What would you do?
11-12-08, 09:58 AM
#51
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jppe,
I see that you have followed some advice by digging a hole and keeping the money for a while. My take is that you want to buy something special for yourself, and I agree that you do deserve it!
If it were me I would think about where I am in cycling, what I want to accomplish and where I see myself in 5 years or more down the road. Last year I was in the market for a bike to replace my 1999 Cannondale R 600. I had a plan to ride with faster riders and start to race. I also knew that at 54 years of age the bike most likely would not be the same bike I would be riding in 6 years, so my choice of bikes needed to fit into that window. I am assuming my next bike will be less aggressive and more on the touring side. I'll still have the "Ferrari "in the garage for special occaisions.
A custom frame would really be a great ride and instill a whole bunch of pride to it's owner. Would you be able to continue riding the bike for a long time if the geometery is too agressive or dailed into your current riding style? If not, selling a custom built bike may not be as easy or garner as much value as a top shelf frame. Good luck on your decision and keep us informed of your choice.
I see that you have followed some advice by digging a hole and keeping the money for a while. My take is that you want to buy something special for yourself, and I agree that you do deserve it!
If it were me I would think about where I am in cycling, what I want to accomplish and where I see myself in 5 years or more down the road. Last year I was in the market for a bike to replace my 1999 Cannondale R 600. I had a plan to ride with faster riders and start to race. I also knew that at 54 years of age the bike most likely would not be the same bike I would be riding in 6 years, so my choice of bikes needed to fit into that window. I am assuming my next bike will be less aggressive and more on the touring side. I'll still have the "Ferrari "in the garage for special occaisions.
A custom frame would really be a great ride and instill a whole bunch of pride to it's owner. Would you be able to continue riding the bike for a long time if the geometery is too agressive or dailed into your current riding style? If not, selling a custom built bike may not be as easy or garner as much value as a top shelf frame. Good luck on your decision and keep us informed of your choice.
11-12-08, 03:23 PM
#52
Let's do a Century
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As usual I'll offer a dissenting opinion. Once you get into the range of decent bikes, more money spent has a very small effect on the experience of riding it.
If it was me I would consider buying a $1000 touring bike and riding coast to coast in the US or touring Europe for a couple months. I could easily and comfortably do either for what you are talking about spending for a frame. That is pretty much what I did. I had $5K in my savings account and bought a bike for under $1k, flew out to the west coast, and rode back to the east coast. Racks, panniers, airfare, ground transportation, food, other expenses, and the gear I needed all came out of that account as did all I spent for anything else during the 10+ weeks on the road. When I got home the account still had over $2k in it.
I don't think a more expensive bike would have enhanced the experience to any extent and I surely wouldn't trade the experience for any bike.
If it was me I would consider buying a $1000 touring bike and riding coast to coast in the US or touring Europe for a couple months. I could easily and comfortably do either for what you are talking about spending for a frame. That is pretty much what I did. I had $5K in my savings account and bought a bike for under $1k, flew out to the west coast, and rode back to the east coast. Racks, panniers, airfare, ground transportation, food, other expenses, and the gear I needed all came out of that account as did all I spent for anything else during the 10+ weeks on the road. When I got home the account still had over $2k in it.
I don't think a more expensive bike would have enhanced the experience to any extent and I surely wouldn't trade the experience for any bike.
11-12-08, 03:35 PM
#53
Let's do a Century
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
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jppe,
I see that you have followed some advice by digging a hole and keeping the money for a while. My take is that you want to buy something special for yourself, and I agree that you do deserve it!
If it were me I would think about where I am in cycling, what I want to accomplish and where I see myself in 5 years or more down the road. Last year I was in the market for a bike to replace my 1999 Cannondale R 600. I had a plan to ride with faster riders and start to race. I also knew that at 54 years of age the bike most likely would not be the same bike I would be riding in 6 years, so my choice of bikes needed to fit into that window. I am assuming my next bike will be less aggressive and more on the touring side. I'll still have the "Ferrari "in the garage for special occaisions.
A custom frame would really be a great ride and instill a whole bunch of pride to it's owner. Would you be able to continue riding the bike for a long time if the geometery is too agressive or dailed into your current riding style? If not, selling a custom built bike may not be as easy or garner as much value as a top shelf frame. Good luck on your decision and keep us informed of your choice.
I see that you have followed some advice by digging a hole and keeping the money for a while. My take is that you want to buy something special for yourself, and I agree that you do deserve it!
If it were me I would think about where I am in cycling, what I want to accomplish and where I see myself in 5 years or more down the road. Last year I was in the market for a bike to replace my 1999 Cannondale R 600. I had a plan to ride with faster riders and start to race. I also knew that at 54 years of age the bike most likely would not be the same bike I would be riding in 6 years, so my choice of bikes needed to fit into that window. I am assuming my next bike will be less aggressive and more on the touring side. I'll still have the "Ferrari "in the garage for special occaisions.
A custom frame would really be a great ride and instill a whole bunch of pride to it's owner. Would you be able to continue riding the bike for a long time if the geometery is too agressive or dailed into your current riding style? If not, selling a custom built bike may not be as easy or garner as much value as a top shelf frame. Good luck on your decision and keep us informed of your choice.
If I can find something that is the perfect fit for my "desires" I think I'd be okay for years. A good analogy is my golf clubs. While the technology has changed dramatically over the past 10 years, I'm still using a set of irons that are a perfect fit for me and don't have a desire or need for anything else as the performance is as good as ever.
Thanks again for all the feedback and suggestions. While I enjoy an impulse or two, the engineer in me has me analyzing the various options and solutions to the nth degree.
11-12-08, 05:53 PM
#54
Senior Member
Excellent suggestion!!!! I have on my bicycling bucket list to do exactly what you have described. However, I might just have to get a special rig to tow my golf clubs along as I haven't gone that long without playing a round of golf for 45 years!!!! Is there a pill for that???? I'll have to give that some thought.
