Peter2290

Are they necessary? Not to the vast majority of riders. Nothing wrong with spending money on something you like though.

RR3

I don't do stavia.

Increase in speed is reduced time.

Some people race for fun.

Try it

CliffordK

I'm still riding 9s chains which I get for about $10 each. But, I've heard that the 11s chains have impressive life, but perhaps not equalling the 3 to 5x the cost.

Since going car light/car free almost a year ago, I've probably saved over $1000 in auto expenses. Might as well invest at least some of that back into my bike habit. Hopefully it will also save on future medical expenses and improve the overall quality of life.

I probably won't buy a new off-the-shelf bike, but I do like tinkering a bit.

TinyL

I found this struggle building my current bike. I price shopped, read reviews, asked questions trying to find the sweet spot for my budget. Some have still wondered why I went with the components I did when there were cheaper available that work comparitivly well. The answer is I feel more comfortable spending a little more for that little bit of quality that I may get...even if it likely won't make much difference in the real world for my riding. But once I have something I keep it till it is dead.

But I have friend's that will upgrade their vehicals, appliances, and other high cost items as soon as the next update is made or the next best thing comes out. It is funny actually to watch them get together and give each other crap how their thingamabob is netter than the others...all in a good joking way. These guys buy new vehicals, golf clubs, TV's and motorcycles every year or sooner. It still drives them nuts that I bought a used truck 2 years old It is also good to be able to shop my neigbors house when something breaks...barely used stuff always for sale

Long story short...everybodys cash flow is different...some people just like to spend money reguardless of if it's actually necessary...some just have to "keep up with the Jones's".

tarwheel 

FWIW, I often buy bike parts used or on sale for a fraction of retail prices. When buying used, I generally opt for higher end parts on the hope that they will function better and last longer. For example, I bought a used Dura-Ace triple crank with bottom bracket and front/rear derailleurs for about $150. It was a great deal for that price and the parts have held up for many miles, but the DA stuff does not function any better than Ultegra. In fact, I have had two sets of Dura-Ace STI shifters wear out with less mileage than comparable Ultegra shifters. Ultegra bottom brackets in the 6500 series were well known to be much more durable and trouble free than Dura-Ace, and some cyclists would spec their bikes with all DA parts except Ultegra BBs.

I am frugal by nature and upbringing, but sometimes you save more in the long run by buying more expensive gear. Sometimes, but not always. I seriously doubt that Dura-Ace or Campy Record components will last longer than Ultegra or Chorus (and perhaps 105 or Centaur). For no other reason, the most expensive groups are designed more for lightness than durability. For example, DA cassettes have titanium cogs that wear out quicker than the steel ones on Ultegra, 105 cassettes.

If spending a lot more money on high-end parts doesn't seem like a good value to you, save your money and don't give it a second-thought. I seriously doubt if you would regret the choice.

GP

They sell bikes that only cost $3,000? Where do you buy them, Walmart?

highrpm

You can make the same moral question for any purchase.

Do you really need a lot of the stuff in your life?

bakes1

I am confused now.
You said that since you physically maxed out your performance you than have to spend a lot of money to buy an extra 5% of speed right?
And you paid all that money for that extra mechanical speed for what? Reduced time?
Does that essentially mean that you spend more money to spend less time on the bike?

RR3

you are an idiot

CliffordK

Most of my time on the bike is commuting and errands.... And it adds up, often over 40 miles in a day.

It might actually be worth a fair bit to cut an hour or so off of my time on the road. But realistically speaking... that would be a hard order, and I'd probably end up just riding further. :-s

Elvo

Do you know the relationship between velocity, time, and distance?

wphamilton

He's being facetious.

But I want to know how to achieve physical perfection in only 1000 hours of training.

I'm also curious about what bike, assuming wheels and tires are interchangeable, gains us a 5% performance improvement over a less expensive one.

caloso

Whatever the OP's issue is, it isn't a moral conundrum.

bakes1

Thanks for picking up on that
i am a bit curious myself about the 1000 hour threshold/5% increase statement.
And all this time I thought pro riders put in years of training. Guess they all just hit 1000 than let the chips fall where they may...

Kindaslow

Those are not needs, those are wants....

wphamilton

The sin of materialism I guess, but you've got to square it with your nice stereo or fishing boat.

spdracr39

I buy what I want because I want it. I have no moral compass that prevents me from spending my own money the way I choose to. Necessity is irrelevant.

bakes1

I am not sure. Please explain it to me in detail as it relates to this statement in question - "Increase in speed is reduced time"

bikecommuter13

If cycling were my hobby and that I am strongly passionate about it, I would spend a lot of money on it. I would probably start by doing a professional fit and get the best bike I can afford. However, a bicycle is just a transportation tool for me. I enjoy riding it, but I am also afraid that it will be stolen. So I get what's adequate for the job.

ColaJacket

No, it means he paid more, so he can travel further in the same amount of time.

GH

andr0id

I think your assumption about price differences is not realistic. Look at Shimano groups on Planet Cyclery for example.

A 5800 105 group is $399.
The 6800 Ultegra group is $629
The Dura Ace 9000 group is $1229.

I'll take an Ultegra group over 105 all day long for only a few hundred dollars difference. My experience is that it lasts longer and requires less maintenance and adjustments over the lifetime of the group. But I ride 4 or 5 times a week and around 120 - 150 miles a week. My cost as related to time on the bike is a good value for me.

I've ridden Dura Ace also, it's better, but not necessarily $600 better for my situation.

andr0id

Now you've confused me even more. You're saving 5%, but that is an hour off your time over 40 miles.
Please tell me exactly how fast you were going before you spent the extra money to save 5% and how fast you are going now.

Garfield Cat

You would have to look at other items that fit the same situation: very similar performance with much different price. And then ask the question over and over.

Eyes examined at Costco and frames versus optometrist at the mall. Timex Ironman watch versus Casio G Shock. Mars Staedler Lumograph pencil versus Dixon Ticonderoga. Coca Cola versus R.C. Cola. The Chicago band versus the Chicago cover (tribute) band. Campbell Soup versus Kroger house brand soup. Snap-On Tools versus Craftsman tools. Maple syrup versus corn syrup.

In each one of these I imagine you would save a lot of money. While I'm at it, go to a movie with no-name actors instead of the A list actors.

CliffordK

No, not a 5% change....

But, I often find my trip average down in the 12 MPH range. Occasionally I can push it up to 14 MPH. And, on a good day I can get a few legs of the trip in the 16 MPH range.

Wishful thinking? There certainly is room for improvement.

I don't have a speedo on my Behemoth (50 or 60 lbs?), but I have used the GPS on it a couple of times. On the days I ride it, it is hard to keep above 10 MPH.

So... yes, there is a lot in the person's fitness. But I have no doubt one could realize real improvement going from a 60 pound bike down to a 17 pound bike.

Drew Eckhardt 

Because more expensive bikes are nicer. More cogs over the same range mean you're less likely to be forced to choose between one that feels too hard and one that's too easy. Better tires transmit less road vibration. Most Campagnolo levers can shift five cogs smaller per lever actuation which means a pair of thumb shoves drops you from your big ring to the next higher ratio on the small ring. Sometimes they just look better - I opted for Record Titanium because the hardware is color coordinated with my frame, except for 2010 Centaur shifters with better ergonomics.

A few thousand dollars also isn't an interesting amount of money compared to other purchases people don't batt an eye at, like $30,000 for an average new car when a 3 year old model would be about as nice for over $12,000 less, or $230,000 for a median house when a townhome provides the same space at half the cost.

It's even less significant amortized over a bicycle's lifetime. I'm still riding the same Litespeed frame I did in 1997.