wolfchild

Scientific testing in a lab is not the same as a daily grind out in the real world....$ 14 000 dollar bikes are not designed for heavy duty utilitarian uses. Would you put fenders and racks and all kinds of bags on a $ 14 000 dollar bike and use it for commuting in all weather conditions, loaded touring, off road bike packing, trail riding ??...I don't think you or anybody would....These super expensive fancy bikes are just toys to be used on the weekends to impress other club riders or for winning imaginary races on Zwift. They have absolutely zero utilitarian and practical value.

vonfilm 

I am not a fan of Rolex watches. You are right that many inexpensive watches keep just as good of time. But, Rolex watches do appreciate in value from new and one won’t lose their ass when they go to resell it.

greatscott

At least you're being nice, thank you. And you are correct, if you have the money what the heck, buy a $15,000 bike or more. That was not my argument though, there was nothing said about if you have the money you're stupid for buying a $15,000 bike, I wasn't judging a person for spending the money. The original question was asking if it was worth it, I simply pointed out that the value of such a bike is not that huge of an improvement to deem it worth the expense especially if you're on the fence about it spending that kind of money.

Besides, the bike doesn't make the rider, the rider makes the bike, so other than having a very expensive bike, it won't do anything for a person's speed.

wolfchild

It is for me and that's one of the things that's right at the top of my list of important things that I care about. I am the same way with vehicles, I don't care about Ferraris, Porches, Lamborginis, Bentleys etc I don't find sports and luxury cars exciting... What I find exciting is some simple and utilitarian pick up truck.

Atlas Shrugged

A interesting twist onto this discussion would be at what income level would you consider purchasing a $14,000 bicycle. For me I know what that number is!

Trakhak

This is more fun than Wordle.

aplcr0331

No kidding. That's like saying a Porsche 911 is not designed to haul a cord of wood. Captain obvious is obvisouly not too bright.

I have a bike I paid about $1,000 for and I don't put fenders on it, nor do I commute in all weather conditions, I don't tour loaded, and I'm guessing I'd need a MTB for "trail riding"...or a horse. Why the hell do you give a poo-poo-pa-doo what someone else does with their bikes?

No doubt you're dumb enough to think someone would use their SWORKS bike on the trainer. If they can pop $14k on a bike they've probably got the scratch to get a dedicated trainer bike. Also in Zwift nobody knows/cares about what bike you're actually on IRL...the "Tron" bike is the hotness in make believe land.

Says you.

There you go...of all the stupid crap you've vomited in this thread you just got about 4 words mostly correct. Congratulations on your very own 6 page and growing BF troll job, bravo.

wolfchild

I wouldn't purchase one no matter how high my income level was. I wouldn't purchase one even if I won a big lottery.

vonfilm 

The KTM 350 EXC-F is perhaps the best Enduro racing motorcycle today. It is delivered “ready to race” for $11,899. This a pure bred racer not a dual sport.
For $13,549 the KTM 500 EXC-F Six Days provides even more pure racing performance.
These are very expensive motorcycles for their weight and displacement.
The idea that a 16 pound racing bicycle is worth $14,000 is ludicrous.

Eric F

Value can be a highly subjective thing, and the factors that make something more valuable to me might not hold any value to you.

Also, the person who posted the original question did say that buying a $14k bike is stupid. His conclusion was already reached from the beginning.

Polaris OBark

For the examples listed, and the corresponding Treks: none. They just aren't that great.

My wife and I did test-rides on >$9K trek gravel bikes. (FWIW, they still weighed in at about 19.5 lbs without pedals.) I built her up something that I think is better, based on a titanium frame I found on sale, and some Di2 levers I already had. I spent far more money than I was comfortable with spending, but at the end of the day had something substantially better for her for substantially less. Eight and a half years ago, I got a custom bike made for less than half of that. I would never trade it for one of those $14K bikes, but if I could justify it, I would happily get a second such custom bike, because the value has far exceeded $14K for me. However, I doubt I could sell if for more than $3K now -- probably substantially less.

Camilo

Again, pay attention. The upgraded truck is worth the extra 45K. The upgrades do not cost 45K

Eric F

That's fine. I'm not suggesting you should change your buying decisions. However, your reasons and my reasons don't necessarily align, nor should they need to.

Atlas Shrugged

Really? So your worth $500,000,000, you fly private, live in the home and location of your dreams and yet your choice in bicycles would remain unchanged? I find that doubtful.

Rolla

Keep repeating the mantra: I am the real cyclist. All others are posers. I am the real cyclist. All others are posers. I am the real cyclist. All others are posers. I am the real cyclist. All others are posers.

There. You've reached Nirvana.

Camilo

Hmmm

wolfchild

It's true.

Chuck Naill

Or perhaps the person that has a $200 bike is asking how a $1700 bike is worth so much. It's all relative. How do you explain to a Bud Light drinker that a craft beer costs more? It just does is the best response...LOL!!

Camilo

I'll have to add bike purchasing history to the questions on qualifications I ask my next PCP! Bonus points for $14K bike instead of a $14K snowmobile.

livedarklions

For him to delete some of his posts.

genejockey 

This is the key thing you generally seem to forget. You are one person, and while your judgements are valid FOR YOU, they are not any more broadly applicable.

veganbikes

I didn't say anything about a lab, I meant using the scientific testing method rather than silly anecdotal evidence. You know with controls and such.

The original post I was responding to was about everyday riding not necessarily a mythical do it all bike. However yes I would put bags on my $14000 bike in fact if I had one I would have the money to get some nice bespoke bags for it that would fit nicely. I would also put fenders on it if needed be, especially if I rode in an area with frequent rain, if not I might not. I would happily ride an S-Works Diverge with bespoke bags daily if I liked carbon bikes. I wouldn't want the STR though nothing against it I like the idea of the suspension but I just don't love the looks personally but my co-worker who owns one (not the S-Works) loves it.

However the idea of saying a bike is delicate because of its price is silly and the Crux of the argument. There are literally mountain bikes made for Downhill and Enduro that are quite expensive and don't blow up in fact professional riders ride them often and they haven't exploded in pretty extreme conditions. I would have no hesitations riding this bike daily for instance, granted I am not a great mountain biker and don't ride enduro but I wouldn't think it was delicate based on price. Maybe a Fabregé egg but not a bike. Now certainly you could make a bike that is delicate and make it very expensive but the bikes we are talking about in this thread are not delicate bikes you need to baby. You don't need to abuse them but you shouldn't really abuse any bike

livedarklions

Butt numbers are definitely the best numbers.

burnthesheep

People who care too much about what others buy or do seem to be projecting their regrets about their own decisions.

genejockey 

For example, the Specialize Aethos, which is something like $13K in its top configuration, has a maximum rider weight of about 275#. That's not delicate at all. It's lighter than other CF bikes because of both the specific CF used and the layup, and the materials and labor are big contributors to the cost. If you made it that light with more mundane CF and a less well-engineered layup, I imagine it would be rather less robust.