lucienrau

The only time I've discussed cost is in a very general sense with other cyclists in the course of talking about xtracycles (I ride a big dummy.). Or in helping someone get set up with a cargo setup, I'll discuss the options from free to full on custom. If someone else ask, I direct them to the shop that I bought it at.

davidmcowan

The issue that I think comes up with "not discussing it" when it comes up directly from a stranger is you are essentially telling them it was expensive. (yes, relatively speaking) In the case of the CETMA there is no denying it is a beautiful ride that has some pretty nice looking components on them. (this fella felt like disc brakes were the expensive addition, I didn't even want to touch on the cost of the frame! ) Telling someone you don't want to talk about the price when you think they might be interested in heisting it pretty much seals the deal. All other options for response are outright lies. Moral dilemma.

mymojo

"Sure it was kinda pricey. But it was still less than my pistol."

dynodonn 

In situations like yours, I have a very nice locking system, and plus I'm more prudent in my choices of locales that I will be riding/parking my bike when I'm out about town. I figure if someone is bound and determined to steal your bike, your hesitating about the bike's price pretty much seals the deal as well.

My issue with theft is not so much with the monetary replacement cost, but more about the time and energy I spent in acquiring components, assembling and adjusting of my commuter bike to fit my commuting needs.

folder fanatic

I don't. I also live in a rather questionable area as well. I have 3 bikes. All three are nice bikes as far as that goes. When I am asked how much the bike cost, I always say "it's a gift." and let it go at that as I feel that is a personal question that is NOAB. That fellow seems like he is out for trouble. Don't give it to him.

jmccain

One hundred US shimoleons.

Andy2302

I inherited mine so it was a 'gift'. The last guy to ask was the rent-a-cop at the bank. I ride to cash checks & he guards it. I told him a weeks pay. I don't know his pay & he doesn't know mine.

Newspaperguy

I don't want to be dishonest but I don't want to tell many people about the value of my bike. Most simply don't care, so that's no problem. Some just want nothing more than a little conversation. If someone suspicious is asking about my bike's value and I think he or she wants to take the bike, then I'd be inclined to get back on the bike and keep riding. If I had ridden somewhere for an errand or an appointment, I'd ask if I could take the bike into the building with me.

con

I have two standard answers, depending on who is asking. If another rider asks, I often times will just tell them what the bike lists for and leave it at that. If it is a non-rider, I just say something like “too much" and give a chuckle.

alicestrong

My bikes are all old/used and since I work on them myself and /or friends do and I'm a compulsive/professional "bargain hunter" there's no point in telling anyone how much I've got into a bike since it's unlikely they could replicate it. I just say I got it very cheap in a thrift store a long time ago that's close enough to the truth about any of my bikes ...

Roody

I have no problem with lying to rude strangers. If they're persistent a-holes I have no problem telling them to **** off.

wahoonc

I like that one...and it is true in my case.

Aaron

LanEvo

If it helps for some, just slap a Huffy or Roadmaster sticker on it and move on and so will the ones asking. The only time I ever asked someone about their bike, was how much it weighed, as it showed all the upgraded parts and all.

prathmann

But I'm not sure how effective it would be. When I looked at local police reports on burglaries and robberies, the two things that showed up far more often as stolen than bicycles were jewelry and guns. My impression is that letting it be known that there are firearms in the house makes it a more rather than a less tempting target.

I wouldn't recommend an outright lie - telling someone you bought it for $50 from Walmart could lead to awkward subsequent encounters if they see you again after actually trying to buy a similar bike. In my case I can honestly say that I got my bikes used so the price is highly variable - and refer them to a website if they want to get current pricing information for themselves.

wahoonc

Guns like bicycles need to be secured. Most houses aren't that secure. They make safes for a reason, people just don't use them.

Aaron

zonatandem

"About twice as much as the shoes you have on".

I-Like-To-Bike

Not an issue.
In close to 60 years of cycling I've never had anyone ask me about the cost of my bike. I can't recall a stranger ever asking me anything about bicycling. Or maybe I just didn't pay attention to dopey questions from strangers.

metro2005

My bike (velomobile) costs about the same as a small car (if you buy it new it would be around 5000 euro's or about 6000 dollars) but i dont have to pay for insurance, road taxed, fuel and it doesn't costs as much to maintain as a car and it doesn't depreciate as much as cars do. So i save money in the end by not having a car but this expensive bike. And yes if people want to know the price, i tell them. It's not the worlds biggest secret since they can find the price on the internet if they wanted to.

Andy2302

Them's fightin' words around here! I like it.

Ruby13

Usually I get nice bike and looks expensive and leave it there. If my wife asks I always say $100 and she usually goes out and buys her self something.

Robert C

I typically answer completely honestly, I tell them that I can't remember what I paid for it.


I had installed a safe (bolted to the wall) in my parents house when I was living there. When I left I left it and several of my guns in it; after all, the number of times that I have needed a hunting rifle "right now" can be counted on the thumbs of one foot.

His house was broken into while he was on vacation and the safe was torn from the wall; yes, my guns with it. Here is the funny part. The ones under the bed in my bedroom / the guest room were untouched.

Back to bikes, Other than what is, in most cases, the truth of , "I don't remember;" I also go with the generic "a lot" or " more than you can get a decent bike for, but I ride mine a lot." It is a real problem here in China because asking how much something costs (or even what your job pays) is not considered a rude or intrusive question. It takes some getting used to.

I was at a Hostel in FuangHuang once and I was locking my bike up in the courtyard for the night and the owner told me to put it in the storage room; but to lock it there too. "After all," he added, "its a 2995rmb bike." He had the price correct right down to the five. In China this is not unusual at all; but, for an American it feels a bit odd to have a stranger rattle off the price of their bike. Oh, the bike was in the storage room the next morning, just like I expected it to be.

chandltp

It depends on the stranger. To the two guys that were chatting me up while riding around me on beach cruisers, I keep in vague. If it's someone riding in a charity event with me, I'd tell them. But my current bike doesn't tend to interest any of the people riding road bikes, so I've never had anyone in a charity event ask me. When I get my trike, that will likely change and I'll probably shock them when they find out it costs as much or more than their road bike.

BadBoy10

Ditto +4


Two years ago, I had the identical experience while waiting for the bus. At the time, I was riding a Cannondale BadBoy. Guy was insistent, creepy and even said to me something along the lines "Betcha could get bout $200 for it at that there pawn shop."


Information is available via the internet and the publicly accessible library.

I overpaid for the Trek Alpha 2.1 (purchased from Bike America--you do the math)--I stopped riding it "daily" because of
the OP's issue with questions and its flashiness. I didn't think about the labeling at the time. Now, I ride it in group rides (sponsored by Trek) and critical mass.

My daily is a Schwinn Crosscut. It looks a mess, is a beast--nothing fragile about her.
I am looking for a folder with the same durability and utilitarianism because due to the "looks" I have been receiving--time is limited on
the acceptance of the Schwinn at my second job. I won't lock her up outside because she may not look like much but those monkey lights are expensive and I do not want them stolen.

So again, to answer the question: No. I do not discuss price point if I am approached. Further, I was taught price point questioning is extremely inappropriate and rather tacky. Like asking "How did Sally die?"



On the other hand, I understand curiousity and friendly chit chat.

charbucks

Wow, I thought it was a common courtesy not to discuss such things. The only people who might ask would be my friends, who are also into bikes, and it would be phrased as "would you mind sharing how much you paid?". I couldn't imagine a random stranger asking how much something cost.

I suppose you could try to remind them that it's impolite to talk about money by saying something like "would you like to know how much I weigh, too?". Of course, that isn't particularly polite...

Newspaperguy

I once had a stranger asking me how much I weighed. I have no idea why he asked that question.