The value of The Bike?

[bigbill]

In cycling life, I have only purchased two complete bikes, both were MTBs. For value, a bike frame/fork that fits me well can be upgraded with parts as leaps are made in technology. My MX Leader started with 9S Chorus Ergo and currently has 10S Record. My BLE started out life with 10S Record, then Record/Chorus 11S (first generation), and now has post-2014 Chorus. The only high end (by current standards) bike I have is an Open Min.d with Red 12 AXS, but I bought the frame and parts used, I guess on the showroom floor with some high end wheels, it might be a $9-10K, maybe.

If I could only have one bike, I'd get the most use out of my Lynskey Helix with 8000 eleven speed and Fulcrum wheels. Thank you JeffN.

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by sparky33

What is the value per hour or per mile, something like that?
Or maybe it's more like the value of some (club or gym) memberships where the only value is the experience.
Would I pay $100 per month to be in The Bike club? Yes.

A $14,000 prepaid lifetime membership to The Bike club is an unappealing pricing model.

Since Covid began and I started working at home, then for myself again and less than full time, I've ridden over 2,000 hours. I've also spent a LOT of money on bikes, accessories, clothing, tools, events like D2R2 and Cino. Most expensive by far was the custom Bingham, and that was worth it. Least worth it was the large loss I took with the custom frame I subsequently decided to sell and replace with the Bingham. I also built up my Habanero from the frame, and the used Supersix Evo Hi Mod, and did some upgrades on the Bob Jackson. At this point I have the bikes I want, equipped the way I want them, so 2024 expenditures are substantially down even though I'm on my way to the most miles yet in a year. I expect on an ongoing basis I might spend $5-8 per riding hour annually. Seems like a bargain!

[benb]

I think it's not about how fancy any particular bike I have is, it's having the right bike for the day because the different bikes lead you to take different kinds of rides.

I think that's more about what your N mix is. Having that right mix IMO is more important than having the uber bike in one of the categories.

[reuben]

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

I mean that there is only one bike model available for the general public to purchase. Plenty enough to go around, although MAP is strictly enforced!

Does it have lawyer tabs?

[glepore]

To answer your last hypothetical, probably no. But thankfully its hypothetical.

I like red wine. Lots. Know good from bad. But you won't catch me buying Grand cru Bordeaux or first tier Burgundy. Not when I can get 95% of the experience for 5% of the cost.

I don't begrudge anyone for what the do or spend their money on. I don't judge people that ride 14k bikes, or SR WRL or other things that I choose not to purchase. I hope they don't judge me because I ride nice 10 yr old bikes that were premium priced in their heyday and now are really cheap by any standard.
People should get to choose what makes them satisfied.

It would suck if the market was reduced to 10-15k nice bikes. Some of that is just that the sport has largely aged and participants have disposable income. But the opposite is true as well. I think there are some crazy nice 105 carbon bikes out there at "reasonable" prices given inflation, and stuff like the $2600 alu Crux is a steal.

[tuscanyswe]

Originally Posted by glepore

SNIP*

It would suck if the market was reduced to 10-15k nice bikes. Some of that is just that the sport has largely aged and participants have disposable income. But the opposite is true as well. I think there are some crazy nice 105 carbon bikes out there at "reasonable" prices given inflation, and stuff like the $2600 alu Crux is a steal.

Kinda funny we think an alu bike for 2600$ is a steal these days.Feels like the bike price inflation have gone crazy in the last decade (or more).

[mcteague]

Rick and Morty on Jerry’s “Star Wars” collectible coins. Same for bikes.

https://youtu.be/SB_oU68Q9zA?si=h8fyQ669D7VB5eGV

Tim

[benadrian]

I have no idea how much I'd pay for "the only bike". A medium amount?

The great thing about bikes is that I can get on pretty much any bike that is running okay and have a great time. Recently, this has become more clear because I've been lucky enough to travel recently, and I've rented a lot of bikes and ridden a lot of bikeshare bikes. I always have fun. I suppose I pick the ride based on the bike available.

I've learned that I really enjoy working on bikes. I also enjoy a good deal. I'm doing okay, money wise. I could just buy a really nice bike for the going rate. However, I get an amazing sense of gratification out of building up a bike of equality quality, but for half the price. Then I get to put it together in some crazy way and go out and ride it!

[glepore]

Originally Posted by tuscanyswe

Kinda funny we think an alu bike for 2600$ is a steal these days.Feels like the bike price inflation have gone crazy in the last decade (or more).

In 2005 dollars it was 1500. No doubt its better than a 1500 bike in 2005

https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/valu...bvZFZRUInUPLFn

[weisan]

Originally Posted by benadrian

I have no idea how much I'd pay for "the only bike". A medium amount?

The great thing about bikes is that I can get on pretty much any bike that is running okay and have a great time. Recently, this has become more clear because I've been lucky enough to travel recently, and I've rented a lot of bikes and ridden a lot of bikeshare bikes. I always have fun. I suppose I pick the ride based on the bike available.

I've learned that I really enjoy working on bikes. I also enjoy a good deal. I'm doing okay, money wise. I could just buy a really nice bike for the going rate. However, I get an amazing sense of gratification out of building up a bike of equality quality, but for half the price. Then I get to put it together in some crazy way and go out and ride it!

Ben pal, we are very similar in our approach.

[fourflys]

so if a bike was $14k, I assume my pay would also be a lot higher.. if my pay had to stay the same, I'm not sure I'd be cycling..

Here are the reasons-
1. the cost..
2. having only one bike would bore the crap outta me.. I love to ride, but I love all the "stuff" that goes along with bikes..
3. I like having something that's unique.. if only one bike model, not for me..

I'm assuming I would find another way to stay healthy..

[lorenbike]

I’m glad that $10k new bikes exist, because with a little research and effort you can easily build up a used bike that rides just as nice with a good frame, wheels, and top notch parts for $2k.

[redir]

I don't normally read such long rants but I enjoyed this one.

I can only speak from my own personal experience in how value is defined. I have been building and repairing guitars for 30 years now and every once in a while I get a client that comes in with a guitar that is totally worthless and the cost to repair it far outweighs the 'value' of the guitar not only now but forever.

But it was Grandpas guitar and they grew up with Gramps using it to sing songs all through their childhood and now they want to sing songs to theirs.

Value is a complicated construct and I can only imagine that to economists, of which I admit I am ignorant, must drive them crazy.

[redir]

Originally Posted by lorenbike

I’m glad that $10k new bikes exist, because with a little research and effort you can easily build up a used bike that rides just as nice with a good frame, wheels, and top notch parts for $2k.

Especially when the technology changes. Boom! Awesome deals on 'old' wheels.