On Mon, 5 May 2008 18:26:05 -0700 (PDT), Ablang <ron916@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
>I know that a lot of details would factor into this, but I am
>wondering what bicycle enthusiasts consider when buying a new (or
>used) bike?
>
>I guess I don't want to underspend and end up w/ a piece of cra*, but
>I also don't want to overspend and risk having it get stolen.
>
>I would like to use it for daily exercise and going to the store (not
>more than 10 miles one way).
My first road bike cost $90. I was clearing $125 per week.
My next road bike cost $200. I was clearing maybe $100 in a good
week. It was new and upgraded when it was stolen. I'd had it for
about month.
The next road bike was all Campagnolo Record and Reynolds 531. All
new, ~$350 with an extra pair of lightly used race wheels. My wages
still totalled $100 per week, or less, but working for peanuts in a
bike shop had its advantages. Five years later, when it was stolen,
my monthly wages were about $1500 at union job.
The next full campy bike was built-up on a 3 year old used frame. It
was $2011 while I was earning about ~$1200 per month at the job I
wanted. I sold the car and spent the next year riding it on ~$800
per month unemployment insurance.
I rode it to work the year after that and dumped $3028 into an all
new, all Euro, semi-custom touring bike. A full week's wage was $600
clear but there were days and weeks without work too.
Twenty years later, I still have those bikes and about 7 others
ranging from free to somewhat less than a month's salary. Today my
bike budget comes from bike shop garbage. By converting old tires,
freewheels, chain and spokes into wearable art I can sell more than I
care to make but it's almost like free money for bike spending.
--
zk
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