How do you justify $$$ on a new bike?

[jh_on_the_cape]

So you have a bike. A few years old. Works just fine. Works well, even. Not the latest and greatest today, but was a few years ago.
Something new and nominally "better" would cost about $5k. While I have the money, I do have other priorities like saving for retirement and kids education. I enjoy my bike. But I want a new one (after renting one on vacation recently)! I find that under a grand I can do because it's just not much in the grand scheme of things. But an extra $5k could be put into 403b or something. I used to buy used bikes at great prices, ride them, tinker around, and then resell or upgrade at not much overall expense. I just don't have time for that right now.
But I want a fancy new bike! My frame is about 10 years old, most components are newer. This is for a mountain bike.
Specifically, I ride a 2004 Turner 5 spot with a XT XTR mismash, including 8 speed. I want a Santa Cruz solo with XT... not a crazy huge upgrade on the trails. But soooo nice. The SLX bike is 3200, but then I would want a few upgrades...
Help! I swear... it's the snow's fault.

[Steve in SLO]

"Beats a redhead."

That's the joke between my wife and I when I buy another unneeded bike.

[Idris Icabod]

I just upgraded my Turner Flux with XTR to a Santa Cruz Tallboy with XT. I have young children but here is how I normalize it:
1. Bartending college is 3 weeks long and they can earn back their student loans in a week from tips
2. I live life in the fast lane so don't need a retirement
3. Life is too short to ride a bike that sucks

Seriously, asking this place about buying a bike is like asking a dealer whether you should keep smoking crack! Only you can answer this question, if you can afford it and want it, get it.

[Tony]

Seriously, asking this place about buying a bike is like asking a dealer whether you should keep smoking crack! Only you can answer this question, if you can afford it and want it, get it.

:)

[echelon_john]

"Justify"!?!?!?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA!

[R2D2]

Like justifying a Gold Top Les Paul.....

[eddief]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMRZ3SCGQ80

[Salsa_Lover]

You could only "justify" a bike purchase if you were a competitive or pro racer.

Otherwise you don't have or need to justify anything...

That said now I don't go for the newest stiffest gadgets but more for NOS modern classics...

[holliscx]

A: by riding

[Mr. Pink]

Exercise machine.

And, it's not a new bike. It's another bike.

[raygunner]

I make the necessary sacrifices and live a pretty frugal lifestyle.

Bike stuff doesn't precede savings cash, investing & contributing to Roth IRA/457/Employee plan.

But at the end of the day it's my main hobby and I can drop a few bucks in there if it helps make me happy, fit and sane.

[Lewis Moon]

Break the old one.

[Ti Designs]

A: by riding

Can't top that answer!

[Fishbike]

I am doing my part to help the economy.

I will ride more and riding is healthy for mind and body.

I will sell or donate my old bike to someone who will love it.

I will walk the puppy every day, I promise. . . .

[OtayBW]

Like justifying a Gold Top Les Paul.....
'54 or '56? :)

[Jeff N.]

The only justification I have is my passion for bikes and cycling. You only go around once. You know, stuff like that -Jeff N.

[MattTuck]

My justification for my custom was: "I've had my Lemond for 10 years, it has served me well, it is time for something new, and I want a bike that will make me smile for the next 10 years."

It is not a justification you can use frequently. Just wanting new stuff, I feel, is a slippery slope.

[don'TreadOnMe]

In order to buy something new-to-you, you gotta sell something old-to-you.

[weaponsgrade]

Amortize the purchase over ten yrs

[brando]

Someone else said it better than this:

Other things are for saving money so you don't have to on bikes.

Which is good because carbon and xt is $6k. You are getting carbon right?:beer:

[rugbysecondrow]

Gym membership is:
$50 p/month
$50 x 12=$600 annually
$600 x 10 years= $6,000.

$6,000-$5,000=$1,000 saved by buying a bike vs. a gym membership.

You could also use the annual out of pocket for health care, which over a ten year could easily exceed $5,000. The bike is a health care plan.

You could also use the money saved by maintaining a consistent wardrobe vs. having an every expanding waist which would necessitate an annual increase in wardrobe costs.

It could also be seen as asset allocation. You might be spending $5,000, but if you could sell it after ten years for $1,500, you really are only spending $3,500, which is more palatable.

You get my drift.

[weaponsgrade]

Another technique that I find quite effective is to think about something more expensive you could get. Subtract the price of the bike. Look at the difference as being what you saved.

[gearguywb]

Who are you trying to justify it to?

10 year old mountain bike...seriously???? It's probably herd to ride with a bag over your head so that your friends don't see you! :) joking

It hurts when you write the check, but divide that hurt by the number of smiles and you will find it is a worthy investment.

[jh_on_the_cape]

How old was the flux? Were you happy that you did it?
I agree with #3, but my bike (and your flux) doesn't suck if you are riding it.

I just upgraded my Turner Flux with XTR to a Santa Cruz Tallboy with XT. I have young children but here is how I normalize it:
1. Bartending college is 3 weeks long and they can earn back their student loans in a week from tips
2. I live life in the fast lane so don't need a retirement
3. Life is too short to ride a bike that sucks

Seriously, asking this place about buying a bike is like asking a dealer whether you should keep smoking crack! Only you can answer this question, if you can afford it and want it, get it.

[jh_on_the_cape]

But does the redhead beat your wife? with a stick?

my wife wants me to get a new bike so I stop looking at classified ads!

"Beats a redhead."

That's the joke between my wife and I when I buy another unneeded bike.

[jh_on_the_cape]

A: by riding

YES! You rock. Now melt the ice. Like rock salt.

[cash05458]

My justification for my custom was: "I've had my Lemond for 10 years, it has served me well, it is time for something new, and I want a bike that will make me smile for the next 10 years."

It is not a justification you can use frequently. Just wanting new stuff, I feel, is a slippery slope.

yeah, but this habit we have keeps us healthy...so the slope is alot better than most of the crap folks get into...no gigantic tv's...coke maybe...some swank car...personally, I think every dime I spend on a good bike is worth it and to be honest I live on very little......just makes me ride more and that can't be bad...seems crazy and like a bad habit having 4 gorgeous steel rides...but for me it is real and just makes me go...then again, I have no wife or kids!

[cash05458]

the old line which I totally believe...life is too short for S***ty Bikes or Guitars...I live by that one...bad bikes are like bad porn:cool:...

[R2D2]

'54 or '56? :)

I wish.
I do have a 57 Deluxe though...........

[witcombusa]

How do you justify $$$ on a new bike?



Why do you need to?

[sc53]

Another technique that I find quite effective is to think about something more expensive you could get. Subtract the price of the bike. Look at the difference as being what you saved.

This is what Blondie used to do to Dagwood.

[sc53]

yeah, but this habit we have keeps us healthy...so the slope is alot better than most of the crap folks get into...no gigantic tv's...coke maybe...some swank car...personally, I think every dime I spend on a good bike is worth it and to be honest I live on very little......just makes me ride more and that can't be bad...seems crazy and like a bad habit having 4 gorgeous steel rides...but for me it is real and just makes me go...then again, I have no wife or kids!

Then you don't have to explain yourself to anyone! [like me]

[jmoore]

There is no justification. Only want.



Me, I keep an envelope and add $100's to it on a regular basis. When it gets to a point that it's enough for something I cannot normally get in our regular budget, then I use the envelope.

[Idris Icabod]

How old was the flux? Were you happy that you did it?
I agree with #3, but my bike (and your flux) doesn't suck if you are riding it.

My Flux is a 2006, I kept it since I thought I'd break it out every now and then, hasn't had a single mile on it since I got the Santa Cruz. Agree the Flux doesn't suck but the Tallboy is so much nicer.

[stien]

IMO that's a huge chunk of change for any bike. You could definitely sell and upgrade for like $1500. 29er full sus bikes are out there for that much if you wait.

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[hainy]

I upgraded to a new bike at 40 and then bought a second at 50. I have 6 more years to my next bike at 60.

Big Birthdays are an easy justification

[choke]

Justify...hmmm...I've seen that word before......is that the latest new BB 'standard'?

[Steve in SLO]

my wife wants me to get a new bike so I stop looking at classified ads!

Good God, Man: buy something and help the poor woman out!