Time to upgrade?

[tulip]

For my commuter bike, I rode my 1985 Stumpjumper (bought new in 1986) for a year on my 28-mile round-trip commute, and after that year I decided I needed a lighter bike for commuting, so I bought my Jamis Coda Comp in 2003. It really made my commute easier.

For my road bike, I crashed on my 1983 Vitus in 2003. I had that bike since 1987. The crash did it in, so I took that opportunity to shop around and ended up with my Luna in 2005--two years without a road bike. I don't expect I'll upgrade from that, but I have put a compact double on it to replace the regular double.

I bought my Bike Friday last year because I love to see the world by bicycle, and that was not practical with my Luna. All of my vacations involve bringing my bicycle with me and riding wherever I am.

So I guess my answer is that I upgrade out of necessity--when my bike can't do the things that I ask of it.

[Zen]

I didn't upgrade, I sort of downgraded. I sold my nice '07 Pilot and used the proceeds toward a different style bike that I feel more secure on and will (in theory) make me ride more

[Kalidurga]

If it inspires you to ride more, I'd consider that an upgrade.

[crazybikinchic]

I have a 2005 Allez that has about 5000 miles on it (school doesn't give me much time to ride lately). Within the next 2 years I will be replacing it. I have been looking but the problem is that when I bought my bike, it had a Ultegra/Dura Ace combo. About a month later, the new Allez (same year model) came with a Ultegra/105 combo. I got a great deal and now I am looking at the bikes in amazement at how much more expensive they are with the Ultegra/Dura Ace combo. I paid $1700 for my bike and to "upgrade" the frame and have the same components I am looking at about $3700. Oh well, I am about to graduate (in 16 weeks). By the time I am ready to buy, I hope to have 5000 more miles on it.

[sundial]

I didn't upgrade, I sort of downgraded. I sold my nice '07 Pilot and used the proceeds toward a different style bike that I feel more secure on and will (in theory) make me ride more

That beautiful white bike would be calling out to me all the time. Go for a canal ride!

[andtckrtoo]

I have a CAAD9 Cannondale Road bike. It's aluminum frame and can be a little rough at times, but I love it. So, I don't see upgrading that soon.

However, I did just buy a Surly Cross Check for commuting and light touring. DH is not a rider, so buying a bike just for him does not make sense, and he's slow, so I figured he could ride the Cannondale (we ride the same sized bike - I'm 5"10), and I'll ride the heavier Surly and we'll both be happy.

[maillotpois]

Congratulations on almost being done with law school.

Here are some questions that might make a difference as to whether you "can" get the bike now: Do you have a lot of student loans? Do you have a clerkship now and/or a job lined up for post-bar and after you're admitted to practice (assuming that's what your plan is)?

Regardless of what the answers are and what your decision is now, you will surely be able to upgrade one of these days, so let yourself look around at new bikes and plan ahead so when that day comes you are ready!

[Aggie_Ama]

I think GLC is right, once you have a bike that component level is acceptable and is a good frame fit you stop really shopping. My Cannondale only has 105 but I like the 105, if I keep the front deraileaur trimmed in it shifts magically for me (triple crank). The carbon frame is light, rides nicely so I am content. Sure I would just love a custom steel or ti bike but those are not in the cards and nothing on the shelf is more than a drivetrain upgrade for me. The only thing I want, some better bars because the ones they use don't make me happy like my old Salsas.

Did buying the Cannondale improve my cycling? No. Because I don't train for anything, I just ride my bike. It made me happier and I like it more. But don't expect that a bike will magically make you a 10x better rider, you might see some improvement but hard works pays more.

[ny biker]

I got a new bike when I knew I could afford to pay cash for it. Which meant months of planning and saving.

[ASammy1]

Just call it a graduation present!