Buying that first real Expensive bike. turning 40!
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 51
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Buying that first real Expensive bike. turning 40!
I'm on the Edge of making the decision to buy my first real bike. My current ride is a specialised Allez Elite bought back in 2005 that I chose on the Colour and its reduced price.
Now after a great trip to the Alps I'm toying with the Idea of spending out on a Bike on of my dreams. I turning 40 ( oh my god that's the first that's be written down ! ) and am looking to treat myself with a Canyon Ultimate CF. Its the Mid life crisis purchase before kids come along.
Is there some Mantra you can chant to make you feel good about spending thousands of cash on a bike!
I keep thinking I could get a good car for the same!
Just a thought. Maybe just councelling?
Now after a great trip to the Alps I'm toying with the Idea of spending out on a Bike on of my dreams. I turning 40 ( oh my god that's the first that's be written down ! ) and am looking to treat myself with a Canyon Ultimate CF. Its the Mid life crisis purchase before kids come along.
Is there some Mantra you can chant to make you feel good about spending thousands of cash on a bike!
I keep thinking I could get a good car for the same!
Just a thought. Maybe just councelling?
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,116
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
10 Posts
Full custom steel is the only way to go...1500$ for the frame and 1500$ for the build parts gets you a bicycle weighing maybe 1-2LBS more than a carbon bike.
Carbon fiber cracks and breaks too easily. If you have a high disposable income then by all means get a carbon bike but expect to buy a new frame at some point.
Carbon fiber cracks and breaks too easily. If you have a high disposable income then by all means get a carbon bike but expect to buy a new frame at some point.
#4
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 334 Times
in
206 Posts
If the worst of your mid life crisis is buying an excellent bicycle, then you're doing fine. Your wife has nothing to worry about.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#5
Elite Fred
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Edge City
Posts: 10,945
Bikes: 2009 Spooky (cracked frame), 2006 Curtlo, 2002 Lemond (current race bike) Zurich, 1987 Serotta Colorado, 1986 Cannondale for commuting, a 1984 Cannondale on loan to my son
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 60 Post(s)
Liked 42 Times
in
19 Posts
Sorry, that is the complete opposite of the mantra you need.
The real truth is that at 40 (and that was so long ago for me) what you mostly need is time to train. That is much more precious than a fancy bike. Spend the money on the wife instead and negotiate training time.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Moraga, CA
Posts: 1,701
Bikes: 2008 Cervelo RS, 2011 Scott CR1 Elite, 2014 Volagi Liscio
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Buy the bike. It'll make you ride more because 1) you'll love the new bike or 2) you'll feel guilty over buying and you'll have to justify the purchase.
Both reasons worked for me, but I'm a lot older than you.
Both reasons worked for me, but I'm a lot older than you.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Beautiful Long Beach California
Posts: 3,603
Bikes: Eddy Merckx San Remo 76, Eddy Merckx San Remo 76 - Black Silver and Red, Eddy Merckx Sallanches 64 (2); Eddy Merckx MXL;
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
The fact is that you deserve a nice bike just for having survived till 40. Robo is right, spend enough money that letting it just sit in the garage would just eat you alive.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,331
Bikes: 19 Look 765 Gravel RS, 18 Cervelo C5, 13 Niner Jet9 RDO, 08 Surly Crosscheck, 05 Serotta Fierte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Rob, just buy it. Those thousands of dollars will feel like hundreds after you've gone into this bike addiction. I'm considering a Cervelo RS (because my flexibility sucks and I'm short) to replace my Look 555. I quite enjoy the ride on the look - sporty road feel, yet not hard on the body - but the geo is just not that great for me (reach too long).
I'm considering an "early 40" year old present - I turn 39 in 4 months
I'm considering an "early 40" year old present - I turn 39 in 4 months
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lafayette, CO
Posts: 1,212
Bikes: MTB: Stumpjumper FSR, Road: De Rosa King 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#12
Sloth Hunter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 408
Bikes: 03 Lemond Zurich (Sold) 07 Steelman Custom steel road bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm on the Edge of making the decision to buy my first real bike. My current ride is a specialised Allez Elite bought back in 2005 that I chose on the Colour and its reduced price.
Now after a great trip to the Alps I'm toying with the Idea of spending out on a Bike on of my dreams. I turning 40 ( oh my god that's the first that's be written down ! ) and am looking to treat myself with a Canyon Ultimate CF. Its the Mid life crisis purchase before kids come along.
Is there some Mantra you can chant to make you feel good about spending thousands of cash on a bike!
I keep thinking I could get a good car for the same!
Just a thought. Maybe just councelling?
Now after a great trip to the Alps I'm toying with the Idea of spending out on a Bike on of my dreams. I turning 40 ( oh my god that's the first that's be written down ! ) and am looking to treat myself with a Canyon Ultimate CF. Its the Mid life crisis purchase before kids come along.
Is there some Mantra you can chant to make you feel good about spending thousands of cash on a bike!
I keep thinking I could get a good car for the same!
Just a thought. Maybe just councelling?
Full custom steel is the only way to go...1500$ for the frame and 1500$ for the build parts gets you a bicycle weighing maybe 1-2LBS more than a carbon bike.
Carbon fiber cracks and breaks too easily. If you have a high disposable income then by all means get a carbon bike but expect to buy a new frame at some point.
Carbon fiber cracks and breaks too easily. If you have a high disposable income then by all means get a carbon bike but expect to buy a new frame at some point.
I am so happy that I went that route. My bike handles and rides great.
AND, it's not 1-2 lbs more. Even if it was, so what. My bike and me in ride ready weight is about 215 lbs. Yeah, that's going to really slow me down.
The best part is that I don't have some corporate name splashed all over my bike...
#13
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,340
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 987 Post(s)
Liked 1,186 Times
in
681 Posts
Tell that to the guy in our club rides still on an early 90's Specialized Epic.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#14
I feel the need for speed
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Carefree, Arizona
Posts: 5
Bikes: Cannondale Caad8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
After getting in shape using my bike I feel great. The money I spent is worth it. That is what I tell myself looking back at my decision to buy an expensive bike. I can now run around the house chasing my wife (and kids) without feeling worn out. I might buy an even better bike at 50, hmmm.
#15
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 32,895
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 325 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11889 Post(s)
Liked 6,482 Times
in
3,411 Posts
Hook, line & sinker.
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
#16
Slave to my PM
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Dirty Jersey
Posts: 209
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It is only money, and if keeps you motivated to stay fit, it is well spent if you have the disposable income. Think about the guys that drop 25k+ plus a year on their country club golf addiction or have some other costly outlet. Having a bike addiction is expensive but there are people out there who spend a whole lot more on things that will not have the same benefit health wise.
At least thats the way I try and justify it =).
At least thats the way I try and justify it =).
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Jose, Ca
Posts: 1,213
Bikes: 09 Specialized Tricross Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I don't see what you don't like about your Allez or what, in particular, makes you want that composite bike.
I suppose the mantra is "if there's any doubt, there's no doubt". And you have doubt about why you want that new bike or whether or not it's worth the price.
I suppose the mantra is "if there's any doubt, there's no doubt". And you have doubt about why you want that new bike or whether or not it's worth the price.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Boone, North Carolina
Posts: 5,094
Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-6 2014 Trek Domaine 5.9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, its an investment in your health, wellbeing, and future. Say it over and over, then sell it to the wife. Worked for me!!!
RD
RD
#21
Shoebomber
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,071
Bikes: 2008 Canyon CF Pro w/ Chorus, 2005 Moots Vamoots w/ Ultegra, 1988 Cannondale commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The best bike you could possibly buy is the one that makes you want to ride. I say go ahead and do it; as dream bikes are concerned, the CF Pro is a very inexpensive one to consider. Be sure to check out the outlet for last year's model, if you are looking to save scratch. Also, if you send them your race license number, you will receive a discount on select bikes/frames.
Anyway, I say good choice on the Canyon! Of course, I'm somewhat biased:
Anyway, I say good choice on the Canyon! Of course, I'm somewhat biased:
Last edited by Dick Rhee; 08-28-09 at 09:24 PM.
#22
bulletproof tiger
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,934
Bikes: Waterford 2200, Litespeed Tuscany, Salsa La Cruz, Kona Fire Mountain
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,407
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One thing I could never handle is having a big fat '.COM' on the side of my bike frame, let alone 10 times. It's bad enough that I've got one across the backside of my kit.
-Jeremy
-Jeremy
#25
Shoebomber
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,071
Bikes: 2008 Canyon CF Pro w/ Chorus, 2005 Moots Vamoots w/ Ultegra, 1988 Cannondale commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Only the team version has the ".com" logo. Observe: