Where do you spend your money? Questions on cycling spending
08-04-20, 02:10 PM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,445
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1815 Post(s)
Liked 1,960 Times
in
1,202 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
Sunnyrider56 : If you really "needed" a new custom frame, or anything else, you'd probably know it already - and you wouldn't ask for our advice on spending your money.
John
Likes For 70sSanO:
08-04-20, 02:18 PM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 6,676
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6059 Post(s)
Liked 9,177 Times
in
3,964 Posts
Originally Posted by 70sSanO
If Sunnyrider56 really needed a new frame in August 2019, he waited way too long. Good luck finding something now.
John
John
08-04-20, 02:27 PM
#53
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 10,327
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3101 Post(s)
Liked 4,169 Times
in
2,103 Posts
Undoubtedly some trolls and socks here. OP joined, posted twice in this thread, then disappeared until the bizarre resurrection.
08-04-20, 02:29 PM
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chapel Hill NC
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 645 Post(s)
Liked 793 Times
in
445 Posts
Originally Posted by Sunnyrider56
I'm not disparaging anyone for spending the money, but sincerely asking because I'm trying to wrap my head around nice gear and where to draw the line, where to maximize the investment.
I really like riding, and have for a few years ridden at least 20 km 5 days a week, be it commuting or groceries or long fun rides (I don't own a car). I have some cash saved in my cycling budget, and I'm wondering if dropping it on something like a custom frame in steel or Ti (Moots, Firefly, etc) is really the best place for it. While having a beautiful, durable, fitted frame would be nice, I also realize that a crash (or theft) would reduce that investment to zero in an instant, or changing standards making a "forever" bike harder to outfit after some years (even if it's 10-15).
I suppose this is several questions:
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
I really like riding, and have for a few years ridden at least 20 km 5 days a week, be it commuting or groceries or long fun rides (I don't own a car). I have some cash saved in my cycling budget, and I'm wondering if dropping it on something like a custom frame in steel or Ti (Moots, Firefly, etc) is really the best place for it. While having a beautiful, durable, fitted frame would be nice, I also realize that a crash (or theft) would reduce that investment to zero in an instant, or changing standards making a "forever" bike harder to outfit after some years (even if it's 10-15).
I suppose this is several questions:
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
For myself, I bought my "dream frame" used 17 years ago for ~$1k and built it up with mid-range parts from my previous bike. It remains my "dream frame" (although if someone threw a Colnago Master my way, I'd make room in the garage for a second bike
). These days, I spend money on maintenance parts and occasional clothing/gear to replace worn stuff, but it's pretty guilt-free spending, because it's really not that much (one kid starting college this year and the other next year, so there are always "bigger fish" to factor into large purchases), but in terms of cycling needs and wants, I am replete without having to spend a sh1t-ton. Maybe when the kids are out of college I'll look into a trip to Mallorca......
Last edited by Litespud; 08-04-20 at 02:48 PM.
08-04-20, 03:03 PM
#55
Full Member
Originally Posted by Sunnyrider56
I'm not disparaging anyone for spending the money, but sincerely asking because
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
08-04-20, 03:09 PM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,445
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1815 Post(s)
Liked 1,960 Times
in
1,202 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
Hah! I didn't even realize that it's a zombie thread!
John
08-04-20, 03:19 PM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,580
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2988 Post(s)
Liked 5,186 Times
in
2,107 Posts
Is a zombie sock the same as a sock zombie?
08-04-20, 06:51 PM
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 356
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 325 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 109 Times
in
72 Posts
Originally Posted by Sunnyrider56
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
08-05-20, 04:01 AM
#59
Member
Clothing wise I bought 3 bike jerseys and UV sleeves for the summers here. It gets overt 100 degrees F with 100% humidity. For night rides I have a reflective vest, horrible for the summer heat but makes me a beacon on the roads. Neon green gloves so it's easier to see me signal (not that many driver's know what it means).
I'm concerned with safety because there is very little safe infrastructure where I ride and I often find cars in the bicycle lane honking at me for blocking them in at red lights.
I'm concerned with safety because there is very little safe infrastructure where I ride and I often find cars in the bicycle lane honking at me for blocking them in at red lights.
08-06-20, 03:18 PM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 724
Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 214 Post(s)
Liked 202 Times
in
140 Posts
Originally Posted by jpescatore
Since you have enough money to even ask the question about spending more money on something not entirely necessary, you are already past the two lowest levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
So am I, and I buy a new bike about every 10 years. I'm really not buying a new bike for the Love and Belonging, as I don't even wear bike "kit" and don't do that many group rides, let alone race.
If I'm honest, the Esteem level does come into play - going from my 1996 steel Trek 520 to my 2017 carbon Trek Domane definitely hit the "self-esteem, strength and freedom" buttons even if I really don't think "respect" or "status" came into play.
For that one, I made a deal with myself: lose 20 pounds and spend on a bike that weighed 10 lbs less than the 520. I wanted to climb hills faster but I was also 40 lbs overweight! So, I felt I justified this "need" with "being the best I could be" with lowering overall bike/rider weight, not just bike weight! ...<snip>
So am I, and I buy a new bike about every 10 years. I'm really not buying a new bike for the Love and Belonging, as I don't even wear bike "kit" and don't do that many group rides, let alone race.
If I'm honest, the Esteem level does come into play - going from my 1996 steel Trek 520 to my 2017 carbon Trek Domane definitely hit the "self-esteem, strength and freedom" buttons even if I really don't think "respect" or "status" came into play.
For that one, I made a deal with myself: lose 20 pounds and spend on a bike that weighed 10 lbs less than the 520. I wanted to climb hills faster but I was also 40 lbs overweight! So, I felt I justified this "need" with "being the best I could be" with lowering overall bike/rider weight, not just bike weight! ...<snip>
08-06-20, 04:40 PM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Thornhill, Canada
Posts: 669
Bikes: Specialized Langster, Giant OCR, Marin Muirwoods, Globe Roll2, VROD:)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 203 Post(s)
Liked 337 Times
in
210 Posts
Originally Posted by subgrade
Most of my cycling expenses go into fuel - i.e. food and beer.
08-06-20, 04:44 PM
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Thornhill, Canada
Posts: 669
Bikes: Specialized Langster, Giant OCR, Marin Muirwoods, Globe Roll2, VROD:)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 203 Post(s)
Liked 337 Times
in
210 Posts
Originally Posted by downtube42
Take 3 or 4 weeks off. Fly to France or Italy or Spain or Tasmania, wherever suits your level of adventure. Buy or rent a bike. Ride from town to town, village to village. Eat great food, drink coffee and wine, stay in small places. Come home, ride what you have. Money well spent, no worries about obsolescence.
Stuff doesn't matter one bit.
But again that's what makes me happy. YMMV.
Stuff doesn't matter one bit.
But again that's what makes me happy. YMMV.
08-07-20, 09:49 AM
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,805
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3234 Post(s)
Liked 998 Times
in
599 Posts
Once you have the bike or trike you want, cycling is not that expensive. Cost are mainly tires and tubes, and once in a while a chain. Just dont buy into advertising that says you just have to have this _________ what ever latest thing to be considered to be a cyclist.
Some of the guys that I worked with golf, and they tease me about the cost of my bike and trike. Yet it seems like that every couple of years they go out and buy another really expensive driver or putter.
Some of the guys that I worked with golf, and they tease me about the cost of my bike and trike. Yet it seems like that every couple of years they go out and buy another really expensive driver or putter.
Last edited by rydabent; 01-18-21 at 11:23 AM.
01-16-21, 10:36 AM
#64
😵💫
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 3,978
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1563 Post(s)
Liked 2,925 Times
in
1,665 Posts
Ibuprofen
__________________
Road and Mountain 🚴🏾♂️
Road and Mountain 🚴🏾♂️
01-16-21, 10:46 AM
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,805
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3234 Post(s)
Liked 998 Times
in
599 Posts
Originally Posted by Sunnyrider56
I'm not disparaging anyone for spending the money, but sincerely asking because I'm trying to wrap my head around nice gear and where to draw the line, where to maximize the investment.
I really like riding, and have for a few years ridden at least 20 km 5 days a week, be it commuting or groceries or long fun rides (I don't own a car). I have some cash saved in my cycling budget, and I'm wondering if dropping it on something like a custom frame in steel or Ti (Moots, Firefly, etc) is really the best place for it. While having a beautiful, durable, fitted frame would be nice, I also realize that a crash (or theft) would reduce that investment to zero in an instant, or changing standards making a "forever" bike harder to outfit after some years (even if it's 10-15).
I suppose this is several questions:
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
I really like riding, and have for a few years ridden at least 20 km 5 days a week, be it commuting or groceries or long fun rides (I don't own a car). I have some cash saved in my cycling budget, and I'm wondering if dropping it on something like a custom frame in steel or Ti (Moots, Firefly, etc) is really the best place for it. While having a beautiful, durable, fitted frame would be nice, I also realize that a crash (or theft) would reduce that investment to zero in an instant, or changing standards making a "forever" bike harder to outfit after some years (even if it's 10-15).
I suppose this is several questions:
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
01-16-21, 10:54 AM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,848
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2945 Post(s)
Liked 3,065 Times
in
1,402 Posts
I would spend it on an engine upgrade: personal coaching.
01-16-21, 11:03 AM
#67
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 275
Bikes: nothing to brag about
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 118 Post(s)
Liked 191 Times
in
111 Posts
I bought a new bike recently. I could have spent anything I wanted, but when I started looking it became unclear what more money would get me that I needed, so when I pulled the trigger the only model upgrade that seemed meaningful was disc brakes. Would a fancy drivetrain have been worth the money for my recreational puttering around for exercise? I can't see it.
For people at the margins of sport riding, sure, maybe, but how many of us fit that description?
For people at the margins of sport riding, sure, maybe, but how many of us fit that description?
01-16-21, 11:09 AM
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 1,780
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 700 Post(s)
Liked 1,598 Times
in
790 Posts
The more I ride the more I realize I am my best and worst cycling asset.
My next bike in about five years will likely be at the Tiagra level. It will work just fine and anything above that is just wasted money.
My next bike in about five years will likely be at the Tiagra level. It will work just fine and anything above that is just wasted money.
01-20-21, 02:18 AM
#69
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 394
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 237 Post(s)
Liked 177 Times
in
95 Posts
OP might find this refreshingly specific and focused:
https://intheknowcycling.com/enthusi...ng-priorities/
https://intheknowcycling.com/enthusi...ng-priorities/
