Essthreetee

I got into this whole C & V thing so I could have a hobby that I enjoy, get a little healthier, and not spend too much. Well, I guess 2 out of 3 ain't bad?!?

I am enjoying fixing/learning/riding/reading etc (though still not comparable to most of you, I am putting in about 40+ miles a week and growing).

But I just made the mistake of adding up what I have spent so far.

Again, may not be comparable to some of you...but...I think that number is going to get buried/lost.

Anyone else made the mistake of adding up expenditures?

RubberLegs

JUST DON'T DO IT!!! Look at it this way, you COULD collect and drive Corvettes! Not as healthy, guzzle gas, HIGH insurance rates, SPEEDING tickets, need a bigger garage, and you don't get a cardio workout! ;-)
I've kept my "Habit" on the cheap, flipped, traded or sold a bit to keep things under control. NO, I do NOT have a fantastic "Grail" bike, but have a couple decent riders, and a couple I'm working on....SLOWLY...as affordable parts come my way....

Italuminium

Nah. I just convert it to beers I could have drunk for that money, and then drink that amount to drown my shame.

supafast213

Terrible idea. Take that number and BURN IT!

shadoman

You cannot put a price tag on happiness.

RobbieTunes

You must not have gotten the memo.

Never, ever do that.

Essthreetee

Yeah I missed that one. I was just curious as bikes was my hobby replacement for playing bass in a rock band and I wanted to compare the expenses...either way...not a good idea.

repechage

Most likely your second project will be cheaper, either due to experience, less waste, having some tools now at hand or having a keener eye as to what you are looking at as the basis for a new project.

There are a few who boast that they always come out ahead. They must know Lance.

KonAaron Snake 

For me the pit fall is getting a good deal on a frame...I'll buy, since it's a good deal, but it's impossible to do a frame up build and come out in good shape (unless you go the donor bike route, and even that has its challenges, especially on newer bikes). The plus side is that you get the bike EXACTLY how you want it.

dbakl

I stopped calculating many decades ago. Fortunately, these old bikes give me great pleasure, worth every penny.

Doohickie

This rationale has gotten me a lot of grace from the Comptroller of the Family (my wife). I think of the costs in terms of replacement value of the bikes I ride. I have 6 bikes. There are a couple I could lose due to theft and wouldn't worry about replacing.

The most expensive bike I have would cost probably $1-1.5k to replace (early 90s hybrid that's been converted to a light tourer/heavy commuter, with drop bars, Brooks saddle, nice fenders, upgraded wheelset with dynohub and lights, etc.) I paid a small fraction of that to build the bike because I did so opportunistically, but if I had to replace it, that's probably what the cost would come to.

The bikes in between would be bikes I would opportunistically replace if I needed to- a decent 1980s road/touring bike, classic English 3-speed, etc.

The whole collection was built up as just that- a collection. So as opportunities presented themselves, I evaluated them against "holes" in my collection and how good of a deal the acquisition cost is.

So even though I've sunk some money into my collection, most of it was pretty good bang for the buck, and compared to other hobbies I might take up is much more affordable and healthier for me.

noglider 

I haven't added it up, but I realize that being a cheapskate, buying bikes and stuff cheap, has cost me a lot, since I've bought too many things overall. I could have a high-end modern bike with what I've already spent. And I use the word modern in the good sense, not the crappy sense.

That's one of many reasons I want to get rid of most of what I have.

toytech

I used to use an excel spread sheet my wife made for me to insure that I was even or ahead moneywise (I sell bikes to buy bikes) this kept the spouse happy. now I don't keep track as closely but I am still even or maybe a little positive. Buy low sell high and upgrade as opportunity presents itself.

Cougrrcj

You just don't put prices or add up expenses for a hobby. Unless you're walking barefoot along the beach looking for seashells, every hobby can be expen$ive.

Bikes? Parts cost money. Even if you were given a NOS bare 'uber'frame of your dreams, by the time you buy a headset, fork, bottom bracket, derailleurs, shifters, handlebar and stem, brake levers all cables, seatpost, saddle, crankset, pedals and then start talking about wheels and tires... You'd find you would have been better off buying a complete bike.

Heck, even if you drive around collecting bikes from the trash on garbage day, and saved the components (filling a garage or basement) or even fixed some of those bikes for flipping, you'll spend money for cables, brake pads, tubes, tires, spokes, bearings, grease... The Boy Scout troop I volunteered for rebuilt garbage-picked bikes for inner city kids. I did the above. Even though we were getting incidental parts from a LBS at cost or some things outright donated, it cost us a small fortune! Start talking C&V mid-upper quality bikes, and you can easily spend $500 or more on a restoration!

PeregrineA1 

Even walking barefoot on the beach can be expensive.......depends on the beach and how you get there.

I will not be adding up my bike expenses any time soon, thank you very much. I am happy.

IthaDan 

I figure the money I spend on bicycles is the money I would have spent if I were still drinking- either way it's lost, but at least now I have something to show for it.

It is a bit staggering to add it all up though. I keep telling people there will be a whole lot of ads on craigslist once the spring hits, but we'll see.

k_randomfactor

I'm transitioning to bikes from other, pricey, hobbies. My End-of-Month isn't getting any better atall atall.

But I'm riding more, which I'll enjoy when the weather warms up.

photogravity

I was using my PayPal bill at the end of each month as a yardstick of my spending, but then realized that for personal payments it would save me a few quid to do direct debit to my checking account. I decided to just quit buying unless I need something, more or less. Then again if a deal shows up, like with the stuff whatwolf was selling recently, all bets are off!

sloar 

i'm gonna spend my money somewhere, might as be bicycles...

Bianchigirll 

I think I could buy a new Caddilac for what I have spent in recent years.

echo

Rule #2 - We never talk about rule #1.

rumrunn6

give it a couple more years, then you'll be all set and the expenses should die down

gomango

Good points!

I will say though, that my recent sell down has provided plenty of conversion cash to buy two brand new bicycles.

I'll be doing a great deal off road cycling in the coming years and the process was made easy by selling bicycles, instead of dusting them off occasionally.

I can actually walk through the workshop as well.

I am now down to fewer than six legit "c&v" bicycles and I'll likely convert a few more to cash before all is said and done.

calamarichris

"When one seeks the prize of his heart, he does not ask 'how many horses'." -Chief Joseph

mbbiker

January 1st I gave myself $1,000 to spend on bikes and parts. When it's gone hopefully I'll make a few bucks come spring when i sell off most of the 20/30 dollar tune up and flip bikes that seem to find me over winter. Then use the cash to pick up a new cinelli supercorsa frameset. If it doesnt work that way at least i had fun working on bikes and will keep flipping until i find that one bike that fits perfect or the moneys gone and i spend time riding until next year.