jboyd

So yesterday I stopped at a local bike shop in Cape Girardeau, MO to drool over whatever selection of 29er's they had. I made the grave error of test riding a Gary Fisher Genesis 2.0 Paragon 29er.

What the hell was I thinking? That is not in my current budget and I am now in

Tracey and I have agreed that this year we are cutting way back on xmas to each other in order to help a local family. I still want and will help the family, but I want to renegotiate the cutting back on each other part Well, at least the cutting back on me part. I REALLY LIKED THAT BIKE

I have been chatting with a whitewater forum friend of mine who lives in CO and is part owner of a bike shop. His shop sells Giant, Fuji, and I think Cannondale, so he has access to a couple of 29er's, but he himself admits that he went out and bought the GF from a competitor because he felt it's geometry was that much better designed then the Fuji.

How silly it is to test ride when you are not in a position to buy If you read about a liquor store robbed in my area, I'll let you know how the new GF works out

Jay

Neil_B

May I suggest an alternative? Sell stuff you don't use and apply the money towards the 29r. I'm doing that with the idea that I'll be that much closer to buying a touring 'bent. (I'm PA Bookseller on Amazon, if you want to see me try to dispose of part of my book and music library. And folks think I don't suffer pain for cycling. )

Edit: I'm also searching for a buyer for the Navigator, if that gets me that much closer to a 'bent.

CliftonGK1

Yeah, I'm making the same mistake and drooling over a utility/urban bomber buildup around either a Surly KM or a Salsa Fargo frame. I shouldn't look at bikes I can't afford when I have other pressing financial obligations to deal with.

bdinger

Same boat! Well.. kind of. I told my wife that she gets a house, I get a Karate Monkey.

Unfortunately she doesn't see it directly my way.. yet . SHe did the same thing when I wanted a LHT, and eventually had to push me out the door to the LBS to go buy one.

The Paragon is.. awesome. Check out some Salsas too, my heart still screams for a Mamasita frame .

Neil - I'm doing the same thing! I have (literally) closets full of computer parts that I no longer have any desire for. Seriously.. three 300mw PCMCIA wifi cards? What was I thinking back then! I'm starting everything at $5 and letting it roll. Some financial gain is better/none/taking up space.

jboyd

Yes Neil, your advice is appreciated. This afternoon I went to my storage unit and started sorting through all the camping and paddling gear that I have. I literally have 3 of everything, and we're talking the good stuff. Bunches of NRS Hydroskin, Mountain Hardware Hammerhead3 Tent, a couple of Wilderness Systems Pungos, a primo Werner whitewater paddle and lots of ancillary gear. And in the bike world, a Pacific Mountain bike and a 1967 Raleigh (nottingham england) 3 speed in primo condition.

I am stoked. You have lit a fire under me. I am gonna unload this stuff. When I get done, I will still have at least one of everything I had before, and will be much closer to the next ride.

Sorry for the rant...........kinda wired

Jay

Neil_B

My case was both less extreme and weirder. I knew I had a problem when I came home with a paperback copy of The Portable Stephen Crane, only to discover I already owned it. Add that to the two paperback copies of Boswell's Life of Johnson, in addition to having it in hardcover, and I knew I had a problem. "Hi, my name is Neil, and I am a biblioholic."

Between that, a large chunk of my CD collection, my Navigator, and some excess bike gear I have, I should have a good start to getting a recumbent, if a 'bent is going to make me be a better rider. And getting rid of excess weight of ANY kind is liberating in itself.

JoelS

Never, Ever test ride a bike that you can't afford to buy!

jboyd

Well where were you yesterday when I needed that advice?

JoelS

I was here. Waiting for you to ask.

Caincando1

That's why I test ride... I don't like teasing myself like that. A 29'er would be killer! Best of luck.

jaxgtr

You never no what eBay beholds. I had software out the wazoo, I sold a developers edition of Office 97 about in 2007 for $195, Crystal Reports Ver 7 for $100, Ver 8 for $125 and so much other crap I never used anymore and never developed in any longer. I made in the hood of $1500. Did I mention I bought my CAAD9 for $1200??? It can happen.

jesspal

I have a reef aquarium and can sell small pieces of coral that i frag for a pretty good price. I think this is what i'm gonna do to sneak a new marin hamilton 29er in on my wife.

Caincando1

Well don't tease us! Post pictures of your tank for gods sakes.

BikEthan

Yeah... that's how I ended up with a large chunk of credit card debt and an Atlantis... honestly I don't have any regrets though.

1bluetrek

Sigh, whats a guy to do? I love my Trek, but I do admit that I tend to lust after other bikes. (mostly ones that I could never dream of being able to afford).

Jerry in So IL

I've done the same thing, but with a Savge muzzleloader. Its sweet, and shoots smokeless powder. Been selling off my "junk pile" of parts and reloading itmes and casting moulds. Hoping to make that extra money before March.

Still up in the air about a Spring bike though. Just can't bring myself of buy anything as of yet. My Hardrocks are getting me through the winter and maybe early Spring. Looking at the Breezer Liberty hard or a Worksman Cycle with options.

BTW, don't mean to hijack, but ankle is given a clean bill of health. I'm back at the gym, for right now. New shift, 4am to 12n, is hell on me and riding. Feel like I could sleep all day and night.

Jerry