My new $7,000 bike and the futility of justifying the price to the average person.
02-16-15, 07:36 PM
#1
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My new $7,000 bike and the futility of justifying the price to the average person.
The average cost of a pack Marlboro Reds in the US is $9.73. The average cost of a six pack of Bud in the US is $7.25. The average weed smoker in the US spends about $2500 in a year according to a weed smoker I know (this may be more or less). $9.73+$7.25 = $16.98 a day for the booze and butts. $2500/365= about $7 a day for weed. $16.98+$7 = $23.98 a day. $23.98 x 365 = $8,752.70 in a year for the average American to satisfy his or her self gratification. $8,752-$7000 = - $1,1752. So I'm still short since I do not smoke tobacco, consume alcohol or use weed. This is the best I can do. And this expense is for just one year, the expense for average self gratification goes on year after year until of course the medical expenses kick in. My last bike which I paid $3000 for in 2008 has lasted me for seven years. This is the best way I can explain the cost. People look very confused and dumb when I explain it this way. The pedals and some special wheels increase the cost of the bike.
SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Dura Ace 2 - SUPERSIX EVO - ELITE ROAD - ROAD - BIKES - 2015
SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Dura Ace 2 - SUPERSIX EVO - ELITE ROAD - ROAD - BIKES - 2015
Last edited by Ray9; 02-16-15 at 07:40 PM.
02-16-15, 07:49 PM
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Why bother tryibg to explain to people who just don't understand? They probably don't understand why you even waste all that time cycling to begin with.
02-16-15, 07:59 PM
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02-16-15, 08:20 PM
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Yep, no point trying to justify the cost of our bikes to anyone but ourselves. To a non-cycleinst even the price of big box bikes seems to be high.
Consider the initial cost of your wife's wedding ring somewhere in the ballpark of $569K / ounce, and at that rate, $154M for a 17 lb bike.
Yet my personal limits on bikes would be very high at $2K - I cannot justify a $7K bike. Heck, I hated paying $10K for a car. "Wow, nice bike! How much did you pay for that?" Shrug ... "can't really remember, 'bout 1/2 retail maybe." (No matter how I purchased it, always "half-retail maybe.."
Consider the initial cost of your wife's wedding ring somewhere in the ballpark of $569K / ounce, and at that rate, $154M for a 17 lb bike.
Yet my personal limits on bikes would be very high at $2K - I cannot justify a $7K bike. Heck, I hated paying $10K for a car. "Wow, nice bike! How much did you pay for that?" Shrug ... "can't really remember, 'bout 1/2 retail maybe." (No matter how I purchased it, always "half-retail maybe.."
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FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
02-16-15, 08:21 PM
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Spending $7000 dollars on a bicycle is futility... I could easily purchase 4-5 different bikes with that amount of money, instead of wasting all that money on just one bike, and I would still have some change left to buy many cases of beer. I bet all the LBS employees are having a great big laugh amongst themselves every time they sell such an expensive bike to somebody.
02-16-15, 08:23 PM
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Why would they laugh?
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Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
02-16-15, 08:35 PM
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7K is pocket lint for some.. and a lot to others.. don't judge... I like his logic.
02-16-15, 09:13 PM
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I'll get flamed for this, but I smoke. I drink. And I like expensive bikes :-). What's a lot of money is relative. For some, $500 for bike is crazy expensive. $7K? That would be crazy talk for most. I have $1K in my wheels....but to each their own right?
I use no justification. I just spend and when asked, I just say enough
I use no justification. I just spend and when asked, I just say enough
02-16-15, 09:20 PM
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Why discuss this with ANYBODY except your spouse (if any). What you spend on a bike, or any hobby, or what you spend on ANYTHING is nobody's business. (as long as you're not using a stolen credit card). It's nobody's business how much you make, or what you do with it. Ride your bike and play your cards closer to your chest.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
02-16-15, 09:30 PM
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Why discuss this with ANYBODY except your spouse (if any). What you spend on a bike, or any hobby, or what you spend on ANYTHING is nobody's business. (as long as you're not using a stolen credit card). It's nobody's business how much you make, or what you do with it. Ride your bike and play your cards closer to your chest.
02-16-15, 09:49 PM
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Why discuss this with ANYBODY except your spouse (if any). What you spend on a bike, or any hobby, or what you spend on ANYTHING is nobody's business. (as long as you're not using a stolen credit card). It's nobody's business how much you make, or what you do with it. Ride your bike and play your cards closer to your chest.
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02-16-15, 09:52 PM
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Spending $7000 dollars on a bicycle is futility... I could easily purchase 4-5 different bikes with that amount of money, instead of wasting all that money on just one bike, and I would still have some change left to buy many cases of beer. I bet all the LBS employees are having a great big laugh amongst themselves every time they sell such an expensive bike to somebody.
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02-16-15, 10:23 PM
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Why is it anyones business what you or I spend on our bikes. It is our money, and we have a right to spend it on anything we want.
02-16-15, 10:29 PM
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Why discuss this with ANYBODY except your spouse (if any). What you spend on a bike, or any hobby, or what you spend on ANYTHING is nobody's business. (as long as you're not using a stolen credit card). It's nobody's business how much you make, or what you do with it. Ride your bike and play your cards closer to your chest.
I am completely honest and upfront with my wife about the cost of my hobby(s). That doesn't mean she knows exactly what I spend or how much my bicycles cost. That being said... the household comes first... after our health of course. Nothing is overlooked, set aside, or let go to support ether of our interests. And if at all possible people should have interests, hobbies, activity's, passions. After all this isn't a rehearsal for life. This is it!
It's rare that someone comes right out and asks how much my bicycle(s) cost. Generally they try to bait a response saying something like: "I hear these bikes can cost over a thousand dollars".
I always give a vague responses. I say things like: "You know how prices for toys are... you can spend as much as you want".
"Yeah... but the recumbent bikes are REALLY pricey".
"I always shop for sales".
"Mine is only an entry level... for that style of bike".
"I could have spent less but I would have had to drive 50 miles to the next big bike shop.... and I hate to waste gasoline".
"I have no other vises!"
And my favorite: "I was having a mid-life crisis. It was ether the bicycle... or a 19 year old red head. I decided the bicycle would be better for my health"
02-16-15, 10:41 PM
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If someone asks me the cost of my bike(s) I just tell them $200. They don't know the difference, but it seems believable to them. Those who know the truth don't need to ask.
02-16-15, 10:43 PM
#20
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I am an adherent to the $400.00 rule.
If someone asks what you paid for your bike at a party or other social setting with non-cyclists, tell them $400.00
This gets appreciative nods and comments like "I heard you were quite the biker"
(oh, how I cringe inwardly when called a "biker")
This is usually followed up with, "That must really be a nice bike"
Your next move is to say "Yes it is, I like it, thank you".
Then the conversation can move right along to some other subject.
The alternative is a drink spit out, as below, if you tell them the real cost of your bike.
If someone asks what you paid for your bike at a party or other social setting with non-cyclists, tell them $400.00
This gets appreciative nods and comments like "I heard you were quite the biker"
(oh, how I cringe inwardly when called a "biker")
This is usually followed up with, "That must really be a nice bike"
Your next move is to say "Yes it is, I like it, thank you".
Then the conversation can move right along to some other subject.
The alternative is a drink spit out, as below, if you tell them the real cost of your bike.
02-16-15, 10:54 PM
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Spending $7000 dollars on a bicycle is futility... I could easily purchase 4-5 different bikes with that amount of money, instead of wasting all that money on just one bike, and I would still have some change left to buy many cases of beer. I bet all the LBS employees are having a great big laugh amongst themselves every time they sell such an expensive bike to somebody.
Last edited by AlmostTrick; 02-16-15 at 11:00 PM.
02-16-15, 11:02 PM
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Honestly, I'm glad that there are people who can, and do spend this kind of money on a bike. More power to them!
02-16-15, 11:09 PM
#23
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True story...I'm teaching a university business law class and as an example I say, "Suppose I'm selling one of my bikes for $200 and another for $2,000, how might the contracts differ in form?" The class laughed and someone said, "Who would spend $2,000 on a bike, is it made of solid gold?"
So much to teach and so little time.
So much to teach and so little time.
02-16-15, 11:13 PM
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My new $7,000 bike ...
SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Dura Ace 2 - SUPERSIX EVO - ELITE ROAD - ROAD - BIKES - 2015
SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Dura Ace 2 - SUPERSIX EVO - ELITE ROAD - ROAD - BIKES - 2015
Was the whole point of this thread just a way of announcing that you got a new bicycle?
And/or are you trying to justify the bicycle to yourself?
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02-16-15, 11:53 PM
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Why would they laugh?
__________________
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.