Should I get a better bike than my talent?
11-07-09 | 05:37 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 3
From: Beautiful Long Beach California
Bikes: Eddy Merckx San Remo 76, Eddy Merckx San Remo 76 - Black Silver and Red, Eddy Merckx Sallanches 64 (2); Eddy Merckx MXL;
My question would be "what do you expect to gain from the new bike?" If you want a new bike go buy one,,, but if you're expecting some giant gains, stick with what you have.
11-07-09 | 05:46 PM
#27
B+ roadie I guess?
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Roseville, CA
Bikes: 2013 BMC GranFondo GF01 Ui2
Im on a single speed Caad9 and I drop most folks on a Saturday ride that I come across. I've sped past group rides that were on Giants and Litespeeds... and there are those middle-aged guys dropping me on bikes with Shimano 600 components.... Just know you don't want to waste money on the upgrade path. So-what if you get dropped by someone with a 900 dollar Trek from 2002. If you can avoid some steps to upgrade financial woes then do it!
I myself am also looking at possibly upgrading or replacing my bike... however I have come to realize that it is first the engine, then the bike that determine your performance. I don't like the Sora shifters on my bike. I don't like not having Zertz inserts to absorb shocks. I don't like feeling every single bump in the road. But, at this point in time (in addition to the fact that I am unemployed), I do not see myself buying a new bike soon. But if I were to get a new bike, it'd be a Specialized Roubaix Comp
Last edited by acaurora; 11-07-09 at 05:50 PM.
11-07-09 | 05:49 PM
#28
I had that bike! Took it to Yosemite four years ago after not having been on a bike since I was 12..it's crappiness encouraged me to buy something good...and if I had the money (3500.00) to be exact I would march down to the LBS and buy the one I really want...doesn't matter about my talent level..
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11-07-09 | 06:09 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
From: Manassas, Virginia (NoVa)
Bikes: 2009 GMC DENALI (walmart bike)
If I were you, I would first just buy the bike I like, and can afford, talent means nothing if you dont have the money. Do what you want and buy what you want, don't let talent be a factor, who knows maybe you "get more talent" when you upgrade to a new bike. And you go from regularly ride at 16 mph to 20 mph.
11-07-09 | 06:12 PM
#31
B+ roadie I guess?
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Roseville, CA
Bikes: 2013 BMC GranFondo GF01 Ui2
If I were you, I would first just buy the bike I like, and can afford, talent means nothing if you dont have the money. Do what you want and buy what you want, don't let talent be a factor, who knows maybe you "get more talent" when you upgrade to a new bike. And you go from regularly ride at 16 mph to 20 mph.
11-07-09 | 06:18 PM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,653
Likes: 1
From: Washington, DC
If us untalented hacks didn't buy stuff way more expensive than we needed, the bike companies wouldn't be able to sponsor poor bike racers who can't afford it. It's our duty to buy stuff above our talent level.
11-07-09 | 06:20 PM
#33
Over the hill
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24,624
Likes: 1,383
From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: Pinarello Nytro, Momentum Transend
I had that bike! Took it to Yosemite four years ago after not having been on a bike since I was 12..it's crappiness encouraged me to buy something good...and if I had the money (3500.00) to be exact I would march down to the LBS and buy the one I really want...doesn't matter about my talent level..
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It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
11-07-09 | 06:27 PM
#34
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
11-07-09 | 06:27 PM
#35
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
This post earns you a Pcad BF Community Service Citation of Merit.
11-07-09 | 06:30 PM
#36
Gimme back my gears!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
Bikes: Cannondale Caad9-5 2009, Scattante XLR TT 2009, Trek Y-Foil 77 1998
My entire life I've had cheap bikes and they all did the same thing. The wheels wobbled after a while. The Wheel would grind the chainstay after awhile. I would lose speed quicker and they were a ***** to carry up a flight of stairs.... but a low-end model of a BMW is still a class act!
11-07-09 | 06:32 PM
#37
B+ roadie I guess?
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Roseville, CA
Bikes: 2013 BMC GranFondo GF01 Ui2
I think a lot of folks definitions of quality need to be upgraded... a 900 dollar bike and a 3400 dollar bike are BOTH very good quality.... But I believe most of US on this forum that use road bikes for SPEED would destroy bikes designed to be sold at a retail store like WalMart.
My entire life I've had cheap bikes and they all did the same thing. The wheels wobbled after a while. The Wheel would grind the chainstay after awhile. I would lose speed quicker and they were a ***** to carry up a flight of stairs.... but a low-end model of a BMW is still a class act!
My entire life I've had cheap bikes and they all did the same thing. The wheels wobbled after a while. The Wheel would grind the chainstay after awhile. I would lose speed quicker and they were a ***** to carry up a flight of stairs.... but a low-end model of a BMW is still a class act!
11-07-09 | 06:42 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
From: Manassas, Virginia (NoVa)
Bikes: 2009 GMC DENALI (walmart bike)
11-07-09 | 06:52 PM
#41
Gimme back my gears!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
Bikes: Cannondale Caad9-5 2009, Scattante XLR TT 2009, Trek Y-Foil 77 1998
acaurora: Are you stating walmart sells 900 dollars pieces of crap (yes I know they do... online...different discussion...im sure you can spot the difference) or that you bought a 900 dollar piece of crap from your LBS? I ain't talk'in bout you, son!
....And thats fine and dandy you stress factured a crank to pieces Pcad... I might do that too after 20,000 miles from that ancient ass 10 year old 6500 crank. A garden variety retail store Shimano equipped bike wouldn't even stay stiff long enough for you to do that to the crank arm. It would bend long before it had a chance to snap!
....And thats fine and dandy you stress factured a crank to pieces Pcad... I might do that too after 20,000 miles from that ancient ass 10 year old 6500 crank. A garden variety retail store Shimano equipped bike wouldn't even stay stiff long enough for you to do that to the crank arm. It would bend long before it had a chance to snap!
11-07-09 | 06:58 PM
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Bikes: Litespeed Archon, Ultimate, Palmares, Blade. BMC Pro Machine. Trek 7.3 FX Commuter
I am pretty sure that is a DA 7800 crank. Notice how well the Ibis Ti frameset has taken that pounding. Here is definitive proof that Ti >>> Al. Lets see how long that other plastic bike of his lasts.
11-07-09 | 07:17 PM
#45
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,103
Likes: 96
From: Wilmington, DE
Bikes: 2016 Hong Fu FM-079-F, 1984 Trek 660, 2005 Iron Horse Warrior Expert, 2009 Pedal Force CX1, 2016 Islabikes Beinn 20 (son's)
....And thats fine and dandy you stress factured a crank to pieces Pcad... I might do that too after 20,000 miles from that ancient ass 10 year old 6500 crank. A garden variety retail store Shimano equipped bike wouldn't even stay stiff long enough for you to do that to the crank arm. It would bend long before it had a chance to snap!
11-07-09 | 07:35 PM
#47
Gimme back my gears!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
Bikes: Cannondale Caad9-5 2009, Scattante XLR TT 2009, Trek Y-Foil 77 1998
I've rode garden variety P.O.S all my life... I'm certainly not new to that. Back when I was 200 pounds and only 5 feet tall I would bend the hell out of those types of bikes and i'm pretty positive in all my newbiness that the power output of a 140 lb. pro is far greater than what I could have ever achieved. I'm not trying to downplay snapping a crank is easy... merely accentuating, that situating, a pro piece of equipment to the level of 2200 or Sora is faulty logic
11-07-09 | 07:40 PM
#49
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
11-07-09 | 07:46 PM
#50
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Haha, my roommate went on a biking trip with some friends, all of his friends have average bikes (under $800). He has a 1980's Schwinn Le Tour, everything basic. ONE of his friends had just dropped $7,000 on a road bike and took it on the trip. The only time the $7,000 rider kept up was on the downs and the flats, but even the 1980's Schwinn was smokin him on the climbs.
Buy what you want, but USE WHAT YOU BUY.
Buy what you want, but USE WHAT YOU BUY.