I am tempted to buy a new road bike!

[KSH]

All right, I have been tempted.

I think I found a new road bike. It is a Giant TCR C2, 2006, Full carbon, with all Ultegra components... for $1800. Marked down from $2300. I am pretty sure I know a really good deal when I see one. It's exactly what I have been looking for.

They are holding the bike and I am going to ride it on Friday. I am sure it will be just fine... but I have to make sure.

I will also get 10% of the purchase price towards accessories. So, I get $180 worth of stuff! Tubes, etc. I wonder if shoes are included in that? I HOPE SO!

I shouldn't buy it... but shoot, I could die tomorrow. My poor family... I hope they don't get stuck with my credit cards debt!

Come on ladies... help me rationalize purchasing this bike. I do have 0% interest on my credit cards... and I will be getting a raise at work... AAANNNDDD... I might get some $$$ back on my taxes... got anymore for me?

[mimitabby]

yeah, you and me both. You sound closer to plunking down the cash though!

[Bikingmomof3]

KSH,
If it is a sweet ride on Friday, I say buy it. Life is too short and it is one sweet deal.

[HappyAnika]

On the one hand, didn't you just get the new tri bike?

On the other hand, I love a good deal and $1800 for full carbon and Ultegra is a steal. The 0% might push me over the edge in your situation, particularly if it were accompanied by a raise, the extra could go toward paying off the bill every month . . .

What I try to do in situations like this is think if there are other things that are more important that the money could go toward. Unfortunately for me there are always other things . . .

Good luck, that's a tough decision.

[Tri Girl]

Ooooo...that's a toughie.
Here are my thoughts:

Pros:
-you're getting a raise and tax refund- so it's not going to be a financial strain
-it's one sweeeeet deal, and they don't come along that often
-it's a great bike
-you only live once

Cons:
-you just bought a new tri bike, so it might be hard to give = time to both and give them their special "you and me" time
-if you have other things that could be paid off/need to be taken care of, that may be more important
-you may attract too much attention out there on that sweet ride and so many people will want to ride with you that you won't get to ever ride solo

Ok- silly, but I always make a pro/con list when I have a hard decision.
The cons most always win because I know there's something else/better I could put the money toward. I'm a downer like that.


(shhhhh....secretly I say go for it)

[KSH]

TriGirl, I like those pros and cons- THANKS!

Anika, you had some good points.

The truth of the matter is that I was looking for a new road bike. The tri bike was really a one-off deal that I couldn't pass up.


Unfortunately, owning the tri bike, doesn't fix my issue with needing a nicer/faster bike for my group rides.

Honestly, the tri bike will only get ridden once a week until summer. Then it will be 2 days a week. Even now, I am giving up one of my favorite group rides, so I can ride the tri bike weekly. Otherwise, it wouldn't get ridden at all.

My old roadie, the Trek 1000, will still be ridden once a week until summer... then it will be 2 days a week.

So, my time is equally split either way.

I won't say this is a rational and great decision. I have credit card debt that I should pay off before I buy a new bike... BUT... that won't happen for another 2-3 years.

Honestly, I don't feel like waiting that long. Horrible, I know... and not 100% responsible, but I do pay more than the min. each month and I have 0% interest on my debt.

I can be responsible on many levels... but sometimes... I just feel like saying, "screw it... let's have some fun".

That is what got me to buy a Ninja a few years back. And you know what, I never regretted owning that Ninja... it was a lot of fun... and I cherish my memories on it.

Oh well, I will test ride the Giant on Friday and see if I love it. Maybe I won't?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Please excuse a DUMB question, but I really want to know- what are the differences between a tri bike and a road bike?

[KSH]

Please excuse a DUMB question, but I really want to know- what are the differences between a tri bike and a road bike?

Not stupid at all.

The biggest difference that makes a tri bike get snubbed from group rides, are the aero bars with the shifters on the end.

If you click on this link, you can see a picture of a tri bike.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/dual.shtml

If you notice the handlebars are totally different from a road bike. The aero bars are not good for corners or climbing and you should NEVER ride in aero position and draft. Thus, these bikes are used in tri's or for time trials.

In the TDF, you will see road bikes in the mountains and "tri" bikes in the time trials.

Also, the geometry of a tri bike is different. It has a shorter top tube and you are pushed forward more... thus you are suppose to save your hamstrings for the run.

Hope I helped some.

[Artisan]

Having just bought two new bikes in the last couple of months, I say go for it. My husband surprised me with a new Rush, then I saw a Cannondale six13 deal that I could not pass up. I saved up half in savings, the other half I made up for by selling two older bikes and some items around the house. Maybe you could make some extra money by getting rid of some older items to help pay for the bike and keep any quilt or buyers remorse at bay.

[colby]

If you're going to be able to use it and you're going to be able to pay for it, why not? It sounds like you're ready for a new road bike, you definitely have uses for it (can't go aero everywhere), and it's an awesome deal.

The only downside is paying for it, and... well... paying for it.

[KSH]

More thoughts on the new bike:

I have decided that I am seriously going to consider the Specialized Roubaix (? spelling) too. It is a $1600 full carbon bike (2006 model/marked down), with Ultegra/105 mix. I read the reviews here on BT comparing the 105/Ultegra/Durace and it sounded like the only difference between the Ultegra and 105's was the weight.

And as silly as this sounds, I love the color of the Specialized, and for some reason I like the idea of buying that brand. The colors on the Giant, I don't really like so much. In the end, the bike I enjoy riding the most will win out, but if I like the colors too, that would be good.

I also need to reanalyze WHAT I am going to use this road bike for. I have focused on racing models, just so I would be faster. But I might need to focus on a comfort road bike that still goes fast. I won't race on my road bike.... I just want to keep up with the fast boys. Maybe a more comfortable road bike will do that too? I also want this road bike for distance... so comfortable would be good.

Ah.... decisions!

[mimitabby]

I fully support your need to have a bike of the right color.
What color is that?

[HappyAnika]

And as silly as this sounds, I love the color of the Specialized, and for some reason I like the idea of buying that brand. The colors on the Giant, I don't really like so much. In the end, the bike I enjoy riding the most will win out, but if I like the colors too, that would be good.

This sounds like exactly what I was saying when I bought my bike last spring. Although it was my first road bike, and you're way beyond that. I loved everything I read and heard and saw about the Specialized Dolce Elite (aluminum alloy), and I loved the color. Meanwhile the bike shop suggested I try the Trek, and I was hesitant because I didn't like the way it looked. I rode the Specialized and was very disappointed. Then I rode the Trek and knew it was the bike for me (and now I love the color and everything about it). I'm not trying to knock Specialized, 4 good friends have them and DH will likely buy one this year, it just wasn't for me. But you'll know it when you ride it.

Either way, it sounds like you're definitely leaning toward a new road bike!

[KSH]

I fully support your need to have a bike of the right color.
What color is that?

It looks similar to this... although this is not exactly the same bike.

http://www.real-retail.com/via/saish...works01_02.jpg

It's small, but here is the Giant:

http://www.factory-discountcycles.co...r_comp_2_s.JPG

[mimitabby]

ah, Black and red! That looks hot to me!
my husband is spending a small fortune on a custom bike, it will also
be black and red.