Fifty Plus (50+) - CBI -- why so high?

I rarely venture over to Foo. Guess I'm not much of a fooster. For the last two days I've checked it out and noted the number of "Woe unto us, the financial markets of the world, especially the US of A are imploding and we'll all starve to death, etc. etc." threads. Pretty depressing stuff.

Well I have no idea whether any of the dire forecasts are accurate. I do know that I've lived through the Mideast Oil Embargo of the early 70's, with a brief redux in 1978. I remember paying 14% interest on my first mortgage and being happy to get it that low. I recall predictions of financial collapse in 1987. I even remember the times in 1980 where we were told we're fools for not buying gold at the bargain price of $850/oz.

Forgive me for being distrusting, but it IS an election year and a Republican is in the White House. Could that have something to do with the negative reportage? Just a thought. We've seen it before.

But what does this have to do about 50+ cycling?

I have been keeping up with the threads about the new bikes, especially the new CF bikes, that folks around here are buying. They're beautiful. I'd be envious but I got my CF bike last year and am still basking in the afterglow.

I've also been looking up the specs on your new addtions. These bike are very expensive. I wouldn't have dreamed about buying a bike in this price range until about one year ago.

In other words, our CBI (consumer bike index) is off the charts. Even our underemployed overmortgaged Bay area friends are buying expensive (and gorgeous) bikes. Why is this? Could it be:

--we all realize we're mortal and could die at any second, so we might as well treat ourself to a good CF ride?

--we realize that we're soon to be beneficiaries of public largese, and screw the younger generations but we've worked hard all our lives and now deserve to coast at the expensive of Generation X and Y?

--we've invested wisely and consider selling financial assets to pay for a bike as a timely move, cashing in before the stock market tanks big time?

--that now that the kids have graduated, married and moved off, that we have more discretionary income?

--that we best buy 'luxury items' now before the you-know-who's take over the place and tax us into submission for the Public Good?

Perhaps there are other reasons I haven't listed. My personal contribution to the high CBI is "Buy it now, worry about the credit card later". It works for me I guess.

My take is that bikes are this crowds drug of choice.

Hard times? This calls for stronger drugs.

Hate to disagree with your premise, but perhaps a few lucky folks getting new bikes are outshining the many who aren't (my last bike was in 2004 and was $285 on EBay)?

I'm with DnvrFox on this one.

If everyone who isn't getting a new bike today started a thread saying so, the forum wouldn't be able to keep up with the traffic.

I'm keeping my old bikes because I'm happy with them!

I find myself increasingly getting rid of things, including bikes. This is not to say that I won't go buy me a new reinforced plastic wonder, but I recently gave my dear old Schwinn hybrid to a neighbor who is recovering from a tramatic leg injury. One of my beloved hardtails will audition on Ebay this Friday, and I'm thinking of selling my flat bar Fuji (after taking the XT drivetrain and Ultegra/Open Pro wheels) in order to get some walking around money for a new bike.

But aside from that I'm giving my woodworking tools to my oldest boys, selling stuff on Ebay, cleaning out clothes I don't wear (that still fit), and generally doing a personal inventory reduction. I find myself wanting to own less and less, not more. My wife lost both of her parents in the last two years, and we also moved my mother from her home of 40 years to an assisted living facility. I'm sure those experiences have influence on my current attitude.

On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with spending three or four grand for a bicycle, just remember to tell all your non-biking friends that it cost $399 (all bikes cost $399 to those outside the cult).

I figure that it is because most of the buyers have golden parachutes that allow them to keep their multi million dollar salaries and bonuses even as they run good companies into the ground....or I may just be cynical.....

I bought my CF because (as my adult son so succinctly put it) what else are you going to do with your money, save it for your old age--heck you are already old. Isn't this what you saved it for?

If I even have a parachute it's got to have a lot of mothholes in it.

Perhaps what is going on is that the world is not that bad and we're buying bikes because we really don't think we're going to be tossed out of our houses, to feed ourselves by raiding the neighbors' trashcans and eating the leftover dog food.

And I'd rather spend the money now than to save it for some really upscale nursing home that my kids don't feel too badly about sticking me in.

But definitely, desperate times call for despirate measures, like CF bikes.

In other words, our CBI (consumer bike index) is off the charts.

You're forgetting some other economic indicators:

LBB (Lifetime Bike Budget - how many bikes do I deserve to own in my life?)

NBD (Net Bike Deficit - your LBB minus current ownership. Mine is well over 10)

N+1 (the relentless drive to eliminate your NBD by purchasing one more bike)

OHS (Other Hobby Savings - ability to justify -- or at least rationalize -- N+1 by pointing out that it's still a lot cheaper than the "other" hobby you could have chosen).

CL (Craigslist, makes it easier to scratch the N+1 itch)

So, you can say, "The reason the CBI is rising is because the 50+'ers, having achieved significant OHS and recalculated their LBB, are going to reduce their NBD by heading of to the LBS for a little N+1."


More seriously -- I think it's tough to equate anecdotes w/economic trends. For example, sales of big-screen high-definition TV's are still climbing. Personally, I'm happy with the TV I bought 8 years ago, but lots of folks I know aren't. My guess is that lots of people get more over-extended on big-ticket items that have "easy payment" plans than on bikes -- the TV and outdoor recreation businesses are built on low down payments and easy payment plans.

Just face it----We have a lot of members on 50+ now. I doubt that it is even up to 10% of those have bought a new C.F.Bike in the last year. Mind you- recalculate in the last 3 months and we seem to have a pretty high average- Where's that new "Stats" man when you want him?

Time for a Poll dnvrfx to see who has bought what and when. I would ask DG but his polls always involve white bikes.

My new FS mountain bike is not plastic, but it was an equally big step into the nice bike range for me. It was a unique set of circumstances that led to my buying such a nice bike at this point. It had nothing to do with fear about the economy or politics. I'm fairly optimistic that we will soon start repairing some of the damage done in recent years.

The desire to continue with my renewed love for riding trails and singletrack without punishing my ailing back is the reason I got the kind of bike I got. Being qualified for an extremely good deal from my LBS because I raced for their team last year made it possible to get a higher level bike than I could have otherwise afforded and also encouraged me to stretch the budget to get the most bike I could manage so as to take full advantage of the discount.

Although I am far from the comfortable financial situation I would like to be in, I have a little relief from the pressure due to a pretty secure job situation, one car just paid off and another to be paid off soon and a well-timed and larger than expected bonus check from work. Upcoming tax refund and tax rebate take some of the pressure off using the bonus for other things. I could easily have come up with other, more practical ways to use the money and I probably should have, but I chose to give myself a treat.

Now I will return to my normal practice of re-creating nice and functional bikes from bikes, parts and components that I already have or that I manage to find at bargain prices here and there. At some point I will take the plunge for a very nice, new road bike. I will almost certainly build it up myself from a frame and my own choices of parts. I won't say that it definitely won't be CF, but it is more likely to be modern high performance steel or titanium.

+1 to TSL's comment. People who buy new are sharing their excitement (I don't blame them). The rest of us are the silent majority.

I rarely buy anything new anymore. Regardless of financial resources, squandering it on instant depreciation just does not make sense to me. I have not been posting my bike purchases in 2007. Lets see, I bought a 2005 Trek in February with 2.5 miles on it for less than 40% of MSRP (bought used from original owner) and I bought a couple of Giant hybrids (one for my wife) at the Salvation Army for $50 each in ready to ride condition. I did have my eyes on a used CF Trek on Craigs list, but I was a day late on it.

I'm keeping my old bikes because I'm happy with them!

As I recall, one of your bikes is still what I would call new. :)

Only a little CF on my new bike, which was a new 2006 purchased at a significant discount. The $800 I paid for it has been dwarfed over the past week by an $825 car repair, a $350 furnace repair, a $300 expense for one of my children, and $400 for a new set of tires (yes, all of these occurred in the same week).

Last Sat. we had a group ride and those that purchased new bikes over the winter could not resist bringing out the new "S**t that will kill them"(Lance Armstrong's term for new equipment) even though the weather was crappy and the roads were covered with winter's remains. Just plain American to show off your new stuff. Just about everyone else was on the oldest bike they own.

I too have wondered about the economy vs. all the new bike purchases but just have to conclude that everyone's situation is different. If you want/need a new bike, so be it.

Now how is this for a dillema on a new bike? I have more bikes than I need to own but my favorite LBS owner has offered me a 2008 CF killer bike at 34% off the MSRP. I do not want to post the brand or seller as to not compromise his position with the mfg. The deal is far less than the cost of going out a buying all the components, even off scambay. What would you do?

What would you do?

You already know what we're going to tell you.:beer:

What would you do?

Stupid questions come with senility. And not enough detais- what colour- groupset and size. And have you had a test ride yet?

I think in earlier decades the purchases might have been a new Corvette or a new Harley. Compared to those a new Rivendell is a cheap and healthful luxury.

I've bought a couple of new toys in the past year, a Bacchetta Giro 20 and a Bikes at Work Trailer. Before that, the total value of my 3 bikes was $250.00. But I earned these new toys. The Bacchetta was a gift to myself for paying off my divorce, and huge credit card debts and encouraging myself to go on longer rides. Both are affordable and won't affect the credit card. I don't think it's a second childhood, but it definitely is a second young adulthood. :D

Another thought on this- How about the $50 Craig List bikes- seems to be quite a few of those bought aswell.

...feed ourselves by raiding the neighbors' trashcans and eating the leftover dog food.

Whoa! Your neighbors throw out leftover dog food? What's the address?

As I recall, one of your bikes is still what I would call new. :)

Hey, gimme some wiggle room here, will ya?

My newest bike is a 2006. Okay, so I bought it at the LBS as a leftover last September. But, we've been through 2,000 miles of winter snow, salt and slush together, including two minor crashes and one new RD hanger. And there's chunk missing from the rear fender.

So it's not quite so new as it was.

In fact, I'm trying to nurse it through the next couple of weeks so we have all the snow behind us before I re-cable the RD and rear disk brake. It could use a good scrubbing too. And new fenders are on order.

Anyway, I was trapped home at my desk for four days straight this week. I finally got outside and on the bike today to go to my part-time job, which is really sort of like taking a break. Boy oh boy do I like that bike. It was love all over again in the first quarter-mile.

Nope, won't be buying another for a while. Which is really weird because I was buying bikes at the rate of one every nine months. I'm due for one in May and have no interest in it.

Y'all talking about me? ;)

My reasons are not among your list. My new CF was a 2007 closeout. I had some $$ from a work bonus that I wanted to buy something tangible with so I could appreciate my employer's recognition of my hard work. (My last bonus went to a nice set of dishes. The one before that took us on vacation. I wanted something just for me this time.) My husband is gearing up to retire, and I know I won't be buying many toys after that. This isn't to say that my purchase is somehow more valid than anyone else's.

I've seen lots of posts in the past about people pulling the trigger. Thought it was expected to share in this forum. But perhaps no one really wants to see them with all the fears about the economy? Not trying to sound defensive, but maybe the majority of the forum would rather not read about pulling the trigger anymore? What say you?

Not trying to sound defensive, but maybe the majority of the forum would rather not read about pulling the trigger anymore? What say you?

I like reading about new bikes. Or new used bikes. Or bikes that forum members rescued from neighbors who weren't using them. Or C&V bikes.

I also like reading about *not* buying new bikes -- rebuilding old frames; rescuing gear from one frame to put on another; doing good, careful maintenance to bring a bike back to life.

They're all elements of the hobby. I think the struggles that people go through to find the perfect bike, the right fit and the right gear helps make us all a bit smarter about our own gear. Which, in the end, saves money.

Finally, I think that most people on this forum -- who seem to be riders, not just "accumulators" -- have a much lower cost-per-mile-ridden than folks who buy Xmart bikes, ride them once and put them away.

Y'all talking about me? ;)

My reasons are not among your list. My new CF was a 2007 closeout. I had some $$ from a work bonus that I wanted to buy something tangible with so I could appreciate my employer's recognition of my hard work. (My last bonus went to a nice set of dishes. The one before that took us on vacation. I wanted something just for me this time.) My husband is gearing up to retire, and I know I won't be buying many toys after that. This isn't to say that my purchase is somehow more valid than anyone else's.

I've seen lots of posts in the past about people pulling the trigger. Thought it was expected to share in this forum. But perhaps no one really wants to see them with all the fears about the economy? Not trying to sound defensive, but maybe the majority of the forum would rather not read about pulling the trigger anymore? What say you?

No! We love to read about people getting new bikes, especially when those people are enthusiatic and friendly like TruF.
The economy may be screwed up, but bikes really aren't that expensive compared to a lot of other things.

One of the drivers keeping bike sales up is the prediction that bike prices are going to increase sharply in 2009. My LBS gave me the word during my last visit, (and I wasn't even looking at a new bike!)

If I thought sharing about my new bike (our new bikes) might have appeared inappropriate, I would have kept it a secret. I shared only because, as TruF said, I've seen a lot of other similar posts and I figured there were at least a few who kept up with my search for another type of bike over the past year, and might ask what I'm riding now if I start saying I rode 20 miles in an hour (instead of 2 hours) and then the truth would finally come out. I rarely indulge myself.... I wear jeans and running shoes to work, drove used cars for years (and was perfectly happy driving them and I'd do it again in a heart beat), and don't mind our old 19" TV. I'm not "into stuff". This was my first big splurge on myself in a loooong time, and the last one for another looooong time.

That said... I think I most enjoy reading stories about rescued bikes that are fixed up and turned into a nice machine on which the new owner enjoys many happy miles. I'm just as happy for DG's acquisition of Orange Crush as I am about the new bikes I read about here.

The problem to me is that there are alot of mixed signals about the economy being "screwed up" as it was put. One guy who rides with us is getting SS, his wife gets her SS plus a state pension, plus he still is working! Is his economy screwed up? I think not even if inflation is an issue.

My son works as a professional fly fishing guide. His bookings are down for the season but the high end outfit he works with is expanding? Gas prices are killing him and he told me tonight that the US Forest Service wants to pile a bunch of permit fees on them.

My daughters mate works in home building but they are starting on a new house this week. Small outfit.

All three examples contradict what you see and hear on the news every day is the point.

Now how is this for a dillema on a new bike? I have more bikes than I need to own but my favorite LBS owner has offered me a 2008 CF killer bike at 34% off the MSRP. I do not want to post the brand or seller as to not compromise his position with the mfg. The deal is far less than the cost of going out a buying all the components, even off scambay. What would you do?

You're asking a bunch of proven N+1 enablers what we would do? :roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

I've seen lots of posts in the past about people pulling the trigger. Thought it was expected to share in this forum. But perhaps no one really wants to see them with all the fears about the economy? Not trying to sound defensive, but maybe the majority of the forum would rather not read about pulling the trigger anymore? What say you?

Stop posting about buying new bikes? :eek:
Not only no but hell no! :mad:

Maybe at handwringingoverfearsabouttheeconomyforums.net, but this is bikeforums.net. Here we post about bikes. Buying bikes, riding bikes, building bikes, modifying bikes, maintaining bikes, selling bikes, adjusting bikes, reaching goals and milestones on bikes, going places on bikes, meeting people on bikes, regaining health and fitness on bikes, dreaming about bikes, lusting after bikes...

Our tandem is worth more than the car . . .
Our tandem is more fun than the car . . .
Our tandem is an inve$tment in our good health . . .
Ah, priorities!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Only a little CF on my new bike, which was a new 2006 purchased at a significant discount. The $800 I paid for it has been dwarfed over the past week by an $825 car repair, a $350 furnace repair, a $300 expense for one of my children, and $400 for a new set of tires (yes, all of these occurred in the same week).

It seems we have a lot in common besides bikes. I own a double and in the past month I've bought 2 new water heaters ($1500), two furnace repairs ($900) and a car repair of $700. This really caused me to push the purchase of the new bike out till mid-May....the checkbook can only handle so much:(

The LBS already put the bike on order and it will be here in May - just in time to drain the checkbook again. But this time I won't mind it:)

The economy is* scary. We've had the housing bubble burst and the sub prime lending explode... The housing bubble provided jobs, and there's nothing similar to take its place. Next comes commercial buildings (do we really need a linens and things on every block, especially now that people are spending less?), and then comes emerging markets, and then commodities--all need to have bubbles broken. I'd say we were many years away from things settling down. And at the end of it, the US had better have their act together, and hope we haven't had our land sold out from beneath us.

Bicycling, on the other hand, is simply not much of a factor in all this. Even a Rivendell costs as much as a week long vacation for a family of 4, but you have it your whole life and can resell it. And sure, the bling adds up, but it's all optional.

A new bike is a simple pleasure, and an affordable one in the scheme of things. It even has the potential for paying for itself!

..and I figured there were at least a few who kept up with my search for another type of bike over the past year, and might ask what I'm riding now if I start saying I rode 20 miles in an hour (instead of 2 hours) and then the truth would finally come out.


EVen though a quite recent arrival I can see that the 'community' aspect of activity here is incredibly commendable, and 'new bike' threads are as big a part of that as anything else. I love reading them, and don't care if they're about top of the line bikes, less expensive purchases, or bikes reclaimed from a junk heap somewhere. It's delightful to read about the joy and enthusiasm of others, and doing so helps to 'get to know' people here insofar as is possible on an internet forum.

I try and look at the big picture and realise that the economy with all of its problems is still growing. We are all paying a lot more for fuel and a bit more for a lot of the things we normally use. Bikking costs what you want it to cost and is generally a lot less expensive than a lot of other hobbies. I am one of the ones who has spent too much on bikes having purchased two bikes over the past two years, given one away to my son, and essentially repurchase the second with upgrades. That said, putting things into perspective things look inexpensive. Look at what a lot of folks spend on boats, cars, guns, motorcycles, ect.

Egads - I don't think ANYONE objects to folks buying new bikes or posting about their new bikes. I greatly enjoy it. Keep it up.

I think some of us disagreed with the premise that a whole lot of folks are buying new bikes - I think some are, and they write about it, and then we tend to generalize that EVERYONE is doing that, and start feeling bad that WE aren't doing the same thing.

Keep on buying bicycles and sharing about it folks.

It's is amazing how threads develop little twists in meaning!

Our tandem is worth more than the car . . .
Our tandem is more fun than the car . . .
Our tandem is an inve$tment in our good health . . .
Ah, priorities!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Precisely. I've spent more on bikes since retiring than I ever did in the previous 23 years of cycling while working. However, I don't feel bad. Even an expensive, high-end bike is cheaper than most European vacations that many retirees happily spend their savings on, or a bass fishing boat that is also a popular retiree expense.

Bikes = an investment in health. Could I do it cheaper than a high end tandem or a carbon fiber single? Of course, but that sort of defeats the purpose of working hard all of those years. :)

t's is amazing how threads develop little twists in meaning!

True, but often the drift brings up a topic worth exploring and it's inevitable that discussion veer off from the original post.

True, but often the drift brings up a topic worth exploring and it's inevitable that discussion veer off from the original post.

Heh...in this place I think we could change "often" to always.

So, who's watching NCAA basketball?

I hope DG isn't.

AAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

AAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

I don't think it's talk like a pirate day.

I was just wishing that you weren't watching..............or me either....................


Oh well, we can still put our faith in the husky women

huh :eek:

You jinxed the team with that little taunting of DG.

Don't you hate it when you type a long post and erase it prematurely?

Too late in the day to recompose it, so here are the highpoints:

--not everyone has to buy a new bike for the CBI to go up. Just a simple observation.

--new bikes are cool, especially when you own one of them.

--old bikes are like old friends. They die, or move away, or go weird on you, or come around only when they want to borrow money.

--There are some things better than new bikes, such as new grand-daughters:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x40/TWLBA/n501612928_377837_9317.jpg

She's adorable, TWL.

Granddaughters are a lot of fun....I have 8 of them so I should know:)



--There are some things better than new bikes, such as new grand-daughters:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x40/TWLBA/n501612928_377837_9317.jpg

She's sooooo cuuuuuute!!!! (Imagine that inflection women take on when talking to adorable babies.) Congratulations, The Weak Link!!!

Congratulations, TWL! She is a cutie!

I gave my nephew that same T-shirt when he was born.

She's adorable, TWL.... I want to pinch those cute little cheeks. I'm wondering what she's thinking.....