Wow, I'm in good company here.
I've been a cyclist nearly all my life, although I don't look (like) it
When I was a mid-teen I had gathered some money for a dream bike, parents and g-parents wanted to get me a present but held them off as they wanted to get me a kids bike. So I kept finding things to do, work, and gather more money so I can get the dream, and I wouldn't settle for a short man's bike, I wanted a tall mans bike. So eventually I got a black Mercier racer/tourer which to this day is still too tall for me. When I was 15 I managed to get in a serious fight with mom and took off, and went for a 250km vacation. I had a flat and no food money, so they rescued me
It was all downhill from there. 2nd hand Peugeot, Raleigh (1 Uk made 1 US/taiwan made recently discovered Merida made them back then) then in the mtb era I broke down and got a Giant rincon, rigid fork (98-99) which got more mileage than any of them, still rideable today tuned to ride like butter on a hot stove top. I never liked anything with suspension on it.
Just recently, and after nearly 18-19yrs with the Giant I wanted to move back up a wheel size again. So I got a Merida Crossway Urban. Still like to look at it parked, can't say I am too happy with it. There is more drag than I would have expected everywhere, and despite of my weight and riding like a bat out of hell down hill in poorly paved roads, it doesn't seem like it wants to break in. Apart from playing around with the seat and bars position I haven't tuned anything.
I switched the brakes left to right as my motorbike habits are not to be challenged. Why the hell did they come up with such a reverse convention? Don't tell me, I don't want to know.
I had a bad knee injury 2yrs ago and I am still not walking very well, I was hesitant in getting back on the bike as I felt weak and thought my knee might give out in a bad moment. Right before the bike was a daily commuter. But it seems I can ride much better than I can walk. Bad habits still all there, going through red lights and stop signs, resisting of putting my feet down at stops when oncoming squeezing traffic is facing me, never owned bicycling clothes, jeans, black ski hat, and a cig. off of my mouth some times downhill
Although I am privileged to live now in a place where 11mos/yr it is like May-Sep in UK, I have ridden with tropical storm kind of rain in the winter, and snow to affect my vision, but have learned not to attempt snow that is stuck to the ground. It is not worth the fall. I think I learned that lesson 40yrs ago.
I see prices have been going up and quality had been going down on cheaper bikes. I have no idea what expensive bikes are like. I like to tune to perfection what I got and not throw money in newer, better, lighter, flimsier. Although carrying the thing on my shoulder with a problematic knee to go on the other side of tracks may constitute an argument for lighter.
Talking about age, are those newer racier looking seats causing anyone else pain. I am about to switch to the original Giant seat, that has a tear on it, for the new bike and leave the fat gel on the mtb. Age and a 2 year break from daily transport seems to have taken its toll.
Good to find ya