Buy The Best!!!!

BLEH!!!! Sorry, I have to get this out. No offense to anyone who has said it, I myself have said and thought it. But then I got to thinking.

Does and Atmos helmet protect any better than say, a Monza? What about last year's models on sale?

Does an 'arm warmer' keep you warmer than a cut up tube sock?

Is a 120$ pair of shorts better, if you find that the chamois on a $50 pair suits your body shape perfectly?

Is a 70$ pair of sunglasses better than a 20$ pair of glasses if that 70$ pair allows too much wind flow and your contacts fall out? (both have UV protection)

Is a 50,000$ SUV better than a reliable old car you can fix yourself?

Is a $6000 carbon fiber bike better than a $1200 dollar steel bike you absolutely love?

Is a $1200 pure blood golden retreiver with hip displasia and a few other genetic diseases better than a mutt at the pound who needs a home, has no inbreeding problems and is super loveable?

Is a $600 flatscreen monitor better than a $100 monitor if all you do is surf the web?

What do you bet this is part of why america is in such a big debt? How much of all that is hype? By saying "buy the best you can afford" is one not saying that if you cannot afford the top of the line, you are somehow:
-unprotected
-missing out on some great pleasure in life
-missing out on some great need in life
-less than the Joneses.

It is easier to buy the best, but there are ways to find what is good, and still 100% safe and enjoyable with a little effort. Finding out what ratings something needs to be safe is good. Unless you make oogles of money and can afford to splurge on everything, some practicality is in order.

We have sales reps come through our company. their marketing ploys are simple:
you have "good", "better", and "best".

"Good" items are less attractive, and less "cool", but fully safe, functional and enjoyment can still be obtained. of course, they want you to buy "best." But for "best" you are not getting anything safer. The extra functions are bonuses, perks and comodities which allow multitasking or laziness, depending on your pick. are they more enjoyable? in the end... not really.

Picking between companies comes next. Usually the cheapest is less than "good", and probably should be avoided unless you have no choice.
but not always. did you know that the sale fruits and vegetables are the ones which will be healthier for you? they haven't had a chance to sit around, or need to chemically ripened. They are also the ones that taste the best, as vine/bush/tree/etc ripened tastes the best!

Many of us have our things we splurge on, and grow comfortable with. if you buy an atmos helmet, will you feel safe going to a $30 Giro helmet later? I don't know. Ask me after my next crash:p :rolleyes: :D

Wow! That must have been very cleansing. It made me let out a big aaaahhh sigh at the end! You are so right. I believe you get what you pay for. However - so very often so many items are totally overpriced and we get sucked into buying them anyway.

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Originally Posted by ladyjai

Does an 'arm warmer' keep you warmer than a cut up tube sock?

Is a 120$ pair of shorts better, if you find that the chamois on a $50 pair suits your body shape perfectly?

Is a 70$ pair of sunglasses better than a 20$ pair of glasses if that 70$ pair allows too much wind flow and your contacts fall out? (both have UV protection)

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I agree with most of your post....American's are in way too much debt and creditors are handing out loans hand over fist.


but..... I'll take the arm warmer because the cotton tube sock ain't gonna wick away the sweat and I don't like to be cold. And i'll take the $120 pair of shorts especially if I'm on a 60 mile training ride hunched over in the aerodynamic position for 4 hours.

I finally discovered the critical difference between the Atmos and a cheaper, heavier helmet. After wearing even the lightest helmet for 22 hours straight, it feels like a ton of bricks and you want to rip it off your head. Imagine something heavier, less vented...

Nanci

Right on. ladyjai! Year ago in Berkekley, I was at a big produce market (anyone remember the old Berkeley Bowl?) The place had stuff for all kinds of cuisine. I used to keep an eye out for what people from different parts of the world would buy and sometimes find out a great new recipe and have a great conversation. So one day, a Latina woman was in front of the orange bin, picking out all the oranges with scars on them. I said, "I think they're going to charge you the same price for those whether they're banged up or not..." and she laughed and explained. "These are little pecks from the birds. The birds know the fruit on the sunny side of the trees is sweeter, so I look for these oranges. They're the ones that taste the best. Here." She was right! The next week, at the store, I went to the orange bin and there was a yuppie woman who eyed me up and down with a sneer. I was poor and not wearing Espirit or whatever the secret handshake was that year. She'd pick up an orange and throw it aside if it had a scar. So I got a bag, and whatever orange she threw aside, I picked up. Freaked her out. I'd have told her my secret for the merest hint of a smile.

There's a lot there that I agree with ladyjai, but sometimes you do get what you pay for...Quality does come at a price.

For example, I'd rather fly Qantas (perfect safety record) and pay a few more bucks than say Aeroflot (no offense meant!).:)

But then again I can't tell the difference between a Maybelline lipstick and a Dior lipstick!:p

ladyai...oh boy, do I hear ya. I am currently going through a life simplification process, learning to make do with less.

This year we moved from a 2100 sq foot house with lots of storage into a 1300 sq foot house with minimal storage (it's 120 years old...ONE real closet). AND, I left a good paying job and have since been unemployed, looking for the "right" thing.

We have had to cut way back on everything and have had to get rid of a lot of stuff, some of which we still were using. While I absolutely agree that you get what you pay for, we are finding ourselves going the, shall I say, "lighter" or "lesser" route. It's been really hard. But many times we have simply gone without because we know that often you get what you pay for. And it works out OK.

So we reprioritize, make do with what we have, and learn every day because we are trying very hard to stay out of debt (the handcuffs, the life-controller, etc) and stay focused on what really matters. So far so good.

Fortunately, we already have very functional (and pretty nice) bikes! :p

It is very nice to not be "house poor." Or "car poor" for that matter.

Nanci

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Originally Posted by Nanci

It is very nice to not be "house poor." Or "car poor" for that matter.

Nanci

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Agreed. It's not so much that living without the "stuff" is hard...it's making the changes in every day behavior that has been tough. Tougher than I ever thought it would be, but very good for us (especially since I have this doomsday notion about an economy based on money that really isn't there :eek: ).

I get into this debate all of the time with my ManFriend. He's an "anti-gear cheapskate" (his words, not mine!) who likes to ride his bike wearing jeans and cotton underwear. Whereas I, am a self-admitted gear *****. I think a lot of gear and sport specific clothing is incredibly marked up. Just consider how much prices drop on an item because it's "last year's model". Did the equipment suddenly "go bad" in that year's time? No way, it just came down to a more fair price. Look how much a new car devalues in the first year, and second year.

Nanci really hit on something regarding long distance riding. For a short rides under 40 miles, it will matter very little whether you have the $50 shorts or the $120 shorts. But on a long ride... yes, there is usually a difference. Anyone doing centuries and longer events is going to find the limitations of their clothing and equipment. Almost every time I have tried to cut corners on quality, just buying something cheap to get things covered, I have ended up going out and buying something that is better quality to replace it. Note - I'm distinguishing between quality and price. There are some really high quality items that are quite economical, and some very shoddy items that are way overpriced. I'm not going to spend $120 on a pair of shorts that doesn't fit me properly, just because they're cool. Nor am I going to spurn a pair of shorts that appears to be well-made and fits me well, just because it "only" costs $50 or it is the wrong brand. But, if I can find that $120 pair of shorts on the clearance rack next season for $70 then I'm very very happy.

LOL great post! :D

for me as always "it depends" (can you tell I'm in HR??? :rolleyes: :p )

for some things I definitely want the brand name because I like it better... and for other things... well I just don't care!

I buy stupid expensive eye shadow because I love how it goes on and wears... but cheap lipstick because that I can re-apply easily thruout the day as needed...

I had a fancy expensive car that was a nightmare... got rid of it for a SUV that will hopefully run forever... and my bike, dogs and home repair stuff all fit inside. Not as snazzy as the fancy car... and I am WAY happier!

All my animals are rescues... but two are purepred rescues... just the way it worked out... next dog I am looking for a mutt... just because I like mutts too! :D

yeah, I'm just all mixed up!

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Originally Posted by Nanci

It is very nice to not be "house poor." Or "car poor" for that matter.

Nanci

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I must be tired. The first time I read this, I read "cat poor" and I'm thinking "Wow, Nanci must have some expensive cats!"

Here's an interesting view on helmets.
http://www.bhsi.org/helmet06.htm

I like riding long distances. I haven't noticed a difference in helmet weights. but YRMV. I originally had a $30 giro, had a pnuemo when a crash took out that one, and now ended up with a 120$ last year's model atmos (which fits better than this years - I was curious).

shorts.. I have a 120$ pair of shorts which i found on sale. They work great for short distances, but when it gets up over 80 miles, not so great, but ok. I also have a $50 pair which is great over 80 miles. It took me the longest time to accept that, but that one works with my body. they're different brands, so maybe that's it. but I have a newer cheap version of the high end shorts, which I'll ride my next century in and see. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Since our bodies are so unique, it is possible that the high end is not as great. YRMV.

and i'm not saying, never buy anything high end, but that perhaps, you don't have to. and that sometimes you can go for something that seems less, and really have more. :)

I think the take away from this is don't buy expensive just to buy expensive. I am trying to go through a bit of a life simplification myself - went from 2 houses and commuting between 2 cities for a job that was making me miserable to one condo and working part time (trying to decide what to do long term...the whole how to be a lawyer and have a life issue has me completely confused:( :( )

I have learned that it's better to have one nice, well made item than 10 cheapo non-functional items. It requires less room to store, and I'm happier in the long run. I've learned this the hard way. I have a good raincoat - not the most expensive, but it's lasted me for 8 years and might need replacing soon (finally). I wear dansko clogs - not cheap, but I have a local shoe guy who can re-sole them and I haven't had to replace a pair yet. On and On. Don't impulse purchase, make friends with your local stores and know when they have sales so you can get what you really want for less, and you're good.

Don't forget - there's a space/time/annoyence factor to storing the 10 on sale gadgets that you might never use....

Carrie Anne

And Sarah- you can be cat poor! One of mine has a plate in his leg, has been through radio-iodine therapy for a thyroid problem, and most recently kidney and bladder stones. He's the most expensive free (rescue) cat I've ever seen...and I wouldn't trade him for anything :D:D

I definitely agree with the quality thing. I can't stand dollar stores. My mother loves them and I know other people that think they are great as well, but to me it is just junk! I would rather have fewer things that are pricey and last me awhile rather than a bunch of cheap stuff that I have to replace often. I also agree that high price does not necessarily mean high quality and low price doesn’t mean junk. It really just depends, you have to know what to look for!

Jessica

I may not be cat poor, but I've spent several thousand dollars on health care for a free pigeon (Dill). (He even had laser surgery last spring!) My other free pigeon (Milly) is only up to several hundred- he's more on the scale of a healthy cat or dog.

I like to find name-brand excellent quality things on clearance. That's the best.

Anti-gear- that's the worst! You _know_ things could be so much better for them if they moved out of the stone age!

Nanci