Considering an affair with another bike

[buffybike]

I have a very sentimental attachment to my bike (Buffy), a Giant Avail. She's nothing fancy, but she was my first real road bike (a present to myself for getting sober), I was hit by a car while riding her, and I've had her for four years. I've accomplished a lot of things on this bike. Today, however, I saw the NEW Giant Avail at a charity ride...in the most beautiful teal, gray and white. I can't stop thinking about it. I already know that the Avail size small fits me PERFECTLY. Have you even felt like you were "cheating" on your beloved bike by considering a different one? I know I could ever get rid of Buffy-but I would feel guilty for even replacing her with another bike for my regular rides. Weird????

[Owlie]

Giant sure does like teal. (Owner of a teal/white/brushed aluminum Avail speaking.)

No, not weird. It's not strange to be attached to a bike. I love my Giant, even if she doesn't quite fit, for a variety of reasons (a little too long, and I prefer a more aggressive bike), and it would be stupid to upgrade with anything other than take-off parts. A couple years ago I rode a Cannondale women's CAAD10. It (or the SuperSix--same geometry) would be my next bike. But I feel the same way you do about the prospect of a new bike. I've done long rides, short rides, a century. I've fallen on ice and ridden in a downpour with this bike. We've done a lot together. I won't get rid of it because I'm attached to it, but I do sort of feel guilty about the possibility of hanging it up and not riding it.

[thekarens]

I don't think it's weird, but I say if you can afford it and want it you should go for it.

And congrats on the sobriety! That's awesome!

[Owlie]

The only other thing I would add is "Go for it, but only if it's an upgrade from what you already have." If not, I don't think it's worth it. You can always have your current bike repainted if it's aluminum.

I do like the paint on the 2013s, though!

[TigerMom]

As someone who is always drooling over new bikes....nope. Not cheating. You just have the n+1 bike disease too

[ridebikeme]

I would second Cannondale. as an owner of 3 road bikes and a mtn bike... Of course, I'm like you, looking for another as well

[Sky King]

Oh gosh, our brains are on the same wave length. The Gilles Berthoud should show up today (I haven't told Sky, the Rivendell, yet) that she will be sharing her stable.
I am going to ride both for a bit and just let everything play out. They have similar geometry so am feeling a bit guilty myself and not sure I can justify owning two bikes that serve a similar purpose.

Good luck!

[kajero]

I have the other problem. I love my Ruby and don't care very much for Violet, the TREK 7.6 WSD hybrid I bought. Violet is not nearly as much fun to ride as my Ruby. Violet is just too hard for me to steer and get off and on after I have been on the Ruby. I hope Violet doesn't feel too neglected. I will ride her when I must.

[Melalvai]

What helped me get a new bike was the fact that my daughter would get the old bike. That way I wasn't abandoning the old bike but giving it to someone who needed it.