shoota 

I need help. I have two nice riders, so I decided to build up my '87 Trek 560 as a beat around the neighborhood bike. I wanted to use as many parts as I already had and spend as little as possible for the rest since I rarely ride it more than a mile or two at any one time. I started off great. Only really needed a crankset. Wound up with a 7800 Dura Ace crank. WTF? How did that happen? Got a free brake set that works ok, bought a Campy Chorus set a couple days later. Now it's getting to be a really decent bike so I'm shopping for new bars, brake levels, saddle, and seatpost. The whole point of this project was to build a bike I wouldn't cry over if something happened to it. Well... there goes that theory. What's wrong with me??

jmeb

Nothing. You like bikes. You have some disposable income. All and all its a lot better use of money than a boat, or booze and a whole lot of other things you could spend money on.

I often feel the same way. (Why did I just email a dude about a Raleigh Sports?! I already have one (albiet without fenders, coaster-braked rear wheel, bad paint...other excuses).) But then I remember that this is a hobby and I'm generally fiscally responsible enough.

cyclotoine

I also have this problem. Building a single speed to flip and it ends up with superbe brakes, syncros seaspost and nice red ano-EC70 MTB bars. Might but gold alloy chainring bolts on it too! WHY!!!!!????

Kobe 

You build them and rebuild them 'cause you can. You got the skilz man.

icepick_trotsky 

Might as well start shopping for a new beater. This one's too nice now.

sloar 

Its a sickness we all have, and we are all enablers also. I feel partially responsible from our last transaction. I should've never given you that much money..

miamijim

Its my fault. Stop visiting and I'll stop giving you free stuff.

MRT2

I don't see a problem.

FlatSix911

You need more bikes ... N+1 is the answer!

oddjob2

12 step program or below.

Addiction Psychiatrists near Tampa, FL - Addiction Treatment - Substance Abuse Doctor

shoota 

Also your fault for teaching me how to work on them!

whew

Tell that to the wife haha

They might be getting a call.

Ok, headed back into the garage to upgrade more parts on it for no reason. Later.

RobbieTunes

At present, it is a way to tell yourself you can get faster.

J708

just imagine how much more money you would be spending upgrading your car. upgrading a bike is a hell of a lot more cheaper so do what you love cause life is too short!

I hold back from buying an accessory or anything bike related every time i step into a bike shop which is atleast a couple of times a week. end of the day i know im only spending 30 - 50 bucks on something instead of spending 300 on a car part if I enjoyed upgrading my jeep just as much.

FlatSix911

Absolutely true ... the cost ratio is a least 10 to 1 on car parts vs. bike parts ... both are addictive!

J708

oh yeah. but its very difficult not to pick up something thats for 40 bucks max for your bike even if you don't NEED it.

my impulse buying limit stops at 40 bucks. anything less than that i find very difficult not pulling my debit card out.

seedsbelize 

I upgrade because i don't want to accumulate lots of bikes, but at the same time I like to work on bikes.

Henry III

Because its better then making a "why can't I stop degrading my bikes" thread.

CroMo Mike 

Shoota, if you'd bought that grail bike in the first place, you wouldn't be upgrading stuff now.

shoota 

...said no one ever.

but seriously, I don't have a grail bike.

Cougrrcj

When my trusty Fuji's VGT Luxe rear derailleur needed new pulleys - in the time before the Internet - and the LBS said that SunTour parts were obsolete, I ended up replacing the whole thing with something more modern just to get by... I have since acquired a 1st gen SunTour Cyclone GT for it, along with a NOS set of original SunTour roller-bearing pulleys that will go on at the next full overhaul. Probably the last rear derailleur it will ever need!

The '84 Univega Viva Sport I had picked up two years ago -- well, I decided to give it a detailed full overhaul since it was new-to-me and I didn't know it's maintenance history. Hoo boy... In addition to replacing things to suit my preferences (SunTour barcons for one), it got some upgrades as well. It also got 1st gen Cyclone derailleurs F&R to replace the original SunTour BL, along with a New Winner Ultra 13-21 6-speed freewheel, a Cyclone crankset, a VO cartridge bearing BB, a better seatpost (orig was cut off at the max ext line, not allowing enough to clamp!) along with a Brooks-clone leather saddle, new VO road pedals, newer GranCompe aero brake levers and new hoods... new bar tape, new cables... I spent more on the upgrades than I did for the whole bike!