Cheap Vs Expensive

[youngoldbloke]

Here is an interesting article from the BMJ
"Bicycle weight and commuting time: randomised trial
Objective To determine whether the author’s 20.9 lb (9.5 kg) carbon frame bicycle reduced commuting time compared with his 29.75 lb (13.5 kg) steel frame bicycle."
- and if you can't be bothered to read it, the conclusions were:
"Conclusions A lighter bicycle did not lead to a detectable difference in commuting time. Cyclists may find it more cost effective to reduce their own weight rather than to purchase a lighter bicycle."

 

[AndyPeace]

I'm all in favour of insanely expensive bikes

Me too But I have no dillusions that a more expensive bike will turn me into a human rocket

Spending a lot of money on a bike which you want to achieve and push your personal best on, to compete in races and dazzle club mates with is one context. Running an ecomical bike for day to day transportation is another.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Here is an interesting article from the BMJ
"Bicycle weight and commuting time: randomised trial
Objective To determine whether the author’s 20.9 lb (9.5 kg) carbon frame bicycle reduced commuting time compared with his 29.75 lb (13.5 kg) steel frame bicycle."
- and if you can't be bothered to read it, the conclusions were:
"Conclusions A lighter bicycle did not lead to a detectable difference in commuting time. Cyclists may find it more cost effective to reduce their own weight rather than to purchase a lighter bicycle."

I'm certainly faster commuting on my Ti bike compared with my steel clunker. Mind you, it's probably because I push myself more on the Ti, as it's so much lighter, and easier! Perhaps that consultant took the opposite view, and didn't put as much effort in when he was on his carbon bike, on the basis that it was easier, which is why his overall timings were almost identical?

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Now I possibly would fork out on a Ti frame, but more for strength and longevity, but I guess that's an argument for another thread...

 

[GrasB]

Hmmm, this is true if riders set things up properly. The clanging and crunching you could hear at the bottom of little hills from many riders on the Manchester 100 would suggest a good proportion can't set them up.

Or they've got SRAM Rival & are trying to change gear while pushing out 450w

Or 1-2 weeks even

Sorry I have a wife & a full time job!

 

[boh67]

I agree with the OP. my road bike was £50 second hand. It does me great I did 30 miles today and loved it

 

[Primal Scream]

BSRU has the truth of it "because they can" I have an entry level £500 road bike, one day I will decide to replace it, the new bike will not make me noticably faster or go further, I will just get it because i want it.

N+1 is all you need to know

 

[vickster]

I like new shiny things and I tend to get bored and want a change - even if I go as quickly or slowly on the bike. I can afford to and will probably change my commuter bike every year...I used to change my car every 6-12 months...this is far cheaper, costs a couple of hundred to change, rather than 1-2k And bikes are rather cheaper to run and maintain (ok I have a car too but I've had this one for over 2 years, record for me )

 

[Mo1959]

I did the exact same route two days in a row out of curiosity Yesterday on my carbon fibre road bike and today on my hybrid. Considering my legs felt a bit heavy today and the hybrid is around 5 kg heavier I was only 5 minutes slower and average 0.5mph less.

 

[monkeylc]

at the end of the day its the same as anything you love/enjoy,you can spend thousands on any interest?
family
car
house
garden
clothes
golf
absolutely anything ,but if you enjoy it it's the reason you work for money.

just enjoy it and stop thinking why about others

 

[Sheldon Bourgeois]

IMO, you spend more $$$ on a higher end bike, and you get better components etc. There is nothing wrong with a cheaper bike if it works for you, and you take care of it. Me, I live by the motto "When you buy quality, you only cry once."

And lubing and caring for a bike should be no different then me caring for my motorcycles. You take care of them, they take care of you and don't surprise you on the commute to work or when your 50Km out in nowhere.

 

[youngoldbloke]

So far about 600 + miles, I have no idea what it did in its 18 years or so life before me.

Just re-reading the thread. May I humbly suggest that if you have only cycled 'about 600+ miles in the 'few year ago' since you bought it you are not really in a position to comment on the difference between 'a cheap road bike and a really expensive one'. If it suits you and you are happy with the way it rides that's fine. Myself, I don't really understand what the difference is between my 10 year old Ford Focus and a new Ferrari. Why do some people spend so much money? I am very happy with the Focus - it's reliable and goes quite fast, but then I don't want a Ferrari - but I really need a new 6.7 Kg road bike.

 

[mickle]

Cheap and inexpensive are two different things. I'll happily ride an inexpensive bike but I wont do cheap!

 

[Peter Armstrong]

Thank you for everyone’s input, I’m wondering how to justify spending +£500 on a bike to my GF and if I’m actually going to get any faster. I’m also planning some triathlons and would be embarrassed on my steel bike compared to the hardcore carbon TT bikes.

 

[Rykard]

show her the really expensive ones first, then show her you cheaper compromise...