Mountain Biking - My bike has developed a stranglehold on my wallet.

I just got my first mountain bike less than three months ago. It makes sense then, that I'm not really all that good at riding it yet (although I think I'm learning pretty quickly). However, despite my lack of skills, I still want a kickass bike that can take a lot more than I can dish out... I'm really tempted to drop a few hundred dollars on a nice front fork, despite the fact that I'd probably be better off buying food, or rent, or something like that. Argh... so addictive.

i know how you feel... i'm lookin for a new fork myself. and i've already spent a bit on my bike in terms of upgrades (some installed, some not). my wife and some of my friends think i'm nuts.

Welcome to the club! It will get worse!!! :D

Biking, like any hobby, is expensive!

However, with careful planning and saving, you should be able to afford that kick-ass fork that you want.

Just think about how much others spend on "stupid" stuff like drinking, cell-phones, and cars at a young age (not sure if any apply to you).

Biking, like any hobby, is expensive!

However, with careful planning and saving, you should be able to afford that kick-ass fork that you want.

Just think about how much others spend on "stupid" stuff like drinking, cell-phones, and cars at a young age (not sure if any apply to you).

Cars were my old hobby. I spent over $6000 in parts for a 400hp engine that I assembled and installed into my car myself. 6 months later, the car was stolen and stripped. I gave up on building fast cars at that point.

Bikes are cheaper, and easier to park indoors where they don't get stolen.

Notfred- I thought I was making a good decision by buying a midpriced mtn bike. Now I am telling myself how I need Disc brakes, new fork, better this , better that and still have money left over for your typical mortgage, car insurance and Mountain Dew. You have to look forward to five-Pay months. That is the payday that is not allocated for your other priorities. So that is when I visit LBS with cash in hand!!! It also helps not having a wife and/or husband for serious repercussions after said visit to LBS.

I started working at bike shops just for the hook up basically. Its long hours, hard work and $6/hr, but the discount, layaway and hook ups are WELL worth it.

i feel like i just walked into a meeting of mtber's anonymous! yeah right now i'm still staving off the urge to buy a duallie myself. just feel like it'll help with the confidence of taking larger rocks and hits and therefore help with the skills, or maybe that's just the excuse i keep telling myself. but being attached to my bike does no help, it just makes me want to upgrade AND get the new bike too!

Hmmm...I feel I am good with my bike. I am good at finding cheap parts and keep enough spare parts around to not need to buy much. Past the odd big purchase which I spend time saving for I still maintain a savings account and keep 1 3/4 bikes running at all times :)

i feel the same way...i need to have the best parts i can get. but the best riders i know, ride single speed rigids. so its really the rider that matters imo. not the bike.

My hardtail cost me over $2,000usd to build up and soon it's going to break the 2,500 mark.

Cars were my old hobby. I spent over $6000 in parts for a 400hp engine that I assembled and installed into my car myself.
If you could afford $6000 for a car, surley you can afford $300 for a fork..?

If you could afford $6000 for a car, surley you can afford $300 for a fork..?

I gave up using credit cards around the time the car got stolen.

If this is bicycles anonymous, I must be the Cheif. I've got 11 or 12 bikes in various stages of operability.

I work full time in the construction industry and then help out at a bike shop just so I can get a discount.

How do you keep 1 and 3/4 bikes running at all times? What one fourth of second bike is not there? Just curious. wfin2004

a2psyklnut, let us know what Frances does to you if you can get on the net.

My hardtail will be around $2500US when all is said and done.

What do you need? I've probably got a spare in my garage!!!!

Whatcha doing to prepare for Francis?

L8R

I just dished out around $200 on parts and labor. What I spent them on is secret :). I need a Jersey now though. I put a big hole in my only riding shirt when I crashed last week.

Go back to Anand and buy some computer stuff. :)

Why computer stuff when you can have beautiful new bike parts?

Why computer stuff when you can have beautiful new bike parts?

:) Why not both? I was just letting him know that I recognize him from another forum. ;)