flippin_bikes

I started my weight loss Journey about 5 months ago at an all time high of 265 lbs (I am 6' 1.5"). Today when I weighed myself, I have nudged just under 220 lbs and my goal weight of 190 lbs is starting to come within sight. I have purchased 2 new bikes this year (a single speed REI Novara Buzz commuter/townie in March and a leftover 2010 KHS Flite 220 road bike in April).

The single speed is an absolute blast to ride and that is going to be a member of my stable for a long time. The KHS, on the other hand, was a compromise bike. I sold my touring bike in February after deciding that I didn't want a drop bar bike and that my hybrid would be good enough for me. What really happened was that I resigned myself to riding a bike that for a cyclist is the equivalent of giving up on life and only wearing sweat pants.

When I started riding that single speed, it sort of lit a fire under me and made me want a bike that you can ride fast. Well, that just happens to be a road bike. Enter the KHS: a 30 lb beast of a road bike with low end components. I wanted better, but didn't have the money at the time. I know the owner of a bike shop and was able to buy a new Flite 220 for under $400. I could have found a better (or higher end) used bike on craigslist, but I wanted something with a steel frame, room for big tires, and a compact double. I couldn't find anything that fit my parameters, so I got the KHS.

I've actually enjoyed the bike a lot and made a couple of small upgrades to make the bike better suit me. There are still issues. I hate the Sora style STI levers and toe overlap is a bit of a problem both because I chose a smaller frame size (wanted a short top tube for my bad back) and I have size 14 shoes. From the moment I bought it, I knew that I wanted a nicer bike. I still like steel bikes with lots of tire clearance and now that I have ridden a compact double, I am hooked.

There are 3 bikes on my short list right now:

3.) Specialized Secteur Comp - This bike is neither steel nor does it have lots of tire clearance, but it is in the plush category of road bike. I have never owned a bike with fairly racy geometry or carbon fiber of any sort. I checked one out today and it should fit a 28c tire without any issues which will allow me to roll down smooth dirt roads and better span some of the gnarly moisture expansion cracks in the lovely roads we have here.

2.) Salsa Vaya - Who wouldn't want a burly road bike with disc brakes? This isn't a great deal lighter than my KHS, but this thing would go anywhere I would want it to. I also like SRAM double tap levers a lot. This does have all of the parameters I want in a bike.

1.) Jamis Quest - I think this balances light weight and racy performance with comfort just about perfectly. These have long reach brakes and may take up to a 32c tire, but certainly a 28c tire will fit with no issues. This seems like the likely candidate for my next bike.

So, this thread my seem like it has no direction, but I was just curious to see with what others have rewarded themselves or plan to reward themselves.

Seve

I said I would reward myself when I cracked the 200 lb. mark last year. I ended up hitting that mark and reaching my overall goal of the low 180's earlier this year.

So yes, I rewarded myself with a new road bike.

Berta

Hmmm, I think I should get on board with this idea and I really don't know why I didn't think of it myself. Anyway, great job, congrats, and I hope you love your new bike, whichever you end up with :-)

CraigB

I also told myself I'd get a reward bike when I broke 200. Economic circumstances intervened and I had to wait another 4 months, and finally get a little less bike than I would have liked to be able to get, but I'm happy. I think you'll find quite a few folks around here who've used the purchase of a new bike as a carrot.

chefisaac

do it..... treat yourself!

jethro56 

My reward for completing a Metric Century was a roadbike similar to the ones you've mentioned. I rode 9 different bikes as almost everyone sells a relaxed geo model. I ended up buying a Trek Madone 4.5.

RandoneeRider

If this bike thing catches on, and I continue to continue with it..... I could easily consider rewarding myself with a real road bike. Problem is, nobody makes anything that fits me correctly; I would have to go to a local guy who makes custom frames/bikes. I now find myself wondering if the entry-level custom bike he offers for "$1,675" is a complete bike or not. Bit of a pipe dream though, as I would have to reduce my current 227 lb's by virtually half and now I'm learning that short folks have difficulty shedding the weight.

I think if I 'reward' myself with anything for having broken through the 200 pound barrier, that might be an additional set of wheels on which to mount some high psi tires for road trips over smooth tarmac.

nutmegTN

I have little and big goals. For every 10 lbs lost (little goal) I plan to get something small like a pair of cute bike socks, a halo sweat band, a new book, etc. (Finances are VERY tight so I can not justify buying even these little non-essentials otherwise.) For big goals, my rewards will be clothes & more expensive accessories, for example a bike skort (bike shorts with a skirt attached), biking gloves, or spd pedals, etc.

I'm very close to my first 10 lb goal so I'll be thinking about what to get for myself...

KBentley57

I bought mine when I reached 175, as a gift to me, from me.

I like the felt Z series - relaxed geometry, light enough, and overall a nice first bike.

psalm

My reward for reaching my goal weight of 190 will be a CAAD10 Rival. I am already saving my pennies for it, just another 45 pounds to go. I won't mention how much more $ I need.

Mr. Beanz

I'm not one to reward myself buying things. If I want something, I just buy it.

My reward is training for a ride, losing 30 lbs, then going out and kicking ass on the ride. If your friends are on the "getting your ass kicked" list, then it's just that much more of a reward!

dygituljunky

I have yet to reach my first 2500 km on a bike but when I do, I will reward myself with a tattoo of a chain ring, a chain, or a duplicate of a grease smudge on my right calf. I think I'll also include in the tattoo plan a chart with goals and their achievement dates with a couple of derailleur cogs or DOT style bicycle outlines at the top of the chart.

Also on the reward list for something around 5000 km is a Greenspeed Anura (for which money is already going into savings).

As for weight loss rewards, I'll be rewarded with happier knees.

green427

Maybe in a couple years.

I bought my brand-new $1200 Ibex Vantage road bike about 10 years ago, and my wife has never understood why a bicycle cost that much, especially when I can get one at Walmart for under $100. Even though I am approaching the 30lb weight loss mark, I would not dare bring up a new bike for awhile.

Right now, for me, the biggest reward is the look on everyone's faces when they notice my weight loss, especially after years of being the butt of everyone's fat jokes. I also get that good feeling when my 13 year old daughter asks to go mountain biking with me.

goldfinch

I got my Cannondale Quick as a reward for making it half through my weight loss. I had thought about a more expensive bike and decided I wasn't ready. Given my shoulder/back/neck i don't know what will come of my riding.

If I am screwed on a diamond frame when I lose all my weight I am buying a full suspension ICE Adventure recumbent trike. If not, I am buying a road bike.

1855Cru

Yes, when I reached some weight and performance goals this year I treated myself to a new Cervelo R3. Absolutely love this bike, very fast, handles perfectly and is super comfortable. I actually find I am riding even more now

Also it was fun to see Tyler Farrar win a stage of this year's TdF on a R3, got a real charge out of that!

dougclyde

You all have the right ideas! I just hit the 30 lb. lost mark last week..I am now 7 pounds lighter than when I graduated high school in '85. Changed my eating habits and lifestyle and got my Trek last month, and am totally addicted to cycling.
Dangle those carrots! Even if the result is before the reward financially, you earned it. If I have to wait for it, so be it.

kBentley - the Felt z5 is on top of my list as my first road bike sometime in the future!
VERY nice bike...

but man, those Cervelos....Geez do they boil my blood!

Getting one of those to reward myself would be the equivalent of handing my 19 year old daughter the keys to a Diablo and saying "Go ahead sweetheart, take your friends to the movies...it's all yours!" ...you just don't DO that!!!

flippin_bikes

I haven't really thought of this in terms of "dangling a carrot." Instead, it is more of an "at'a boy" for a job well done. So far, my weight loss has not been a struggle. By staying on track, I've lost a consistent 2-3 lbs per week. If I hit a plateau before reaching 200, then the new bike may become the carrot I need to push a little harder to reach my goal.

Cairncross

I've definitely been thinking new bike reward the entire time while riding my ass off.
I've lost apx 40#, just another 40# to go.
Money will be the problem since wifey 's job was eliminated 2 months ago, but I will find a way.

zowie

If I ever get to my college weight I'll probably buy a sub-20 pound 700cx23 road bike, or maybe a custom lugged steel job. However, to get there I'll probably have put 10000 miles or more on my current bike so it'll be due for replacement.

highbrow

I started with a beach cruiser, then decided I was going to take my weight loss serious so I went to the DR. and found out I was at an all time high of 309. I went out and purchased a quick 4 and started to ride. I said when I dropped 75 lbs I would look into a road bike, today I weigh 228 and last week purchased a Cannondale carbon 6 and only having it for a week I am loving it. put over 150 miles on it and already seeing minor little changes I am going to make, like new bars and sram double tap shifters. Anyway yes reward yourself you earned it

1855Cru

Lol, I know what you mean Went on a group ride tonight and because of a late start due to an accident the A and B riders all rode together. It was a hammerfest but I managed to keep up with everyone and averaged 20.1 mph for the 35 mile ride a new personal best for me!! I just couldn't let them drop me while I was riding my new Cervelo

ChristopherMast

Currently at 195-ish... wife says if I hit my goal of 175 I can buy whatever bike I want. She means it too!
Thing is: She said that months ago... like March-ish I was 205-ish then. You'd think I'd be more motivated to lose weight faster O_o

IAmCosmo

There's a Pinarello Dogma waiting for me when I hit 185. Luckily for my wallet that's still a long ways off...

perspiration

I'm starting to think about this myself...I got a Crosscheck a few months ago but I'm already down to 218 from last year's 250....maybe if I get under 200 I'll start considering a new bike. The question is, I'm already riding the "swiss army bike" so which way do I go with a new bike? Touring? Road? FG sexy hipster bike?

Brando_T.

I have an ING Account called "Bike Weight Fund"

Money goes into this account everytime I drop down to a new low weight - but it's got to be two weeks in a row.

Currently sitting at $1450 or so.

Goal is a new bike once I am under 220.