Unexpected expenses can be a pain.

For example, I recently saw a used PowerTap wheel on Craig's List for $40. I knew the electronics would be out of date, but I immediately contacted the seller and arranged to buy it.

Darn, where was I going to get $40 and how would I get to his house. Thinking about my predicament, I realized I could hop in my car and stop by the ATM on the way. I withdrew $100 since I needed some cash for my daughter and to carry around, looked at my transaction receipt and observed a healthy balance still remaining in my account.

Then I continued to the seller's house. He had PowerTap Comp laced to a Mavic Open Pro (32 hole, not my favorite, but... $40!!!)
But this is the prettiest one, silver with the carbon fiber insert. The new G3 hubs are black and very ugly.

I examine the wheel, flashed a pair of $20 bills at him and we concluded the deal.

Now I have to get this wheel upgraded. The next day, while at work, I find a box that's the right size and some foam and pack it up and drive to the Post Office to get it sent off to Wheelbuilder.com. They will completely service it and update it to G3 electronics for $250. There's a catch though... I have to ship it to them and that cost almost $10.

But wait, my travails are not over. The hub only had a 10 speed cassette body on it, so I had to buy an 11 speed cassette body also which tacked another $90 onto the deal.

so for about $400, I had a like new PT hub with a year warranty. The downside is I have to put off getting my Omega Seamaster cleaned for another month. That cost $525 and is long overdue.