"How much did your bike cost?"

[7rider]

I might say "It cost a lot.". If they press, and drive an SUV, I'd say "Less than a year's worth of gas in your SUV, and let me tell you about the immeasurable health benefits I get in return...."

If a certain someone (a non-cyclist who just wants to know how much money we spend) asks how much my Sidi's cost, I'm ready to say "Much less than just 1 payment on your new luxury SUV."

Why pick on SUVs? Why not "As much gas as it takes to run your soccer-mom mobile, or as much as a payment on that mininvan."?? Or..."As much as that loud-stinkin-tire-squealing sports car you got there."
Oh wait....it's only p.c. to pick on SUV drivers. Got it.

[salsabike]

Actually, why pick on anything? The wide-screen TV comments bothered me a little, and no, I don't have one. But my neighbor, a great guy who works his butt off on the graveyard shift, does. So what? More power to him if that's what he wants to do with his hard-earned bucks. He also got himself a relatively inexpensive bike lately and brought it over to show us--very pleased, he was, and went off for a ride around the neighborhood with his daughter.

I don't feel any need to defend the cost of my bike to others, and I don't see any reason to put down whatever they're doing with their money, either. Just like to go my own way and do my own stuff, and let others do the same.

Also, for someone like me who grew up on sci fi and would love to meet people from other worlds, I consider my neighbor's TV a major asset. I'm sure it will attract aliens since I am convinced you can see his TV from space.

[Smilie]

Doesn't bother me when people ask me how much anything cost. If they want to 'judge' me or my things, that is their choice. Doesn't affect me, as I don't give a rat's behiney what they think.

I for one, am interested in how much new and used bikes cost and all that goes into them. I want to know what I should expect to pay for these things. I am not judging people, I am geniunely interested.

What people do with their money is their choice. I may not choose to spend my money as they do, but that is okay as that is my choice. No judgements here, and for those that like to judge, well have fun. Doesn't affect me!

[TrekTheKaty]

The same thing you do when someone asks how much you weigh or how old you are--LIE! My sister is antique dealer--the side perk is she never has to pay retail for anything. They pick up everything they could possibly need while they are at estate sales--their bikes, soap, clothes (new designer labels, with tags still attached), lawn mowers, kitchen appliances. So when my husband and I took up cycling again last summer we went and upgraded our bikes (they were both about 8 years old). I got a mid-level Trek hybrid and dh got a nice Trek street bike. When we met my sister and her dh for a bike ride, she got excited and asked how much--I lied, $400 and it was buy one get one free (giggle, giggle). She believed me! She had no concept what a new bike cost!

[Trek420]

I lied, $400 and it was buy one get one free (giggle, giggle). She believed me! She had no concept what a new bike cost!

Hee hee, just wait till she goes to the LBS and asks where their BOGO sale bikes are.

And a hearty welcome to TE

[Trek420]

What do you say when a coworker (let's say your boss) is looking for a bike for their DW. Shocked at the prices at a LBS of $500 or so and knowing that you have more than one bike asks "would you sell your extra bike?"

"uh, no"

But then I did go ahead and give him a lot of helpful info how to pick a bike.

[NbyNW]

everybody has a learning curve.

[Cataboo]

What do you say when a coworker (let's say your boss) is looking for a bike for their DW. Shocked at the prices at a LBS of $500 or so and knowing that you have more than one bike asks "would you sell your extra bike?"

"uh, no"

But then I did go ahead and give him a lot of helpful info how to pick a bike.

Heh. Our "extra bike" is off with one of the bf's co-workers for that reason - he wanted to do a bike race or triathalon or something for cancer 'cause his best friend was dying of it or something. So what initially started as us trying to help him find a good used bike (with him continuously getting sticker shock and cold feet and not buying) has somehow evolved into an indefinite loan of the spare bike - which while a good bike, is aluminum, slightly too big for me, slightly too small for the bf - but a good light, solid components road bike that has stayed around 'cause we got a great price for it and it does in a pinch if either of us needs to ride and has an issue with our other bike...

So he borrowed this bike to train while looking for a bike to buy. that was about 5 months ago, so I think I need to nag the bf to nag the coworker to give the bike back, 'cause that's a bit much.


Mostly I've bought my bikes used at great prices which still probably seem a bit much to spend on a bike to normal people, but I usually say "this is what this bike is worth, this is how much I spent on it" if it's someone that I think actually warrants an answer on how much my bike costs.

[SadieKate]

Also, for someone like me who grew up on sci fi and would love to meet people from other worlds, I consider my neighbor's TV a major asset. I'm sure it will attract aliens since I am convinced you can see his TV from space.

At last I know! Attracted by their TV, aliens invaded my parents' bodies.