Originally Posted by Portis
Interesting that you are a shop owner and similar to me. Personally, I spend plenty on cycling. Even though my bikes are entry level, I still have $1000 worth of bikes just considering retail price of the bikes when i got them. Add onto that the fact that I've upgraded all of my bikes quite a bit and you could easily add another thousand, or close to it.
So I already have a couple thousand wrapped up in bikes. Yet I still ride what are considered entry level bikes. I don't know why I would think that i need a "better" bike, other than the fact that I am just a consumer minded American.
More, more, better, better. THat is how most Americans think.I'm just as guilty in some areas of my life but there are some things where I won't lose control. For instance, I drive cars that are nice but older. My newest car is now 5 years old.
Same goes with the bikes, I prefer to remain level headed and avoid the big purchase. I'm just afraid that the current affordable bikes might feel better under me than a bike that cost over $1000.
I should clarify something. I NOW do not pull the trigger as often as I should. I used to pull it all the time when it came to mountain bikes. Back in the late 80's and early 90's I used to park my butt on every new ride I could. A result of this is a garage of very expensive hi end dirt scoots that hang unused now. I call them my museum. Now that I have been sold on longer travel forks and disc brakes, I have one bike that has that and I am pounding the heck out of it. My days of being starry eyed over the latest bling bling is over. I wait until something new has proven itself and then take the plunge. I need, no, make that want a new crank set, yet I am still not convinced about the better performance of the newer external bearing Cranks that everyone seems to be forcing down my throat as a dealer. Jeez, I was happy as if I had a brain with the old square taper BB's.
I will be the first to admit that this new attitude is not the best attitude for someone who makes a living selling bikes. But I still do okay. Being honest about what I ride with my explanation usually does not turn folks away from all the new gee whiz that is constantly coming at us. The bottom line is the most important component is the motor. Any well tuned bike will perform under a good motor.
The other side of this though is I get to feed my other passion. I get to fix, assemble and build with all the new stuff. I love that as much as I do riding.