View Poll Results: Your Level Of Bike vs. Your Level of Automobile:
Voters: 96. You may not vote on this poll
Level Of Bike vs. Level Of Car You Drive
05-13-15, 11:36 PM
#26
Senior Member
I've driven beaters for most of my life. I had an 89 dodge caravan that I paid $800 for and kept 12.5 years lol and it was one of the best vehicles I ever owned. Ugly as hell but so handy and cheap/easy to fix. I kept it so long basically because it was worth so little and was so useful that I really couldn't justify replacing it. After I completely drove that thing into the ground I upgraded to what I'd call a nice car a 04 VW jetta wagon TDI with 230k miles on it but most people probably wouldn't think it was anything special. I also have my fun car a 95 miata but it isn't worth anything either. Anyway I'd say if have mid-level bikes and mid level cars 
.
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05-13-15, 11:46 PM
#27
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No "moderate" options?
Or do we live in a binary world?
I agree that one person's junker might be another person's luxury item.
Or do we live in a binary world?
I agree that one person's junker might be another person's luxury item.
05-14-15, 05:23 AM
#28
Zip tie Karen
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2005 Toyota Camry 4cyl LE trim that I inherited from my brother. It only has 59K miles on it, though, and it's extremely clean but plain.
My bikes are all low-mid, but I keep them meticulously maintained.
So, I'm a low-low guy. Buy only what you need and take the best care of it that you can, that's our approach.
My bikes are all low-mid, but I keep them meticulously maintained.
So, I'm a low-low guy. Buy only what you need and take the best care of it that you can, that's our approach.
05-14-15, 05:44 AM
#29
Senior Member
Not sure.. what is a Specialized Hardrock considered? Overall in my mind both the Specialized and the Focus are mid-mid since I've had worse.
05-14-15, 05:52 AM
#30
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I'm kind of middle to low both car and bike. I early/middle adulthood it was buy a 10 year old car and bike everywhere else. Sometime I didn't have a working car at all. My bikes were low to middle: used Raleigh Sports, gas pipe no-name, and finally a Diamondback RidgeRunner (early production mountain bike). I still have two of those bikes and ride them, but my regular rides are a REI Safari (I'd call that middle for a bike, but that's not a choice in the survey) and in the winter a cheapie modern Schwinn IG5. In my later adulthood, I bought a car new so I could get it with the equipment I wanted and then keep it for 10-15 years--which means my 2004 Passat wagon may be the last car that is mine.
05-14-15, 07:29 AM
#31
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Low & none.
I ride a 20yr old huffy and don't own a car. I'm special like that.
I ride a 20yr old huffy and don't own a car. I'm special like that.
05-14-15, 08:02 AM
#32
Old Fart
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I like to live life without a lot of stuff, myself, except for that which is essential, and that which is important to me. Some people don't know what to make of me, because, for instance: I live in a mobile-home....but it's on 28 acres! (Having some land=important to me; big fancy house=not so much); I have 2 tractors and 2 riding mowers (need redundancy when you have lots of grass!) but I don't own a 'smart'phone; nor have cable TV nor many of the other modern gadgets [I think I need to go to the "How Simply Do You Live thread in the Living Car-Free sub-forum. Although I don't know...it's not like I'm living in a one-room apartment and sleeping on the floor..... Although I have!]
05-14-15, 08:28 AM
#33
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I think in long term use of all that I own. That said, I own a 22 year old pristine 1993 Chevy Suburban that rolled off the car carrier into my garage.....brand spankin' new. We don't travel much now that we are retired so my 22 year old suburban and my 19 year old 1996 Chevy PU will do us nicely for a long time to come. Buy once buy quality...then take care of them.
As to the bike......I splurged when I retired and ordered a custom built Worksman cruiser that I tricked out for comfort. It,too, will last many more years.
Like I said....Buy once buy quality.
As to the bike......I splurged when I retired and ordered a custom built Worksman cruiser that I tricked out for comfort. It,too, will last many more years.
Like I said....Buy once buy quality.
That is precisely why I didn't define what constitutes "high-end"...just in case anyone was wondering.... It can be relative. I'm more interested in seeing if there are a lot of people with $7K bikes who also drive $100K cars....or, conversely, people with $7K bikes driving $2K cars....
05-14-15, 08:40 AM
#34
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That is precisely why I didn't define what constitutes "high-end"...just in case anyone was wondering.... It can be relative. I'm more interested in seeing if there are a lot of people with $7K bikes who also drive $100K cars....or, conversely, people with $7K bikes driving $2K cars....
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05-14-15, 04:08 PM
#35
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From an idea courtesy of something @oldnslow2 mentioned in a post of his...
I like nice things but am otherwise thrifty, and often care more about my bike than my car which I use less.
05-14-15, 06:17 PM
#36
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Clearly you haven't seen my investment portfolio from 2007 through 2011 
.
Until last year I was clearly in the mid-mid or mid-low or some other category. I'm too practical (and cheap) to replace cars before they wear out. That's why I'm driving a 1994 Honda Accord (that I bought used from a friend) with 180k on the clock, which replaced a 1991 Honda Accord that I bought new and drove until it passed the 250k mark, and I decided it wasn't worth keeping and insuring both cars. I still ride a 1978 Trek something or other sport touring bike as my winter commuter (though it's currently down until I get around to replacing the barcons). In 2009 or so I bought an IRO fixed gear frame and had it built up with good-quality components (Sugino75, Phil Wood, Paul, Speedplay, Brooks, etc.). Last year I finally replaced the Trek with my grail bike: a custom Steve Rex with polished, hand cut SS lugs, dropouts and right chainstay and outfitted with Campy Record EPS. Pretty sure it qualifies as "high end" in anybody's book.
.Until last year I was clearly in the mid-mid or mid-low or some other category. I'm too practical (and cheap) to replace cars before they wear out. That's why I'm driving a 1994 Honda Accord (that I bought used from a friend) with 180k on the clock, which replaced a 1991 Honda Accord that I bought new and drove until it passed the 250k mark, and I decided it wasn't worth keeping and insuring both cars. I still ride a 1978 Trek something or other sport touring bike as my winter commuter (though it's currently down until I get around to replacing the barcons). In 2009 or so I bought an IRO fixed gear frame and had it built up with good-quality components (Sugino75, Phil Wood, Paul, Speedplay, Brooks, etc.). Last year I finally replaced the Trek with my grail bike: a custom Steve Rex with polished, hand cut SS lugs, dropouts and right chainstay and outfitted with Campy Record EPS. Pretty sure it qualifies as "high end" in anybody's book.
05-14-15, 06:39 PM
#37
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I can answer high end to both - the two things I love, cars snd cycling.
05-14-15, 06:55 PM
#38
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Ah! Now that describes me! (Well...not so much the handbags 
) -I like good-quality stuff, which is durable, and can be acquired at a reasonable price. Not the best available; not the mosty luxurious; but not bare-bones or spartan, either.
Now to find such practicality in a woman...... THAT is truly rare. UImm...will you marry me?
) -I like good-quality stuff, which is durable, and can be acquired at a reasonable price. Not the best available; not the mosty luxurious; but not bare-bones or spartan, either. Now to find such practicality in a woman...... THAT is truly rare. UImm...will you marry me?
There are loads of practice ladies out there. Though I think we all splurge on something!
05-14-15, 07:02 PM
#39
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My bikes are high end to me. See signature. I drive a flivver. A 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe with a mighty and thundering 2.2 liter 4 cylinder power plant with a 5 speed manual transmission. Thundering because there is a hole in the muffler. Cheap, reliable transportation for the winter. I spend a lot more money and time on my bikes.
05-15-15, 02:12 PM
#41
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2007 Sentra (parents old car) and my "best" bike is a 2012 Trek Skye. I used to have a 2001 Corolla that I absolutely loved. I don't baby my rides but the are treated well & taken care of.
05-15-15, 02:22 PM
#42
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Mid - Mid for me.
Honda Element car. But, it's the top of the line SC version with all the good stuff (for an Element) so not so much the typical base model with the black plastic body like you think of usually.
Specialized Allez bike.
Honda Element car. But, it's the top of the line SC version with all the good stuff (for an Element) so not so much the typical base model with the black plastic body like you think of usually.
Specialized Allez bike.
05-15-15, 02:28 PM
#43
Senior Member
there was a time: I had a $1400.00 bike and a $600.00 truck to drive.
Now, I still have a $1400.00 bike and much better truck! (even if it's older!)
Now, I still have a $1400.00 bike and much better truck! (even if it's older!)
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I have NEVER regretted going on a ride;
I have often regretted not going when I could have!
I am grateful for the headwind that challenged me today!
I am grateful for the tailwind that helped me go fast!
Clydesdales and Athenas Strava Club
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I have NEVER regretted going on a ride;
I have often regretted not going when I could have!
I am grateful for the headwind that challenged me today!
I am grateful for the tailwind that helped me go fast!
Clydesdales and Athenas Strava Club
https://www.strava.com/clubs/clydesda...bikeforums-net
05-15-15, 04:09 PM
#44
Senior Member
I drive an OLDER 'average' dependable car and an OLDER 'average' dependable bike, but that was not one of the OP's options...
05-15-15, 04:31 PM
#45
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$5,000 bikes in the cycling world aren't that uncommon. $100K cars are fairly scarce. Maybe $50K on up for top line cars? Or $10K bikes?
05-15-15, 05:02 PM
#46
Senior Member
You missed an option: I have three average bikes and no car.
By "average", one cost me $500 brand new, and has seen some upgrades (hydraulic brakes, custom rear wheel, 9-speed), the other is largely stock but cost $960 brand new and has only seen a new wheelset. The third cost me $600 and basically has been serviced twice in its lifetime: basically is just transport to/from the bike shop now.
Not $5000 über-expensive road bikes, but not cheap $100 K-Mart specials either.
By "average", one cost me $500 brand new, and has seen some upgrades (hydraulic brakes, custom rear wheel, 9-speed), the other is largely stock but cost $960 brand new and has only seen a new wheelset. The third cost me $600 and basically has been serviced twice in its lifetime: basically is just transport to/from the bike shop now.
Not $5000 über-expensive road bikes, but not cheap $100 K-Mart specials either.
05-15-15, 05:20 PM
#47
Old Fart
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For instance: I ride a bike which cost $1800 used ($5K new) but drive a truck which cost $4500 used (Maybe $40K new). You could say that my bike is financially-speaking, out of proportion to the rest of my life. I mean, counting both of my bikes and accessories and all, I've spend about $3500 on cycling- which is just a hobby.....
I'm thinking, when it comes to cycling, that more people seem to go beyond the small percentage of income which is usually allocated to hobbies/sports. It's all relative thoughj- depending on your income level. I mean, if you make $100K a year, a $5K bike isn't that big of a deal, and still falls within the range of "average" as per what I'd imagine would be an average percent of income allocated to hobbies/sports (c. 3-5%?)...but yet at that same income, A $100K car would be absurd- or even a $50K car, really- but yet, there are lots of people making $100K or less driving $50K cars.
05-15-15, 05:22 PM
#48
Old Fart
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You missed an option: I have three average bikes and no car.
By "average", one cost me $500 brand new, and has seen some upgrades (hydraulic brakes, custom rear wheel, 9-speed), the other is largely stock but cost $960 brand new and has only seen a new wheelset. The third cost me $600 and basically has been serviced twice in its lifetime: basically is just transport to/from the bike shop now.
Not $5000 über-expensive road bikes, but not cheap $100 K-Mart specials either.
By "average", one cost me $500 brand new, and has seen some upgrades (hydraulic brakes, custom rear wheel, 9-speed), the other is largely stock but cost $960 brand new and has only seen a new wheelset. The third cost me $600 and basically has been serviced twice in its lifetime: basically is just transport to/from the bike shop now.
Not $5000 über-expensive road bikes, but not cheap $100 K-Mart specials either.
05-15-15, 08:00 PM
#49
Senior Member
Code:
In [1]: import math In [2]: math.log10(5000) Out[2]: 3.6989700043360187 In [3]: math.log10(960) Out[3]: 2.9822712330395684 In [4]: math.log10(500) Out[4]: 2.6989700043360187 In [5]: math.log10(100) Out[5]: 2.0
Code:
In [6]: 10**2.5 Out[6]: 316.22776601683796
- log₁₀(price) < 2.5: low end
- 2.5 ≤ log₁₀(price) < 3.5: mid range
- log₁₀(price) ≥ 3.5: high end (4.0 being extreme high-end)
Otherwise it's just a matter of opinion, and opinions are like arses: everyone's got one.
Actually, to compare it to income, you could divide those figures by log₁₀(income).
Last edited by Redhatter; 05-15-15 at 08:09 PM.
05-16-15, 10:12 AM
#50
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I have just about 2k into my two bikes complete with accessories and my son's trailer. About twice that into a nicely cared for 12y/o Buick that I picked up after I quit working in construction and sold my truck (diesel King Ranch F350, crew cab, long bed). The truck had about 65k sticker