General Cycling Discussion - How Do You Justify Buying a New Bike???

I mean, when you already have a good bike?

I sold my Specialized Langster and Fuji Track bike to buy my new '05 Bianchi Pista.

Tomorrow, I'm going to the bike shop to lay down a deposit on the bike I have decided to go with...

... and believe me, it wasn't easy coming to a decision (I considered the Bianchi Veloce, Eros, Axis, Pista Concept, Cannondale R700, R900, R1000 and Cyclocross, the Specialized Allez Cr-Mo and some other bikes)...

... but I'm going to get the Lemond Croix de Fer for 2005, it's the steel frame traditional geometry road bike with Shimano 105/Ultegra components. It's $1,300 at my LBS and they can order one for me by the end of Feb.

I'm justifying the purchase of this new bike by the fact that I'm almost 30 years old and never have owned a car, I'd be spending $500+ a month if I owned a car.

Once I have a road bike and a MTB bike then I will base it upon when ever the hell I please. LoL. I guess whenever I come up with money and have the desire to spend it on it. I mean, people (my mom spends thousands on books/ audio books a year) buy what makes them happy and occupies their time. I want a road bike so I am not pushing a 40lb rid down the road on some huge tires. I guess you do what makes you happy....if buying a new bike does it, then there is your reason.

Thank you!

Women spend $$$$$ on bags, shoes and make-up. A guy can spend $2000 on a new bike whenever he damn well pleases.




Once I have a road bike and a MTB bike then I will base it upon when ever the hell I please. LoL. I guess whenever I come up with money and have the desire to spend it on it. I mean, people (my mom spends thousands on books/ audio books a year) buy what makes them happy and occupies their time. I want a road bike so I am not pushing a 40lb rid down the road on some huge tires. I guess you do what makes you happy....if buying a new bike does it, then there is your reason.

A fair number of my officemates pay $175 a month to park their cars in the garage next to our building. That's $2100 a year.

Or, one of these http://www.coloradocyclist.com/images/products/full/litage1j03.jpg, every year.

Lots of justifications:
1. Need a winter bike.
2. Need a spare in case the commuter is in the shop.
3. I'm going to get a new one, fix up the old bike and give it to (insert name of needy relative who needs to start exercising and once mentioned he'd ride if he had a bike ... as if he couldn't get one himself.)
4. It would cost more to repair [whatever is wearig out] than to get a new bike.
5. If we had a tandem, it would be fun to ride together.
6. Always wanted to try a recumbent.
7. For brevets and fast rides, it would be nice to have a fast bike that was lighter because it wasn't rigged out like a commuter bike. (rack, fenders, bracket for lock, etc.)
8. I just turned xx years old and I'm feeling sorry for myself. I think I'll get a red Corvette convertible ... or maybe a new bike. (This one works well on wives)
9. A fixed gear bike helps build up a smoother stroke.
10. My stem is rusted from riding so much in a rain, and I can't maintain the bearings properly.
11. Well, you just got a new ... (This one doesn't work well on wives.)
12. I think I'd like to try a triathalon.
13. Rowbikes are good whole-body exercise.

But seriously: you should examine how much "mad money" you reasonably have. Are your kids barefoot? Have you ignored your IRA or 401-K? Do you have credit card debt? Are you trying to save for a house? Are you planning to declare bankruptcy next month? Well, maybe you shouldn't get a new bike. Otherwise ...

My personal problem is a bit different. I'm a sucker for old junk that needs repair, and I'm always buying parts to get them in shape, and new tools. Did I really need a repair stand? the truing stand? I haven't bought welding equipment ... yet.

Thank you!

Women spend $$$$$ on bags, shoes and make-up. A guy can spend $2000 on a new bike whenever he damn well pleases.

damn straight. I've got so many fecking Coach and D&B purses and Longeberger baskets cluttering up the house that she better not say a single thing about the 30+ bikes & frames in the garage :D

Thank you!

Women spend $$$$$ on bags, shoes and make-up. A guy can spend $2000 on a new bike whenever he damn well pleases.

ROTFLOL And people from NYC are superficial and tawlk funny.

ROTFLOL And people from NYC are superficial and tawlk funny.


One of my best friends is from Nawt Kackilacky

Can't. Buying a new bike seldom makes logical sense. Of course there's this:

My worst nightmere is of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about how sensible dad was. I'd rather they talked about how much fun I had. Sorry kids, the last check from my checkbook is going to pay the undertaker and it's going to bounce.

My philosophy is if ain't broke don't fix it. But try telling that to my wife. The only time I've bought a new bike is when

a) Needed a bike for a diferent use MTB vs Road
b) found a better home for old one and gave it away
c) a car bent the frame 45 degree
d) brother borrowed new bike and was stolen so gave me his bike that does not fit.

But if it's not putting your family in a financial situation and it will make you happy go for it that what lifes about.

Justify? Hmm I have x amount of cash the bills are paid, girlfriend is happy........ screw it it's BIKE TIME

It's no different than any other purchase...Particularily, should you use it for transportation..In that case you should get a gold metal...An expensive bike is certainly more justifable than an expensive, gas guzzling car...

It's no different than any other purchase...Particularily, should you use it for transportation..In that case you should get a gold metal...An expensive bike is certainly more justifable than an expensive, gas guzzling car...heck it's more justifable than the gas you put in the gas guzzling car!

It's a new bike. What other reasons do you need?

:D

--J

Am I the only one that doesn't commute on an expensive bike? It would be stolen in a month no matter what lock I put on it. If I do get a roadie it will probably be an old one in the $100 range just for fun. Or a purse and two pairs of shoes by other's justification standards.

well i want a road bike because i do road and mountain, does anybody know if theres some way i can pay in installments?

I justify it for a few reasons:

1. my new bike is going to be custom made
2. I need to have a proper touring bike since I'm doing more tours and the MTB just ain't cutting it
3. Because the new bike just looks "thexy". :D

My LBS is offering 0% financing on bikes over $500. I don't know what it takes to qualify. Most bike stores offer layaway too, but why not save first, and then you aren't commited in case there is a great sale before you can actually bring the bike home.

Here is my thing, a new $500 purse is not going to keep me in shape. A bike on the other hand will do wonders for a girls figure. I rather be riding a $1200.00 bike (thats what I paid for mine). Then walking around 50lbs over weight and a new $500 purse. Its all about choices. Plus I want to be able to do whatever my little heart desires when I'm 70 yrs. :D

NO wife
NO kids
NO TV
A dog but he doesn't eat much and he makes me laff
Sides a guy can't have too many toys,so whats another bike
And who wants a Porsche anyhow??

Maybe the bike of your dreams is over $6500 and you are on a budget.? You can get a great bike for half that..Wonder if the bike is expensive enough you can finance it like a car?

Yes, Lauren, I commute on a wally world bike... if it breaks or gets stolen, I'll just get another. I am considering a more expensive bike, but I am thinking used...and I plan to uglify. If I leave anything unattended, it disappears (bike trunk and contents, 3 pairs of gloves, coat, etc.) However, I am very open about how it is not worth stealing my bike cause it is just a beater...

Let's see, it was either the Bass Boat and trailer or the $4,000 bicycle. Hmmm... one causes weight gain and drunkeness and takes up space in the driveway. The other causes weight loss and fitness gain.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me. :D

A bass boat, eh? I used to be a fat drunk and I didn't even need a boat.

Justification: I don't.
reality: I buy my wife a few jersey's, some De Feet Socks and
offer her a new bike, she says no on the bike and mine is OK.
well in theory thats how it works.

Marty

Jessica..A beater bike..Still has to be reliable..My boss would love to attack my bike commute as being unreliable..He does not like it , I sense...Or so he has told others...Think not much he can do about it, as long as it is reliable..
If you think you are safe with your bike and it is secured, I see no reason to commute on a piece of junk..I know a beater bike, does not have to be junk..

Jessica, you are braver than I am. I borrowed my roommate's old Roadmaster, and was about to hurl the thing into a ditch by the end of the ride (only a few miles thank goodness). I have an old low end GT (MSRP was less than $300, probably 8 to 10 years old) that isn't too impressive to look at (no suspension, on the heavy side) but rides so much better than the old roadmaster. Maybe they have improved in the last 10 years and yours isn't so bad. I would never part with my GT, and the best part is that my boss gave it to me (long story) and I just upgraded a few things (new shifters, slicks, rear rack).

"Am I the only one that doesn't commute on an expensive bike?"

I regularly commute on a five dollar Peugeot UO8 I bought at auction and then turned into a fixed gear for the cost of a track cog. Super-relaible.

It helps to have some mechanical aptitude. Although my tools likely cost more than all of my bikes put together, you can get a basic set of tools and a maintenance manual for about the cost of two Wally world bikes (or you can spend more on the good tools, as I do). A good used bike is probably better, and learning bike mechanics is a good skill if you do a lot of riding.

I'm justifying the purchase of this new bike by the fact that I'm almost 30 years old and never have owned a car, I'd be spending $500+ a month if I owned a car.

I use the same justification. 1300 is diddly compared to owning a car. That and the health benefits save you coinage too.

As yes, even the roommate's lowly Roadmaster gets regular care. I have been using my father's tools, but am saving up for my own Craftsman set (maybe husky, haven't decided).

I compare the cost of tools to the cost of paying the bike shop to fix it. With 2 bikes of my own and 8 in the family it makes sense to buy tools. I do need to learn how to take apart derauilleurs and cranks to clean them though. Might end up with my own trueing stand too if I move very far away.

Am I the only one that doesn't commute on an expensive bike?

Not by a long shot. It's winter here in the north, and most commuters are riding old stuff, given the amount of salt used on the roads.

how do you NOT justify a new bike.
i swing a leg over my bike over 225-250 times a year (a lot for the upper midwest)

Justification: I was born short and dumpy. No amount of money spent on clothes or accessories will make me look 4 inches taller (which is what it would take to get me up to average height) so I don't spend much on them. I don't like purses, they are much more easily stolen than bikes. I prefer to spend my money on bikes that I can ride almost daily (I have to let the old joints have a couple rest days a week) and get the exercise I need to improve my mood, de-stress after work, keep my weight down to something reasonable, and let me feel like I've accomplished something today. Sounds like my husband's HMO ought to pay part of the price for my bike a year plan. This is the year I try drop bars. Besides, the purchase will help my LBS stay in business, and they were definately part of the village that helped raise my son, so I owe them.

I think if you think you need a car every 5 years or so, ( some every year, difficult as that is to believe) certainly a bike every 5 years is not out of the question...Besides recreation and exercise- my bikes are functional- transportation...

Never Justify when you can Rationalize.

Justification? I need justification? Oops, I'm in trouble then.

My favourite justification: I like it, I want it, I'm getting it!

But I also tell my son he can see his inheritence and even enjoy it with me before I kick the bucket.

I would not spend a lot on anything off-the-shelf, but I have spent a lot on a custom frame (in my case, 3K for this whole bike is a lot).

My justifications?

* Bike is exercise equipment
* Bike is pretty
* Bike is entertainment
* Bike is transport (when I have a secure place to store it, beater otherwise)
* Bike is made by master craftsman-- it is important to support such work
* Bike is less expensive than car engine option that only does a subset of the above

Am I the only one that doesn't commute on an expensive bike? It would be stolen in a month no matter what lock I put on it. If I do get a roadie it will probably be an old one in the $100 range just for fun. Or a purse and two pairs of shoes by other's justification standards.

Can you bring the bike inside, or would they think you're a freak?

No room for the bike inside at work (barely enough room for me between all of the engineering toys, need to take my camera there one day), so it would either have to be unappealing to theives, or for recreational use only (and I like to go on rides after class/work, so going home and changing bikes would be an extra hassle).

I have no trouble justifying a new bike. I justified a new house because it has a basement for all my bikes. Now that's some justifying!

The only person I have to justify my bike to is my wife. I simply explain that, "Yes, a new titanium bike is expensive. But in the long run, what's $175?"

I just did it for health reasons. I was afraid the Malvern Star was gonna wreck the knee replacements and or slow down my fitness program. Remember, I'd been forced into an IT job sitting on my arse every day. Wasn't so long and that arse filled a once comfy chair. Now I can slide a cigarette paper between my arse and the arm rests again. :D

There are only two times you need to justify it. One is that you can't really afford it, and the other is that you're not sure you want/need it. I doubt it's the latter...and if it's not the former either, then no justification is necessary.

A suicidal dog made the decision for me when it ran in front of me.
After seeing its owner I could understand why it did not want to live anymore.
Nothing is as hard to understand as when a creature makes the decision to stop living. While the pain and suffering of the creature that dies by suicide has ended, it has increased many times over for those who survive the death.

I had road rash for weeks.
Enjoy