The value of The Bike?

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by cgolvin

The question you're posing is: if the cost of entry to become a cyclist is $14,000 (not counting shoes, helmet, clothing, etc.), would you do it?

Baron, is this the essence of your question? If so, that would turn away many a young person. Not all of us are dentists with a spare $10k for engine rebuilds or $14k for bikes.

My first bike was $100 Craigslist find and my first car was $3k.

[NHAero]

I’m also really glad I don't have to have only one bike. I was on the Supersix today after a few days on the Bingham and variety is pretty nice to have.

[C40_guy]

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.

I'm glad that $10K new bikes exist, and that people buy them. Then when they buy their *new* new $10K bike, the old $10K bike gets sold for $3K.

Same reason I buy 5 year old German cars every so often.

[benadrian]

Originally Posted by 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.

My first guitar was a Japanese Tele that I got new for xmas of 1989. No slouch, but still a $300ish guitar when new. I still have it. When I had it refretted a few years back, I paid more than the original price of the new guitar. I have many nicer guitars than that one, but I'm never selling that first tele and I will always make sure it's playable.

[jm714]

Originally Posted by slowpoke

Not all of us are dentists with a spare $10k for engine rebuilds

Wahwah. What was I supposed to do? Junk it? It’s paid off and it will cost me a lot more to replace it with another vehicle and another LC would be even more. And I know what I have and another vehicle is a crap shoot.

[Talrand]

Originally Posted by jm714

Wahwah. What was I supposed to do? Junk it? It’s paid off and it will cost me a lot more to replace it with another vehicle and another LC would be even more. And I know what I have and another vehicle is a crap shoot.

The bigger point slowpoke was making is that having $10k to drop on fixing an expensive vehicle is not something an average person does. The car I'm driving is significantly cheaper than the rebuild of your LC's engine. Saying 'You have to pay for hangar and maintenance for your Gulfstream! What are you gonna do? Scrap it?' might indicate that the $14k Bubba asked about is spare change to you. Saying that you're actually saving money by spending thousands is like telling homeless to get some passive income by investing in real estate.

[merckx]

Originally Posted by jm714

It’s a Toyota Land Cruiser, it’s used to trout fish in the west. When I get it back next week it will probably take me to Weaverville up in Trinity County for some fishing or maybe to Utah depending on what’s going on.

I’m also having a set of Schel-Mann seats installed too while its in the shop.

There’s a 97 for sale on Facebook right now with 4671 original miles up in NorCal for $199,999 if you’re interested. It looks mint.

If I could train my Datsun 720 to trout fish, I would probably treat it to new seats too, or maybe just replace the flannel blanket that covers them. I might even consider applying a fresh coat of Duct tape over the larger rust spots.

[Hilltopperny]

I like nice bikes, but tend to spend in the $2000-$4,000 range on new or insanely nice used bikes. Most of the current bikes I ride fall in that range and I don't feel I am missing anything with them and tend to enjoy the ride with less stress. IF my income level was higher then maybe a 15k bike would be appealing, but as it is I am completely happy with what I have.

[jm714]

Originally Posted by Talrand

The bigger point slowpoke was making is that having $10k to drop on fixing an expensive vehicle is not something an average person does. The car I'm driving is significantly cheaper than the rebuild of your LC's engine. Saying 'You have to pay for hangar and maintenance for your Gulfstream! What are you gonna do? Scrap it?' might indicate that the $14k Bubba asked about is spare change to you. Saying that you're actually saving money by spending thousands is like telling homeless to get some passive income by investing in real estate.

Have you looked at the price of a new SUV lately? I see people all the time on this forum debating which car/suv they should get. I have a vehicle with 200,000 miles on it that is paid off that I didn’t pay anywhere near what a new SUV costs. A new 4Runner is $50k. I just dropped $10K on an engine rebuild that is going to get me another 30 years of life and it’s more than capable to get me where I want to go to fish and more capable than that new 4Runner. I plan to keep this LC until I die and at that time I’m sure one of my sons will take it over and continue with it.

[jm714]

Originally Posted by merckx

If I could train my Datsun 720 to trout fish, I would probably treat it to new seats too, or maybe just replace the flannel blanket that covers them. I might even consider applying a fresh coat of Duct tape over the larger rust spots.

I saw a yellow one the other day at UPS with plaid seat covers, took me back to the ‘72 Corolla wagon my dad bought. It was the first Toyota he bought and since then we have been pretty brand loyal.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by jm714

Have you looked at the price of a new SUV lately? I see people all the time on this forum debating which car/suv they should get. I have a vehicle with 200,000 miles on it that is paid off that I didn’t pay anywhere near what a new SUV costs. A new 4Runner is $50k. I just dropped $10K on an engine rebuild that is going to get me another 30 years of life and it’s more than capable to get me where I want to go to fish and more capable than that new 4Runner. I plan to keep this LC until I die and at that time I’m sure one of my sons will take it over and continue with it.

As aa counterpoint to the others in this thread I would have done exactly what you did in your situation. You effectively bought a new SUV that will last forever for $10k. If you tried to buy something used for $10k, you would wind up with something significantly less reliable than a LC with a new motor.

Please show a photo when you get it back with some trophy trout

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by jm714

Have you looked at the price of a new SUV lately? I see people all the time on this forum debating which car/suv they should get. I have a vehicle with 200,000 miles on it that is paid off that I didn’t pay anywhere near what a new SUV costs. A new 4Runner is $50k. I just dropped $10K on an engine rebuild that is going to get me another 30 years of life and it’s more than capable to get me where I want to go to fish and more capable than that new 4Runner. I plan to keep this LC until I die and at that time I’m sure one of my sons will take it over and continue with it.

I'm with you on that engine rebuild being worth it.

12 years ago I bought a 2001 Ford Ranger with 102,000 miles on it for $3,700, as a "farm truck" - hauling the kayaks, getting compost, going to the transfer station, etc. I've done front suspension, radiator, brakes, batteries, tires, alternator, frame reinforcement (the frame rusts) etc. on it. I have a total of close to $10,000 into it in total. It gets under 1000 miles annually, and it's cheap to register and insure. It's far from pristine, but I know what's fixed and what isn't. I doubt I'd put $10,000 into an engine, but when I look at other used trucks, the Ranger seems like it continues to be worth fixing stuff on if we want to have a truck available.

[redir]

Originally Posted by benadrian

My first guitar was a Japanese Tele that I got new for xmas of 1989. No slouch, but still a $300ish guitar when new. I still have it. When I had it refretted a few years back, I paid more than the original price of the new guitar. I have many nicer guitars than that one, but I'm never selling that first tele and I will always make sure it's playable.

Yup that's a nice old friend there.

[tuscanyswe]

Originally Posted by glepore

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

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

But since 2005 most ppls salory did not go up 70% more till now..
And in 2005 we did not consider it a steal. It was just another bike.

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by jm714

Have you looked at the price of a new SUV lately? I see people all the time on this forum debating which car/suv they should get. I have a vehicle with 200,000 miles on it that is paid off that I didn’t pay anywhere near what a new SUV costs. A new 4Runner is $50k. I just dropped $10K on an engine rebuild that is going to get me another 30 years of life and it’s more than capable to get me where I want to go to fish and more capable than that new 4Runner. I plan to keep this LC until I die and at that time I’m sure one of my sons will take it over and continue with it.

yep, I would have done the same thing, good on ya!

I think folks need to realize this is just an academic question, not reality.. my question back to Baron was if salaries had gone up as well to a point where a $14k bike (as the only choice) is an achievable thing for most people.. if the answer is no, then I agree a $14k bike is out of reach for most people and cycling would die a not so slow death..