New bike?

[jplum4]

Hello... I have been riding a hybrid bike for the past 5 years - paid about $300. for it. Today I fell in love with a Serotta Road bike - about $2499. My husband about had a coronary!

My question - is there THAT much difference in a really expensive bike? Currently I can go about 22 miles but would love to try longer rides. Is it better to get a more moderately priced one and eventually step up or just bite the bullet and get your dream bike and hope it was the right decision...

I'm rambling, sorry, but would love to have some opinions. Thanks

[bounceswoosh]

I'll quote what people have told me: "I've never heard of someone saying they wish they'd bought *less* bike than they did."

People often regret spending too little; you never hear people say they spent too much. Of course, you tend to talk to cyclists ... so maybe that's a tautology ...

That being said, I'm a mountain biker, so I can't give you any specific pointers as to what money will buy you in road bikes. (Probably lighter weight, better durability, and smoother shifting, same as in mountain bikes.)

That being said, are you in love with it because it's pretty or because you've actually test-ridden it and know that it will fit you? You're better off with a hybrid that fits you than with a road bike that gives you pain.

And just to mess with your head -- $2500 is enough money that the bike ought to be awfully nice -- you should be comfortable and get some awfully nice componentry -- but it's not even close to the top end of what you can spend.

[smurfalicious]

Yeah, no kidding! $2500 would put me into my lustworthy Gary Fisher Sugar Race with full XT components, Fox Float rear and Sid Team front shock with disc brakes! I've heard that bikes only downfall is it doesn't like being behind other bikes.

I'm getting a road bike in October because I'm waiting for the LBS to sell their rentals for the year. I figure $600 for a Bianchi ain't bad, and of all the rental bikes, they're probably the least abused.

Have you considered that at all? I know, it's your primary bike so you're probably not as jazzed about used. It would be like asking me to buy my beloved Big Sur from the rental fleet. Wait, she was too cool to run with the rental fleet. Dunno mang, road bikes serve one purpose for be, building endurance. Don't need to know about them, just need one to spin my legs.

love and cookies
-smurf

[ACG]

If I had $2500 and HAD to spend it on a bike, I could, easy. I could pick out about 10 different ones. Alas, I don't. I have kids, tuition, house payment, need a new washer, new tires (for my car), etc.

My hubby has a coronary when I even talk about my dream bike. I spent around $650 on a 2005 WSD Trekand still feel a little guilty. Actually this is the first time I've bought something that is exclusively for me. So I know I shouldn't feel guilty.

There is a difference in the bikes, you don't have to go broke though. Good Luck

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by bounceswoosh
People often regret spending too little; you never hear people say they spent too much.

When I bought my first mountain bike I was a complete newbie. I had never been off-road before. I bought a good "entry-level" bike. I rode it about a year and a half and upgraded it to death, then finally bought a bike with all the stuff I needed/wanted on it.
***side note: Have you noticed how the words "need" and "want" seem to be interchangeable? They really do have different meanings!!! ***

So when I bought my road bike, I didn't want to go through steps 1 and 2. I just went to the bike that had everything (and more) that I wanted. It is a WAY better bike than my skills require, but I won't have buyers' remorse and have to say, "I wish I had bought a..."

My suggestion is that you buy the best bike you can afford and still be able to pay the phone bill

[jplum4]

My husband and I went to the shop over the weekend to look at the bike that I mentioned above. Left the shop with 2 bikes (much less expensive each than the original one), clips, clothes, the works!

Rode twice over the weekend - 15 and 22 miles - and am I SORE! Particularly my neck and shoulders. I'm hoping that it's a new muscle group and not a poorly fitting bike. They did spend a long time fitting us at the bike shop, so hopefully the bike's fine. Going out tomorrow to try 25 miles...

[Maine-iac]

Have you ridden the Serotta yet?

[jplum4]

Didn't get the Serotta. We opted for two bikes (one each for my husband and I). Probably a better purchase in the long run, but the total was about the price of the Serotta. We ended up with two LeMond bikes.

[Trek420]

Adventure Girl suggested "My suggestion is that you buy the best bike you can afford and still be able to pay the phone bill"

there seem to be two philosophies-get the best frame you can afford and upgrade as you go or....

go for the lust bike.

I managed through some "how do you do this and stay in bussiness?" deals from my LBS to just keep my current bike squeeking in at over 4 grand including CA's 8% sales tax

Am I broke? Yes!! This was a strike year, I walked a picket line for 4 days, newly minted single person, just moved, just bought a condo etc.

I don't have a couch, haven't finished the kitchen cabinets, I only have a 13' tv ;-) I-don't-care, I love this bike. I can't imagine a single upgrade to it....yet.

Do I regret it? No. Not one bit. A good bike makes you a better rider, I ride more often and when I do it's further, faster, harder and more pleasure than another bike. From practice rides to the hardest days of the AIDS ride there are things I could not have done on any other bike.

This does not make less expensive bikes any less of a bike or those who ride them less of a cyclist.

I've been dusted, on my new ride, by sports touring bikes, recumbants, hand cyclists even!!!!

I'm a huge fan of upgrading. My old bike (and namesake here) was a bottom of the barrel TREK. Over time, when stuff wore out I upgraded the h*ck out of it. As I repaced parts I'd look on Treks website "If I had to replace the bike what would I have to get to have equivelant parts?" Before a thief got her, I'd have to get the 5400 to get even close. Original cost $400 I'd love to still have her and when you take a bike and gradualy improve it, you basicly have a custom bike.

Whichever way you go the most expensive bike is the one that sits in your garage because it doesn't fit, suit, meet your needs.

[Trek420]

a Trek420 typo "I only have a 13' tv ;-)"

that's 13 inch, not 13 foot

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by Trek420
that's 13 inch, not 13 foot

I kind of figured it wasn't a 13 foot television! I got a good visual out of it anyway. An empty room with a giant television and a Mondonico! How cool would that be!

People sometimes ask how much I paid for my bikes (Rude people ). I usually give them a vague answer like, "It was expensive, but worth it because I get so much out of it". If you spend $500 on a bike and it sits in your garage, you spent too much. But if you spend $5,000 and you ride, ride, ride, it's worth it!

[mandigreene]

I just got a new trek, cost me about $600 too, Whew! and then I see frames going for $3000+ on Ebay and I think I got an awesome deal, especially since I sometimes dream about riding when I know I'm going out the next morning

mandi

[Trek420]

Adventure Girl imagined "I kind of figured it wasn't a 13 foot television! I got a good visual out of it anyway. An empty room with a giant television and a Mondonico! How cool would that be!"

That's fodder for another thread...do you keep your bike in the garage or indoors with the family? Bikes as interior design...

I think the bike rack I have is called the DaVinchi, kinda sculptural, not bad looking so yes, she's right off the kitchen. But to put it anywhere else I'd be lugging it up and down a narrow flight of stairs...

[Maine-iac]

People sometimes ask how much I paid for my bikes

My answer to that question tends to be "every cent I thought it was worth to me.
Why do people ask these types of questions? I don't go around asking people how much their golf clubs or boat cost them. Just not relevant to me.

[bounceswoosh]

Maybe they're asking because they're curious about the sport and want to know what a nice bike would set them back?