New bike affordability

[Ana]

Please note that the following post may involve some financial input but please feel free to disregard that part if it makes you uncomfortable I am looking for guidance, not answers

After lots of riding around town on my Trek 830 which is cro-moly, I've decided to start looking for a more comfortable frame material, as my current LeMond frame is aluminum. I am thinking titanium or steel which will hopefully be the last frame I will every have to buy. I figure that it will take me quite a while to even find a bicycle I would consider purchasing so I plan to do lots of test riding in the mean time

I am curious to know what financial and lifestyle considerations you make to determine whether or not you are able to afford a new bicycle?

Thanks in advance

[ladyicon]

Mmmmm let's see. When I think I need a new bike I usually start test riding them all. I find one I like, find a picture of it, print it out and put it up on the fridge. My DH gets so tired of me longing for it he says to buy it.
I know this probably did not help you very much. I am fortunate that we have good jobs and money is no consideration.
What is wrong with the bike you now ride? If you can not afford new, think about buying used. i know this probably did not help but I am sure the other ladies will join in.

[wnyrider]

After lots of riding on my Trek 830 which is cro-moly, I've decided to start looking for a more comfortable frame material, as my current frame is aluminum.

I am confused. Are you referring to one and the same bicycle?

[Zen]

I couldn't find a listing for an 830, this was the closest thing I could find
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...archive/820wsd

[aicabsolut]

I am confused. Are you referring to one and the same bicycle?

+1...isn't your bike mostly steel?

[Ana]

I am confused. Are you referring to one and the same bicycle?

My apologies for the ambiguity.

I edited my original post: I'm considering an upgrade from my aluminum road frame (LeMond Tourmalet) and my steel hardtail mountain bike commuter (Trek 830--it is a very old Trek model so you probably won't find it in the Trek archives) has made me realize I might be more comfortable on steel or titanium.

My words just kind of got mixed up in my original post

[VeloVT]

Given the current climate, if you have to ask this question, my guidance would be to go with the piggy bank method instead of the credit card method. Find some monthly expense you can live without -- maybe cable, maybe the two latte a day habit -- and put that money into a sock under your mattress.

[Ana]

Given the current climate, if you have to ask this question, my guidance would be to go with the piggy bank method instead of the credit card method. Find some monthly expense you can live without -- maybe cable, maybe the two latte a day habit -- and put that money into a sock under your mattress.

Thank you for the advice. I would never purchase the bike until I had the funds It's one of the reasons I don't have a bike now I think TE perpetuates bike lust

I might start a separate savings account for it and put the money others would use for coffee and other expenses I do not have.

I'm not sure I would put anything on my credit card I couldn't pay off at the end of the month, especially with the current financial climate

For now, I'm just dreaming

[hilldweller]

Would you sell your current bike(s) to offset part of the cost? Anything else you could sell - unused equipment for other sports etc?

I basically just decided I wanted and deserved a bike, having thought about it for a couple of years. I looked briefly at new ones and decided the ones I wanted were out of my price range, so bought second-hand. That obviously has its pitfalls but I've got a better bike than if I'd bought new, and if I want/need to sell it for some reason I probably won't lose as much as on a new bike.

Oh, and the actual amount was determined by the size of my tax bill, which turned out to be less than the amount I'd put away to cover it. The leftover money paid for the bike

[indysteel]

Ana, I'd say your piggy bank approach is the best. In the meantime, I'd just start doing your research. There aren't as many off-the-rack options in ti and steel, but there any number of really great builders who could build your dream bike, perhaps for less than you think (especially if you go with steel).

I just got a new (ti) bike of my own. Like you, I saved for it. It was still hard to swallow the cost, but I'm pretty sure it will be worth it. I pulled the trigger when I felt reasonably sure I had enough extra money that I wouldn't miss the money too terribly.

[Ana]

Would you sell your current bike(s) to offset part of the cost? Anything else you could sell - unused equipment for other sports etc?

Yes, I would sell my LeMond, as the new bike would be its replacement. Unfortunately, I don't think it would offset the cost that much to sell it in comparison to the potential bike.

I would keep my Trek 830 because I love it to death The fit is very good, it's comfortable and I have lots of neat accessories on it One of the perks is that I can ride it and lock it outside without having to worry about it

As for selling other things...I don't really have much clutter. I usually sell/give away stuff I do not need The hobbies I do have are few and relatively inexpensive--cycling is probably the most extravagant one

I would also like to try kayaking and mountain biking (list is still in progress) but those will have to wait for now I am very satisfied with cycling for the time being