Quite simply, because I can’t afford it.
Kevin got a new bike this weekend – you can read about it here. He’s lucky it’s a guy’s bike or else I would steal it. As you see he notes in his post, he bought the cheapest Carbon Fiber bike the brand makes and the MSRP on it is $2299. He’s using his for racing and I don’t need anything that fancy, but even regular road bikes aren’t cheap. So instead I’ll use my borrowed bike and drool over his:
I am still really slow on the bike but I am getting more confident on the road and I’m learning that I can go pretty darn far! The furthest I’ve been is to McMullen Creek Park off of Johnston Road, about 10 miles from my house. But I could easily go further providing I was comfortable on the roads I am riding. I look forward to doing it more!
Comments
16 responses to “Why I don’t have a new bike yet”
$2,300? For a bicycle? OMG!
No thanks. 🙂
.-= Elwood´s last blog ..Toy Story 59: Admiral! There Be Whales Here! =-.
$2,300? For a bicycle? OMG!
No thanks. 🙂
.-= Elwood´s last blog ..Toy Story 59: Admiral! There Be Whales Here! =-.
Carbon is bling but still pricey. I’d a big fan of aluminum frames with carbon forks and carbon seatstays, both which dampen vibration from the ground perfectly fine, and aluminum frames are much hardier when smacking something metal or concrete. This’ll save you quite a bit of money over an all-carbon frame. Right now you should be looking for leftover 2008 bikes, which if you can find one in your size and price range should be found for 15-20% off. My road bike was $1500 MSRP bought in January of the next model year, so I brought it home for $1250. That’s alum frame, carbon fork, stays and seat post, and Shimano 105 all around, which is a solid component group, just heavier than the bling dura-ace and ultegra group sets, which’ll run you well over 2 grand. (Remember, price of components is really about weight, not performance or durability.) Talk to the shops (more than one) and let them know exactly what your budget is and see what they recommend. Good luck!
Carbon is bling but still pricey. I’d a big fan of aluminum frames with carbon forks and carbon seatstays, both which dampen vibration from the ground perfectly fine, and aluminum frames are much hardier when smacking something metal or concrete. This’ll save you quite a bit of money over an all-carbon frame. Right now you should be looking for leftover 2008 bikes, which if you can find one in your size and price range should be found for 15-20% off. My road bike was $1500 MSRP bought in January of the next model year, so I brought it home for $1250. That’s alum frame, carbon fork, stays and seat post, and Shimano 105 all around, which is a solid component group, just heavier than the bling dura-ace and ultegra group sets, which’ll run you well over 2 grand. (Remember, price of components is really about weight, not performance or durability.) Talk to the shops (more than one) and let them know exactly what your budget is and see what they recommend. Good luck!
Oh, and don’t buy a tri bike.
Oh, and don’t buy a tri bike.
I agree with Justin. Look for the 2008 or older models. It was still expensive but I got my rocky for $2500, the MSRP is $3900. A cop custom ordered it at a local shop and never paid for it. Carbon is awesome but expensive. When it comes down to it you are shaving mere ounces and paying a huge premium. A good aluminum frame can take some ugly abuse for years.
Also, if you want front or full suspension go with Fox parts. The way I can tune my bike for the big nasty drops, rocks and tree stumps then goto a locked out pavement setup is just sick. Takes seconds and I don’t get off the bike!
http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+Etsx_70.html?BIKE=35&Y=2008#2
I agree with Justin. Look for the 2008 or older models. It was still expensive but I got my rocky for $2500, the MSRP is $3900. A cop custom ordered it at a local shop and never paid for it. Carbon is awesome but expensive. When it comes down to it you are shaving mere ounces and paying a huge premium. A good aluminum frame can take some ugly abuse for years.
Also, if you want front or full suspension go with Fox parts. The way I can tune my bike for the big nasty drops, rocks and tree stumps then goto a locked out pavement setup is just sick. Takes seconds and I don’t get off the bike!
http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+Etsx_70.html?BIKE=35&Y=2008#2
The advantage of the all carbon frame comes into play on 50+ mile rides ie. ironman/half ironman. It is expensive, but you get what you pay for. Let me just say that I don’t regret the purchase! I will get to see it payoff next weekend at a race.
http://therocktriclub.com/assaultoncherokee.aspx
The advantage of the all carbon frame comes into play on 50+ mile rides ie. ironman/half ironman. It is expensive, but you get what you pay for. Let me just say that I don’t regret the purchase! I will get to see it payoff next weekend at a race.
http://therocktriclub.com/assaultoncherokee.aspx
For those that can’t justify the added expense of carbon fiber components there are still plenty of bikes for a reasonable price. Nothing wrong with banging out 20 miles on a sub $1000 bike like this.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/73fx/
For those that can’t justify the added expense of carbon fiber components there are still plenty of bikes for a reasonable price. Nothing wrong with banging out 20 miles on a sub $1000 bike like this.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/73fx/
The guy at the bike store recommended an $800 bike for me since I’m just getting into it. Much cheaper than what Kevin needs for Ironman preparation, but still $800 I don’t have right now. One of these days, though!
Plus, then I need shoes and pedals and a helmet …
The guy at the bike store recommended an $800 bike for me since I’m just getting into it. Much cheaper than what Kevin needs for Ironman preparation, but still $800 I don’t have right now. One of these days, though!
Plus, then I need shoes and pedals and a helmet …
That’s a damn nice bike he’s got there! 🙂
DId he recommend an aluminum frame/carbon components? GREAT starter bike. Helmet and shoes might cost $200 together… a good helmet is avg. about $50 these days. Shoes: mine were like $100-$150, you do NOT have to have carbon-bottom shoes. And also, pedals: SPEEDPLAYS. Or at least test out a pair of Speedplay pedals if you have a chance, just to see how you like them. I have shimano SPDs and I wish I’d gotten speedplays — they work a little differently. Josh and Mark ride with them and love them.
Keep up the riding, girlie!
That’s a damn nice bike he’s got there! 🙂
DId he recommend an aluminum frame/carbon components? GREAT starter bike. Helmet and shoes might cost $200 together… a good helmet is avg. about $50 these days. Shoes: mine were like $100-$150, you do NOT have to have carbon-bottom shoes. And also, pedals: SPEEDPLAYS. Or at least test out a pair of Speedplay pedals if you have a chance, just to see how you like them. I have shimano SPDs and I wish I’d gotten speedplays — they work a little differently. Josh and Mark ride with them and love them.
Keep up the riding, girlie!