Every year I keep flirting with the idea of getting a real nice mountain bike. YOu know the one with all the bling, bling, and costs a thousand bucks or more. But time and time again, i don't do it. I just can't. For some reason, it seems like to me that it would just "dirty up" the whole cycling experience for me.

I really love to ride my entry level Trek bikes. In fact I am near 20,000 miles since i started riding exactly 3 years ago. I've upgraded a few things and replaced a lot of things. I have two Trek 4300's and a Trek 1000 road bike. I guess I am the KING of entry level.

I could easily buy a BLING bike, but I always choose to spend the money on something else around the house etc. Don't get me wrong, i spend plenty on cycling. I'm also the king of accessories. I've got it all, especially a lot of costly winter gear, clothing, lights etc.

But when it comes to the bike, I can't pull the trigger. Anyone else like me?

Truth is, I'm just waiting for the right target. What I've got is almost perfect for my riding - mostly trails and paths. I would love one strictly for streets and roads, but not at all sure of those drop bars and the positioning.

Well for me, I love buying used and fixing up bikes just as much as I do riding them. It's a "funner" experience.

I got a rugged "expedition" weight fully-loaded touring bike and it works find off road and on. Just no jumps. The last time I did some "gnarly" rocky singletrack I had to replace the Nitto handlebars, the frame and wheels were fine. The next time you get the urge go to www.bgcycles.com . He also has some wild accessories, Like a titanium frame pump.

Steel frame pumps make better dog whackers.

Oops! Off topic again

Yup. I've been tempted to drop a lot of money on a nice road bike, but I realized two things. 1) I wouldn't enjoy such an expensive bike. 2) A previous work injury to my right hand makes it impossible for me to ride in the drops or on anything below saddle level.

I currently have a '06 rockhopper I use for road riding and for mountain biking. I don't go mountain biking as much as I would like to, but when I bought the bike I knew it was going to be doing double duty for a while so I bought the best I could afford at the time (this was back in March). I made the mistake of buying it a bit too big, so even with the handlebars as high as I could get them there was still too much pressure on my hands. I put on trekking bars, a Brooks saddle, and wide semi-slicks and before a health setback in July that kept me off the bike most of the month I was riding 35-40 miles on the road with no discomfort.

I'm planning on putting a rigid fork and a trekking crankset on the 'hopper and riding it on the roads and buying a better fitting bike for the dirt. For the amount of mountain biking I do, an entry level bike is enough.

Damn I thought that a grand was entry level for mountain bikes, the shops I've been to the bling bikes are in the 5 grand neighborhood.
It must not be that important to u, kinda funny if your averaging 6666.6666 miles a year, that's pretty impressive!

Have u considered buying used?

I own a bike shop and I don't "pull the trigger" as often as I should. I rode a Lotus road bike for 17 years before I built up a new one. I do have a relatively new Rocky hardtail, but I built it up with used parts. Pretty sad I guess for a guy who could have any bike in the shop. But I like my Rocky. It takes the beating and handles like a dream.

Interesting that you are a shop owner and similar to me. Personally, I spend plenty on cycling. Even though my bikes are entry level, I still have $1000 worth of bikes just considering retail price of the bikes when i got them. Add onto that the fact that I've upgraded all of my bikes quite a bit and you could easily add another thousand, or close to it.

So I already have a couple thousand wrapped up in bikes. Yet I still ride what are considered entry level bikes. I don't know why I would think that i need a "better" bike, other than the fact that I am just a consumer minded American.

More, more, better, better. THat is how most Americans think.I'm just as guilty in some areas of my life but there are some things where I won't lose control. For instance, I drive cars that are nice but older. My newest car is now 5 years old.

Same goes with the bikes, I prefer to remain level headed and avoid the big purchase. I'm just afraid that the current affordable bikes might feel better under me than a bike that cost over $1000.

You are definately committed enough to justify a major upgrade in equipment. You know you'll be happy with it if you get it, because the $ issue will soon be forgotten. So, what is holding you back? Most likely a conflict between what you want and what you need. Only you can resolve that. However, I've never met a cyclist that complained about having equipment that was too nice. Remember, today is the first day of the rest of your life. bk

Portis, love the video sig!

Here's the rationale one guy proposed to me, and I rather like it:

"I love driving sports cars. I'd love to drive a really nice sports car. But I can't afford a really nice sports car. I love riding bikes, too. I can afford a really nice bike. So why shouldn't I do what I love?"

Portis,

Over on the 50+ Forum everyone knows me as Mr. Indecision in terms of buying a new bike. Got started on the Trek 3900 which I rode exclusively on streets (finally with slicks) and then "upgraded" with a $200 2004 Giant Cypress SX, a flat bar sort of road bike, which is actually just a tad too small. So I've been going back and forth on a new bike, probably a road bike, for months and months.

And now that I've narrowed it down considerably, and the choice is between a $800-1200 bike or a $2000 CF on sale, I'm still debating and waiting for that irresitable sale.

And recently, since i've replaced the brakes, trued the front wheel, and so on, my current steed is performing pretty flawlessly, making me wonder why I even feel the need for something new? Because I might try for a century some day? Maybe, but the truth is I'm a short-ride guy, 10-25 at a pop most of the time, and my current bike does that fine.

But then a new bike is so pretty!

Sigh...

What you said! I haven't bought a new bike in years. It's so much funner to buy something used off craigslist, fix it up, play around with it for a while... sell it when I get bored of it. I have as much fun fixing up bikes as riding them too.

Ultimately, you do what you feel comfortable, and hey, if you haven't bought one yet, maybe it's because you don't feel comfortable or really don't want one (maybe you have enough fun with your bikes as it is, the simplicity of just riding a bike is very hard to beat). It's interesting to note that I swear I've had loads of fun out a freebie old English 3-speed, possibly more than someone who rides an multi-thousand dollar bike at times. However, I do admit bikes are my weakness, and I've only ever regretted buying one frame off ebay -but loved all my other bikes -from freebies to $1,500 bikes.

The true enjoyment is in the bike and riding it, not in the dollar amount spent.

However, I do think there is something to be said for if you can afford it, and you know you'll get enjoyment out of it, do it -it sounds like you can and that you enjoy your biking. Life's too short. There is no doubt in my mind you get enjoyment out of using a quality product.

Happy ridin'!

I should clarify something. I NOW do not pull the trigger as often as I should. I used to pull it all the time when it came to mountain bikes. Back in the late 80's and early 90's I used to park my butt on every new ride I could. A result of this is a garage of very expensive hi end dirt scoots that hang unused now. I call them my museum. Now that I have been sold on longer travel forks and disc brakes, I have one bike that has that and I am pounding the heck out of it. My days of being starry eyed over the latest bling bling is over. I wait until something new has proven itself and then take the plunge. I need, no, make that want a new crank set, yet I am still not convinced about the better performance of the newer external bearing Cranks that everyone seems to be forcing down my throat as a dealer. Jeez, I was happy as if I had a brain with the old square taper BB's.

I will be the first to admit that this new attitude is not the best attitude for someone who makes a living selling bikes. But I still do okay. Being honest about what I ride with my explanation usually does not turn folks away from all the new gee whiz that is constantly coming at us. The bottom line is the most important component is the motor. Any well tuned bike will perform under a good motor.

The other side of this though is I get to feed my other passion. I get to fix, assemble and build with all the new stuff. I love that as much as I do riding.

That's just it. I'm married with a nice house, cars, wife and great kids. I guess buying expensive things just for me personally just doesn't feel right. We're getting ready to spend around $5000 putting some windows in our house, and that doesn't bother me in the least, because it isn't for me personally.

Plus it adds a bit of value to the property. I guess what i am trying to say, is that the joy from riding a high end bike would not outweigh the guilt for me. Maybe that will change some day but that is where I am today.

Another thought I had today on my ride was this: It is so hard to carve out an hour or two to ride every day but usually i manage to. With that said, I have gotten into pretty good shape over the years. Why would I want a lighter bike that would presumably be less of a work out? It seems that a fitness rider would want a heavier bike.

No, sorry. I let loose with both barrels!

2 tandem recumbent trikes, a single recumbent trike, 4 other recumbents, 6 road bikes (3 w/Campy), 3 mountain bikes and at least a dozen kids bikes. If bikes were liquid, I'd be called a junkie!

as a note to potential thieves, they are all insured by my buddies Smith & Wesson, policy #629.
Try to steal one and you'll "make my DAY"!

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bicycle ride" J.F.K.
(except riding a really EXSPENSIVE bicycle)

No, sorry. I let loose with both barrels!

2 tandem recumbent trikes, a single recumbent trike, 4 other recumbents, 6 road bikes (3 w/Campy), 3 mountain bikes and at least a dozen kids bikes. If bikes were liquid, I'd be called a junkie!

as a note to potential thieves, they are all insured by my buddies Smith & Wesson, policy #629.
Try to steal one and you'll "make my DAY"!

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bicycle ride" J.F.K.
(except riding a really EXSPENSIVE bicycle)

OOOOPs! Sorry, must have "double-clicked" the "submit reply" button. My bad. It's late, I'm outa here!

6,000+ miles a year and you're still rolling on entry level bikes! What's wrong with that picture. Why keep punishing yourself. You are doing the hard riding, reward yourself only because you deserve it. In short, quit being cheap. bk

Sounds to me like you need approval, and the person that can give her approval isn't on this forum.

It is nice to have a racing bike off-road for nice days even if you don't race, but a trek 4300 is a hardtail with front suspension & v-brakes, 3 years old makes it a 24 speed right? Properly maintained you can have forever amounts of fun on it. The longer you put it off the greater your joy will be when you eventually get a high end off-road ride. Your skills & stamina will be better able to feel the difference that a race bike can make. You'll feel like you're flying.

Quite the contrary. My wife would approve if I told her I wanted it. Guess I am just too disciplined. I don't like to spend money on myself, at least not in huge chunks. I know plenty of guys that spend all the family money on themselves. They look like babies to me, because they put themselves before everyone else.

I don't know if I'll ever own a real expensive bike, I would say likely not at this point. Everyone is different, and I can understand that. But it is real hard to understand why people drop thousands of bucks on a bike and then they don't ride it. At least I am riding a lot and my bike cost me beans. It's probably the equivialant of a $700 bike with the upgrades i've made to it.

So you'd like a nice bike, and your wife would like you to have a nice bike. You ride constantly so it certainly wouldn't be wasted. Yet somehow you have a need to prove that you're not selfish. I suppose I can understand that. But aren't you taking it to extremes?

Guy I ride with discovered major tire problems on his bike on our long ride on Saturday. It's in the shop and for the ride last night a friend of his lent him a new Serotta - combo Ti/CF frame, full Dura-Ace - about a $5000 bike. Now, that's one sweet bike - we're talking Maserati in the car world. Do I want it? Yes. Would it be selfish to spend $5000 on it? Certainly would be with my finances. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't be riding a nice bike.

Rather than pay MSRP for what I wanted, I bought off eBay and ended up with a $2500 bike with 130 miles on it for $900.

Compromise with yourself. Avoid being selfish by not spending the big $$. Get what you want by spending *some* $$. Budget $1000 or so, identify some lotto-win class bikes, and start prowling the used market. Then when you buy, concentrate on how much you didn't spend.

I just can't understand why committed riders can't get the quality equipment they ought to have. This doesn't mean 5K+ carbon/titanium jewels but a good midrange bike that you like. Good equipment makes such a difference. But I also know this; cheap guys cannot be changed, no matter what. It's because they have done enough transactions "on the cheap" and have believed they are happy with the result, that their so called frugal philosophy has been verified. It is carved in stone. bk