Santaria

So, my wife and I came to an agreement that is 'strange' but acceptable to me, just wanted to see what folks thought about this though.

I'm currently getting ready to start working on my graduate studies (at 32, God, I suck) and have about $850 saved. Its going to cost me about $600 this summer to take the classes I want to knock out fast in the short semester fast. That leaves me about $250. Now, this doesn't include money we've got figured out in our finances for June/July, which will be our low bill months and I'll be able to set aside about another $1,500 then. So, what she proposed was that I pick up a junker road bike (for commuting) which is available at Wallie World. Its a Kent PoS for $147 but will get me a bike again (and take care of some of my crying and sobbing under my desk) as well as give me a commuter bike again. Its total junk, and I don't forsee it being anything special other than a bike I'm willing to leave locked up virtually anywhere without concern (too much anyhow).

Since I ride both offroad and on, she's suggested allowing me to purchase a 2003 Litespeed Vela ML Shimano 105/Ultegra Mavic I found recently on ebay (obviously this would be in June/July - so this particular one will be gone). I really, really want 2 bikes, and she knows this. I've got a deal lined up on a 1996 DEAN hardtail (alum) that I have been in love with since then. Total for the two bikes would run me around $2k, which would be about 1/4 of what buying two of these brand spanking new would run me.

I am very interested in what you guys think, as this gives me two very nice, top quality bikes for the price of one vs. going to my LBS and buying something I feel like I'd be settling on. It has always been my dream to own both a Litespeed road bike and a DEAN mountain bike, so there's some 'yes, thank you Lord!' mentality involved in this choice she's presented me. *update* Funny thing was, I told my brother (very close friend for years really, but eh) about the DEAN being $600 on Ebay and he is jumping at it for me as a birthday present. So really, I will only have to buy the Litespeed if I go that route. *update*

Either that, or I can go with my original option which is just to buy a Specialized Allez, hold off on having a bike at all until June-ish but be settling for a much lower grade bike.

I've mentioned it before, but it probably doesn't hurt to repeat:

Obviously, like most, I rode when I was a kid. Had an Uncle that got me into low level BMX (cruiser) racing, then joined the Navy and gave that up. I took up riding again when I bought an old-model Bridgestone mountain bike (believe it was the MB1??) in Hawaii when I was stationed there, around 92. I rode for the 3 years I was there, then sold the bike to a friend when I left. I had a Hardrock that I bought used when I lived in Minnesota, but sold it after a couple years to my former brother-in-law. I've spent a lot of time riding fire trails, some semi-decent trails in Central Texas for a time. I lost my Haro V2 last year, and decided when I got my finances back in order (recently happened) that I'd buy another bike or 2. I'm looking at a road bike for the first time really, but I've done some stupid-silly things on a low budget bike (the Haro V2), with its weight+poor choice in gearing for roads I was putting about 300-500 miles a week on it (all road) and about 15 offroad in that same time. So, now that I'm back to a point where I can buy a bike I can appreciate, I figured a road bike would be the best option for me.

The reason I'm considering a higher end bike is because I intend to participate in the MS150 next year, and potentially several other charity rides throughout the year.

Anyhow, I'm rambling...

The nutshell version:

Wife has offered me one, but not the other - and I have to decide by Tuesday (May 2)

Buy $147 Walmart beater roadbike for now
Buy $1200 2003 Litespeed (new-er-ish -preownedbikes on ebay) in June
Gifted $600 DEAN hardtail (lol, I just happy about this still!)

or...

Wait the month and accept a 2005 Specialized Allez ($600)

KirkeIsWaiting

1. buy the Ebay Litespeed alum that's goes off in two days.
Should be about $500.

2. Find a wealthy girlfriend. Buy whatever you want.

velocipedio

for what it's worth, i didn't start my m.a. until i was 35, and i'm starting my ph.d. in september. if you suck, what does that mean about me?

interesting choice. i'd hold out for the prize.

661

Don't be too hard on yourself. Didn't finish my BS 'til I was 32. Never too late to learn.

Serpico

same here, I just turned 29 on april 15 --I get my BA in december and then onto grad or law school

If I would've continued when I began at 20 (I left school after 1 1/2 years) I would've ended up with a degree that I (know now) wouldn't want. I originally started out as an art major (graphic design) and hated the internship I worked, not knocking this at all, but knowing what I know now it wasn't for me.

good luck.

I would get the walmart beater and then the other bikes in june.

FLBandit

Sheesh, you guys are rookies! I didn't get my B.A. til I was 42!!

jeff800

What's your wife get? Maybe you should just look for a job!

Dr. Moto

I can't decide whether your wife is a generous benefactor or a manipulating control freak.

dcdude

ROFL

Enthalpic

Rob a bank and get a new titanium Litespeed. Then let me ride it.

Santaria

I think I just bit my tongue off.
I'm seriously fighting the urge to vent...

Jeff, I'm employeed, have been for 8 years with the same newspaper. If you paid attention, this was an offer from my wife as part of my BIRTHDAY present. Incidently, its being bought with MY MONEY! Her job is what we refer to as 'the filler' in that it allows us to have some luxuries...and part duex - the offer was a compromise that she made so that I'd continue my education versus spending the money on a bike now. quid pro quo, this for that.

I hate people who just jump off the cliff, then check to see if there is a parachute...

Now, where is that ignore function, I'm pretty certain I'll not see anything constructive from jeff800 worth my time reading...

velocipedio

santaria... journalist? what beat?

and what will you be studying at grad school?

Dr. Moto

Actually, Santaria, you never specifically mentioned that this was intended to be a birthday gift from your wife. You only mentioned that in reference to your brother. If this is being bought with your money, why is your original post saying things like "she's suggested allowing me to purchase" and "wife has offered me one, but not the other?" It really does sound like she's paying for all this.

Santaria

Doc, I'm a sick sick man who allows my wife to be the compotroller of our funds, elsewise I'd spend it all on toys

Velo: I'm a wire editor (AP) but right occassional features - current one coming up is commuting to work week (health beat story) and Tour de' Temple May 24!

Chef23

I would look on Craigslist or eBay for a used bike rather than the wally world bike. You will do much better that way.

Good luck.

velocipedio

i don't envy you your newsroom job, i;ve spent most of my life avoiding the newsroom, what will you be studying?

Santaria

Working towards finishing up my history degree, then, more than likely a Masters in Journalism. I've currently got my Associates in History and Associates in General Studies.

velocipedio

hmm... history, that's my bag [b.a. and m.a. and starting my ph.d. this fall]. i've been a hack for about fifteen years [mostly freelance, with the odd editor job] and i taught journalism for six. just a question: why do an m.a. in journalism if you're already in the newsroom?