$ I need ideas

[Leazerbeam]

I am a minimalist (sp?). I recently had a monumental birthday in which I received monetary gifts. I was told to "do something nice for myself".

I have a custom made steel bike, bibs that I like, jerseys that are functional and perfectly good, shoes that work, helmet that is safe and comfortable, bags that work for my commuting and touring purposes. So..... if you had to spend $400 on a "luxury" item for cycling, what would it be?

What is the one thing that you don't need, but that would bring joy to your cycling lifestyle? A true functional luxury item?

Thanks for your ideas. I really would prefer to just stick it in the bank.

[Koronin]

The stick in the bank would be my preferred option as well.

[Penny4]

Bank! Don't spend it just to spend it. Maybe you will want another bike someday. That would be a good chunk of change towards it!
Happy Belated Birthday!

Or, if you like touring, are there any big trips you are planning?

[jyyanks]

Assuming you don't want to bank the money, what about one of those Garmin Cycling GPS's?

[goldfinch]

A nice little bike trip.

[murielalex]

I vote for the bank. One day, you'll see something you want that you don't even know about yet, and there the money will be waiting for you. Of course, the Garmin would be nice. I like my Garmin 500, though admit I will never use all its features.

Happy birthday!

[Owlie]

Bank!

[Anelia]

Assuming you don't want to bank the money, what about one of those Garmin Cycling GPS's?

My idea, too. Also Powermeter if you are into racing.

[Tri Girl]

we must all be conservative here- because I vote for the bank, too. There will be something that comes along in the near/far future that you will just LOVE and want- and then you'll have the money for it.
Better yet, don't put it with your other money that is in your regular checking account. Maybe open a special savings account just for that money so it doesn't get spent along with your regular income.

[OakLeaf]

Will the person who gave you the money know how you spent it? If so, I don't think banking it will make them very happy.

I vote Garmin. But then I'm the one who could get lost on a football field. I'd still be out there someplace if it weren't for my Garmin.

[Dogmama]

I vote Garmin. But then I'm the one who could get lost on a football field. I'd still be out there someplace if it weren't for my Garmin.

We must have been separated at birth!

You said you'd prefer to stick it in the bank, so do that. Then wait for a great sale.

[Catrin]

Put it in a special bike savings account, that way it doesn't get mixed with other funds and you can add to it until you see something that you just...must...have, whether it be a new bike or accessories/repair for your current bike.

[Eden]

I agree with Oak - banking it isn't in the spirit of the gift giver. My parents a couple of years ago gave me some money with the stipulation that it had to be spent and the spending had to be frivolous... it was actually kind of fun.

I'd think about something you have that is functional, but not super. Get yourself some really nice panniers from a place like Swift Industries where you can customize them to the colors and features that you want - or maybe a nice set of hand built custom wheels for your ride.

[Becky]

If I had to spend money on cycling right now, I'd consider a new helmet, some new MTB tires, or some new sports bras- all things that eventually wear out and all contribute to my cycling enjoyment. I might register for one of the gran fondo rides that look like so much fun, but are more than I'd normally spend on an organized ride.

I like the suggestions of a Garmin or another wheelset too.

[Sky King]

I vote for the bike account.

I have a special account for my "adventure bike" this is probably going to be a Surly that I can ride on dirt, gravel and pavement.

One of my friends is rebuilding her Santa Cruz - the bike fits her so well she refuses to buy a new one. Having a bike account has helped as she is going to be at least $1600 into the rebuild.

[Leazerbeam]

What great ideas.
I love the "BIKE account". Sounds so much better than "BANK account".

[MomOnBike]

In a situation like that, I'd be pricing a Rohloff hub. That way, I could have both the bike account and the nifty new thing, eventually.

[Antaresia]

custom embossed leather seat cover:
http://busymanbicycles.blogspot.ca/

This necklace:
http://shop.lesnereides.com/la-petite-reine/289-collier-velo-de-course-rose-poudre.html

custom head badge:
http://www.headbadges.com/id74.html

These beer glassses:
http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/item/Retro-Bike-Glasses/3301.020/414744.html

Threadless has a bike collection:
http://www.threadless.com/curated/bikes/?utm_medium=ExactTarget&utm_source=20120327_thd_p5303_bike_tees&utm_campaign=All%20Subscribers

That's what I got off hand....

[Melalvai]

Spend it on memberships to local, state, and national bicycle advocacy organizations. Depending on what sort of bicycling you do, the national bike adv group could be the League of American Bicyclists, or Rails to Trails, or any of several options.

If you haven't already had Traffic Skills 101, that's a good investment.

Still $$ left over? Save it for next year's memberships.

[surgtech1956]

I vote bank too. I would save it for bike items that I want or need in the future. What about using some of it for a Road ID?

[Veronica]

I'd use it for a trip - either put towards a tour or just used to pay for hotel rooms to go somewhere and ride.

Veronica

[limewave]

Custom headbage, I'd LOVE one of those for my mountain bike.

I like the Garmin or the bike trip as well.

[redrhodie]

If you live in a place with cold winters, and your bike has clearance for them, how about studded tires? They would cost less than half your budget, so you can bank the rest, and they will extend your riding season. I know it's crazy to think about them when summer is just beginning, but they were one of my best purchases.

[Jiffer]

:D SPEND IT FRIVOLOUSLY!!!! :D

I agree that the gift giver probably wanted you to spend it on something for your enjoyment. They could have BOUGHT you something for your enjoyment had they known what that was. (But since you don't even know, how do THEY know?!)

I 100% agree with the Garmin idea. I have a Garmin Edge and LOVE it. Couldn't possibly live without it. But then again, I'm a stats freak. And because I'm always blowing my nose when I ride and go potty often, my husband calls me the Snotty, Potty, Stat Queen. ;)

I must know how fast I'm going, how fast my current "lap" is, my over all average pace, how far I've gone, how far I have to go, what percent incline I'm on . . . and everything else there is to possibly know. And I have a record of pretty much all of it on bikejournal.com

Another option is to lighten your bike, if you so desire. You know, if you're one of those "weight weeny" types . . . like me. Do you have really light wheels? Are there any other components on your bike that could be lighter?

What about your cassette? Is it the optimal cassette for your goals? My cassette helps me climb better, cause I need all the help I can get. My wheels do the same, while my husband's wheels are made more to help him ride fast on the flat.

If you DO decide to put the money in the bank, I would only "approve" such insanity . . . ;) . . . if you figured out something you really wanted that costs more than $400 and you were saving for it.

A Garmin Edge seems to fit nicely into that price range, though. You'd even have some left over for some new socks, a couple of sports bras and some CamelBak bottles. Maybe some sweet PINK handlebar tape! :D

[Susan Otcenas]

I have to say that my Garmin 800 is one of the best things I've spent my money on. Did I *need* it? Well, no. But it's made my riding so much more pleasurable! I like knowing where I've been, how far I've climbed, etc. I also like programming in a route and then not having to fiddle with a cue sheet, etc. Plus, I can go exploring without fear of getting lost.

So, I guess a new Garmin would get my vote too. :)

[Reesha]

Rapha Grand Tour Gloves!!!

http://product.nuji.com/large/3b88dee3-a6fa-4de2-b404-edcdec9ddd86.jpg

TiGr lock
http://oregonmanifest.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/TiGrLocked.jpg

[Jaynee Beyond]

I like banking it until you know exactly what you want. I like the Garmen idea, fabulous choices now. Do you have a cycling magazine subscription, which may give you the perfect idea? Happy Birthday. What a wonderful problem to have! Enjoy!

[yetigooch]

Send it to me...just kidding.... I love Rapha cycling clothes so I'm a little biased, but their jackets are awesome (and expensive). They make great rain jackets and the softshell jacket is great. Otherwise, the like the cycling bank account. I have a "bike account" where my monetary gifts go to. have fun with it.

[Susan]

If I had the money, I'd probably do another bike clinic, because it really helped my bike handling and confidence on the bike.
Or I'd just go on a nice bike-related vacation.