Since it was my post that started down this path, I will apologize for choosing to ignore the question you asked and choosing to lecture instead.

I understand where you're coming from. My mother left my siblings and I a very nice piece of property to share as a gift. It was somewhat misguided though since nice pieces of property come with healthy property taxes and maintenance issues to go with them. It's become something of an albatross with most of us getting no real benefit from the property and the others not able to afford to pay for it but not wanting to sell it either.

As far as I'm concerned, most of us, maybe even all of us, would have been better off if she'd sold the property and burned through every last penny except funeral expenses.

Anyway I couldn't in good conscience recommend buying a bike that would lead to (in my view) more trouble than happiness based on the background story so I should have just not responded at all. As you've indicated that story isn't the entire story.

Nah, I didn't think you were saying anything negative, I just meant that if I had to answer all the questions posed just about a bike choice I would be doing a face palm myself.

Wow, you completely misread my post. Don't put words in my mouth.

For someone upset about people judging you, you sure are quick to make hasty judgments about others.
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I apologize if you felt I was throwing you under the bus, because I did. I didn't do it with a mean intent. To the contrary, I mentioned it merely as something that would probably happen to me - which is exactly the point. I can't afford those kind of oops moments in my life.

I'm not upset about people making judgments about me at all. In fact, the only part of the conversation that sours me at all is the financial stability one. If people think I'm irresponsible, I'm not going to change their opinion - and no amount of anger on my part is going to make the Internet a calmer place for me. Rather, I give as good as I get.

But as I said, I apologize a thousand fold if you took my comment to be derogatory toward you.

No problems, looking back at the surrounding posts you were being grilled pretty hard. Good luck with whatever route you end up taking, bike or car.
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Your right dude, his situation is very much different than mine. Santaria, I didn't mean to be condescending or offer up "unwarranted" information. I was just replying to the situation you were describing. You seem like a nice family oriented guy. I guess you could say that I'm in the you-can-do-better-and-for-cheaper-than-new camp. I commute on my CX bike and I have been quite happy with it.

I will agree, you don't want to ride a cheap bike that will break if you put it to the test I do to my bike...and that does come at a price. I still think if you are patient, and look around, you can probably save some money that's all.

Whatever you come up with, enjoy the ride brother...

BTW, my wife doesn't understand the whole bike thing either. I always remind her this is why her closet is bigger than mine. Some buy bikes, some buy clothes and shoes....I don't understand that either.

Sorry back to the topic...

I actually agree with your analysis that I the money I saved to take care of my family and the the money I saved to put my kids through college was ultimately in my interest - I like being the kind of a father who was able to say to his kids, "Anyplace you want to go to college, we will send you." My goal for each one was that they graduate from private colleges with a max of $10,000 in debt.

I like being the kind of a father that had enough savings that if both my wife and I were laid off, we would have at least six months of bills paid to find new work.

So those savings were for me in some deep sense - an expression of my own image of what it meant me to be a father.

Those were both more important to me than a new toy for myself, as much as I lust after new toys. :)

The reason I just don't pay my bills six months in advance is that I'd rather keep the interest myself. For the big expenditure (mortgage, etc), I am often a month or two ahead.

If you really believe that fiscal prudence would mean that there would be no debt to sell or finance, I hope that you take some elementary economics courses before you complete graduate school. There are many "fiscally sound" reasons to assume debt - mortgages, education, etc.

I didn't quite get the "shell-mentality" comment, but I assume that's off on another topic.

+1. Unless your landlord will cut you a good deal by paying your rent a quarter or half year in advance, just pay by the month. Same with your insurance. Food is usually better fresh so I wouldn't do that in advance either.

I try to keep a month's worth of money ready-to-go in my Credit Union checking account which pays 2.05%, almost covering inflation. The rest is in a handful of stocks, one with a 4% annual dividend and another with 5% dividends and some in a mutual fund which has been a roller coaster of late, of course, but about 7% over the 10 years I've had it.

Oh, I never said I didn't have a savings, just no way I'm working for 6 years to accommodate another creditor for six months. My wife and I have grocery money for 2 months. Our rent is actually paid through my grad school stipend for six months. She uses her extra grant funds from her undergrad financial aid to pay our phone bill already. So we're not making debt, and we're ahead a bit. But I would never trust the banks in this economy. I'm sorry. My great-grandfather lost everything to the banks. He had to work picking oranges for Sunkist to get back on his feet. Banks and me (and my family in general) aren't on good terms.

I checked out that Crosscut. They've allowed the bike to sit and rot beyond what I'm willing to invest more than $20 for.

so anyway, have you ridden those bikes? Is there one you like better than the others?
I'd get the one that comes in your favorite color.

Your finances and negotiations with your wife are your own business. You'll either solve those problems or you won't. We sure won't solve them for you.

Lol, we have this thing called the FDIC now. Anyway, if you didn't want people judging and just wanted an opinion about bikes, why the backstory? Just ask about bikes!

Have you looked at any other bikes besides the ones on the short list? Just as an example, this Atlanta bike shop sells the Jamis Satellite and Aurora for a lot less than $2000. Not super high-end, but more than adequate for both transportation and pleasure riding until you're earning more money and can afford what you really want.
http://www.intownbicycles.com/produc...les/road-bikes
The Kona Jake is another versatile bike for a fairly reasonable price.