Around here we call them dentist bikes. Most of the riders are slow but have really nice bikes. And... why not? They have money to spend. I can look at their 10K bikes envy as they look at my my fitness when I go flying past them.
It probably makes more sense to buy an expensive bike as a slow biker than as a poor biker. And there's probably an inverse relationship for an individual between speed and wealth. As a master's female, I'm almost by definition slow. I was faster when I was younger and riding my mom's 70s 10-speed, but I'm a lot richer now, so my bike is a lot nicer.
And what's expensive? I spent around $1500 on my last bike, on sale, which seems pretty expensive to me. But another poster cited $1500 as inexpensive in multiple posts.
$1500 is my price point for a few reasons which non-cyclists will not care about. As a woman I have smaller hands, and once you get up to hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano makes the brake levers adjustable, which means I can adjust them so I can actually reach them comfortably. I bought the cheapest bike with this feature, and conveniently get some other bells and whistles.
And what's expensive? I spent around $1500 on my last bike, on sale, which seems pretty expensive to me. But another poster cited $1500 as inexpensive in multiple posts.
If you're referring to me, I also said that price was all relative. I'm not dismissing $1500 and making it seem like a trivial amount. For $1500 you can get one hell of a nice bike and if you're savvy & lucky, you can find older inventory that is marked down. There is also the used route but one needs to be careful there.
A big thing is maintenance on used bikes. Get a chain wear indicator and if you're looking at a used bike, that should be the first thing to check. If the chain is at 0.75% or greater, don't even consider it. Chains, cassettes, and chain rings all wear together. A chain that is > 0.75% means that the cassette will probably need to be changed and potentially chain rings and the pulleys of the rear derailleur. I would also think that if a cyclist let his chain get to that point that the maintenance on the rest of the bike was also subpar. If the chain is WNL on wear, check out the rest of the bike. If you're not comfortable doing that and the seller agrees to it, take the bike to a reputable shop and have them check it over. They may charge a nominal fee but it would be worth it if you're spending a good bit on the bike.
On the used route, I would be cautious about buying a used carbon frame bike. Damage can be invisible and carbon fiber can start to delaminate without you knowing about it.
A few years back I was really into cycling. I wasn't that fast, I could do a 25mph average for 20 miles and 21 mph for 100 solo, but raced a few CAT 5 races. Mostly I just rode on my own and tried to set PRs on solo time trials, since that was what I most enjoyed. I spent thousands on a new bike and race wheels. I rarely raced it. And you know what? It was worth it to me. It was before I had a kid and I had disposable income. It was a healthy pursuit, and it was lots of fun. I still ride the bike today, even slower. People spend a lot of money on sports cars and don't race them. People buy expensive boats. If it's healthy, doesn't hurt anyone else, and you have the money, then cool.
An average of 25 mph for 20 miles is not slow and neither is 21 mph for a century solo effort. I'm a Cat 1 cyclist and sometimes I don't train at those speeds, particularly if I'm staying in zone 2.
I once had an amazing encounter with a female moose and its calf in the middle of the national forests. I set my bike down on the side of the trail. Myself and the beasts co-existing in nature's silence, staring through the trees, everyone emitting a real positive energy. A female moose may become defensive in these situations and stand in front of the calf but that was not the case here as there was no tension in the air and a few trees in the precise path between us. Instead, the moose continued grazing horizontally.
Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, going on 5 minutes now, I snapped photos and short videos. I was super quiet and not too swift with my motions.
Everything was chill until this silver-helmeted dunce with transparent red sunglasses raced into this slightly dog-legged, down hill trail environment with his over expensive bike and racing bike gear on, totally oblivious to what was happening.
As this Denver-ite jammed on his breaks at the turn in the down hill, making overexaggerated & unnecessary vibrations with the ground, he also inadvertently split the comfort zone established between myself and the moose. I could feel the moose' awareness heightening with the commotion and they instantly shuffled away into the trees.
This idiot ruined the moment.
I'm surprised that a mountain cyclist did that. The vibe of moutain cyclists vs road cyclists is very different. Most that primarily off road are a lot more laid back. While I am primarily a road cyclist I also ride on the track, cyclocross, and I mountain bike. Road cyclists, in general, are the biggest pricks.
The rules of riding off road are that bikers always yield to hikers & runners, hikers, runners, and bikers yield to horseback riders or other animals. It's also a rule to never spook animals. In additions to cycling, I also ride motocross. I have some ATV trails near me that have motocross bikes, mountain and gravel bikes, hikers, etc. They're too narrow for other ATVs like 4 wheelers, Jeeps, etc. When I ride motocross, I yield to everyone. Some people are idiots that just lack common sense.
A few years back I was really into cycling. I wasn't that fast, I could do a 25mph average for 20 miles and 21 mph for 100 solo, but raced a few CAT 5 races. Mostly I just rode on my own and tried to set PRs on solo time trials, since that was what I most enjoyed. I spent thousands on a new bike and race wheels. I rarely raced it. And you know what? It was worth it to me. It was before I had a kid and I had disposable income. It was a healthy pursuit, and it was lots of fun. I still ride the bike today, even slower. People spend a lot of money on sports cars and don't race them. People buy expensive boats. If it's healthy, doesn't hurt anyone else, and you have the money, then cool.
An average of 25 mph for 20 miles is not slow and neither is 21 mph for a century solo effort. I'm a Cat 1 cyclist and sometimes I don't train at those speeds, particularly if I'm staying in zone 2.
Yeah, this. Claiming these credentials are "slow" makes me question their veracity. Not that I'm going to lose any sleep over it...
hah on my guitar forum they say the same thing. Dentists buying Paul Reed Smith guitars.
Well i have a couple myself.
But only a midpriced bike.. I do have carbon fiber shoes and run anything longer than 400 meters at a slow pace.. so there is that.. what you are saying is, its time for me to get a more expensive bike...
I want to know why every geriatric retiree has to ride in full racing kit.
And also, why do you then have to go to the local coffee shop all sweaty and gross in your gross racing outfit and your goofy clip in shoes? Go home, take a shower, and then go out into public.
I learned that in 5th grade football. You don't wear your cleats and pads and dirty uniform out to dinner after practice. You go home, clean up, and then go out.
This is basic etiquette.
But I guess, in my area, these are the same people that show up 45 minutes late to an appointment and then whine on "next door" about how rude I am for not allowing them to push me over.
I want to know why every geriatric retiree has to ride in full racing kit.
And also, why do you then have to go to the local coffee shop all sweaty and gross in your gross racing outfit and your goofy clip in shoes? Go home, take a shower, and then go out into public.
I learned that in 5th grade football. You don't wear your cleats and pads and dirty uniform out to dinner after practice. You go home, clean up, and then go out.
This is basic etiquette.
But I guess, in my area, these are the same people that show up 45 minutes late to an appointment and then whine on "next door" about how rude I am for not allowing them to push me over.
I think you don't understand what a "full racing kit " is.
If they're wearing race team outfits like trek or Bora, I'd be very surprised. What they are likely wearing is their club kit. Usually it comes in race cut or club cut. Which is larger and baggier and takes a while to fil out.
Cycling kit is designed to give a pad under your privates to stop scrunching and injury. The tops are water wicking, and designed for weight reduction, and to keep the sun off. The pockets at the back are for gels.
There is nothing dramatic about it. Like you wear your pajamas to bed, or your overalls to drive your forklift.
As for a retiree, they've got time and money. A whole of spending money. Money and time. They can do it, do it, do it
I just finished a bike ride on a 12 year old GIANT, paid 500 dollars for it. Covered in mud , rained half the time i was on the trail. Hosed it off, no Spandex™ on me. Don't ride on the road, don't want to get hit.
This is what basically keeps biking industry profitable. Them and the slow Ironman/half Ironman people. But it does help them right? At least a couple of mph.
I worked in the bicycle industry for many years and there are some other things that keep it profitable.
One is constant "innovation" of bikes and components. The new bikes and gear offered each year are always claimed to be much "better' than what was available last year. Typically there is some claim made as to why the new gear is better by one iota (its "new and improved", its one gram lighter, its more aerodynamic, its easier to use...) There are numerous cyclists that are convinced that they "need" the latest and greatest equipment. So they replace their old gear with the new as often as they can.
Another is what seems like planned obsolescence of bicycle equipment. Replacement parts for bikes and components are often not available or difficult/impossible to find. Parts are not always interchangeable nor will they fit all bikes So instead of repairing certain things that break or wear down, riders have to buy entirely new equipment.
Many bicycle shops support the above by promoting the new is better message, and discouraging repair of bikes. Customers that bring their bike in for what may seem like a simple repair will hear "you are better off buying a new bike".
Bicycles have become increasingly specialized. The industry is trying to convince riders that they need numerous bikes to ride. Different bikes are "needed" for road touring, road racing, criterium racing, commuting, cruising or riding around town, track riding, riding on gravel roads, downhill mountain biking, trail riding with full suspension, trail riding on a hardtail, fat biking, e-biking, etc.
Thankfully we have running, where people can enjoy and be successful in certain events running nearly naked in simple shoes or even barefoot.
You shouldn’t laugh at people that buy expensive bikes, shoes, gear, etc because they’re supporting biking and running stores and communities. If you like local races and events, support your locals stores and their customers.
Should supershoes be banned from anyone running slower than 30 minutes for a 10K?
The only way to be slow on a fast bike is to not know how to ride it. You can cruise along in a tuck very fast with little effort, even if you are old and weak. Even an old weak female!
even the oldest, weakest and feest-male can go 16mph average if they group together and take turns pulling.
The charms of a good bike are more than just speed. If they want and can afford an expensive it is fine with me. It also helps keep the cycling industry going.
you should be laughed at. only cat 1 and above riders should be able to buy 4k bikes and above. people should now have to produce specific "sub elite" times or better to purchase alphafly's. please present this to the sales associate for verification purposes.