General Cycling Discussion - Bike Guilt

Has anyone every felt weird about buying "too much bike?" Sort of like a guy who's driven a Honda Civic all his life suddenly driving a Ferrari? I have the chance to buy a great ti road bike at a very good price, but I almost feel like my skills just don't warrant such a fine machine. I ride a lot of long, leisurely miles. I've toured all over the US and Europe, and regularly participate in centuries and fund raisers. But as someone who has no intention of racing or mixing it up with the local club hammerheads, I can just imagine feeling like a duded up drug store cowboy every time I saddle up. I realize this is all kind of nutty, but I can't be the only one who's ever felt this way (Or maybe I am). If you've ever felt like this or dealt with this, I'd like to know how you handled it.

Skills schmills. If you can afford it and it fits, why shouldn't you buy it?

Sometimes I worry about that. But to be honest, as long as you are riding and having fun and pushing yourself you are bound to get better. And having a bike that will limit you will be far more annoying than riding 'too much bike' initially. I ended up buying a high end ht to get much better on and then progressed to a dually. Do I need a dually...probably not yet, I 'could' keep riding the ht only, but I wanted the dually because of what I might end up doing.

In any case, buy it and have fun....

Last winter I was shopping for a used bike with campy chorus or lower. Then I ran across a great deal on a bike with a campy record mix. In my opinion, record is just a waste of money - I won't benefit from a couple grams of weight savings - especially in Houston. But I wasn't going to pass up a good deal.

I think the most important thing is your attitude. Buy it. Just don't turn into a poseur. Stay humble and if anyone asks just explain it was a great deal. Would you pass up a great deal on a ferrari and settle for a nice accord at the same price?

I say if you have the money and its a good deal then go for it. I feel that way sometimes too though. Right now im looking for a new fork to put on my cannondale, but I don't want to get a high-end fork and have people s******ing at me because I have high-end equipment but Im not that great of a rider.

Like cpratt25 said, don't turn into a poser(SP?) I hate it when people think they can ride better than you just because they have a nicer bike.

Has anyone every felt weird about buying "too much bike?" Sort of like a guy who's driven a Honda Civic all his life suddenly driving a Ferrari? I have the chance to buy a great ti road bike at a very good price, but I almost feel like my skills just don't warrant such a fine machine. I ride a lot of long, leisurely miles. I've toured all over the US and Europe, and regularly participate in centuries and fund raisers. But as someone who has no intention of racing or mixing it up with the local club hammerheads, I can just imagine feeling like a duded up drug store cowboy every time I saddle up. I realize this is all kind of nutty, but I can't be the only one who's ever felt this way (Or maybe I am). If you've ever felt like this or dealt with this, I'd like to know how you handled it.

Why in the world do you have to justify your purchases to anyone? You shelled out your hard-earned dollars for something you wanted. Enjoy it. Suppose your signifcant other was some fabulous movie star. Would you even take the time to explain to someone how you came to love her/him? Of course not, you would enjoy the feelings you had about this person. Anybody that sincerely criticizes someone else for their choice of material goods is most likely a jealous person.

you can't put a price on comfort. i throw my leg over my top tube > 250 times a year. buy it now. it will turn out to be pennies per mile.

now an expensive matching jersey & short/bib...don't do that.

I have the opposite problem. I deserve a $2000 cyclocross bike, but I'm saddled with a fleet of 10 year old road bikes and MTB's. I've mentioned to my wife numerous times that by spending a thousand or two on a good bike, I can probably part with 2 or 3 of the fleet (of 8). She's slowly coming around, but I don't know how much longer I can wait. There's light at the end of the tunnel, she mentioned she should go to Florida for a week with her mom and in the same breath said I could probably spend $1500 on a new bike. Only problem is, I end up spending $3000 for a $1500 bike!!!

I would not buy an expensive bike, just because it is expensive.But if it's price merits its functionality; I would not feel the least bit quilty..
I can see myself being proud of my bike if the price is downside of a mid-range Litespeed. Price is worth quality and durability..Just to show of, well- that would not be me.
Why Litespeed. Durability and strengty..I should qualify that by saying I am not all that sure of its ride yet..Tried one once years ago...On a test ride.

If it will make you happy, then go for it :D You can't (well, shouldn't..LOL) take the bikes with you when you die, so sure as hell enjoy them now! You said it's a deal, so go for it already... post a pic too.

~Jean

I think the most important thing is your attitude. Buy it. Just don't turn into a poseur.

What's so wrong with that? If you can ride up hills or into headwinds fast, why shouldn't you? If you've got it, flaunt it! It doesn't mean you have to be rude to others.

What's so wrong with that? If you can ride up hills or into headwinds fast, why shouldn't you? If you've got it, flaunt it! It doesn't mean you have to be rude to others.

That's not a poseur. A poseur is someone who ain't got it, but flaunts it.

Well, just a view that is a little different than those offered. I had a few older Schwinn road bikes, one turned coaster brake offroad, one five speed and an older mountain bike(3 bikes). I ended up parting out the mountain bike and the five speed is/has turned into fixed gear. I seriously was tired of having what I thought to be junk, and not feeling serious about owning bikes.

Long story short, bought a nice new, expensive (to me) hardtail mountain bike, only to have the realization that I have one bike I need to get rid of now (anyone want a Cannondale?) and that I can build/throw together any bike that will be cooler, better, cheaper, and more custom to me that anything storebought. I like to pick exactly everything out for the bike, I don't need someone to do it for me.....

Either way, good luck and be careful out there.

Skills schmills. If you can afford it and it fits, why shouldn't you buy it?

What he said....

That's not a poseur. A poseur is someone who ain't got it, but flaunts it.

Well, let 'em try! Sometimes I don't mind an injection of humour into my rides, and if they want to make fools of themselves, good for them.

Look, if you can comfortably afford it and if it makes you happy, buy it and don't look back. You're only allowed to feel guilty if, for instance, you used part of your rent money to buy this bike.

In the eyes of some people I probably don't "deserve" either of my bikes. (One Ti and one Italial steel) To heck what others say, I enjoy every mile... :D

You're only allowed to feel guilty if, for instance, you used part of your rent money to buy this bike.

Or if you *****d yourself out for the money.

You're only allowed to feel guilty if, for instance, you used part of your rent money to buy this bike.

And even then, eviction isn't so bad. After all, you will have a nice bike to curl up with.. and if it's shipped to you, a nice cardboard home too! :D

I probably bought "more bike" than I "needed" last fall - but:

1) I hadn't yet ridden enough (other than 20+ years ago)to KNOW how much I'd ultimately "need"
2) It turns out I LOVE my bike, and it's been very motivational to ride something nice (although it's several pricepoints below a Ti bike)
3) On rare occasions, I've rationalized getting out there when I may not have been so psyched, precisely b/c it's a great bike, and I spent enough on it to help me stay "committed" to biking.

You should probably figure out why you might feel like you don't "deserve" what you can apparently afford to buy and enjoy - it's probably going to get "in the way" of enjoying life, otherwise.

And even then, eviction isn't so bad. After all, you will have a nice bike to curl up with.. and if it's shipped to you, a nice cardboard home too! :D


great, now im justified in spending all my money on nice "toys" for my bike :D

Yeah, I know how you feel. My bike talks to me. I was out of the saddle hammering across some traffic the other day when I distinctly heard it say "Is that all you've got?". But I held my tongue, when I'm faster, it'll come around and say 'sorrrry'.
Then I'll dump it and run around with it's sexier sister.....

Then I'll dump it and run around with it's sexier sister.....

Why dump it? In the world of bike-husbandry, polygamy is the name of the game!

Don't feel guilty in the least!!! I have a 2004 Giant TCR with Cosmic Carbone Wheels. I know it's expensive and I'll never use it for racing, but I use it to compete with myself. I have my own self to compete with and that's all the justification that I need! I don't ride in clubs, but I keep setting higher records to break for myself. The same should be for you!

I did feel a little guilty at first. I was like, what are other cyclists going to think? Then I realized that does not matter at all!

Don't feel guilty in the least!!! I have a 2004 Giant TCR with Cosmic Carbone Wheels. I know it's expensive and I'll never use it for racing, but I use it to compete with myself. I have my own self to compete with and that's all the justification that I need! I don't ride in clubs, but I keep setting higher records to break for myself. The same should be for you!

I did feel a little guilty at first. I was like, what are other cyclists going to think? Then I realized that does not matter at all!

Hmm... why is it that everytime I read something in BikeForums, some part of the lyrics to the Sunscreen Song pops up in my head? :)

"Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind... the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself."

way I see it, life's too short, you might get killed in your next commute... :eek: So if you/family isnt' starving because you bought the bike and you're having FUN (that's one of the reason for cycling isn't it? Apart from cycling for cycling's sake of course), why feel guilty?

Guilt is only necessary for when you wrong someone else.So generally, I think guilt is overplayed.
But I do owe it to my wife to be responsible...I would not say I feel guilty for my fairly expensive road bike..But a little planning is good. First, is it within the means of your budget.
Two..No need to poorly plan resources.
As this applies to me..My main focus with my cycling is touring & commuting , not racing. I do not feel guilty about my road bike, it is only somewhat above average price.
But since my main focus is touring, maybe good planning should have promted me to upgrade my touring bike and slightly priced down my road bike?

Feeling guilty?

Consult a good pcyclologist

Has anyone every felt weird about buying "too much bike?" Sort of like a guy who's driven a Honda Civic all his life suddenly driving a Ferrari? I have the chance to buy a great ti road bike at a very good price, but I almost feel like my skills just don't warrant such a fine machine. I ride a lot of long, leisurely miles. I've toured all over the US and Europe, and regularly participate in centuries and fund raisers. But as someone who has no intention of racing or mixing it up with the local club hammerheads, I can just imagine feeling like a duded up drug store cowboy every time I saddle up. I realize this is all kind of nutty, but I can't be the only one who's ever felt this way (Or maybe I am). If you've ever felt like this or dealt with this, I'd like to know how you handled it.

A Ferrari is more car than most people can handle, yet it doesn't stop them writing the check. Go for it!

I bought an 'O3 Trek 5500 for $1000. It had less than 500 miles on it and not a single scratch. At the time, I was looking at a new Fuji Roubaix Pro for about $900. My opinion was that this Fuji was more in-line with my current skills and "suited" for me.

I was fortunate in that the guy who sold me the Trek - a good friend with a lot of money and bikes - saw my passion and wanted to fuel it. A rare bird indeed.

A no-brainer but I have to admit I was a bit intimidated with how nice the 5500 was. It was perfect. So perfect, I had to go out and buy a second bike just to tinker with.

55/Rad

i felt guilty for buying a bike that is worth more than my car, but then again i've given the car to mom so that the only transport i have is the bike. in otherwords the bike IS my new car. and because it's a bicycle instead of a car i have no gas bills plugged into it, no maintainence charges as i do all the work on it. (up to my own abilities mind you. and even then it's still cheaper than bringing my ex-car into the shop.)

i also felt that after getting hit the new bike would help in the way of rehab and because it's not a DF i'll have less back pain on it. so another 2+'s to it.

so it totally depends on your reasoning. but if you've got the cash for it and it's not setting you back on your bill's go for it!

cheers
kat

First of all. Don't spend more than you can afford. Once that is taken care of. Get what YOU want.

For me, I wanted a nice enough bike so that every time I rode I didn't wish I had a nicer bike. There is no point in spending ANY money on something you won't enjoy. I have seen people do it and end up spending twice as much upgrading and upgrading until they finally have what they really wanted in the first place.

Over 2 G'$ for my Litespeed last year was among best money I ever spent. I'm 56, they told me it was a lifetime bike. I said 'that doesn't hold as much value as it use to'. NO REGRETS.

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I bought the bike this morning, took it for a ride, and my bike guilt vanished in the morning mist.

Congrats on the new bike! There are so many benefits to ti, especially for a long-term bike. Be sure to get some anti-seize, and use it on everything (well, almost)!

Just a few days ago, I say a commuting guy with a backpack riding an unscathed Elite 9.8 downtown, in not exactly the most desirable place in the city. He looked like he was having fun. I say, if you've got the money and you've gotten it fairly, you can do whatever you want with it (unless it hurts others)...

P.S. The Elite 9.8 looked great.

Too busy riding to feel guilty. :-)

Congrats on the new bike. At the moment, I'm reading Need for the Bike by Paul Fournel (translated from French). Very fun read. It's a book that focuses on riding from a purely aesthetics point of view. The author is a life-long cycling addict, and he sees cycling like a language, and different rides as having different textures, and a good bike like a piece of dynamic art.

So, what's the point of living if we don't have some aesthetic sensibility?