Road Cycling - This bike riding stuff is getting expensive!!! Just got a C'dale R800!

Well tomorrow I take delivery on my newest member of the "family", a Cannondale R800. Got fitted for it tonight and tomorrow will pick up with the added 545 pedals, Flight Deck, higher stem and new saddle. I hope I can get used to the riding angle of the road bike as I was very used to the ride on my Trek 7500. It was wierd being in a crouched position but of course I can't tell you how excited I was noticing the speed diference between the two bikes.

The R800 smokes the Trek! Will post some pictures tomorrow and we can all ohhh and ahhh in unison!

-Wynn

It sure does get expensive, I spent this years Federal and State tax return on bikes :) I don't regret it at all though :)

Hate to tell ya but you're probably not through spending money -- got all the shorts and jerseys and other accessories you need? How about money spent on entering charity rides and so forth? Club dues? Maybe some aerobars for the bike? Heart rate monitor? The list just goes on and on -- my wife gets nervous every time she hears I'm heading to the bike shop! :)

There will always be something you want. Justify it by using the bike for commute to work? Have to put money into cars constantly, right. ?

When you consider the investment in your health the money is well spent. There is nothing like riding on a quality bicycle to make it all worth while.

Originally posted by rompus
When you consider the investment in your health the money is well spent. There is nothing like riding on a quality bicycle to make it all worth while.

Aha! The perfect excuse!

Originally posted by Grendel
Hate to tell ya but you're probably not through spending money -- got all the shorts and jerseys and other accessories you need? How about money spent on entering charity rides and so forth? Club dues? Maybe some aerobars for the bike? Heart rate monitor? The list just goes on and on -- my wife gets nervous every time she hears I'm heading to the bike shop! :)

Your wife should be glad it's just the bike shop. I could have bought a few Colnago C40s with the money I have spent upgrading an already $40k+ car. That doesn't include track events at $300 a pop and autocrosses at $20 a pop, and still leaves out the cost of fuel (race gas is more than $3.50 a gallon) and tires. Hobbies are expensive, just be glad you chose one of the relatively less expensive ones.

Plus, you get the cardio benefit that the car (and most other hobbies) just doesn't offer. That said, I doubt I'll ever get my bike up to 140 down the front straight at VIR. ;)

I think there is some kind of rule about enthusiasts' gear: It must cost about $2000 for non motorized equipment. Take a look at skis, golf clubs, hunting rifles etc. It sseems that a good entusiasts' package runs about $2K. Example: skis with bindings $900, boots $500, helmet $100, pants$150, Jacket $200, underwear and socks $100 and goggles $50. Another example: CMP rifle $1200, jacket $300, mat $150, reloading crap, $300, misc., $100. This isn't for the very best, only for the regular participants. So, spending $1500 for a bike and $500 for peripherals is right in line.

Originally posted by FOG
I think there is some kind of rule about enthusiasts' gear: It must cost about $2000 for non motorized equipment. Take a look at skis, golf clubs, hunting rifles etc. It sseems that a good entusiasts' package runs about $2K. Example: skis with bindings $900, boots $500, helmet $100, pants$150, Jacket $200, underwear and socks $100 and goggles $50. Another example: CMP rifle $1200, jacket $300, mat $150, reloading crap, $300, misc., $100. This isn't for the very best, only for the regular participants. So, spending $1500 for a bike and $500 for peripherals is right in line.

I think you're probably right on about that. Golf is pretty much the same way too.

Well, the health angle may be bigger then you all think. A rider I know just had a bypass operation. I dunno if it was triple or quadruple. Apparantly, it is mainly genetic for him - his father and all his uncles were done in by heart attacks. Anyrate, his cycling suffered in the last couple of years - he is really really competitive and rides with our fast group. But the cardiologist told him that had he not been in terrific shape from cycling, he would probably be dead now. The amazing thing is that with the arteries that they took from his leg in his heart, he is now back riding with the fast group and that is just 5 months after the operation! Amazing.

I guess he is about 50 and that means he should have another 30+ years ahead of him. Sure he spends a lot on bikes, but because of that, he just might still be around to "waste" his money on bikes. Sure beats the daylights out of sitting on a barstool, watching TV and sucking down beer, hotdogs and potato chips.

Originally posted by Pat
Sure beats the daylights out of sitting on a barstool, watching TV and sucking down beer, hotdogs and potato chips.

Nothing wrong with doing that on occasion. ;)

Originally posted by 2k2S4
Your wife should be glad it's just the bike shop. I could have bought a few Colnago C40s with the money I have spent upgrading an already $40k+ car. That doesn't include track events at $300 a pop and autocrosses at $20 a pop, and still leaves out the cost of fuel (race gas is more than $3.50 a gallon) and tires. Hobbies are expensive, just be glad you chose one of the relatively less expensive ones.

Plus, you get the cardio benefit that the car (and most other hobbies) just doesn't offer. That said, I doubt I'll ever get my bike up to 140 down the front straight at VIR. ;)

Well I got the original bike this year using the stay in shape excuse ( I just lost over 250 lbs so it wasn't an excuse it was really so I wouldn't gain the weight back) but once I got started I got hooked and have upgraded my bikes more than I want to admit. I too have spent a fortune on my cars and am on my third 'Vet (2002 - since I lost the weight I justified the purchase saying well at least I can fit in it again). I find myself loving the quiet and solitude the bike brings me on the long rides and the added benefit of the cardio and excercise. Plus I also have been able to meet some great people I wouldn't have met without the bike purchases. So you're right, it's one of the best ways I know of to spend $1500 and get a great return on my money.

-Wynn

I love my R800. Wish I could have got it in the blue color, but with Cannondale having no production happening, that was out of the question. The red is ok, I just have always riden blue bikes. Make sure aftera couple weeks of riding, to bring it back and have the LBS check it over and tighten stuff up a bit. After 150 miles I had the brakes snugged up.

Buying a new bike, even a very expensive high quality one, is the best investment you'll ever make when you think about the many hours of good exercise you'll get from it. I have a friend who's a NASCAR nut. He spent over $2,000 last year for tickets, not to mention all the expense of getting to the races, hotels, etc. All he has to show for it is a beer belly. For two grand, you can get a hell of a great bike which will serve you for years, and your health will be the better for it.

Originally posted by 2k2S4
Hobbies are expensive, just be glad you chose one of the relatively less expensive ones.

Running is pretty cheap: $100 running shoes/6 months, $20 per race. Water: free Showers: free.

So is tennis: tennis racket, tennis balls, tennis shoes

How about basketball? $150 basketball shoes, $50 basketball.

I don't dare give myself the excuse that cycling is a relatively "cheap" hobby.... if I did I would be less inhibited when it comes to my bike spending.

Originally posted by trmcgeehan
Buying a new bike, even a very expensive high quality one, is the best investment you'll ever make when you think about the many hours of good exercise you'll get from it. I have a friend who's a NASCAR nut. He spent over $2,000 last year for tickets, not to mention all the expense of getting to the races, hotels, etc. All he has to show for it is a beer belly. For two grand, you can get a hell of a great bike which will serve you for years, and your health will be the better for it.

$2000 to watch guys make left turns for a few hours...I don't get it. Now if it was F1 I could understand. ;)

Originally posted by deliriou5
Running is pretty cheap: $100 running shoes/6 months, $20 per race. Water: free Showers: free.

So is tennis: tennis racket, tennis balls, tennis shoes

How about basketball? $150 basketball shoes, $50 basketball.

I don't dare give myself the excuse that cycling is a relatively "cheap" hobby.... if I did I would be less inhibited when it comes to my bike spending.

Well for me running could never be a hobbie because I hate it; I still have nightmares about highschool track ;). Tennis I love and you're right, it's cheap. I was more referring to cycling being cheap compared to my other hobby (motosports), where I've easily spent $50,000+ and I haven't even scratched the surface. It's scary when I look at the receipts from driving events and car modifications, not to mention the actual purchase of the car.

Nonetheless, any sport or hobby where good equipment costs upwards of $1000 is expensive.

This bike is it? very nice, although it might pay to get some solid 32spoke training wheels built or you risk damaging those wheels. Save them for racing.

Do that, and get the tools you need to transfer the rear cassette over.

Brendon
:beer:

...I think of buying a bike as a gym membership that won't need to be renewed for a very long time. Here in the Big Apple a "cheap" gym membership will set you back a thousand bucks per YEAR. When I go past a gym and see people lined up like mules, huffing & puffing on a treadmill, I say to myself "that is so not me." To make up for strength training, I picked up a weight bench at Wal-Mart for 58 bucks (I already had weights lying around.) Anyhow, the point is that I can't imagine pouring buckets of cash into a gym:D ...how lame. I also somewhat disagree that biking will keep costing you. If you buy quality items and take care of them, they'll last for years. ;)

Steve

i am setting my bicycle purchase price as $2200. after over 12,000 miles in 4+ years, that is just over 0.18 cents a mile. should be 0.15 cents a mile by the end of this season. not to mention over 800 rides....

Dam* It! I posted something about my wheelset a while back (I have the same R800) and was told to use it everyday. I was thinking about getting a cheaper or stronger wheelset with some armadilo tires for training. Everybody said to ride what I got! Now why the suggestion for the new wheel set here?

yep, expensive...and it doesn't stop with the bike. may as well give up now & just have your paycheck direct deposited into your lbs' account.

Biking is worth every penny :)

RiPHRaPH, Great minds think alike. That's exactly how I justified the amount I spent. The more miles on the the bike, the cheaper the per mile cost becomes.

Oh by the way, that looks a great bike talkdj.

Happy riding, Portent.

Originally posted by Portent
RiPHRaPH, Great minds think alike. That's exactly how I justified the amount I spent. The more miles on the the bike, the cheaper the per mile cost becomes.


Yep... and you can also develop that into a circular argument too to justify your time spent riding.

Sig-Other: "How long are you going to be gone?"

You: "Oh... six or seven hours."

Sig-Other: "That's a long time!"

You: "Well, we paid two thousand bucks for this bike. I gotta get some use out of it. You don't want that money to have gone to waste do you?"

Originally posted by khuon
Yep... and you can also develop that into a circular argument too to justify your time spent riding.

Sig-Other: "How long are you going to be gone?"

You: "Oh... six or seven hours."

Sig-Other: "That's a long time!"

You: "Well, we paid two thousand bucks for this bike. I gotta get some use out of it. You don't want that money to have gone to waste do you?"

Good thinking, Khoun. I've got a feeling I'm going to be using that in the not so distant future, Thanks.

The lower the spoke count on the wheels, the higher the stresses. People keep saying (in particular Uncle Al at Roadbikerider.com) use 32 spoke wheels for training, they are very strong and reliable. The LBS here that I email all the time reckon at least 28 for training wheels.

The lower spoke count wheels are harder to tru, and if you break a spoke you cant exactly ride home etc etc. We need Rev Chuck in here to give an opinion i think!

Brendon
:beer:

Way to go, man! I just got my R800 about a month ago, first road bike I've had in twenty years, and I'm lovin' it...
You're all right about the ongoing cost...keep finding new things to buy...
Now I'm hunting for a nice windbreaker, some stiff shoes, and I'm lusting after those new Shimano DuraAce pedals...

Well call me crazy but the C'dale is going back to the LBS with only 6 miles on it. My back can not take the stress of the angle needed to ride the bike correctly. I was in pain the whole ride home. Is this normal after riding a hybrid like the Trek and going to a real road blke like the R800?

don't get me wrong this bike is GREAT but my back is more important to me and the Trek felt great to me. Once I loose the rest of the weight and and get the excess areas "removed" I may have a better time with a true road bike like the Cannondale.

But for now it's back to the hybrid....call me stupid but it's my back pain that I have to deal with.

-Wynn

Have you considered having the handlebars raised? That may be all it takes. I'm coming from a mountain bike as well, so I had the LBS raise the bars as much as they could with spacers before I took the bike. They could also put a longer stem on it, which would raise the bars higher, I think.

when i was fitted for the bike they changed not only the drop bar but also the stem. they knew right away that I needed some more rise and fitted me with a salsa stem. I am going to see if they can get it up higher for me and also change the seat position a little. I rode the bike tonight using my L&M arc light on the drop bar and it did feel better without that heavy back pack that I use to commute to and from work. Maybe a tighter fit is all I need to get this right. I really don't want to give it up. I love this bike! With the addition of the HID Arc light it is a very winning combination!

Originally posted by NZLcyclist
This bike is it? very nice, although it might pay to get some solid 32spoke training wheels built or you risk damaging those wheels. Save them for racing.

Do that, and get the tools you need to transfer the rear cassette over.

Brendon
:beer:

Yes that's the bike! Only the stem and seat post are black. I have two bottle cages in black also.

-Wynn

I used a back pack when I commuted to work last year on my mountain bike, but now that I'm using a road bike, I find that all that weight up there makes the balance a very scary proposition. Now I commute carrying as little as possible. The higher BB height of the road bike makes wearing the backpack feel like biking with an anvil on my back. Feels like I'm about to tip over at any moment.

Back to the saga that is my Cannondale R800. We are now in the process of getting a Look Stem put on the bike to give me some more rise on the drop bar. In order to do that, my LBS (with the money that I've spent I should have an ownership interest in this place) will lengthen the cables for the shifters, etc to accomodate the new rise in the stem.

I'll let you know if that "cures" my back problems. I love the bike (as I said before) and I want to find the best way possible to keep it. Though they showed me a Specialized Sirrus Elite with a very high stem and flat bar. It looked and felt much heavier than the R800 but I want to try and get comfortable on the Cannondale before I start looking to switch either back or to something else.

I'll let you know what happens with pics to follow.

-Wynn