Help! Choosing a Cycling-Related Celebration of a Significant Milestone

[exapkib]

I am reaching a particular long-anticipated point in my professional life at which I always told myself, “When ‘x’ happens, I will certainly celebrate with a meaningful cycling splurge.” Now that the time is on the doorstep (let’s just say the file passed through the department and college committees without a hitch, if you know what I mean. I should get word on the final decision in May), I’m unsure of what that splurge should look like. (Believe me—this is not because I haven’t spent lots of time daydreaming about possibilities . . . )

Budget is . . . complicated. It’s not unlimited, but there is a lot of stretch. Not “get on the waiting list for a new Firefly” kind of stretch, more like “scrimp and save for a really nice used frame” kind of stretch. To that end, I’ve got the following list of possibilities:

1. A titanium frameset? This was the original promise I made to myself, but it’s also the most expensive option on the table. I just don’t know if the outcome is worth the cost. If I decided it was, it would probably mean selling the Yamaguchi and I’m not sure how I feel about that, either. The dream was always to pick up a used Moots to mark successful passage through this process. It still holds great appeal to me. I am still thinking of just how much I could stretch the budget to make something like this happen. I’ve thought about the Merlin or the Duende (not Ti, but who would know?) currently listed in the classifieds, or something similar.

2. An outside-of-the-ordinary riding experience? Frankly, this is near the top of my list because it is is much less demanding financially, and it is also more appealing philosophically—I’m not necessarily a ‘stuff’ kind of a person. It would mean a bigger sacrifice for my family, and that’s where I’m hesitant. With little kids at home, it’s tough to disappear for more than a day. Were I to pull this off, it would likely crystallize into an extended bike-focused trip based in a spot where we have a ‘home base’ of sorts—probably Southern Utah or the Denver area.



I already know how much I like riding bikes in Southern Utah . . .

3. Wheels for the Yamaguchi? The current build has a pair of Record hubs built to some heavy old Mavic A119 rims. I’d love to shed some weight from the build, and this seems like the lowest hanging fruit. Plus, I’m curious about putting some more modern wheels on this frame to see how they might change the ride/handling/aesthetics.



(Gratuitous photo of the Yamaguchi)

4. Refinish/Repaint the Yamaguchi? I’ve toyed with this idea in the time that I’ve owned this fine frame, and maybe this is my chance to get it done. This would lead into an entirely different conversation about how this frame should be refinished, but that’s a conversation I’m willing to have.

5. Similarly, I’ve often thought about ordering a custom stem that matches the Yamaguchi’s aesthetics better and gets the bars where I like them. (I passed the custom stem in the above photo on as it was just too long for me. Dang it.) Seems like such a splurge, but this particular life event is the kind that leads a person to think about splurging just a little bit.

Apologies for the wordiness. Mostly just thinking out loud. Other thoughts/possibilities? (Clearly overthinking this, but where would online forums be without the overthinkers of this world?)

[Louis]

If you have a family and can't do the "Dad's week away at cycling mecca XYZ" thing, then I'd go with a family vacation in a great cycling area with a few half-days built into the schedule for long rides.

To celebrate a big event I think wheels are a bit meh. A vacation, on the other hand, can truly be memorable for everyone involved.

[Clean39T]

I'm hitting a milestone this year and doing this: http://www.oregontrailgravelgrinder.com. It's not a Cinghiale tour, which would have been my first choice, but also doesn't cost as much and is a lot easier to get to...

I also like Louis' idea of doing a bike-friendly family vacation - so long as the expectation is set up front that you're going to get the hall pass as often as you want it (get it in writing, or on video - ).

As for the Yamaguchi - you may enjoy some TB-14 rims on there, a bit wider and more cozy with 25s or 28s if you can fit them. Or buy some cheap tubulars when they inevitably get posted - I think Teleguy57 has hinted at some Nemesis to silver Chorus being available - which would be perfect...

What about a Walt-Works gravel bike? Go take his class or partial class, get a new frame, and do some riding in Park City?

[FlashUNC]

Keep the Gooch. Book the trip. A central location with the family gives everyone the best of both worlds.

[CNY rider]

You already have a nice bicycle.
Take the experience with your family.

[MoparPorsche]

Get a nice set of used wheels, and a little family trip where you can spend part of the day enjoying the bike and new wheels.

[Lionel]

Originally Posted by Clean39T

I'm hitting a milestone this year and doing this: http://www.oregontrailgravelgrinder.com. It's not a Cinghiale tour, which would have been my first choice, but also doesn't cost as much and is a lot easier to get to...

this looks like fun !

[Joel]

For sure #2.

And here, https://www.velovercors.com/

I've been there three times, or maybe it's four...wonderful place and people!

[timto]

I'd splurge on a custom stem. The yama is too nice to replace with a Ti frame, and a custom stem is a nice premium special thing that takes that bike to 11 and reinforces your commitment to it. Also your wheels are already bad @ss and a perfect compliment to that frame.

Combine that with a nice brunch out with the family to celebrate and your golden. No trip planning, no travel no time away, no big expense.

When my kids were younger I'd always feel too much guilt when I spent too much time on myself. During a year where I was doing many double centuries I'd always be thinking of missed time with the tots and partner guilt. Sounds like you have some of that too.

[oldpotatoe]

Number 3..get somebody to build you a set of really nice tubulars..and eventually, you'll switch all your wheels to that tried and true, technology..

[vincenz]

It seems to me you like your current bike. I wouldn’t buy another bike if you had to replace it, only if you could do n+1.

I don’t see anything wrong with the paint or wheels either and with the current components works well as a whole package. I don’t like the idea of respraying any bike unless the original paint job is badly damaged.

I would then go for both the trip AND the stem. A custom stem couldn’t be that much more compared to a new bike or wheels. I would go for a color to match the fork. Then go on that trip with the family with that bike.

Thank me later.

[Matthew]

You worked hard. Screw the family. Get a Moots.

[papa bless]

Bike trip for sure. Material possessions can get lost, broken, or boring. But an adventure is in your head forever, and will always be there for you to look back and smile on.

[GregL]

Go for the riding experience / cycling trip. Looking back, my best memories are of the people and places that I have met and experienced through cycling. The bikes/toys were fun, but the people and places are the memories that make me smile.

Greg

[pdonk]

I vote for trip and stem.

Having taken a dream cycling trip to Moab, it is in my head all the time.

For the stem, send Paul Brodie a message, he does runs of stems from time to time and they are quite affordable.


Then again, my new SV is a milestone was based on a work milestone, and my moots was my wedding present so things are good too....