N+1 dilema.
 

Went into one of the bigger bike shops in Town today to sniff the grease, and saw a Madone 5.5 Pro for $3500. That appears to be a truly excellent bike for that price. The bike (without riding it) is my size. The problem is that I've been thinking my next "bike" will be a canoe. I've just been holding off while I build up the bank balance.

So I must deal with my bicycle coveting and bike lust until it fades away. Tough being in the "me first and deny me nothing" generation. Learning to delay gratification is so hard!

Take a deep breath... Step away from the bicycle... Feel better now?

Bike or canoe, hurry before you squander the money on something foolish like food and shelter.

Hold off on the canoe until spring, winter she's coming, & if you really like the bike I would get it. I have spent $9K on bikes in the last 2 months alone, I just need/want one more.

Get the test ride and see if you want it more--

skilsaw...

You can always rent a canoe!

Get the bike. FWIW, I just got a Madone 4.5 wsd instead of new kitchen cabinets. NO REGRETS! The Madone is awsome.

What does SWMBO think of you getting a new ride and her kitchen not getting new cabinets, and how did you resolve the conflict?

Problem solved...

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/...ayak-2012.html

...and you can buy two for the cost of the Madone.

Now wasn't that easy? :D

Since I AM the SWMBO and report to no one - pretty much do as I please... and I 'pleased' a new bike!

That delayed gratification stuff is tough (says the guy that just bought two new bikes...).

What is your ride today? Maybe go out in the garage, clean it up, love on it a bit, and the desire for a Madonegasm will decline.

Heresy on this site I know, but a nice canoe is as beautiful a thing as a nice bike (I'm saving for one now that I gratificationed myself with the bikes for me and SWMBO).

Delayed gratification for what? The grave? lol We all must live within our means but when it comes between kitchen cabinets and a bike come on, is there really a choice? I can hear the guys talking now. I really like hanging out with lookinUp and her new cabinets. haha

I retire in January- or may do. Money is going to be tight but I still want N+1. So I will work on for a few months to get N+1. May mean that if I work for 4 months I can get the top of the range instead of the base model. Just face- I will have a long retirement so might aswell make the most of it with a bike I enjoy riding instead of wondering how good the top of the line model would have been.

Go on- test ride the Madone- you know you are worth it.

:lol: