Machka 

Not for me ... I really don't care what people think of the bicycles I ride, I choose the bicycles for their function and because I like them.

After Machak, my Marinoni Ciclo, was stolen, we bought titanium bicycles for long distance cycling ... why? 1) I needed a bicycle for long distance cycling; 2) I needed a certain size (a little smaller than average), and the titanium frame we chose was that size; 3) I've always wanted a titanium just because I like the look of titanium bicycles, and I had heard that they had a comfortable feel to them which is important for long distance cycling.

A few years later we were planning an 8-month Round-the-World tour. The titanium bicycles wouldn't do the trick for that and neither would my Giant ... so we were suddenly in the market for touring bicycles. And along came Thorn frames into the picture. Again ... function, material and size were the important features.

After we got back from the tour, or actually during the tour, we realised that folding bicycles would have been a better choice ... so we now have folding bicycles. Function, material and size.


My bicycles all look fairly ordinary ... I choose paint schemes without much "bling" to them. And I really couldn't tell you exactly how much most of my bicycles are because we buy the frames and the components from several different sources and Rowan builds them. But most importantly to me ... they meet the function they were purchased for ... they have an appropriate material for that function ... and they fit.


79pmooney mentioned bicycles disappearing under him ... and that's it ... or I've though of it as the bicycle and I just become one, the bicycle is a natural extension of me. Machak, my Marinoni Ciclo, was the first bicycle where I really experienced that. I could think a directional change (dodge pothole, turn left) and it felt like Machak could read my thoughts and carry them out with no effort from me. Almost uncanny. Hard to describe, but you know it when you've experienced it.

And it doesn't necessarily take a "high end" bicycle for that experience. I felt it with Machak ... I've come close with my titanium, but just not quite ... it took a little while with my Thorn to get there, but we're there now ... and I felt it immediately with my folder.

Meanwhile, one of Rowan's favourite bicycles ... one with which he has experienced this ... was a tip-shop Shogun.

Stucky

For the average recreational rider (like myself), a high-end bike will not do a thing that an entry-level bike won't do. Assuming that both bikes in the comparison have similar geometry and similar fit, one would not notice an iota of difference in their rides.

The only real difference is in aesthetics.

And there may be as psychological/placebo effect with the nicer bike, which inspires one to ride harder/faster/further/more often.

But the actual differences are so negligible that they are meaningless.

That being said, I do like my "nice bikes"- but it's just a mental thing. I don't BS myself into thinking that they are somehow doing something special for me. They look nice; they exhibit quality instead of cheapness/utilitarianism. <-- well, that is, when they're parked in the house. When I'm riding them, I don't even notice. My rides were just as enjoyable on my $300 brand-new first road bike, as they are on my $4300 (when it was new)+upgrades Venge.; and just as enjoyable on old hi-tensile department-store "10-speeds" which I rode when I was a kid.

I think that it's something that every cyclist has to experience for himself though. You have to try a "good bike", just to see if you're missing anything; to see what they're all about. In my opinion, they don't spoil you though. They make you realize that lesser bikes are just as good; and that while you may get a boost from riding something fancy, just as if you drove a flashy expensive car- the fact is, it's the RIDING that matters.

My next bike purchase will be a vintage steel road bike, with downtube shifters. I'll probably sell the carbon "wonderbike" when I get one.

The bicycle industry does a LOT to convince people that they need these modern expensive bikes- they're very good at marketing- but in reality, it's mostly BS and gimmicks. And the funny thing is, even from the aesthetic standpoint, these modern bikes are lacking- as their paint jobs are most often drab and not colorful (it seems everything's black now-a-days); and plastic or carbon increasingly replaces nice shiny metal on components. If I didn't "know about bikes" I'd mistake my Venge for a Walmart bike.

Machka 

A classic example of this was when I got into Randonneuring.


A few weeks before my first 200K, I had torn my rotator cuff in my left shoulder in a clothing incident (getting dressed in the morning isn't as safe as you might think). I was already a fairly experienced long distance cyclist, and I was in pretty good shape, so I wasn't worried about the distance ... I just couldn't put any weight on my left arm. So I decided to ride a bicycle on which I had done winter centuries ... my Walmart Mongoose mtn bike. The thing weighed in at 40 lbs, but was set up for me so I was comfortable, and I could sit very upright on it so no weight on my left arm.

I finished the 200K feeling quite tired.

Two weeks later, with my shoulder feeling better, I rode the 300K on my Giant OCR3, and the route organisers actually made it a full double century (323 km). I had never ridden that distance before. 200K was the longest I had ridden.

I finished the 300K feeling just as tired as I did at the end of the 200K ... not less tired, but definitely not more. It actually felt relatively easy.

sam_cyclist

My first road bike was a $180 piece of junk. It shifted horribly, had horrible braking due to the steel rims, and was generally horribly built. But I loved riding it because riding a bicycle is fun.

My next bike was a proper, very well built trek mountain bike, for about $600. It was a huge improvement in absolutely every way. I tried riding the road bike again, and realized what a piece of junk it truly was. Horrible brakes, horrible shifting, and it had the nastiest shimmy on descents. And the extra weight going up was very noticeable.

My next road bike will be a specialized. I've test ridden the allez, tarmac, roubaix and secteur and love 'em all! Well, maybe the roubaix a little less, but overall, I've really enjoyed the specialized bikes the most in all of my test rides.

Jim from Boston

I call it "becoming 'one' with the bicycle" and it's a periodic, rather than continuous experience, usually occuring well into a longer ride, but before profound fatigue sets in. I first made such notice on my steel Bridgestone RB-1, but may occur more frequently on the Specialized S-Works.

Jim from Boston

When I first tested the carbon fiber bikes after riding steel for years, the rides were nice, but not dramatic nor distinctive between bikes, considering the prices. I took it virtually on faith when,

He is a master bike fitter, but afterwards I did ask him how he just put in the order without even measuring me, because the fit is as perfect as I can imagine, with just an adjustment of seat height.

AlmostTrick

I've felt this, but only after riding and getting to know a bike for a while. I agree it doesn't require a "high end" bike... Just a really good fit, and some time in the saddle.

delcrossv

obed7

my higher end bikes do not make me happy, but they do make my ride more enjoyable...so I ride more and hurt less...now my wife....she makes me happy... my son... he makes me happy... my grandkids... they make me happy....what i love, not what i own... brings my happiness.

AlmostTrick

Quoted in its entirety for truth.

I believe the “psychological/placebo effect” is strong, and don’t believe any of us are immune to it. I’m not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, but I for one like to be aware of it. Especially before spending big bucks! (I admit I’m somewhat of a cheapskate)

“The bicycle industry does a LOT to convince people that they need these modern expensive bikes” –As does peer pressure, here and in real life. Post pictures or show up for a group ride on a fancy pants bike and get high fives.

Stucky

Must be something about Specialized! When I bought my used venge [from a guy who was not the same height nor proportions as I] I have not had to change one single thing as far as fit- it fit like a glove from the moment I first sat on it!
@sam_cyclist: Good choice- Specialized. After buying my Venge (Previous to it having appeared on Craigslist, I didn't know Specialized from a hole in the ground) I have become a Specialized fan. They seem to pay a lot of attention to detail with their bikes; everything seems to be "just right".

andr0id

A bike that functions perfectly and *quietly* = happiness.

There is a certain price point below which you will not get flawless operation.

simplybao

I don't know if a high end bike makes me happier. I tend to like to build bikes and that's the joy for me. I only got back into riding last year. My first bike in 20 years is an s-works stumpy. Bought the frame used (OMG it's carbon fiber and you bought it used? LOL) The frame is from 2007 but was in perfect shape. I shopped ebay, online, and LBS for parts and collected them over the course of 6 months. Total joy. Now that I'm riding it, does it make me happier? You betcha, but not because it's high end, but because I built it with my brother. I'm slow as snot. I crash all the time. And I'm always banged up after every ride, but I don't care. I feel like I'm 12 again when I'm on that bike. Although my body tells me I'm not 12, LOL.

My next bike was a Giant Escape 1. I ordered it and then was never extremely happy with it. Why? Because it was bone stock. It was boring. It felt like I let someone else choose the parts and put it together. So I proceeded to change everything....all but the wheels. I like it much more now. Do I ride faster, better? Nope, but I enjoy it more because I built it up. It does shift better with XTR and XT components though :-)

I'm onto my next bike now. I'm building it up ground up with all new parts. Most would consider it high end. Many would turn their nose up because it's kind of a weird setup. Lynskey viale frame...but I'm doing it in the style of a cafe cruiser. It'll have mixed mtb/road drivetrain. My wheel choice may seem odd to some. King hubs laced to heavyish hoops (DT Swiss TK540 trekking rims) but I'm building it that way for the hard way I ride my bikes. I want to be able to ride in the dirt if I want, down stairs, etc... And lightweight race rims wouldn't be suitable for that -- Although I really debated getting some HED wide hoops. I'll report back once I get it finished. I'm hoping to have the rest of the parts in the next few weeks and then the assembly done late March.

Anyway, I think one has to figure out what they like about bikes and then do what makes them happy. I don't necessarily think that buying a high end bike would bring me joy, simply because I would feel like I didn't have a say in what was chosen and I didn't get a hand in actually assembling the bike.

wahoonc

Well based on your parameters I don't don't own any "high end" bikes.

The most expensive bike in my stable of 30+ would probably be my 1989 Giant Excursion. IIRC it listed for ~$750 back in 1989 that is ~$1400 in today's dollars, BTW I got a deep discount on it. So maybe it qualifies. My most used bike and probably my favorite go to bike cost $25 in 1982 and was 10 years old then. Still gets ridden to the grocery store and back at least 4-5 times a year. No clue what it sold for new, it is a Raleigh Sports Standard.

I don't buy things based on price. I buy things that suit my needs and requirements with price being a minor component in the decision.

Aaron

Stucky

Back in my 20's, I had a bike which I had picked out of the garbage. It was just a cruddy department-store BSO; which I took apart and rehabbed; and gave a spray-can paint-job to. That bike, -although it was a total POS- made me happy, because it functioned perfectly; and felt like a new bike (for a while) because of the rehab- and the fact that I did it myself (even though I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing at the time).

I also liked the fact that it was kind of a "care-free" bike. I never ever would even think about locking it up; I'd ride it off of curbs; and generally didn't care much about it, since I had maybe $25 into it, and I knew it was a POS. It made for lots of care-free riding, where i didn't really have to think about the bike at all. Sometimes, having things that you don't have to be concerned with, actually makes for a better experience than having quality, more-expensive things that you have to worry about. It frees one to concentrate on the actual activity, or nothing at all (as i wasn't a "serious" rider in those days- I'd just go out and do a few miles through suburban streets at night for enjoyment)- and I think that such is even more true when it comes to things where the differences between the bottom-of-the-barrel POS and the top-of-the-line item may be thousands of dollars.....but yet, they are still essentially the same kind of object, which do the same basic things.

Retro Grouch 

Actually, I have had that experience.

Years ago Mrs. Grouch and I had a lot of kids and not much money. We acquired a Schwinn Twinn coaster brake tandem frame that I rebuilt into a 10-speed. It was heavy and didn't fit either one of us. We rode it a LOT for 7 or 8 years and loved every minute of it. Other people may have scoffed but we were on the road together having fun and it was the best we could afford at the time. Owning that bike was a life-changing experience for us and, had it not been for that crymmy old Schwinn, I probably wouldn't be posting on BF today.

After a perios we sold an extra car that we didn't need and used the money to buy an entry level Santana tandem. It was a LOT nicer bike to ride. We never second guessed our decision to replace the Schwinn. Also, the scoffers stopped paying attention.

Eventually our financial situation allowed us to buy a really nice Santana with a nivacrom frame and shade shifter paint. It was nicer to ride than the entry level bike but definitely not 5 times as nice. Also, the scoffers came back. There is no detail of a high level bike, or your worthyness of ownership, that somebody won't take issue with. Bottom line - we never second guessed our decision and we never wanted to go back to riding an entry level tandem.

My conclusion: You'll get the most enjoyment per dollar with a mid level bike. Nicer bikes really are nicer but, after a brief comment, nobody else cares and there will always be an even cooler, more desirable bike next year.

Oldguyonoldbike

If a "high-end" bike is any bike that costs more than $1000 or anything with Campy components, then I have two high-end bikes. I am a happy guy, but it's not the bikes that make me happy. No thing will make you happy. I thoroughly enjoy riding and I enjoy having bikes that perform well, just as I'm sure I would enjoy any number of even fancier or more expensive bikes. But, I also enjoyed riding the Schwinn Stingray I had as a kid, or the JCPenney ten-speed that was stolen when I was in college, or the Flying O cruiser that I replaced it with.
Happiness, though, is another thing altogether. I'm a happy guy because I have a great marriage, wonderful kids and a job that gives me a sense of purpose. I currently have plans to build another "high-end" bike, but only when I've reached certain goals for myself. It will be my reward to myself for persevering. If I'm "happy" with it, I'm sure it will have more to do with a sense of accomplishment rather than satisfaction linked to owning one more thing.

Redflea

Happy wife = happy life. Everything else is window dressing.

martianone

Not sure I know what constituents a "high end bike".
last bike I bought was custom fitted and ride characteristics adjusted for my body/mass. the fit is perfect and ride very comfortable - end result = happiness.
It is the bike I now ride most often.

milkbaby

High end bike being ridden = happiness

High end bike not being ridden = sadness

StanSeven

A better bicycle for most cyclists is the same as any other hobby or passion. You want the best you can afford. For some people that means eating noddles and peanut butter sandwiches and living in a crummy apartment. For others than means skipping or replacing a nice vacation with dome thing less. It's like any other things we have interest in - watches, guitars, cars, art, or even lawn or gardening equipment.

A nicer watch doesn't keep time than a Timex. An original painting may not look better than a print. Or one brand of a wallet won't hold money snd IDs better. But we depend more of things we like and want. And that brings happiness.

Drew Eckhardt 

Absolutely. I had a Litespeed titanium frame and Look fork turned into a bike in 1997, and have since migrated to 9 then 10 cogs with more current components.

It's always been setup _exactly_ how I wanted it in terms of fit, gearing (no cassettes with any two tooth gaps up to the 19 cog even where that meant a 13 starting cog or triple), components (Campagnolo only, no moving front brake lever, at least five cogs smaller, cables under the bar tape since 1997, no black alloy), saddle (Selle Italia), bar (Cinelli 66 deep drop, tops at a comfortable altitude for drinking water and climbing), front brake on the right, paint (none), tape (cork), etc.

I've never wanted more except when I needed to replace things due to wear (went to 9 cogs when Campagnolo discontinued the 13-21 8 speed cassette which was my favorite; tried a compact crank after wearing out my big ring and bottom bracket; went to 10 cogs after wearing out a discontinued spring in my right shifter) and when I progressed to training with power (I picked up 30% more. Huge speed improvement.)

I built my Powertap wheel set exactly how I wanted - shiny silver / carbon hubs (NOS front, rear bought used and back from a rebuild), 32 spokes like God and Tulio intended, retro-reflective Velocity Fusion rims with no decals, and NOS 1997-2006 Campagnolo Record skewers which are the sexiest ever made.

Dividing by years (18 on the frame) or miles (5226 last year, 13,500 since resuming bike computer use in 2010 with time lost to slacking) it's been pretty much free. I could also view it as a line item in the bill for my 1997 Ride The Rockies (one week, Grand Junction to Golden, 418 miles, 28,000 vertical feet) which would price that experience more like other sports vacations (sleeping in a tent kept the cost down).

Blue Belly

The higher the cost of the bike, the more it will cost to maintain. Ive researched & enjoyed my high end modern bikes. These days I prefer to ride high end bikes from an era past. The cost of parts & ease of maintenance is a big factor. SO, i suppose you could say they are low end on the "cost scale". High end on performance. Compromise...

cafzali

Funny, I've not found that to be the case, although high end is relative. I find the higher-quality groups and components that come on higher-end bikes also last longer, resulting in less frequent replacements. So while the actual parts themselves might cost more, you're not replacing them as often, so it all evens out in the end.

fietsbob

Consumables ..

The 1 cog and an Occasional Oil Change Kit is not that Much . Its the Up front cost of the 14 speed hub that bites your wallet first .. that will Heal in time.

10 & 11 speed Cassettes bite every time you need a new one .