[BontyRider]

It's the same ol' story: Go to the local pro shop, serious about looking at some serious bikes. They have a lot of stock, but they don't have *every* model of every brand they carry. What they do have is a bunch of very high-end bikes that fit you perfectly.

So you take a long spin on one of the chi-chi bikes, the one the sales person says is the perfect bike for you, and -- surprise! -- it's the greatest bike you've ever ridden. And the most expensive, by a LOT. Like, I'm talking a LOT.

And of course you can't try out any of that manufacturer's MID-range bikes, because they don't stock those. They're in the catalog though, and you read about them and you think, "Well that one looks nice too, and it's probably a lot less."

But then you start thinking, "Maybe this really is the perfect bike for me... Maybe if I sell some things... And it's SO LIGHT and BEAUTIFUL... If I buy something lesser I'll never be fully satisfied... And it's SO LIGHT... Maybe I should just..."

And then you think, "No, that's $#%&#! stupid."

SIGH.

 

[Accidental Endo]

Cycle purchases, for me, are not about logic or frugality, they are about an appeal to classic qualities like beauty, perfection, symmetry, and harmony. It sounds like you have found a bike that appeals to you on that level. Go for it, I say.

 

[Christine]

Yeah, but if you go with the dream bike, there's none of that upgrade nonsense.

To a certain extent, anyway. For some reason, I'm convinced life would be much better if I could get SRAM trigger shifters on my Blur instead of the Shimano......and a riser bar would be nice.....the grips could be better come to think of it...........

Demo'ed a Racer X and it felt goooood. Hear they got one in Ti, huh? That would be nice.

And I still need a really good touring bike and a road bike. And a singlespeed. But that's it.

And a B.O.B. trailer.

Which bike did you demo? I'm curious now.........

 

[BontyRider]

It was a road bike...

Yeah, but if you go with the dream bike, there's none of that upgrade nonsense.

Which bike did you demo? I'm curious now.........

It was an Orbea Onix. (Sorry for the road content - the concept is universal tho)

Come to think of it, something very similar happened after I visited the Titus factory earlier this year. "Racer-X, hm...? Oh, I must have that. All other full suspension XC bikes are clearly inferior... You want HOW much for it?" Although I never demoed the Racer-X. I just drooled on it.

 

[AscentCanada]

$1200 doesn't seem all that bad... What the *^&&^ an I saying, they don't even give you a shock for that!?! And look at those skinny little tires, snap those like a TWIG... Stupid road bike

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7152750841&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[BontyRider]

Might need longer legs

$1200 doesn't seem all that bad... What the *^&&^ an I saying, they don't even give you a shock for that!?! And look at those skinny little tires, snap those like a TWIG... Stupid road bike

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7152750841&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Hm, if I have my legs lengthened like the guy in Gattica, the 60cm just might work! Let's see...

ebayed bike: $1200
surgery: $33,000,000
total: dang.

 

[AscentCanada]

See now that bike at the LBS looks cheap doesn't it...

But seriously I've paid less than half for my last 2 bikes compared to the LBS price. Both were some deal on ebay or an online retailer blowing out last years model. And these weren't low end bikes, superlight and a burner... Sure you don't get that instant gratification of walking out with a shiny new bike. But by the time you hit the first puddle, that will have worn off and you'll still have enough for a beer after the ride!

 

[FoShizzle]

Cycle purchases, for me, are not about logic or frugality, they are about an appeal to classic qualities like beauty, perfection, symmetry, and harmony. It sounds like you have found a bike that appeals to you on that level. Go for it, I say.

wow! how eloquently put and pure poetry. that almost makes it sound like we are justified in our addiction/disease I agree with all that you said and in addition, the more primitive instinct of subdueing to peer pressure is also at work so any way you look at it, it is not our fault that we spend way more than we should

cheers

 

[wooglin]

Umm .... before you buy that dream bike make sure you ride all the other expensive dream bikes as well. I'm having a hard time believing an Orbea is all that you think it is. They've always come across as disposable pop can frames to me, fit for a season or two but not really a "dream" bike kind of thing.

 

[FoShizzle]

Umm .... before you buy that dream bike make sure you ride all the other expensive dream bikes as well. I'm having a hard time believing an Orbea is all that you think it is. They've always come across as disposable pop can frames to me, fit for a season or two but not really a "dream" bike kind of thing.

absolutely great advice. I tell you.....the Orbea now gets a lot of talk now since it was on the cover of a magazine. Guy at work now want to get one as their first road bike just because "it looks cool".....must be nice to have a money tree

 

[Wzl]

I am not certain that there is a solution to this better bike syndrome we all experience. I mean, there must be a reason I have ended up with 9 really cool bikes that most people would drool over. I just ride them. And then something else comes along that I must have so I just buy it and then suffer for six months paying for it. But such is life and we only get one shot at it so might as well ride whatever bikes we can get our hands on. I find that bikes are like skis: you need a quiver cuz you just gotta have the right bike for each type of dirt. OK, and asphalt too.

Good luck with that Orbea.

 

[BontyRider]

absolutely great advice. I tell you.....the Orbea now gets a lot of talk now since it was on the cover of a magazine. Guy at work now want to get one as their first road bike just because "it looks cool".....must be nice to have a money tree

Oh I'm definitely riding as many other bikes as I can find. I've already tested a couple, which I didn't like as much. More testing today, assuming the local pro shop du jour has good stuff in stock.

The perspective that Orbea are disposable / good for a couple of seasons is an interesting one. If / when I buy this bike, it's going to be THE bike, and it has to last a long, long time. In the past eleven years I've bought a total of three new bikes (one cuz the previous one was stolen) and one frame. Buy once, ride til failure (ok not quite failure).

 

[mtbbrian]

Live The Dream! Just Make Sure....

I say LIVE THE DREAM! And buy your "dream bike"
Even if it is a road bike...
I am having the same quandary, but am going to save the money.
If you have the money GO FOR IT! If not, save and don't beat yourself up for not having the money now.
Just my humble opinion..
Good Luck!
Brian
Ride On!

 

[AsianPersuasion]

Saved over a year to finally afford my dream bike/build. The only overpriced bikes are ones that are not ridden, or not ridden to it's potential. Yeah, I thought it was a hell of a lot of money, but before I'm cursed with a wife and a kid, I might as well enjoy MY $$$. And YES, I do ride mine to it's potential!

 

[derby]

Spoiled for fit, wieght, and looks?

Try looking at the specs for that bike you liked testing that fit you so well. Then look at the major manufactuors like Trek and Specilized, etc, for a bike with the similar weight and dimentions. You can get very close to chi-chi with the majors. Looks are the biggest difference though sometimes, and looks do matter to most of us poseurs!

Keep looking!

- ray

 

[GuruAtma]

What's so great about the Orbea? On their website they say their 5-inch travel bike can be built up to be under 30 pounds. That seems pretty average. My much-cheaper Enduro is under 30 pounds as well.

 

[wooglin]

In the interest of fairness.....

The perspective that Orbea are disposable / good for a couple of seasons is an interesting one.

Keep in mind that, as far as road bikes go, if it ain't lugged steel then its junk as far as I'm concerned.

 

[BontyRider]

Try looking at the specs for that bike you liked testing that fit you so well. Then look at the major manufactuors like Trek and Specilized, etc, for a bike with the similar weight and dimentions. You can get very close to chi-chi with the majors. Looks are the biggest difference though sometimes, and looks do matter to most of us poseurs!

Keep looking!

- ray

Today I test rode a Cervelo R2.5 Chorus, and decided that THIS is now the perfect bike. ARGH! But I also rode a Six-13 and didn't like it, so there's that. I'll be trying a Specialized soon too.

Chances are I'm going to end up not getting anything. My fixie is nice. Yes. It is nice. I. Love. It.

 

[glenzx]

Umm .... before you buy that dream bike make sure you ride all the other expensive dream bikes as well. I'm having a hard time believing an Orbea is all that you think it is. They've always come across as disposable pop can frames to me, fit for a season or two but not really a "dream" bike kind of thing.

Agreed; while it may climb & accelerate well, be VERY CAREFUL descending, as I hear they are sketchy as all get-out on fast descents.... precisely when you want precise, predictable handeling! Yikes...

 

[KRob]

Don't forget the law of diminishing returns. You can pay double (or quadruple) for the top of the line bling bling bike..... but no way is it going to be twice (much less four times) as good. Keep test riding lots of bikes until you find one that fits you well, appeals to your senses, and rides well....but is still in your budget. Good luck.