"How much did your bike cost?"

[NbyNW]

I don't like talking about what my bikes cost because I'm just a year out of grad school and I don't like when people make assumptions about my financial situation based on what I'm riding or driving or what my DH makes. That leads to them making assumptions about whether I need to work at all, which I do, and it's quite annoying.

If they are asking about my Dahon, I tell them what it retails for, and if it seems that they're really interested in the bike, I'll use it as a segue for for how I have a friend at the company and that I like that the company is dedicated to promoting folding bikes as _part_ of the solution to making transit multi-modal, and that they have a whole range of bikes at various prices that are geared toward different types of riders/functions.

If they ask about my Rodriguez, I tell them that my insurance policy picked up about 2/3 of the cost, which is true. Rodriguez is pretty well known locally so we usually skip the "how much did it cost" part and go straight to the "how can you afford this" part. Which is odd, because as others have mentioned, there are FAR more expensive bikes out there. Rodriguez bikes are actually quite reasonable, given the challenge of finding a good fit for someone who is barely 5'1"

If people want to make judgments about me based on what I spend on my bikes, I tell them that as a petite person, I REALLY don't have a lot of options. I've since learned about a few more since joining this board (Surly LHT! Coveting it!), but I also don't need another bike right now.

My theft-proof GT Rebound (Doesn't matter what it cost, 'cuz I'm sure I can't pay anyone to take it off my hands, which is fine, because it is dearly loved) is crying out for some TLC.

[BarbaraAlys]

I don't mind telling people what my bike cost if it is a friend, but why answer that to a stranger? I'm not sure a stranger has ever asked me, though.

A couple of months ago I was over extended and declined going out to dinner with a friend. I found out later that a mutual friend, on hearing about that, said "what is she doing spending $3000 on a bike if she is so broke"...that really tee'd me off! One, I didn't spend $3000 on a bike. Two, I'm single, no kids, living on my own and paying my own bills....what buisness is it of hers if I spend all my money on a bike?! Really, it still angers me...

Barbara

[melissad]

...what buisness is it of hers if I spend all my money on a bike?! Really, it still angers me...
Barbara

I agree Barbara, that would make me mad as well! It's completely rude anytime someone makes a judgment on someone else's financial situation. Besides, financial situations can completely change in a matter of days...

[dachshund]

I still feel that "how much did you pay for..." is not a question I have to answer. I try to be vague and give a range, like "you can pay anywhere from $x to $y depending on what components you want."

[Bluetree]

Has anyone who was clearly not a cyclist ever asked you that? How did you respond?

I get asked that fairly frequently. Depending on which bike I'm on, I'll answer "About 4" or "About 6". They always ask, "...hundred?" at which point I just smile, wink and ride away.

Oh, and I get asked a lot if I'm a pro, which cracks me up to no end. I'm a middle-aged lady!

[lph]

I love answering that question, 'cos my three bikes were all bought used or at a clearing sale. People are usually assuming I ride really expensive bikes because I ride so much, so I jump at the opportunity to tell them how you can buy a really decent bike that lasts for years with just a little more cash than most people would give for a clunker, if you shop wisely.

I don't tell them that I've paid for them several times over in parts...

If I had a high-end bike that I didn't want to defend all the time I'd like to answer "Oh, it cost me x days/weeks/months wages", and leave them wondering. It's still considered rude to ask point-blank how much someone earns, I think

[tulip]

I get that question alot with my Bike Friday. I tell the inquisitors, "Bike Fridays come in a variety of models at a variety of prices. It depends on what you want in a bike." They usually don't pursue the line of questioning any further. If they do, something like, "Oh, I had to save up for it" satisfies them that yes, it costs probably more than they want to spend, but also indicates that I don't just spend wildly, which is really what they want to know anyways. People are so sneaky and wiley.

When I commuted to work, I would get that question, and the "alot less than a car" response shut them up really fast.

[cyclingmama]

A couple of months ago I was over extended and declined going out to dinner with a friend. I found out later that a mutual friend, on hearing about that, said "what is she doing spending $3000 on a bike if she is so broke"...that really tee'd me off! Barbara

I'd be seriously PO'd at that one, too! Maybe it means you're a financially savvy person, who knows to skip an evening out when things are tight so that you WILL be in a position to be able to make the big purchases that are important to you, like a good bike.

I've never really run into questions about the price of my bike (probably b/c I don't have a really expensive bike). I did have a co-worker ask me recently what I had paid for mine, but I also knew he was considering buying a bike for around-town errands and such. So I re-directed, with a "well, my road bike was a lot [it wasn't, but in comparison to what I am sure he was expecting to spend it would have seemed like a lot to him], but you can get a nice comfort hybrid in the $250-300 range" and from there we talked a bit about different kinds of bikes and the purposes that would suit, etc.

Why IS it that people do not flinch at spending thousands on a television, yet scoff at spending the same or less on a bike? It baffles me, how warped our priorities have become as a society.

[short cut sally]

I went into a small business the other day to get something, I know enough of the staff to make small conversations. I rode my bike there, and they asked why was I wearing soccer cleats. No, sorry, bike shoes. They make bike shoes? Yep! We never knew there were special shoes for bikes. Explained the shoe/pedal/clip theory. WHen I got ready to leave, one of the ladies said, I gotta go and check this out. So she came out, showed her the whole thing on how it works. She asked me the price of what things cost. I replied, this is my stress release. I ride early in the mornings, hear the birds, see wildlife, and smell the air. To me this is cheaper than a shrink and sedating medications to keep me from choking my fellow co-workers, so this to me is priceless. She looked at me rather funny, then showed her how my shoe clipped in and told her to enjoy her day and off I went.
As a general rule, if I know the person, I tell them oh the bike price for this model starts at 1,200 give or take, but I got mine on sale. The jaws are usually dropped enough at this comment, I get to tell them, that doesn't include pedals, saddle, or the upgrade in tires!

[Skierchickie]

I rode my new bike to work today, so it was sitting in my office all day. Several people looked at it (I used my brand new bike as a excuse to get out of a golf scramble/drinking fest on Friday, so they knew about it). One guy kept throwing out numbers, just to get to me. Another one came in, hefted it, and said "$xxxx". He was exactly right. Other than with him, I'm continuing to use my "a lot less than list price" line. For the most part, my coworkers (being engineers & mechanics & other mechanically-inclined men) are more interested in the construction than the cost (comments like "they didn't give you all your spokes", "must be expensive if the seat has the name phonetically spelled right on top", "don't let it get hit by a rock (the carbon fiber frame)"), but they do ask.

[Sgritn]

I'm a new biker so yes..I talk about my $300.00 bike at work..some thinking of making a purchase think they can buy a bike for $100.00, told them no..that was when you were a kid. The gasps could be heard around the world when I told them about the $8,000 bike I saw at the shop...they could not understand it. I wasted my time telling them the weight difference, construction and how it was not for the average biker--they do not understand.

[elk]

I usually reply "enough" because isn't it incredibly rude to ask how much something costs? I was raised that you NEVER ask that.

Was is Dear Abby who said..."I'll forgive you for asking if you forgive me for not answering."

End of lecture.

"None of your Business, Mr Nosey Parker" or "priceless"

[snapdragen]

One meelion dollars.

[Trek420]

The gasps could be heard around the world when I told them about the $8,000 bike I saw at the shop...they could not understand it.

They would get it that there's a $15,000 car and $150,000 car, right? I don't know what golf clubs cost but I bet Tiger Woods has clubs you can't get at Target there's more or less expensive anything.

A coworker told me about forgetting a handbag on a plane with ..... 2K worth of makeup. 2 grand, in a handbag, makeup I don't understand, chapstick and sunscreen, that's it for me.

[PinkBike]

. . . comments like "they didn't give you all your spokes".

HA i've heard that one too.
OR how about "with the amount you paid for this bike they could at least give you a kickstand."