When to spend and when not to
- Thread starter Kevoffthetee
- Start date
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Over The Hill
Guru
- Location
- Ridden off into the sunset
I paid £600 for my bike second hand (unused and cost £1400 new Dawes Super Galaxy) and I don't usually spend anything like that on myself. I look at it as £600 over at least 10 years so £60 per year- which is not much given that cycling is otherwise fairly inexpensive compared to many other sports or activities.
I do 2x Pilates classes for £5 per go so that is £500 per year.
If it is used and enjoyed then it is cheap, if it is left in the shed then it is expensive.
I do 2x Pilates classes for £5 per go so that is £500 per year.
If it is used and enjoyed then it is cheap, if it is left in the shed then it is expensive.
Not to add anything useful but this is a fantastic thread that really gives some food for thought over buying a new bike.
I started cycling (2nd time around) just under a month ago having bought a second hand Viking for £80. it does the job and my times on the journey I do to and from work are slowly coming down as my fitness improves. it has DT shifters which means I dont bother faffing about with gears, I change when I feel I need to rather than for the sake of it.
I went with a friend last night who is starting to cycle again and he bought a brand new Cannondale with full tiagra groupset etc etc.
I was very jealous on leaving the shop but having thought about it now, I think I will still be quicker than him anyway!
I like my bike because it is the bike that has got me from driving my 12.7 miles to work to now doing it regularly in 45 minutes.
In fact I am selling my car now to down grade and was going to use some of the funds to buy a new bike, I will now be thinking how I can use some of the money to make my bike i have ( and have grown fond of) work better for me!
I started cycling (2nd time around) just under a month ago having bought a second hand Viking for £80. it does the job and my times on the journey I do to and from work are slowly coming down as my fitness improves. it has DT shifters which means I dont bother faffing about with gears, I change when I feel I need to rather than for the sake of it.
I went with a friend last night who is starting to cycle again and he bought a brand new Cannondale with full tiagra groupset etc etc.
I was very jealous on leaving the shop but having thought about it now, I think I will still be quicker than him anyway!
I like my bike because it is the bike that has got me from driving my 12.7 miles to work to now doing it regularly in 45 minutes.
In fact I am selling my car now to down grade and was going to use some of the funds to buy a new bike, I will now be thinking how I can use some of the money to make my bike i have ( and have grown fond of) work better for me!
Road_Runner
Regular
- Location
- Yorkshire based
At the end of the day you can always sell the bike if you find that you just don't use it that often.
At the end of the day, there are only two questions you need to ask yourself. First, can you afford it? Second, how much is the extra enjoyment of riding the new bike compared to your current bike worth to you? Is the cost smaller than value of the additional enjoyment? If either or both of those answers is no, don't buy the bike.
At the end of the day, there are only two questions you need to ask yourself. First, can you afford it? Second, how much is the extra enjoyment of riding the new bike compared to your current bike worth to you? Is the cost smaller than value of the additional enjoyment? If either or both of those answers is no, don't buy the bike.
ScotiaLass
Guru
- Location
- Middle Earth
This is an interesting and thought provoking thread 
I have the time for cycling, but not the money.
Medically retired from my career and on no benefits, I had to save really hard (selling unwanted items and saving) to raise the money to buy my Specialized 29er.
It is a lovely bike and puts a smile on my face every time I ride it!
Last month I sold an unused camera and had money left over...I was keen on getting a hybrid for shopping etc.
I felt guilty about even thinking about spending the money on myself (even though it was my money!) but my husband said he could see how happy cycling made me, and how much of a positive effect it was having on my health.
So I bought my Dawes hybrid.
Cycling has had such a positive effect on my mental health - I think it would have been the same with a second hand £80 bike, or my brand new £500 bike, but I went for what I really wanted and was encouraged to do so.
I couldn't be happier!
Bottom line? Do what makes you happy.
I have the time for cycling, but not the money.
Medically retired from my career and on no benefits, I had to save really hard (selling unwanted items and saving) to raise the money to buy my Specialized 29er.
It is a lovely bike and puts a smile on my face every time I ride it!
Last month I sold an unused camera and had money left over...I was keen on getting a hybrid for shopping etc.
I felt guilty about even thinking about spending the money on myself (even though it was my money!) but my husband said he could see how happy cycling made me, and how much of a positive effect it was having on my health.
So I bought my Dawes hybrid.
Cycling has had such a positive effect on my mental health - I think it would have been the same with a second hand £80 bike, or my brand new £500 bike, but I went for what I really wanted and was encouraged to do so.
I couldn't be happier!
Bottom line? Do what makes you happy.
OP
OP
Kevoffthetee
On the road to nowhere
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Tell me about it, I always get asked "how did you get on? Did you manage to keep up?"
When I answer "yes, actually I was doing quite a bit better than others" I get the response "why do you need a new one then?".
I think my problem is that I'm the main source of income in the house. I can always justify a small (ish) purchase but bikes are not a small deal and I feel selfish about such a purchase.
I definately got it wrong way around when I bought my MTB instead of a road bike after selling off my golf gear due to a muscle tear in my shoulder
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jonnysnorocket
Guru
It's a new bike, buy it!!! 
OP
OP
Kevoffthetee
On the road to nowhere
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Karma - it's a pig. The thought of buying a new bike and I get the wife call me today saying that there is a grinding noise coming from the car. It may turn out to be nothing (I hope) but until I get a chance to check things out all thoughts and browsing is put on hold
Bugger
Bugger
Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
Look at it this way, it gives you time to figure out what perfection looks like :-)
PS: don't look on the Fresh Tripe website .....
OP
OP
Kevoffthetee
On the road to nowhere
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
I look at it every day in the mirror
Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
Ok, now I know you're deludedI look at it every day in the mirror
