Sold Bikes/Sad Day
 

My wife and I sold our mountain bikes over the weekend. (We used them as commuters/tourers.) Even with new Trek 7.2’s waiting in the basement for spring, it’s still a strange “empty nest” sensation and we missed them as soon as they left the driveway. Interesting how they become a part of us and our “story”.

But, we are not wealthy people and though we toyed with the idea of keeping them, the aging mini-van needs fixing. At least it was quick and a nice couple bought both bikes in one shot so they went to a nice home.

On a positive note…. My saddle and I have a rather close relationship and I stayed true by moving it to the new bike.

Sold? At what loss? I rode 2,000 bike commuter miles this year, what does that save is gas consumption? 22 mpg @ $ 3-3.50 per gallon? My last bike cost $30 and you can get decent used mt bikes for $ 1-300 dollars.

LOL Understood. We still have bikes and we will still utilize the heck out of them. Now we just have 1 bike each instead of 2, plus a tandem. The old and paid for van is necessary for us at this time. Still a sad day to part with a bike. She was a good ole girl.

I try not to get attached to bikes but I still get seller's remorse.

You're braver than me! I think that if I sold any of my babies ...... none of the other bikes would speak to me again. :(

What about renting out? You'll still have kept them and may make more money? Just put a sign: "BIKE FOR RENT".

May 2013 bring you some unexpected bonuses. Being responsible is difficult and many people today don't own up to the hard decision making. If only you could get a tax deduction for cycling to work. Saving on road wear, road use and air quality is a heck of a lot better than electric vehicles.

I do not understand this "waiting for spring" thing of which you speak.
If you were riding right now you'd probably stop being so sad.

I'd be pretty depressed if I had to drive such a short distance every day, lol.

I used to live with a friend and we were both about 3km from work. I rode/walked and he would drive .. every single day.

At a certain point its not just about saving money, its about doing what you enjoy.

As long as you still have SOME sort of bicycle, it's not too bad. :) My condolences for your loss, and I hope your babies have a new home with loving owners!

I should clarify that my commute for work is 60 miles per day in Michigan winter weather on top of 10 hour work days. I totally agree I would not be so sad if I were riding right now, but it aint gonna happen... LOL. While I have and will commute to work, daily 4 - 5 hour commuting rides completely in the dark and snow would not be fun, safe or acceptable to my wife :). I will say that I am looking forward to commuting much, much more this year (weather and current family issues permitting).

It was tough to part with a bike, but I am looking forward to the new one. I was just amazed and pointing out how much a part of me that bike became. Its not like that with a car for me. Riding allows me to think (or not think), breathe and be close to nature. While it may not be for many... in a way, riding can be truly spiritual. Add in the uniqueness of each bike, and there is definitely a relationship built.

Yeah, I'm weird... :).

Ride on!

This thread needs pictures (and more sympathy), so I'm going to share some pics of the bikes that I've sold or given away in the past couple years.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6032/5...1560c55e_z.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4023/4...a155fa35_z.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2747/4...36bf5c3b_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3042/2...c71_z.jpg?zz=1

I miss them all. I think the Gitane is the one I most regret selling. It was a fun bike and I got almost nothing for it.

Ayuh, what he said.

I am going to add this to my book of quotes.

I've never regretted selling a bike. Bikes I've bought with the proceeds are a different story.

Lots of people use park-n-ride lots to take the last few miles into work, but as a fellow Michigander, I realize that for the most part we don't pay for parking so there's a lot less appeal there. I understand. My ride is only about 11 miles one way so it's not that big of a deal for me to ride at least a few days a week most of the winter.

I should sell my Cannondale CAAD3, but I can't bring myself to do it. It was my first true road bike and I had too many great rides and memories attached to it. Also I'm scared I'll sell it to somebody who won't appreciate it! They'll just hang it in the garage and let the tires go flat and the chain rust and they'll eventually throw it away. NOBODY does that to my baby!

I had a hard time selling my old Peugeot but I can't say I regret it. Only so much room for stuff in the garage.

I know this probably won't be popular with this group but I dearly miss one car I had but I don't care much about the ones I've owned before or since. It was the first car where I had enough money to choose something I wanted and the last car I bought where practicality didn't trump fun.

Maybe once we're done paying for the kids college I'll be able to splurge on a bike I really want and I will get as attached to it as I did my old car. If along with some extra money I have some extra time to do some touring, that would make a difference too.

I'm a hoarder so selling anything, especially my bikes, is just not an option.