I may have bought my last bike

[Zen]

I'm with Mimi on this one.
If I see a lugged steel beauty in the right size at the right price all bets are off.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, i've been having those feelings lately as well. Not about bikes, but about banjos, clothes, cds, and other things. I definitely am seeing a trend in myself to consider making do with what I have more often than I used to.

[redrhodie]

I don't think you can ever say "never" when it comes to bikes.

I'm not looking--but I look at Craigslist all the time! It kills me! I don't need/can't justify buying another bike, so when I see a vintage DeRosa for $450 (yes, I did!) I enter a state of panic.

Luckily, I knew the $450 would quickly turn into ++++ to make it ride-able, a long enough pause for someone else to snatch it up.

[Miranda]

I certainly don't have the bikes I need, or want. There is a difference between want and need (preface: provided you already have a roof over your head, food on your table, and medicine to give your kids etc.)...

Maybe you have reached a point where your "need" is met?

My need part for a road bike is that I have discovered the source of my issues is mine is too big for me. Things were getting to the point that it was killing my will to ride at all. Which ever since I was little girl, I loved riding. I was always the kid in gym class that got hit in the head with the ball... but, my bike was something I could do. It freed me. Plus, I need to pedal to be a saine functioning human being.

My little mtb on the other hand by miracle I think fits me fine. I don't mtb as much. Sure, it would be nice for new, or disc brakes, or whatever... but, it really meets my *need* just the way it is. Until she is crashed beyound being ridden... she will stay as is.

Would I like a cycle-cross steele type of bike just to be a workhorse with fm riding, maybe commute etc...well, yes. But, it doesn't 'quite' kill my will to ride the mtb on pavement with the children. I hesitate though--so a good used bike I could give a nice home to. In the middle between 'want & need'.

Maybe it's... Your babies at home in the stable are 'good' and pretty well cut it--eh? Besides, those shiny new bikes have other happy adoption bike parents in the wings... good to spread the love around.

[sundial]

NY biker, I have 3--a back-up bike, a road bike and mtb.

It's not just bikes that I've felt this way about, it's everything here lately.

[celerystalksme]

i'm buying everything i can like crazy...bike stuff, car stuff, tons of groceries, eating at restaurants, going to sporting events, movies, etc

gotta help the economy! so as long as i'm still saving some money each month for retirement and rainy days, i'm spending the rest. can't take it with you when you die!

[Selkie]

NY biker, I have 3--a back-up bike, a road bike and mtb.

It's not just bikes that I've felt this way about, it's everything here lately.

I'm with you.

Something Indysteel wrote in the Best Bike Advice thread resonated with me: considering each purchase carefully and reminding myself that financial security is more important buying ______________. Saving for things and being content with what one currently possesses.

That said, a finding a good deal on something and buying it is also very wise.

[Blueberry]

I'm with you.

Something Indysteel wrote in the Best Bike Advice thread resonated with me: considering each purchase carefully and reminding myself that financial security is more important buying ______________. Saving for things and being content with what one currently possesses.

That said, a finding a good deal on something and buying it is also very wise.

+1

I'm not buying much right now - I doubt I've bought my last bike (I'm just 30), but I also doubt I'll do much adding to the fleet. They will likely be replaced as they wear out...or need it. I think I'll see significant changes in technology before I'm done riding.

We've been enjoying dinners in with friends more, riding just for the enjoyment of it, etc. We've been trying to slow our lives down, and it's working. And that's worth a LOT more to me than the latest______. That and financial security.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

We've been enjoying dinners in with friends more, riding just for the enjoyment of it, etc. We've been trying to slow our lives down, and it's working. And that's worth a LOT more to me than the latest______. That and financial security.

Yes we have been doing the same. More time with friends locally...potluck get togethers, way less driving definitely.
I hope to buy my last bike when I'm 70 and then ride it for another 15 years.

[indysteel]

I'm with you.

Something Indysteel wrote in the Best Bike Advice thread resonated with me: considering each purchase carefully and reminding myself that financial security is more important buying ______________. Saving for things and being content with what one currently possesses.

That said, a finding a good deal on something and buying it is also very wise.

I'm glad that resonated with you MichChick, but in the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit that I'm in the middle of buying a new bike, and not a cheap one at that. In keeping with what I said in the Best Bike Advice thread, I decided to buy the bike after much consideration (a) because I saved diligently for it and am paying for it with cash; (b) because I didn't compromise on expenses that are more important to me, e.g., charitable giving, my retirement fund, home and car repairs (in the past three years, I've replaced some of my siding, my roof, the blower on my furnace, and my hot water heater and I've spent another 2k to keep my car running over the past 2 years); and (c) because I've otherwise been fairly frugal these last few years to offset it. I've also done what I could do to limit the costs in building it where possible.

I hope my bike purchase doesn't seem contrary to the advice I gave Smurf. If I were broke and 27, I sure wouldn't be buying it, nor would I buy it if it meant compromising my other financial goals. Yes, I could have invested it or simply kept that money in the bank--and believe me I've thought about it--but I know I'm going to ride this bike to death (figuratively speaking, hopefully) and it's one of the few luxuries--beyond a bit of travel--that I've ever allowed myself.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

In general, having a bicycle is certainly a wise investment in our good health.