Originally Posted by
david58
I understand wanting nice, but if it takes having a nice bike to be motivated to ride, then some introspection is appropriate. I ride with folks that mount $6-8K bikes, but I have no less fun on my under $1K bike that is more than adequate and that I can ride and keep up with them on. There are lots of ways to economize and still have a solid bike - but it seems that you are trying to rationalize the expenditure more than anything else. Lots of old farts on this board, so you get old-fart-been-there-have-some-experience answers. You can spend under $1K today and get a full 105 equipped bike, more than solid enough for whatever you need. And if CL doesn't do it for you, Ebay certainly can. You asked, you got the full $0.02.
I don't live in Oregon. I live in Mexico. Craigslist there is not here, here Craigslist is not there. While there are 1 or 2 bikes of some value, they are not what I seek. I'm not looking for extravagant. I'm also not looking for something that will fall apart and leave me high-and-dry, dead or injured. At 38, I'm smart enough not to get on just anything that rolls and give the thumbs up to the motorboat pulling me down the road. I avoid eBay. Why? Because I have zero experience with it. Will I crapshot $1k on it. No.
I absolutely want the full $0.02. I don't think I've said boo about someone giving me both barrels about the bike selection, or even the finances. I draw the line, however, at saying one thing about my kids. You can understand that, I'm sure.
I would, however, be very interested in these sub $1k full-105 equipped bikes you speak of. Even the $1500-$2500 range seem to have Tektro brakes, or other "shortcuts" to keep the cost down on very stock Taiwanese frames. Can you provide a link?