Stratocaster

I was having breakfast with a friend and mentioned that I recently took up cycling as a hobby. He mentioned about the price of some bikes - "some cost $300 or $400!!!".

Um, yes...some cost waaaaaay more than that, too!

I bought a CAAD 10 as my first "real" road bike. Not cheap, but certainly not nearly as pricey as some bikes.

I never really seriously considered buying a bike that cost $3k, let alone $5k or $10K.

But...you know...once you get into it you start dreaming...then rationalizing...then saving...then consider spending a ton of loot. I'm not even talking about upgrades after a purchase.

At my station in life, spending over $3K on a bike just doesn't make much sense. I'll never be a top-notch racer...perhaps not even competitive locally.
Can I afford to spend that much? Well, maybe...but wifey wouldn't think so.

But like any hobby, you can get more and more "serious" and just dig into it.
Some of you probably started at a much younger age, and spending more cash gradually just became part of the gig.
Some of you have the cash, and it's not a big deal - good for you!

But think about it - THOUSANDS of dollars for bikes.


Don't get me wrong - I realize many people spend thousands of dollars on other hobbies, from classic cars to coin collecting.

I used to be in a few gigging bands (not full time). I've accumulated a good amount of gear, from guitars and amps to various other "necessities". I've since thinned the heard a bit. And although some were luxury purchases, many "big ticket" purchases were because I wanted something reliable, playable, and that sounded decent.

I don't want this to become an income debate or anything confrontational.
I was just thinking that you start riding a bike as a kid...such a simple and fun activity.
I guess it just struck me as odd that so much cash can be spent on bikes (and accessories).

Eh, just thinking "out loud" on the internet, I guess.

Seattle Forrest

I've got a really nice road bike, not because I race (I don't) but because I love the way it handles.

RPK79

I'm perfectly fine spending that amount on a bike. My wife won't allow it though.

thin_concrete

I knew I was going to spend about $1K on a bike and that was my top end, but at my level and that I just entered the world of road cycling, I can't begin to justify spending the sums you mention. Maybe one day - a guy can dream, right?

Seattle Forrest

Sounds like you guys are saying I need to ask Beth how much she'll allow me to spend on a bike before I consider marrying her.

RJM

I don't want to die with money in the bank.

Blackdays

I chose which neighborhood to live in and decided against buying a car this year just so I could spend more on bikes/bike-stuff.

But I would never say that out loud to anyone in person.

RJM

There are ways around this, and as a married man you will need to get creative and figure it out on you own but I will say this...0% 12 months same as cash financing deals are wonderful.

Jarrett2

I do remember when I was riding cheap hybrids and looking at road bikes and thinking, "Damn, all these road bikes cost over $1000!"

Now about 5 road bikes in, I'd love to have one for just $1000

dr_lha

I don't think you have to be a "top notch racer" to appreciate a good bike. The fact is, I spend many many hours of my life on my bike, so why not get a nice one? When you ride a century, you start to appreciate the fact that you're not riding a Wal-mart special.

That said, I don't own a $10K bike, but my current preferred ride cost more than $2k. I know people who have spent more than that on handbags*.

*Not my wife, in case you think I was alluding to that.

Yendor72

I wanted a quality bike and did enough reading to know what to expect. When I bought my road bike it was a bit over $1k. Recently though I talked to the wife about riding outside through the winter, another $1300 (ea) and we now both have fat bikes. I hate riding indoors, so lets not talk about our $700 stationary bike.

GreenAnvil

I have a $1k bike (Fuji Roubaix), but I've upgraded the drive train (Ultegra 6800) and have two sets of wheels (Ultegra 6800s and Mavic Open Pros). Add the cost of my trainers (Qubo Elite and Kurt Kinetic RnR), the bike computer (Edge 520), power meter (Vector 2), kit, lights, etc... it quickly adds up.

I was lusting after carbon because road vibration was getting annoying, but after dropping the front tire pressure by 10 lbs all is well. So I think I'm all set for now.

Some of my co-workers that have asked me about cycling also get the impression the anything over $300 is way too expensive for a bike. Perhaps it is; depends on the individual. I justify my cycling hobby by thinking that it is better for me to invest in a healthy activity rather than giving my money to the doctors, which is what I was doing a few years back when I was doing nothing, 30 lbs. overweight and all stressed out because of work. At least now my bike motivates me to get out there and be active.

caloso

A lot of people who are amazed that we'd spend $1000 on a bike would easily spend that much on a set of golf clubs. Or skis. Or fly rods, waders, fly kit. Or camera and lenses.

bbbean 

Excellent point - consider some of the things people spend money on - clothes, TVs, cable, cameras, motorcycles, 2nd cars, cruises, computers, g*ns, hunting gear, tickets to baseball/football/basketball games, regular visits to your favorite restaurant/bar/coffee shop, memorabilia, cell phones, etc.

This year, I'll spend 350-400 hours on a bike, and that bike will make me happier, healthier, and (in some cases) offset other travel expenses (i.e. gas). There's no reason my bike shouldn't last several years with minimal maintenence expense and repairs. Doesn't seem to me like spending a few thousand dollars to get the bike I really want and enjoy riding is that outrageous of an expense.

FWIW, I'm a middle of the pack, maybe even a "lower notch racer", and yet I fully benefit from a nicer bike. It's not as if racers all ride Schwinn cruisers until they qualify for the TdF, then suddenly benefit from the latest wonderbike. Fast bikes are faster than slow bikes regardless of what level the rider starts from.

BB

2702

The margins on high end bikes is obscene. Its not as high as eyeglasses which are in their own universe for profit margins.
For 2 wheels nothing has as much value as modern motorcycles. They have barely budged with inflation compared to 10 years ago.

mapeiboy

I have always want to own a Colnago bike since I started cycling 30 years ago . I finally bought a Colnago EP frame years ago which costs $5000 . After I put all the campy parts on it the final bill comes close to $9000 .

Darth Lefty 

$1000 easily, $10,000 might take a few more decades of inflation for me to get there

Seattle Forrest

I did some back-of-a-napkin math (because a car accident means I have to replace my only bike) and the price of a new bike divided by the hours I'll ride it in a year makes it cheaper entertainment than going to the movies.

WhyFi

I think that you should get more funding leeway for hobbies established prior to the relationship.

LastKraftWagen

Just recently spent more than twice for a tandem, a used one, than I did for my first house. Boggles the mind!

VwFix

Yep always knew I would spend a lot of money on bikes.

When I was sixteen I worked at a bike shop and bought my first real mountain bike "Santa Cruz Bullit" via a Pro Deal. Since than I have had to pay a lot more for each new bike.

jimincalif

My approach - I bought my wife a brand new bike that cost 2x as much as my Spec Roubaix that I bought used. So I've got points in the bank when I want to upgrade!

Got hers on sale but it was still close to $2K all in. Even though she's a fairly casual rider she could tell the difference braking and shifting the nicer bike. She's actually increased her riding to about 50 miles per week since we got it.

Darth Lefty 

Joking aside, I think you need to expect your priorities to change.

thump55

I never thought I would spend $158.00 on a vet bill to fix a cat either. Marriage changes a man, and not always for the better.

WhyFi

You changing your priorities is one thing, someone else changing your priorities for you is completely different.