Road Cycling - De Rosa lust..insanity...obsession...HELP

About one year ago, I purchased a De Rosa Merak frame and outfitted it with a Campy Record groupset and Mavic Ksyrium SL's. I have put almost 3000 miles on the bike so far. I absolutely love my bike. It is a world class machine minus a world class rider. It is more bike than I'll ever need.

The problem is... I now find myself wanting, lusting, and obsessing after a Carbon Fiber De Rosa King frame. I have considered buying the King frame and putting all the components from the Merak on the King then selling the Merak frame. I have also considered buying the 2004 Campy Record groupset, Mavic Ksyriums, and a Deda Synapsi bar/stem. I'll just keep the Merak and have two bikes.

Am I crazy?? I need someone to tell me that I am insane for thinking about spending nearly 6k on a new bike when I have one that is perfectly fine. Any, and all advice would be appreciated.

You've come to the wrong place if you want someone to tell you you have a problem when you spend money on bicycles. We're all looking for validation here, not guilt.;)

There's absolutely nothing wrong with owning two or more expensive bikes. You're not insane. I look at cycling like any other hobby. People in general like to spend money on their hobbies. I have a friend who's into old VW's and he owns several of those buggers. I play classical guitar and I own several classical guitars. I'm into fixed gear cycling and I own several pricey bikes. My wife's into shoes.......now why does she need so many?!

lol

Originally posted by joeyjindan
I need someone to tell me that I am insane for thinking about spending nearly 6k on a new bike when I have one that is perfectly fine.

You're insane for thinking about spending nearly 6k on a new bike when you have one that is perfectly fine.

Don't forget to show us pics of the King when you're done setting it up. :)

If ya got it, flaunt it. Live man! LIVE! LIVE for those of us who could never afford a REALLY nice bike; for those of us who only dreamed of TWO! You carry the banner. Make us proud!

-Carl J. Stoneham
Cycling Club for Poor Men "I'm not the president. I'm also a member."

I say go for it!

You only live once and if the cost will not be a strain financially, then buy it!

You cycled 3000 miles on the De Rosa Merak, so your enjoy cycling.

I love model aircrafts, and I purchased so far 30 hand carved and painted commercial aircraft models (mahogany), that cost me $500 each.

If it's going to make you happy, DO IT!

And your point is? :D

seriously, send me the Merak, you buy the King and
everyone is happy. . .


Marty

If I can quote Willis from the TV show Diff'rent Strokes... "If you got it, flaunt it, my brother" If you have the money to do it.. go ahead... just make sure you give equal time to both rides, so the othe doesn;t get jealous :D

Jeff

Hi,
it all depends. If this represents 1% of your gross income; it's a what are you waiting for. If the cost is 10% of your income, you should be fine unless you have tons of debt. If it's 20% or more...... things get questionable. What are your life goals? Do you want to own a home? If so, just how far back will this purchase push you away from the things you yourself have decided have the greatest value?

.........he....he...he.... anyway, I know of few people that I occasionally ride with. They own an expensive sports car and several expensive bikes.....they're usually single, make enormous monthly car & credit card payments and usually don't have enough money to pay for food and rent. I'm glad I'm not in that position...

You're crazy......to own both frames....
You should get that carbon beauty and transfer off the gear and sell the other....

By the way what size it anyway...:eek:

(please say 61....please say 61....:D )


When it's all said and done, you can't take jack with you, so why not enjoy it while you can. If you'll ride both, then get both.
If you won't, then don't - if you need something to make you feel less guilty about the new purchase... give the old frame to charity... and I've been told I'm a real charity case.... :p

Enjoy your decision... many of us wish we had it to make.

R

Y'all are makin' me want to hang on to my DA Cannondale after I get my new bike in the next couple of weeks. Now, if I can convince the wife that I need a time trial bike, maybe it'll work...

Raedeke..the frame size of the Merak is 59cm. The color is yellow and blue. It is a 2002 Merak.

Joeyjindan - I have a few suggestions that may or may not help. Maybe you need some different flavors of cycling to compliment your high end riding. Have you ever commuted to work on a beater commuter bike ? Or gone grocery shopping with a pannier on the bike ? Spent a week at the beach with a beach bike ? or checked out a BMX race ? Add some practicality to your cycling. I found that by adding flavors, I enjoyed the cycling more and as long as your race bike is equal or slightly better than the other high end riders you peloton with, you won't be so obsessed. Best of luck

Joey,

your 2002 Merak is now obselete.www.cyclingnews.com/shows.php?id=photos/2003/tech/shows/eurobike/maloney/DeRosaMerak the new 2004 Merak just debuted at eurobike. it has a carbon fiber triangle. Get the King. Better yet get the best frame in the World---FONDRIEST TOP CARBON.

More bike porn WOW (http://www.cyclingnews.com/shows.php?id=photos/2003/tech/shows/eurobike/maloney/ColnagoC-50D-A)

hey bobsled,

gotta love the new C50. too bad the bike in your photo is built up with 2004 Dura Ace garbage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And that the bike costs some 5000USD.

Buy the new bike and keep the old one for rainy days :) You did not actualy expect people in this forum to say you don't need a 2nd bike did you? hahaha

Seriously though you can always find use for a 2nd bike, keep the old one set up with rack etc for transporting more stuff and keep the new one with 2004 record and FSA team issue carbon cranks for riding fast :)

It's not that great. I turned my King in to a single speed fixie. Get a C-50 and see the light

hey bobsled,

gotta love the new C50. too bad the bike in your photo is built up with 2004 Dura Ace garbage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This kind of attitude I never do quite understand.

Since I wrecked my Pinarello I have DeRosa lust as well. Does anyone know where in California I can test ride a King Carbon?

Here, I'll help you. You give me your old bike and you can keep the new one for youeself. You don't get the guilt of owning two expensive bikes and I get to have a bike that's worth more than all my bike multipled by the power of 10.

I don'lt know where Folsom is in california, but if your ever in San diego. Go to a bike shop called Nytro. They are in Encinitas. They deal solely on high end road bikes.

You are absolutely not crazy.... I went through the same lust a little over a year ago. My only advice is to try & get a chance to ride one before you drop the big $$ on it. I had a chance to ride one while in the UK at the height of my obsession. To be honest, it was great & all but I really preferred the De Rosa Dual. That would simply be personal preference on my part. I should say that the King I rode was likely a size smaller than I would prefer & I have wondered ever since if that might have been a factor in my opinion. I ended up opting for the Dual which you can check out on my webshots page (as well as the other bikes that I likely didn't need either!)

http://community.webshots.com/album/187891410DhTIwJ

All that said, if you want it GO FOR IT. I still haven't ruled out building one over the coming Winter if I can find one in the right size.

Wait until you see the 2005 De Rosa "Tango". Oh my.

I've heard about the Tango. I'm excited to see why people hate the design so much! ;) :D

Koffee

Hi,
it all depends. If this represents 1% of your gross income; it's a what are you waiting for. If the cost is 10% of your income, you should be fine unless you have tons of debt. If it's 20% or more...... things get questionable. What are your life goals? Do you want to own a home? If so, just how far back will this purchase push you away from the things you yourself have decided have the greatest value?

I think that's pretty level-headed advice. Also, if you don't look down yer nose at those of us with (ahem) less pro gear, then GO 4 IT!

Sweet friggin' bike BTW.

It is not an obsession if you think it may be. It's like thinking you are insane when you aren't. Reverse psych...we question ourselves all the time.
There's a fine line between passion and obsession, like genius and fool.
Hesitation can become inaction. Inaction can prevent you from something great.
Words can stall you, just like this post.
...Just buy it.
:)

About one year ago, I purchased a De Rosa Merak frame and outfitted it with a Campy Record groupset and Mavic Ksyrium SL's. I have put almost 3000 miles on the bike so far. I absolutely love my bike. It is a world class machine minus a world class rider. It is more bike than I'll ever need.

The problem is... I now find myself wanting, lusting, and obsessing after a Carbon Fiber De Rosa King frame. I have considered buying the King frame and putting all the components from the Merak on the King then selling the Merak frame. I have also considered buying the 2004 Campy Record groupset, Mavic Ksyriums, and a Deda Synapsi bar/stem. I'll just keep the Merak and have two bikes.

Am I crazy?? I need someone to tell me that I am insane for thinking about spending nearly 6k on a new bike when I have one that is perfectly fine. Any, and all advice would be appreciated.

Hey buy it if you want it. Buy it if you can barely afford it. Just BUY IT! I own 4 bikes:

'04 Orbea Orca Campy Record/Nuetrons
'03 LOOK 381 Campy Chourus/Mavic Open Pros
'04 Bianchi Pista
'92 Burley Duet Tandem

If I had it my way I would have several other bikes as well.

Bob Jackson Track bike
Serrotta Steel lugged
Mercx Team SL
Gios Torino (vintage)

So buy it and enjoy it!

Buy it when you can pay cash.

About one year ago, I purchased a De Rosa Merak frame and outfitted it with a Campy Record groupset and Mavic Ksyrium SL's. I have put almost 3000 miles on the bike so far. I absolutely love my bike. It is a world class machine minus a world class rider. It is more bike than I'll ever need.

The problem is... I now find myself wanting, lusting, and obsessing after a Carbon Fiber De Rosa King frame. I have considered buying the King frame and putting all the components from the Merak on the King then selling the Merak frame. I have also considered buying the 2004 Campy Record groupset, Mavic Ksyriums, and a Deda Synapsi bar/stem. I'll just keep the Merak and have two bikes.

Am I crazy?? I need someone to tell me that I am insane for thinking about spending nearly 6k on a new bike when I have one that is perfectly fine. Any, and all advice would be appreciated.

You remind me of an alcoholic who is asking for advice about quiting drinking, in a bar.. :)