Tiny?

I have no dog in this fight, but that seems unfair.

OP can understand that $10k bikes exist because there is a demand for them, but still have an opinion that the demand stems from buyers with irrational priorities. He also can have an opinion about the point at which the performance enhancements don't justify additional increase in price due to diminishing returns, but that would just be the point on the demand curve where he happens to reside.

Whether or not our opinion on other people's economic priorities is something worth expressing and/or reading is another subject for debate. I don't generally find other people's opinions on the subject illuminating, and would expect that most people would feel the same about mine.

Why are we even having this conversation over what to call other people's bikes? Oh, right, because it's Bike Forums.

Doesn't matter what you call my bike, it isn't coming.

I can fully grasp the link between supply and demand while also disagreeing with a society that wants to spend what I determine to be excessive amounts of money of things that I consider to not be of importance.

For the record, that last sentence isnt what I personally think, but i typed it out because its absolutely possible.

What specifically about the link between supply and demand do you think the OP doesnt understand but must understand to no longer hold the view he holds?


To be clear, the reason I responded is because there are many socioeconomic theories that I fully understand, but disagree with. To disagree doesnt mean one doesnt fully grasp something.

To answer everyone's question ...

He may have the opinion that $10,000 for a bicycle is ridiculous and that those who spend $10,000 on a bicycle are completely and utterly stupid ...

But the fact is that if there were no demand for $10,000 bicycles, there would be no $10,000 bicycles. Or in other words because there is a demand for $10,000 bicycles, there is a supply.

So while he may be of the opinion that those who pay $10,000 for a bicycle have, and I quote "more money than brains" (which is, incidentally, incredibly insulting and naive ... and the thread should have been closed immediately for being so rude because we supposedly have rules here on this forum about such things) ... but supply and demand mean that both sides of the supply and demand equation exist and that's OK. That's how it works. There's nothing wrong with it.

That could be due to performance anxiety.

Yup, all that makes sense. And yet someone can fully understand the concept of supply and demand, but still view buyers of the .2% most expensive bikes as having more money than brains.

Those aren't mutually exclusive, even though you suggest they are by tossing a soft insult his way about his inability to grasp a simple economic concept.


It isnt for me to judge what someone spends on a bike until they cite the price along with an opinion about all other's choices as it pertains to bike costs.
I take that position based on having disposable income and accepting my family wastes money on wants rather than using to help others with needs.
It has become my view that many cant come to terms with that reality and instead rage against it when confronted by it.

to each their own and whatnot

I haven't suggested they are mutually exclusive. I just know that because of our economic system of supply and demand, there will be people who will buy ... just about anything.

And personally, i don't think it is my place to judge and insult them.


I may, however, judge and insult people who are judging and insulting those who are spending their money the way they want. Because I can!!!

Will my bike "do" better if I install Viagra instead of Tiagra?

Well said.

I'll add, that while I hate the idea of a bicycle that isn't built to be ridden for long...i.e. a bicycle shaped object...and will express my opinion here about them as a class, when they appear in my co-op with their invariably severe problems, I will help people work on them to keep them running. I know that they are putting good money in to a hole but I do what I can to not dig the hole any deeper than necessary. I also don't say anything about the bike...good or bad...while they and the bike are there. People love their bikes....even the really bad ones...and it's not my place to say anything disparaging about their bikes. I may have to deliver bad news but I try to do it in a manner that is meant to be supportive. I also follow this same philosophy when some one shows up with a really good bike. I'm neutral on people's bikes at the co-op.

But when it comes to my own bikes, I spend what I want to spend and ride what I want to ride. I don't ask for validation nor need to explain to people why I have 8 bikes that have collectively cost what a good car costs and are worth what a really good car costs. It's my money that I earned from my talent. How I spend it is my business and only my business.

While I don't have 8 bikes, I agree with the sentiment. I also think that these types of threads, which invariably come up every year, are trite.

Gee, the bar was lowered. I started REBSO at $15K. Pretty much above most of the serious hobby road rides, and tending into the "Veyron" price range for bikes (as far as I'm concerned...). Now it seems it has dropped to $10K ... If we keep going, it'll be down to $500 because the poor barrio kid across town can't afford it ...

It's all in the eye of the beholder. As a retired engineer, I tend to look at things like ROI and diminishing returns, and chasing the weight weenie gods at ALL cost ...

REBSO's do exist. They are just not the same particular bike for everyone looking at them in passing

"Trite" is too kind. At this point, it's just rerunning the old posts in a different order.

I like both, but normally have the Manhattan, as the Bloody Mary has so many ingredients. And, as my bikes cost only a few thousand bucks (a price high enough for me that it still makes me uncomfortable), I can use the extra 6-10 thousand on better whiskey for my Manhattan.

On the other hand, after a ride or during a rest stop I like a Radler/Shandy/Alsterbier/Scholla. Using half seven-up lowers the alcohol content and makes it more thirst quenching. And I drink a glass of water, at least, per Radler.

Heh. Just wait until you encounter your first 'waving' thread. One will inevitably appear within a couple of months; sure sign of spring.

You inspirted me to come up with a twist on an old theme: "Do You Waive at People Riding REBSOs?" Maybe with a poll.

I think that's an excellent idea!

I was thinking of starting an omnibus early-spring whingeing thread, something like this:

"I was riding my BSO on the MUP, planning on going down to the mom-and-pop LBS to get ripped off for some parts and repairs, when this kitted-out snob with more money than brains riding a REBSO passed me without acknowledging my friendly greeting ..."

What??!!! He didn't even ring his bell???

Was he wearing a helmet?

fify

Ooooh, I'll bet that we can segregate Bikes and REBSO's because REBSO's do not/will not have a bell

No, no, plutonium bell with a titanium clapper.

You're right. If you buy a custom fit frame (ti for example, if you like that material), and get some fancy wheels, and an Ultegra (or if you are a real idiot, Dura Ace) Di2 groupset, a saddle, bars and misc., and assemble it yourself because you like doing it, $10,000 isn't hard to get to. I have been riding bikes enthusiastically since I was 16. I'm now 67, and have more than one of those 'makes me a fool bikes'. So, my apologies.

Mark