How do I justify a new bike?

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unreal1066
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Joined: 19 Mar 2015, 7:55pm

How do I justify a new bike?

Post by unreal1066 »

I currently own a trek remedy 8 2012 when I bought the bike it was probably the most expensive single product I had bought up to that time. Bought untested (bike shop was too small to buy remedy display bikes).
From the start I realised it wasn't quite right for the terrain I usually ride owing to really having too much suspension and being aluminium it is heavy. To 'remedy' the problem I changed loads of parts, new stem, reverb seatpost new rear cassette, new rear wheel. I've probably spent an extra grand including maintance i.e. new bottom bracket, brake discs/pads etc.
In the summer it can be great fun to ride especially for big terrain and a great holiday in Spain where it was the perfect bike for what I was riding but the bike still isn't a top ten bike so I've tried to limit spend on it as much as possible and just use it for big jumps and downhill terrain. Selling it for under a grand would feel like I am shallow because it still works or just keeping it in a shed not being used much would be something I would feel guilty about.

My question is this what does everyone else with these very expensive bikes from only a few years ago?
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squeaker
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Joined: 12 Jan 2007, 11:43pm
Location: Sussex

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by squeaker »

How big's the shed? :wink:
If you don't use it then sell it next spring - it's doing you no favours just sitting there.
My MTB is a '99 Marin East Peak, slightly upgraded (forks, riser bars, shorter stem): mostly overkill for what I ride on off-road, but fine on the knobbly stuff - the main limitation being the rider :roll:
"42"
Manc33
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Joined: 25 Apr 2015, 9:37pm

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by Manc33 »

OP most people want a bike that good and can't afford it. :P

You got a MTB but you're on the road a lot, is that what it is?

I remember a guy on the road on a MTB and I could hear his tyres on the tarmac. :shock:
We'll always be together, together on electric bikes.
TonyR
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Joined: 31 Aug 2008, 12:51pm

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by TonyR »

No justification is needed. There are two rules for bikes. One is that the optimum number is n+1 where n is the number you currently own. The second that n is a positive non-decrementing number.
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horizon
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Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by horizon »

unreal1066 wrote:
My question is this what does everyone else with these very expensive bikes from only a few years ago?


You said you had a great holiday in Spain on it. Bikes are useful, even when a bit over-specialised. I would say keep it, plan a trip or two with it and wait for it to come back into use. It's not unusual to have a hobby bike and a transport bike (you don't tell other people they cannot have a TV or a boat if they have a car, do you?)
When the pestilence strikes from the East, go far and breathe the cold air deeply. Ignore the sage, stay not indoors. Ho Ri Zon 12th Century Chinese philosopher
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simonineaston
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Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by simonineaston »

You can't - the very reason you ask is because your subconscious already recognises the guilt... Get A Grip and acknowledge the essential and unavoidable selfishness of Being!
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
Vorpal
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Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by Vorpal »

You mean they have to be justified?!? I'm glad no one has told Mr. V that, or I'd have 3 or 4 bikes fewer than I do. :mrgreen:
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
TonyR
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Joined: 31 Aug 2008, 12:51pm

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by TonyR »

unreal1066 wrote:My question is this what does everyone else with these very expensive bikes from only a few years ago?


Use them. My main MTB is a Santa Cruz Heckler I bought 18 years ago. Still much used, still a very good bike - they still make essentially the same bike today. And with so many good memories of things we've done together and hard times we've come through together, selling it would be like selling one of my children.
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jezer
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Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by jezer »

Simple, do you want a new bike? End of, it's never stopped me, lol
Power to the pedals
maxcherry
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Joined: 22 Mar 2011, 5:53pm

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by maxcherry »

Get a new bike. 2012 is soooo old, the bike is already dropping in value every second as well as the components suffering from the aging process.....plus it has lost that new bike smell :wink:
Honestly chaps, I'm a female!
Manc33
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Joined: 25 Apr 2015, 9:37pm

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by Manc33 »

"2012 is so so old" lol, I was in two minds about swapping from my 2010 frame back to one from the 1960s (a Pennine 531 like this: http://i.imgur.com/wKtdJV4.jpg) but I can't be bothered messing about bending the rear dropout to 130mm and messing about converting the head tube that expects a quill stem and whatever else needs doing. It was a bit of a bone shaker that Pennine as I remember, but I loved that bike, I went faster on it on the same energy somehow, or it seemed that way, but for some reason my newer aluminium one isn't as bumpy. That steel 531 frame is the best bike I have ever ridden, there''s "something" about it. :)
We'll always be together, together on electric bikes.
wearwell
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Joined: 3 Feb 2011, 8:45am

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by wearwell »

It was Einstein or somebody proved it: the ideal number of bicycles (and guitars for that matter) is N+1 where N = the number you have currently. Something similar with pints of beer.
maxcherry
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Joined: 22 Mar 2011, 5:53pm

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by maxcherry »

wearwell wrote:It was Einstein or somebody proved it: the ideal number of bicycles (and guitars for that matter) is N+1 where N = the number you have currently. Something similar with pints of beer.


Can the same theory be used for Trifle :)
Honestly chaps, I'm a female!
Manc33
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Joined: 25 Apr 2015, 9:37pm

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by Manc33 »

I'm going to justify it when I can afford it with the fact that carbon road frames are getting really cheap. At one time you had to risk buying from China (even then they were £300-£400 and a lot still are) but now I'm not so sure. When it costs £125 to send a frame back to China... maybe paying another £50-£100 for a UK based one is the sensible option.

I got rid of my last carbon frame because of it being flexy but that was just that frame probably. What annoys me is although carbon soaks up bumps more by not having those little "bridge" things near the innermost part of the rear dropouts (the thing a rear brake traditionally bolts onto and the thing you could bolt a dynamo or "U-brake" onto) because those aren't on carbon frames it makes it flexy sideways. Maybe the next one will be different. 8)
We'll always be together, together on electric bikes.
iviehoff
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Joined: 20 Jan 2009, 4:38pm

Re: How do I justify a new bike?

Post by iviehoff »

Like clothes, shoes, etc, bikes have different uses and it is normal to have several for different purposes. My wife and I have 8 between us (not counting one part way through decomissioning for spare parts). Only 6 are in the garage as 2 are kept permanently at remote locations for local use there. Fortunately we are about the same height and can ride each other's bikes, otherwise we'd need some more. Commuting bikes, fast tourers, heavy camping bikes, mountain bikes, etc.
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