What's the most you'll spend on a bike?
05-06-19, 08:35 AM
#26
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I haven't read anyone claiming there's "no difference" between bicycles at the various price points. What I do understand, and am claiming for myself only, is that I cannot appreciate any perceptible difference between a $2500 and $5000 bike. If anything, the more expensive bikes feel more frail and delicate beneath me, which at my size and weight isn't a good thing. But certainly, if I could perceive and enjoy the benefits of a more expensive bike, I'd buy it. Not trying to sound arrogant here, but for me money is no object. I can quite comfortably afford to buy any bicycle on the market but choose to stop at the price point where there is no longer any perceptible benefit for me. I readily accept the idea that price points and the perceived benefits can be very different for others.
If durability and comfort were the most important qualities in cycling and commanded the highest prices, I'd be paying much more. But the premium is placed on light weight, speed and sometimes exotic materials for which I have no need. I get off relatively cheap.
-Kedosto
05-06-19, 08:38 AM
#27
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$8000 all in, after tax.
Custom paint, custom geometry with clearance for 2 inch mtn bike tires, super extended wheel base & sized for my particular proportions in Vari-wall ThermLX tandem tubing, travel package, Rolhoff hub, Gebla Rohbox, SRAM shifters, Velocity 26 inch Dyads, Powertap chainring, Bushnell eccentric, 180mm Icetech rotor front, 180mm disc rear, TRP Spyre calipers.
Yes, purpose built for all roads on all continents with 100 pounds of gear.
(And just to Fred it up a bit, I run flat pedals.)
Custom paint, custom geometry with clearance for 2 inch mtn bike tires, super extended wheel base & sized for my particular proportions in Vari-wall ThermLX tandem tubing, travel package, Rolhoff hub, Gebla Rohbox, SRAM shifters, Velocity 26 inch Dyads, Powertap chainring, Bushnell eccentric, 180mm Icetech rotor front, 180mm disc rear, TRP Spyre calipers.
Yes, purpose built for all roads on all continents with 100 pounds of gear.
(And just to Fred it up a bit, I run flat pedals.)
Now that's money well spent. If I had a need for such a bike, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. 29'er and SPD's, thank you very much.
-Kedosto
05-06-19, 08:49 AM
#29
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My basic rule is don't pay more than you can afford to replace if something happens to the bike. I suppose the most I've paid was in the low $2,000. That is probably my limit.
05-06-19, 09:31 AM
#30
Jedi Master
The amount of money I'll spend on cycling is for all intents-and-purposes unconstrained. I've never added it up, but I would guess it's several thousand dollars a year all-in. I don't buy complete bikes and I'm constantly swapping parts around so it's easy for me to nickel-and-dime my way up to a pretty big number. Plus there's travel, hotels, kit, etc. I'm fortunate to be in a position that if it makes me happy, I just buy it.
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05-06-19, 09:52 AM
#31
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The new SLX and 105 stuff seem not much different in finish and performance as the top end groups. I think technology in cycling has pretty much reached maturity and the only real area of advancement for bike parts is probably in material composition. As of 2019, I still prefer the all white finish of aluminum parts. They are just as light as carbon and look much nicer over time.
05-06-19, 02:20 PM
#34
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I don’t know if I’ve ever spent over $100... the last 3 bikes I bought were $50, $20, and $0... plus parts from the bin and time to clean them up.
$50
$20, plus $25 for a handmade fork
Free
$50
$20, plus $25 for a handmade fork
Free
05-06-19, 03:49 PM
#35
Senior Member
All things are relative and open to negotiation in life though so *my* realistic may not be to others close to me. My wife for instance got to set the limit when she offered to buy me a bike last year for my birthday, which was $500. I thought I was being reasonable by keeping it under $1000 but she still balked at first. I justified it as a "step up" from my $600 (in 2002 dollars) bicycle.
That being said, I try to "educate" her on what's reasonable. It's a constant struggle. I'd talked her into spending just over $500 on a bicycle, (which as I previously alluded to she thought was a lot) but in the end she was happy that she did even if she barely rides it. Jogging and fitness classes are her primary forms of exercise and she's already justified the cost of $200 shoes because of comfort issues.
I'm trying to get her to ride with me (her chosen form of exercise is starting to take its toll on her joints) and would support her spending over $1000 on her next bike when she realizes that the $500 hybrid is holding her back. She's already looking at gear and I'm going to buy her a set of clipless pedals and shoes either for mother's day or her birthday. I'll try not to spend more than what she spent for the bike lol!
The way you're written it sounds like you wish she was more interested in cycling so you could share your interest with her rather than her actually being interested in taking up cycling and women want impractical, extravagant and romantic things for their b'day.
I'm not convinced clipless pedals and shoes quite covers any of them despite it possibly being high on your b'day list if you didn't have any and seems more like you trying to convince her into your hobby than something she's driven to do herself ... especially where you say you've bought her a bike and she hardly rides it ... coupled with ... I#m trying to get her to ride with me ..... It honestly doesn't sound like it's top of her want to do list.
Please feel free to tell me to butt out and mind my own business and maybe I've picked up the wrong end of the stick, but even buying "nice underwear" for the wife, she can see it as something you bought for your benefit rather than hers but it's totally acceptable for her sister to get it for her.
05-06-19, 03:59 PM
#36
Senior Member
I've been thinking about getting myself a road bike recently and really like something with some character ... if I could find something like one of these and not spend a ton of money I'd be totally elated.
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05-06-19, 04:05 PM
#37
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Absolutely loving these ... how did you manage to find them **********
I've been thinking about getting myself a road bike recently and really like something with some character ... if I could find something like one of these and not spend a ton of money I'd be totally elated.
I've been thinking about getting myself a road bike recently and really like something with some character ... if I could find something like one of these and not spend a ton of money I'd be totally elated.
all of these needed work, which I did myself. They all needed at least one part replaced, and I have a bin of parts from picking up inexpensive bikes over the years. That’s the real secret I think, otherwise it can cost more than the bike is worth to get it running again.
Read up in the classic and vintage section to get a feel for what kind of things you should look for on an older bike, and keep an eye on Facebook and craigslist for deals.
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05-06-19, 05:25 PM
#38
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I’d spend as much as I can afford. My bike is more valuable than my car and I see no problem with that.
05-06-19, 05:28 PM
#39
Senior Member
First two were on Facebook, second had been hanging in the bike shop for a while and needed work. I’ve donated a bunch over the years, and when I asked to look at it the owner took it down and told me to take it home. I’ve found nice bikes at thrift stores also.
all of these needed work, which I did myself. They all needed at least one part replaced, and I have a bin of parts from picking up inexpensive bikes over the years. That’s the real secret I think, otherwise it can cost more than the bike is worth to get it running again.
Read up in the classic and vintage section to get a feel for what kind of things you should look for on an older bike, and keep an eye on Facebook and craigslist for deals.
all of these needed work, which I did myself. They all needed at least one part replaced, and I have a bin of parts from picking up inexpensive bikes over the years. That’s the real secret I think, otherwise it can cost more than the bike is worth to get it running again.
Read up in the classic and vintage section to get a feel for what kind of things you should look for on an older bike, and keep an eye on Facebook and craigslist for deals.
I just really fancy the simplicity of similar .... even if it needs a few quid spending to get it into reasonable working order.
05-06-19, 05:36 PM
#40
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05-07-19, 05:06 AM
#41
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I just scored a Motobecane for $20 in my size . It is a 1980, just my style and it will give me a great deal of pleasure fixing it up and riding it. I have a friend who has a carbon Bianchi that costs as much as a good used car and that's his thing . I think there is a fanny for every saddle! Joe joesvintageroadbikes.wordpress
05-07-19, 06:24 AM
#42
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My new custom gravel bike should be ready next week, and it'll come to about $7200.
I do have a few regrets -- wish I had gone with a nicer (more expensive) headset and crankset. But by the time I contacted the shop to change my mind, they had already ordered the original choices, so I didn't ask them to switch in the more expensive components.
I reckon that I'll buy a new road bike in about three years, and will probably spend about the same amount on it, or perhaps a bit more.
I do have a few regrets -- wish I had gone with a nicer (more expensive) headset and crankset. But by the time I contacted the shop to change my mind, they had already ordered the original choices, so I didn't ask them to switch in the more expensive components.
I reckon that I'll buy a new road bike in about three years, and will probably spend about the same amount on it, or perhaps a bit more.
05-07-19, 08:25 AM
#43
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My Fuji was $1400 brand new, carbon aero w/ Ultegra r8000. Makes it really hard for me to see how any of these other bikes are worth $3-5k, or more. Even with upgrades, I still have less in it than any comparably equipped bike. Hell, I've got less in it than some people have in a set of wheels. 
05-07-19, 08:49 AM
#44
Senior Member
So far, I've spent considerably less than $1000 on two bikes plus upgrades and maintenance on both, but I'm hoping that some time in the next couple years I'll be able to splurge and get that off-the-shelf disc trucker for around $1600. One of those with 26" wheels ticks all the boxes for me right now.
05-07-19, 08:57 AM
#45
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So far, I've spent considerably less than $1000 on two bikes plus upgrades and maintenance on both, but I'm hoping that some time in the next couple years I'll be able to splurge and get that off-the-shelf disc trucker for around $1600. One of those with 26" wheels ticks all the boxes for me right now.
05-07-19, 09:08 AM
#46
Senior Member
Absolutely, I understood what you were saying. I don't begrudge anyone spending their money on nice things. If I came off as being grouchy I didn't mean it that way.
05-07-19, 09:24 AM
#47
Senior Member
In all honesty, I'm not worthy either. I'm almost 57, not in the greatest shape, and have a top speed average of about 17 mph at best. I ride when I can, getting in anywhere from 20 to 60 miles on an average ride. I don't even dress the part of most cyclists, preferring mountain bike type shorts and loose jersey over a kit. But, you know what? I enjoy the heck out of riding, and enjoy keeping up with most of the technical advances in equipment right now. Not that the weight aspect of a high dollar bike would do me any good as well, it wouldn't, but I like what I like.
I'd probably look ridiculous as heck on the bike I would really like to have, but I'd be one happy ridiculous looking old man riding it. Well, until I noticed the chunk out of my savings account that is.
I'd probably look ridiculous as heck on the bike I would really like to have, but I'd be one happy ridiculous looking old man riding it. Well, until I noticed the chunk out of my savings account that is.
05-07-19, 03:19 PM
#48
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$8500. It's far enough away from 10K where I wouldn't second guess spending that kind of cash on a bike. But still enough to get something super amazing.
