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Finding your dream bike for 1/2 price.

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Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

Finding your dream bike for 1/2 price.

Old 01-18-11, 09:09 AM
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Finding your dream bike for 1/2 price.

I'm a cyclist who is lucky enough to own several good bikes. I've carefully spent a moderate amount of money on bikes since I purchased my first bike with money I earned as a teenager. I still have that bike and I now have three other bikes that help keep me fit.

My first bike was state-of-the-art at the time. Reynolds 531 tubeset, Campagnolo Record, chromed lugs, chainstays & fork. Brooks Professional saddle.

Today, state of the art bikes are made of unobtanium, with lighter than air everything and digital this-n-that. Do I spend $6000 to pay for a semester of my kids education, or buy the best bike in the world? Easy answer, not even worth considering.

Yesterday I found a: it’s-just-the-right-size, new-with-warranty, 2010 Cervelo R3 for $2400. If I sold my vintage bike & and my ti bike, I could fund it.

However, It’s never as easy as that, is it?

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Old 01-18-11, 09:14 AM
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Easy answer, which do you want more, the TI and vintage bike or the Cervelo R3. For me it was the existing Giant OCR C and a couple of vintage rides and pass on the Cervelo. But that's me, I don't have the legs to compliment a Cervelo. I completely understand someone wanting to trade up to the Cervelo. If that's what you want and the kids education is still being met, then go for it.
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Old 01-18-11, 09:33 AM
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I found that once our boy's were done with college that "unobtanium" became affordable. In a couple years the 3rd generation of unobtanium may be available for you.
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Old 01-18-11, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Allegheny Jet
I found that once our boy's were done with college that "unobtanium" became affordable. In a couple years the 3rd generation of unobtanium may be available for you.
Yes, I've come back to reality on this. Even if I had the excess income (I don't), I would need to lose the middle aged bulge before being seen in daylite with the bike.

Shucks! Another reason why I need this bike!
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Old 01-18-11, 02:47 PM
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Have you been shopping at the Kickstand Cyclery again? That's a tough one. If you get the bike, you might be motivated to ride more or harder. (Yes, leave it up to me to find ways for others to stimulate the economy.)
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Old 01-19-11, 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
Do I spend $6000 to pay for a semester of my kids education, or buy the best bike in the world? Easy answer, not even worth considering.
Exactly. The bike will be a lot less aggravating.
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Old 01-19-11, 07:53 AM
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Personally I will never, ever, ever sell my ti bike.
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Old 01-19-11, 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Boudicca
Personally I will never, ever, ever sell my ti bike.
+1

I got lucky though, got my Lightspeed off CL for $850 w/campy chorus group. I had a cf frame once and I spent all my time worrying about scratching the frame, I font worry about the TI.
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Old 01-19-11, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
. . .Yesterday I found a: it’s-just-the-right-size, new-with-warranty, 2010 Cervelo R3 for $2400. If I sold my vintage bike & and my ti bike, I could fund it. . . . It’s never as easy as that, is it?
Pain. When I made a remarkably similar move, I sold three bikes and a MIG welder. It's worked out well.
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Old 01-19-11, 09:33 PM
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The R3 sounds like a great deal. I hate to put it this way but it may be the last high erformance bike you buy. It sounds like a great deal, and if you can afford it, why not?
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Old 01-19-11, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
I hate to put it this way but it may be the last high (p)erformance bike you buy.
Hmmm ... Mr Cheerful ...
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Old 01-19-11, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by ThatBritBloke
Hmmm ... Mr Cheerful ...
Alan,

I meant choosing a high end performance racing style bike is a 10 year decision before the urge to buy another occurs. After that time he might be intrigued with vintage.
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Old 01-19-11, 11:14 PM
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Yeah, my dream bike was Trek Madone, guess what they had last years model on close out and our local sports store. I am now a proud owner and my trusty Bianchi is up on EBAY.
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Old 01-20-11, 12:45 AM
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I jumped at an opportunity to get my dream bike on sale in August 2010.
The bike came from a bike shop out east so I put it on my VISA card.
The wisdom of the decision emerged as I lived on bread and water for 3 months while I paid off the card.

Now its mine and its paid for and I am content.
Figure out where the money will come from. Your idea of selling some stuff sounds good.
The decision is up to you.
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Old 01-20-11, 05:17 AM
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
Alan,

I meant choosing a high end performance racing style bike is a 10 year decision before the urge to buy another occurs. After that time he might be intrigued with vintage.
I knew you meant that ;-)
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Old 01-20-11, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Barrettscv
...Do I spend $6000 to pay for a semester of my kids education,...?
My kid's college is $12K per semester (tuition, room and board after grants and scholarships) and #2 son will be joing him next fall so that will almost double. With all the money you are saving, a $2,400 bike should doable.
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