jeff800

Ok I have just recently got back into cycling, about 15 years ago I sold my road bike and bought a MTB. I know some will cry out why! why! you fool, but for the urban trek to school in the great city of Seattle it worked on those rough streets. Now I have that same MTB and have cranked out 300+ miles since May 1, 2005 and I long for a better ride. I have tested many rides and decided on a Specialized Roubaix Elite or Comp very smooth. I started out today headed for the LBS which is 45miles out of town ( no longer in Seattle Toto) and stopped turned around I just have a hard time spending $2000+ on a bike. I won't say money is no object, me and the wife are doing very well but 2k seems like alot for a BIKE!

So as I turned the truck around I called the wife told her I couldn't do it she says "why?" Just too much $$ I said. Then she says well father's day is coming up give me a picture of it and we'll see. Hey she handles buyers remorse better than I so maybe in a week or two I'll be pedaling a new ride. The next dilemma is the Road bike won't be any good for hauling around my daughter or a rear pannier. Hmmmm honey!


Jeff

Dr. Moto

Better get yourself fitted and give her all the dimensions before she heads off to the LBS with the Visa card.

Avalanche325

You have to decide what a bike is worth to you and what you can afford. There are pleanty of bikes out there for well under $2000. You can get a road bike for $700. It wount be Ti of CF, it won't have Dura-Ace or Record, it won't have super light wheels. But you can certainly go out and crank out some miles.

I do those type of things all the time. I don't run out and buy every gadget out there, like everyone I work with does. I take my time and do lots of research. If you do that, you will find that when you do buy, you will have what you want / need. Then it will be money well spent. You also will not need to replace it for a long time.

And definately listen to what Dr. Moto said.

LordOpie

you're gonna let your wife pull the trigger?

timmhaan

exactly. road bikes are like shoes. someone may be able to estimate your size, but you'll never know if it's right for you until you try it out. with a $2000 machine, you don't want to be haggling over trading it in if the fit isn't right. your wife has good intentions, but if she just blindly buys a bike she could botch the whole thing.

Surferbruce

life's too short dude, go buy that bike. if you're not living check to check and can sensibly afford it just do it.
a couple days after you get it you'll forget about about the cash.

Grasschopper

Well easily under your $2000 budget I got both my Salsa La Raza (sorry steel not CF) and my Marin Mill Valley. One is great for club rides and long sols while I use the other for commuting and family rides (panniers and trailer-bike for 3 yr old). Click links to see my bikes and look around to find yourself some deals.

jeff800

You have it all wrong I have already ridden, been fitted ect. More than likely my wife will say just do it, I tend to agonize over some things like that. If she was to go and get the bike without me she knows better than to get "the wrong one". She would have the size, a map to the store, how much to pay and what to haggle for as extras, given to her buy me. She says I'm hard to buy for silly girl.
I'm all up on "you get what you pay for" and "just get a nice $700-1000 bike" and I know lot's of people are laughing at $2000 as they have spend $3 or $4000. I had no trouble dropping $9000 on a snowmobile last year and this year didn't even ride it because our winter was nill. I'm sure once I get a new ride and clock in my first 50 miles on it I'll be saying "why did I wait so long". Alrighty everyone have a nice weekend.

jeff800

Exactly!!! Life is too short.

Hanzo

Sell that snowmobile and get an S-Works Tarmac E5.

jackb

I grew up in a working class family where money was always tight. I've had to fight with my myself several times to get over that money-is-everything idea that I grew up with. There are not many things I regret doing, but there are plenty of things I regret not doing. Go buy the bike. If you have it, the money doesn't matter.

Kabloink

I would have trouble even spending $1000 when there are so many nice used road bikes out there for a lot less than that.

samp02

really????

Kabloink

Yes, I haven't bought a new bike since the early 90s. I can find everything I need/want for under $400 used.

Avalanche325

So, if your wife went and got it, you would be fine with it?

If so, MAN UP, and go get your stinkin' bicycle.

Avalanche325

And those used condoms are a steal.

rickg17

Dude.... Buy the friggin bike. I started looking around a couple months ago... yesterday I picked up my brand new Rodriguez from R+E. Waayyy too much money if you're reasonable. But hell, it's fun.

I even blew $200 to get a custom Limetime Green paint job...

Retro Grouch 

I think that you're confusing "tactics" and "objectives". That happens a lot.

I assume that your objective is to have fun. Buying a bicycle is just a tactic for achieving your objective. If you had decided that buying a sailboat was an appropriate tactic for achieving your fun objective, $2,000 probably wouldn't be nearly enough so you're getting off cheaply with the bicycle.

jennings780

Go get the Roubaix Comp!!!!!
Do it.
If the wife signs off you have to.
To buy my Allez Elite I had to make all sorts of compromises with my wife. If she would have let me I would have spent more.

jennings780

Here's a pic to just entice you more:

friscokid

Most guys would be trying to hide the price from their wife. Your wife seems pretty cool to me!

My Dad recently bought a Harley Davidson Motor cycle. I know for a fact it was between $18,000 and $20,000 and I bet I ride more miles per week than he does on my people power bikes no B.S.

His motorcycle maybe louder and more bling bling but what does it do for your health. It is a sweet Harley though!

Corinnex99

I was in a similar situation when i bought my bike... i couldn't justify spending so much moey on myself. Luckily for me my husband was really cool about it. He told me that i could get it if i promised him i'd enjoy it and use it often (duh, that was an easy promise!). All he wants is me to be happy. I'm sure your wife is the same... and if SHE wants you to be happy, and YOU want to be happy.... might as well just take the plunge!!

Marge

Oh my God You belong to the Cult Of the RODRIGUEZ!!!!!!
I do to. Man our bikes are sweet, sweet, SWEET!!!!!!!

rapidcarbon

jeff800, I admire your courage to say NO to ... bike

I know I couldn't do what you did, and to my wife, my pinarello prince only cost $800 ( = 4 months allowance )

TheMainer

If you can commiit to using the bike for commuting as well as pleasure riding, then it is a sensible expense. I mean, how much would you spend in gas, etc. to commute by car? Your wife sounds cool, as mine is. My wife helped me get my bike because she knew it meant a lot to me, and it also means a healthier me. Come on, it's not like you're asking for money to invest in a widget business. Bone up and get your wheels.