Financial solvency of the nation and biking

[jberenyi]

Has the financial solvency of this nation hindered your biking wants, needs, and upgrades?

[Blue Jays]

No.

[johnnymossville]

nope.

[Ray]

Not yet.

[Bruce K]

Wants - no, they're still the same.

Needs - no, they're still the same too, and they're dramatically smaller than the "Wants".

Upgrades - definitely. they're now held to a higher standard where they have to fall into the other two categories before I'll spring.

But you also have to take into account that it is near the end of the road and TT season in New England so any road bike items are easily put on hold until there is a bargain to be had.

Now if you're talking cyclocross, the parameters change a bit....

BK

[93legendti]

no

[zap]

No.

[dauwhe]

No

[Ahneida Ride]

Up grades yes ....

My Legend (frame + fork) about about 3200 frn 6 years ago.
Today about 6K for frame/ fork + upgraded paint _ options.

Total bike back then with Record = 5800 frn
today i guess over 10K ... Figure about a 40% jump in 6 years.

Due to frn dilution, I can no longer afford a Legend.
But not to worry. I am sure that every one else (except me)
has had a 40% increase (after taxes) in their net worth over the
last 6 years.

Don't blame Ben for the frn dilution tax.
If the inflation tax did not exist, I could afford a nice Kelly Bedford.

So it's 3 strikes. Ben, Kelly and myself.

and it's party time at the fed. Even more frns will be created outa
thin air for the bailouts. Which is even more frns for banks to "expand"
using fractional reserve banking = higher bike prices.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . if things keep going like they have been lately, that old Campy group in the crate in the basement that you never got around to listing on eBay may be appreciating faster than any of your stocks!

BBD

[MarleyMon]

Has the financial solvency of this nation hindered your biking wants, needs, and upgrades?
No - its my own personal finances that are the hang-up. ;)

[flydhest]

yes.

missed several rides :crap:
will likely miss more :crap:

[Michael Maddox]

You'd better get your bike parts while they're still out there. If things get bad enough, maybe people will start DEMANDING them. :)

[Joellogicman]

Has the financial solvency of this nation hindered your biking wants, needs, and upgrades?

Environmental concerns convinced me a few years ago to give up my cars for a bike.

I now have three bikes. One is custom and another custom is on the way. The savings from not having a car are so significant I still make out.

[zap]

yes.

missed several rides :crap:
will likely miss more :crap:

Think positive, by next spring all this will be over and you will have plenty of time to ride, maybe even the long route on that brand new Meivici ;)

[sokyroadie]

No!

[Ginger]

Nope. I'm looking at going car free when I move which moves that money from car maintenance and repair and insurance over to the bike related maintenance costs.

[ti_boi]

Well I must say that $60 a tank gasoline and related costs are tightening belts in the Ti Boi home. I liquidated $4500 worth of guitars this summer which -- did sell at a modest profit -- and found good homes. That being said the money did buy me some freedom and time for some great rides without worry!! People asked me if I minded selling my 'babies' and I said...No, they are just guitars. For some reason or another though I feel that I could never sell my Serotta. They can have that when they pry my cold dead hand off of it.

[johnnymossville]

Nope. I'm looking at going car free when I move which moves that money from car maintenance and repair and insurance over to the bike related maintenance costs.

Congrats on that! I'm down to one car in the family from 4 several years ago, commuting by bike to work now, and not looking back.

[Bill Bove]

I have been car free since 1994. I couldn't begin to imagine where I'd find the money in my budget today for auto related costs.

[mef]

A friend who works at Orbea USA told me the other day that the base price of their top line Orca, with the new electronic gruppo was going to be $9,200 next year. I'm not sure if the economy (good or bad) would make a difference whether I would pay that much for a bike.

[Bill Bove]

Chorus is the new Record. Prices are going up across the board, like AR said I can no longer afford what I once could. Orbea and Serotta et al will sell fewer $10,000 bikes but hopefully more 6 and 7 thousand bikes.