Burton

As far as the bicycle industry is concerned - I`m probably a terrible consumer and chances are things won`t get any better. The chances of selling me a brand new bike any time soon really don`t look good.

Its not that I don`t like bikes - quite the contrary - I tend to get attached and take care of them regardless of purchase price.

But after all these years the rather harsh reality of `new and improved` is looking more like `new and even more expensive` all the time. I know that lots of people won`t agree with me, but after building and driving a variety of carbon and titanium bikes - the only real advantage I`m seeing over a well designed steel frame is weight. It would be nice if they were lighter AND stronger - but the weight race seems to be an incentive for everyone to pare down the weight to the point necessary to just maintain the required strength for that particular dicipline.

So a $5,000 bike has got to be the worlds most expensive diet if the objective is just to shed 5 pounds or so. I know, I know - carbon fiber bikes are amazingly durable and great status symbols - my brother in law has one he keeps in his office and with how little he actually drives it - it`ll probably last forever!

And please don`t take this post overly seriously - a sense of humor goes a long way - especially when it comes to cyclists!

I have noticed that some of the clunkers I`ve rebuilt for friends (because their kids were priorities and that left no money for carbon fiber bikes) drove REALLY well once the bearings were properly greased and adjusted, and the cables updated with low friction stainless stuff.

And their priorities seem very much in line with some of what I`ve seen posted in some of the forums here. A comfy seat, a good set of tires, a couple water bottle cages for whatever - and you`re all set to go out for a run with the kids to the local ice-cream store. And as long as you keep them at a slight disadvantage by buying them cheap department store bikes with BMX or mtb bike tires - the weight and rolling resistance will give them all the exercise they need while making it a breeze to keep up with them!

So this summer I think that`ll be my next hobby - rescuing older bikes and equipping them with great seats, good tires and pedals - and looking for good homes for them. And all the money I won`t be spending on XT components will probably mean there`ll probably be a lot left over for ice cream. See? I do have my priorities straight!

Flying Merkel

I'm looking at getting a Cyclocross bike when my personal economy improves. Looks to be a class of bike that suits my needs perfectly.

My buddy had a beautiful Simonetti that needed a tuneup. I lubed the chain, tweaked the derailleur adjustments a bit and aired up the tires to 100 psi. I didn't tell him about the last item. He was amazed how fast & responsive the bike was. Never figured out just what I did.

Drew Eckhardt 

I don't want a new bike but I'll get a frame sometime. I've been commuting 400 miles a month in all weather conditions and gotten too old to ride with a heavy back pack on my regular road frame. Something with longer chain stays and rack braze-ons would be nice.

My titanium frame with no paint looks better after 15 years than my previous steel frame did after 7.

JoelS

Right now, nothing. We've got plenty of bikes and the kids aren't going to outgrow their current bikes for a few years. I've put together 2 in the last year or so. So pretty much set for the time being.

Robert_C

uh. . . a job.

Really, that is about it. A job in a place that I am likely to ride a bike. I finished my MBA to no jobs and decided to go back and spend another year working in China as I continue to apply for Jobs in The States. It is not that there is anything wrong with my old bikes, I just would like some new ones. Further, a new bike can satisfy that "new toy" craving and be paid for with cash; while, to do the same with a car would create a debt situation. In addition, I would rather a new bike.

DX-MAN

The demise of the one I have. That's all.

Since it's four years old now (and approaching 15,000 miles), I am trying to marshal a list of replacement frames that would be accessible and affordable when my beloved XLT begins to show decrepitude.

My ULTIMATE bike would be the SC Nomad, built-up to my spec (so I'd be the one building it up). Last scan I took put the price for that build at about $3400. (But that's just about ALL new and top-line stuff, no transfers from the old frame)

Two other choices have intrigued me: Salsa's El Kaboing, and Ventana's El Ciclon. Either frame can be had right now for under $1K, both have 5" rear travel, and lend themselves well to my wants/needs.

I'm not one to have multiple bikes. Seems like infidelity to me..........

AngelGendy

I frequent the local shops but just to look for obscure parts. Some of the shops have older bikes and consignment bikes and I practically pushed over a few $5,000 bikes to look at an old $200 Puegot the other day...

Machka 

We just purchased a rather expensive tandem ... because we wanted a tandem. We borrowed a tandem back in August to see if we would like it. We did, so we decided to buy one.

We buy new bicycles when a new bicycle appeals to us.

But then, for us a bicycle is not "the worlds most expensive diet", because although cycling is good for fitness, that's not the only reason we ride. And for us, a bicycle is not a transportation to the ice cream store ... unless that ice cream store is 50km or 100km or more away.

We like to cycle long distances to see places, to explore, for the adventure and challenge, and because we enjoy getting out there on our bicycles. And we enjoy nice bicycles. Similar to those who enjoy their yachts or horses.


That said, Rowan is also building up some tip finds. The more bicycles, the merrier.

Artkansas 

A thief, a crash, a frame failure.

wahoonc

When the mood and the finances collide.

I am going to be buying a traveling bike in the next 6 months or so, most like going to be a Brompton P6R.

I buy bikes that I want when I want and could care less about the latest, greatest, and lightest that the consumption oriented bike market thinks I should buy. Face it, carbon frames are the ultimate in disposable bikes. I have an old steel frame that I crashed a few times racing back in the 70's, it could be taken apart, repaired, realigned and ridden again...and again. If it was good enough for Eddy it was good enough for me.

Aaron

meanwhile

I can't say enough good things about this class of bike. The one issue with them is that some cantilever braked crossers suffer from noisy front brakes as shipped, but this is easily fixed with a $20 fork mounted hanger or, in the rare worst possible case of the squeals, a switch to v-brakes. But crossers will probably migrate to disc brakes anyway, so this will probably be a dead issue soon. Otherwise: good crossers are fast, versatile, good traffic bikes, good long distance bikes, and a complete blast on light singletrack, especially if you can squeeze in 40mm rubber and fit wide bars like Salsa Bell Laps for a little more leverage and steering ability. It can be worth buying two sets of wheels for fast rubber changes between on and off road.

A used Kona Jake is normally a very safe buy - especially once you spend the money on that brake hanger. Ask in the cross forum if you need advice.

ratdog

A 50% off sale off a unique bike that you will use and I don't mean one of those fake sales where the retailers mark up the bike 200% first before plastering their website with 50% off.

fietsbob

a Bargain .. Just found one.
a Pre Owned Pocket Llama, Bike Friday.. built around a Rohloff Hub.

Steely Dan

more space.

i live in a tiny 500 SF highrise condo downtown and i already have 3 bikes (road bike, hybridized frankenbike, & a folding bike). i'd like to get a proper off-road machine and a simple single speed to complete my fleet, but i'm just simply out of room, unless i were to store my bikes out on my balcony, which i would never do.

caloso

When we get that velodrome built I'm going to need a track bike.

Machka 

That's a good way of putting it.


I have a list of bicycles I want. Titanium was on that list ... so I have a titanium bicycle now. Tandem was on that list, and we are the proud owners of a tandem now. Recumbent is on that list ... but that probably won't happen for a little while yet for various reasons.

But it's like that with most things I purchase. I have a list of things I want ... and when the mood and finances collide, I get them.

cyccommute 

If you are talking only about road bikes, your point of 'new and improved' is valid. There's really not too much that is 'new and improved' in tradition diamond frames. Mountain bikes, on the other hand, really do experience vast improvements with each model year. Shock and fork design change...and improve... at a very rapid rate. In dual suspension, the improvements and changes are even more dramatic. The mountain bike field is very much like the computer field...a 5 year old mountain bike is something of a dinosaur.

corkscrew

What would entice me to buy a new bike?

Winning the lottery.

I refuse to buy new bikes when used ones are available.

Nightshade

Yep, that covers it for me too!

tsl

To that I would add: unexpected windfall.

dedhed

+1, Someone giving me a pocketfull of cash. And then I'd probably spend it on new windows and keep riding my old stuff.

bkaapcke

A long wheelbase recumbent that weighs in the low 20's would get my wallet out. Not likely to happen, though. bk

furballi

FAR...free after rebate.

Burton

Hi Stuart - thanks for the post - it does point out some major differences between road and mtb fields.

But actually I`m not a big roadie fan myself. I like to use bicycles (and cars and motorcycles) to DO things and go places. And I guess I actually prefer passive technology and field strippable components and builds for everything possible.

Most of my life my big thing has always been National Parks and skiing and I,ve probably hit every National Park in North America at least once on trips that spanned up to 5 weeks.

And unfortunately things wear out or need maintenaince and I hate being told: "Sorry! Thats special order!" or "Nope! That models been discontinued!"

Like you said - the technology is changing fast. The question is "What does that mean?" I`ve been skiing the same hills since I was seventeen and although the equipment available today is more expensive and incorporates more technology - the hills aren`t any bigger or any more challenging. Yeah - I own new equipment, but I also still have a pair of 30 year old carbon/wood/aluminum non-shaped skiis that I take out ocassionally just like some people drive classic cars on the weekend.

And since its the operator that counts - I can still ski all the double diamonds with them.

One of the few bicycles that actually intregues me a little is the Montague Paratrooper Pro. Unfortunately its really just the frame thats interesting and it isn`t sold seperately. That would be ideal for the bus and metro that would take people to any of the parks around the city of Montreal if they wanted to save an hour of commute on the bicycle trails. And being able to both fold and lock it would make locking it up anywhere a lot easier.

I can completely understand your facination with technology, I just don`t happen to share it. As a consumer I bought quality durable items everywhere and usually items that were expensive and well designed to the point they were out of reach of the average person. Most of those items are discontinued now and although everything is fully functional, parts would be impossible to get.

Sometimes CURRENT things can be a pain. Last year I ordered a dozen cross-drilled screws from the LBS to safety wire some Shimano brake components. Nothing special - they`re a stock item that I just wanted to have spares of and they`re listed in the Shimano IP catalogue. Six months later I`m still waiting.

So I`m convinced that often change is just for the sake of change and the chance to sell a new an even more expensive way to do exactly the same thing. North Americans seem to have a surplus of disposable income and everyone`s chasing it. The average person in China can`t afford the kind of bikes they`re manufacturing and exporting to us. There the most common bike still has rod accuated brake systems.

And that still works well enough for commuting or to go out for an ice-cream.

MichaelW

An old bike in need of new drivetain, a new bike with much improved spec (Shimano Alfine+dynamo hub), some spare cash.