously into home theater? Talk about pushing product. These same discussions are had in those forums.
03-23-23, 05:28 AM
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I agree - buy what you like. But... but...
I was just in the LBS, a not so very fit woman was looking at MTB's - and the salesman flat out said "to get a good MTB, you need to spend a min of 5k".
Different LBS - I was trying to help my very out of shape buddy get a basic $5-700 exercise bike - the salesman was pushing hard to get him into the 2k+ range.
Some people understand what they need vs what they want. Some people are oversold a bill of goods that they absolutely don't need - and naturally, being a business that has goals of profits - the bike industry will sell you hard on what you don't need.
I ride bikes in the 2k range. I can afford more, just choose not to. I do hear stuff like this often from other riders "well, that bike is OK for you". Mind you, I can't be or don't get offended by anything, so it makes me laugh. A guy will say something like "well, that aluminum frame and 105 is good enough for your level", then spout off about his this or that bike and CF wheels that cost more than my entire bike... then not be able to keep up on the long ride.
There are absolutely people out there who think the $$$$ parts are needed, vs wanted, for their 18-20 mph group rides.
I was just in the LBS, a not so very fit woman was looking at MTB's - and the salesman flat out said "to get a good MTB, you need to spend a min of 5k".
Different LBS - I was trying to help my very out of shape buddy get a basic $5-700 exercise bike - the salesman was pushing hard to get him into the 2k+ range.
Some people understand what they need vs what they want. Some people are oversold a bill of goods that they absolutely don't need - and naturally, being a business that has goals of profits - the bike industry will sell you hard on what you don't need.
I ride bikes in the 2k range. I can afford more, just choose not to. I do hear stuff like this often from other riders "well, that bike is OK for you". Mind you, I can't be or don't get offended by anything, so it makes me laugh. A guy will say something like "well, that aluminum frame and 105 is good enough for your level", then spout off about his this or that bike and CF wheels that cost more than my entire bike... then not be able to keep up on the long ride.
There are absolutely people out there who think the $$$$ parts are needed, vs wanted, for their 18-20 mph group rides.
I got clobbered by one of the posters on this thread for saying that I know people who actually ended up not buying any bike because they were overwhelmed by the " entry level" upselling.
The higher you define this as, the more likely people will be discouraged from "entering" because of their fear that money will end up being a waste. And this upselling includes kit as well as bikes, so the fear of the potential newbie just multiplies.