Never-ending upgrade

[bigbill]

I've only bought a few frames new, and of those, the recent Coconinos, a Gunnar Crosshairs, and an Eddy Merckx are the only ones I still have. All the other bikes have been purchased used from this and the other forum classifieds. A ten year old Serotta is still better than most new frames. My mileage bike these days is a Lynskey with Ultegra 8000 that I got used from JeffN. I've been riding for 3+ decades, I know what I want and know the value I can get from the used market.

The recent Coconino MTB has the latest tech like boost, a great Fox fork, and nice wheels. Other than adding a dropper, it's all maxed out. Riding out in the desert on the rocky trails has made me think about a full squish, but if I get one it won't be new. Some other guy my size will get the upgrade bug and I'll buy his old one.

[shoota]

Originally Posted by zap

PS, SRAM Red was never perfectly fine.

Been perfectly fine for me

[Jeff N.]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

I always like having a project, or I get bored. So I will sell something, or buy something or upgrade something or tinker with something. This stuff is a hobby so it will be never ending but I am ok with it.

Yep!

[zmalwo]

Don't blame ya. Companies nowadays hires from visual artists to psychologist to try to maximize the advertisement effect on you rather than the old days of if you want to buy something u gotta bring your ass to the stores and once you leave the stores you go back to whatever you were doing. Nowadays you can sit in front of your computer and browse all day everyday making self control very hard.

[makoti]

Because parts are (usually) cheaper than an entire bike and can give the same thrill. Do you NEED the upgrade? Not likely. But not many NEED a bike, either.

[mhespenheide]

Yes, absolutely. As others have pointed out, it's a combination of enjoying the machines themselves, neuroses brought on by widespread advertising, and liking projects.

But I'm trying to focus more on the rides and less on the bikes. It's working, to some extent. But man, I had to talk myself down from that Seven Ondata on the Bend CL as I was driving through there the other day...

[pinoymamba]

in the photography world we call it gear acquisition syndrome...

[axel23]

C'mon already... So much fun to make one more little tweak, one more vague improvement, one more upgrade. And I've convinced myself I'm so much faster because of it!

[Andy sti]

You don't have to do it to make you faster. I do it because it's fun. I ride a fair amount and this is my main hobby. I enjoy tinkering with my bikes.

[weisan]

It's all within our control.

If you like it, do it. If you don't, don't do it.

You may like it now but after a while, if you find that it's getting old, then just stop, no pressure.

Give yourself the permission to do what you like. Biking is supposed to be fun and uplifting, not tired and demoralizing.

Everyone is different.

Know thyself.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

I always like having a project, or I get bored. So I will sell something, or buy something or upgrade something or tinker with something. This stuff is a hobby so it will be never ending but I am ok with it.

This

...and the hunt. I enjoy the hunt for the right parts at the right price more than I actually enjoy owning said widget.

M

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by El Chaba

I have a pretty intense interest in the equipment, but I also have come to the conclusion that the development of the road bicycle reached its peak about 2005 give or take a few years. Since then most of the developments have been driven by the necessity for new far more than the interest in better. Along the way there have been huge losses in the areas of aesthetics, and serviceability....and to some extent durability.

I agree but think the pinnacle was about 1985-1988..clipless pedals, index/'click' shifting, lever mounted shifting(road and MTB)...

[madsciencenow]

Originally Posted by Andy sti

You don't have to do it to make you faster. I do it because it's fun. I ride a fair amount and this is my main hobby. I enjoy tinkering with my bikes.

...this plus I need the mental release from work to retain my sanity.

[soulspinner]

That's why you are here

[Ronsonic]

I really can't upgrade now. My main bikes are totally freaking dialed.

I'm looking for a frame that inspires another build. Nowhere else to go,.