I feel cycling is the biggest rip off money wise and who makes it?
07-29-14, 10:29 AM
#152
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Or not. I saw a couple of them, the basic schtick being that you could make all this stuff for a fraction of the cost super really easily. You'd think that if it was that simple, some company would just come in and start making huge money by only marking things up 500%. Heck, you could do it yourself.
Or perhaps you can't tell good stuff from crap. There's nothing wrong with that -- a guy who can't tell Carlo Rossi from a seriously fine wine is going to be a happy person as will be the person who can't distinguish hotel art from a Monet or a Porsche from a VW. These distinctions are meaningless to people who don't really care about those things.
I have yet to see really cheap bike stuff that I think is well made even if some stuff delivers excellent bang for the buck. BTW, the 105 you referenced in an earlier post is hardly cheap. It is only cheap compared to top shelf systems. The way that diminishing returns work, marginal gains cost more as you work up the scale.
As for the technology example, you can buy electronics produced in very expensive places for stupid low prices. But they sell a lot more units. And there are plenty of crappy electronics where all kinds of corners are cut.
Anyone who doesn't like the price of something is free not to buy. That's what a market is.
Or perhaps you can't tell good stuff from crap. There's nothing wrong with that -- a guy who can't tell Carlo Rossi from a seriously fine wine is going to be a happy person as will be the person who can't distinguish hotel art from a Monet or a Porsche from a VW. These distinctions are meaningless to people who don't really care about those things.
I have yet to see really cheap bike stuff that I think is well made even if some stuff delivers excellent bang for the buck. BTW, the 105 you referenced in an earlier post is hardly cheap. It is only cheap compared to top shelf systems. The way that diminishing returns work, marginal gains cost more as you work up the scale.
As for the technology example, you can buy electronics produced in very expensive places for stupid low prices. But they sell a lot more units. And there are plenty of crappy electronics where all kinds of corners are cut.
Anyone who doesn't like the price of something is free not to buy. That's what a market is.
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"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
07-29-14, 10:33 AM
#153
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As for the health benefits, any bike that gets you excited to go ride the hell out of it will be better for you than any bike that doesn't. If geeking out over CF wunder-bikes and dropping $15K on a new ride gets you out on the road, great. Again, whatever price point gets you a bike that you enjoy riding is the right one.
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"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
07-29-14, 10:45 AM
#154
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I try to buy good quality when I buy and not necessarily the "name" brand. Yes I drool over some of the $2500.00 bikes, but I purchased a couple nice bikes that were each under $1000.00 as pulling a trailer isn't a task I want to do on a lightweight road bike (I pull my four year old in the trailer) and the mountain bike is better suited for family riding. I also am willing to buy last year or even older models of bikes and bike parts and clothing to save a dollar.
When I bought my new road bike last week I opted for used pedals to save some money.
LIke anything you get what you pay for, and I like to buy once/cry once and have an item that lasts (I still have my Centurion Le Mans 12 speed from 1985 and use it on the trainer inside the house).
When I bought my new road bike last week I opted for used pedals to save some money.
LIke anything you get what you pay for, and I like to buy once/cry once and have an item that lasts (I still have my Centurion Le Mans 12 speed from 1985 and use it on the trainer inside the house).
07-29-14, 11:00 AM
#155
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And I love that when they get a little out of date and before they become "classic" they get cheap enough for us working stiffs to buy!
07-29-14, 11:04 AM
#156
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I like my swimming and reading hobbies they are really cheap in comparison.
Cheap discount speedo and my goggles go for $12 plus shipping. We are "low income" so I get free access to the pool! The beach is also free.
Libraries have all the books I could dream of.
I missed out on a $20 Rossin last night by 10 minutes. I have my eye on a Ironman for less than $500.
Carbon is nice and appealing, but not in my budget. I also do not think the performance gains would necessitate it unless I am heading pro (and I do not think they are looking for chubby guys in their mid 30's).
It is up to you what you want to spend, it is your money. Heck buy me a high end carbon frame with your money!
I would still get cheap clothes I bet. I still love my walmart compression shorts I have used for years.
Cheap discount speedo and my goggles go for $12 plus shipping. We are "low income" so I get free access to the pool! The beach is also free.
Libraries have all the books I could dream of.
I missed out on a $20 Rossin last night by 10 minutes. I have my eye on a Ironman for less than $500.
Carbon is nice and appealing, but not in my budget. I also do not think the performance gains would necessitate it unless I am heading pro (and I do not think they are looking for chubby guys in their mid 30's).
It is up to you what you want to spend, it is your money. Heck buy me a high end carbon frame with your money!
I would still get cheap clothes I bet. I still love my walmart compression shorts I have used for years.
07-29-14, 11:57 AM
#157
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I'd say, for the most part, cycling is pretty reasonable.
It's when you start getting esoteric, it gets spendy. Same with any hobby.
But the thing I always come to is this:
It's when you start getting esoteric, it gets spendy. Same with any hobby.
But the thing I always come to is this:
07-29-14, 12:40 PM
#159
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07-29-14, 12:48 PM
#160
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Plus you need to get extra storage for all of those t-shirts you accumulate from events.
07-29-14, 12:57 PM
#161
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For the cost of one very nice Cervelo, I have four good bikes. I got my Felt for well under $1,000, and I can out ride most weight-weenies riding bikes that are three and four times that price. Sorry if I flame it up here... IMO the high-priced carbon bikes are over-rated for the average rider (if you are a sponsored rider, your are not average).
To the point of the post that started this, yes, the cycling industry is making big money on everybody's lust for carbon. If you want to avoid getting 'ripped off', avoid the fads.
Jerseys are funny, we pay top dollar to be a rolling billboard for somebody's brand... with that said, I love my Fat Tire jersey and wear it all the time.
To the point of the post that started this, yes, the cycling industry is making big money on everybody's lust for carbon. If you want to avoid getting 'ripped off', avoid the fads.
Jerseys are funny, we pay top dollar to be a rolling billboard for somebody's brand... with that said, I love my Fat Tire jersey and wear it all the time.
07-29-14, 01:16 PM
#163
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07-29-14, 01:19 PM
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07-29-14, 01:30 PM
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A little cross thread action here... Speaking of Red Wing and breweries, they have one down there I need to try out. Small operation with a bar and grill out front and a brewery in the back.
07-29-14, 01:30 PM
#166
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One guy approached the table pushing his 2006 CAAD8 with with a group that's about three generations old now. The bike was stock other than the saddle. I know people here love to say that other people don't care but I did notice the looks he was getting from the guy's on the S-Works and such. I also heard one guy say to another "he can't be serious, he just came to participate".
Ok, I have typed enough and I don't want this to be to long, he (guy on CAAD8) won the race no problem. As the other guy's were coming back to get results I heard commenst like "I had a bad day" and "This course sucked". It's all funny to me really.
07-29-14, 01:36 PM
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My buddy's new-for-2014 $500 Taylor Made driver can hit a golf ball several yards farther into the woods than his new-for-2013 driver could.
07-29-14, 01:37 PM
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I think the truth in this is really what a lot of people don't want to admit. Last weekend at a local crit I was volunteering to help register the last minute folks. There were really nice bikes and wheels in the mix and I have NO issue with people spending big money on what they want.
One guy approached the table pushing his 2006 CAAD8 with with a group that's about three generations old now. The bike was stock other than the saddle. I know people here love to say that other people don't care but I did notice the looks he was getting from the guy's on the S-Works and such. I also heard one guy say to another "he can't be serious, he just came to participate".
Ok, I have typed enough and I don't want this to be to long, he (guy on CAAD8) won the race no problem. As the other guy's were coming back to get results I heard commenst like "I had a bad day" and "This course sucked". It's all funny to me really.
One guy approached the table pushing his 2006 CAAD8 with with a group that's about three generations old now. The bike was stock other than the saddle. I know people here love to say that other people don't care but I did notice the looks he was getting from the guy's on the S-Works and such. I also heard one guy say to another "he can't be serious, he just came to participate".
Ok, I have typed enough and I don't want this to be to long, he (guy on CAAD8) won the race no problem. As the other guy's were coming back to get results I heard commenst like "I had a bad day" and "This course sucked". It's all funny to me really.
07-29-14, 01:39 PM
#169
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I think the truth in this is really what a lot of people don't want to admit. Last weekend at a local crit I was volunteering to help register the last minute folks. There were really nice bikes and wheels in the mix and I have NO issue with people spending big money on what they want.
One guy approached the table pushing his 2006 CAAD8 with with a group that's about three generations old now. The bike was stock other than the saddle. I know people here love to say that other people don't care but I did notice the looks he was getting from the guy's on the S-Works and such. I also heard one guy say to another "he can't be serious, he just came to participate".
Ok, I have typed enough and I don't want this to be to long, he (guy on CAAD8) won the race no problem. As the other guy's were coming back to get results I heard commenst like "I had a bad day" and "This course sucked". It's all funny to me really.
One guy approached the table pushing his 2006 CAAD8 with with a group that's about three generations old now. The bike was stock other than the saddle. I know people here love to say that other people don't care but I did notice the looks he was getting from the guy's on the S-Works and such. I also heard one guy say to another "he can't be serious, he just came to participate".
Ok, I have typed enough and I don't want this to be to long, he (guy on CAAD8) won the race no problem. As the other guy's were coming back to get results I heard commenst like "I had a bad day" and "This course sucked". It's all funny to me really.
07-29-14, 01:43 PM
#171
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There are still a dozen or so that I need to hit up in the TC. Can't say that I'm a huge fan of Surly, but I am grateful that they pushed forward and got the legislation through, paving the way for so many others to follow.
07-29-14, 01:46 PM
#172
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I don't care for Surly. We (wife, friend, and bar fly) tried the summer brew they had on tap at the local dive and we all agreed it was horrible. Tasted like beer mixed with a flowery lemon Lysol.
07-29-14, 02:32 PM
#173
Professional Fuss-Budget
07-29-14, 02:35 PM
#174
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07-29-14, 02:42 PM
#175
Portland Fred
There is a lot to be said for getting what you want.
I remember the last time I was in the market, I told people I didn't want a good bike -- I wanted THE bike.
I doubt very many people actually believe they can buy speed. The way life works out, you typically can't afford much when you have the legs, and you won't have the legs when you can afford the really nice stuff. So people without dough can feel good about dusting people on fancy rides, and the people with high end zoot can enjoy that. Everyone is happy.
I remember the last time I was in the market, I told people I didn't want a good bike -- I wanted THE bike.
I doubt very many people actually believe they can buy speed. The way life works out, you typically can't afford much when you have the legs, and you won't have the legs when you can afford the really nice stuff. So people without dough can feel good about dusting people on fancy rides, and the people with high end zoot can enjoy that. Everyone is happy.