I guess part of my issue is that to get that first Huffy (I was riding a banana seat bike 20 -30 miles every weekend) I got a paper route and saved money in a cigar box. I could never have afforded a nicer bike. In making me do that for the bike I think my parents taught me life lessons. I loved that Huffy, it took me on adventures that I still tell people about and I earned that bike. Riding that bike I felt better than spoiled, I felt proud. So today, I thank my parents for not buying me an expensive bike. Now I'm proud of my $600 Fisher Tassajara and my $350 Cannondale SR 800 as I pass people on the $4000 bikes that they had to have because they deserve a nice bike. I know that when they pass me I don't need a new bike, I just need to do some hill repeats!