Why buy the expensive gear if you don't use it for it's main purpose

TriRSquared - 2012-07-03 10:15 AM

I actually laughted out loud....thanks.

What's better, a normal bike weighed down and further de-aeroed by all that stuff, or a good, high-end aero TT bike weighed down by that stuff?  If you have to bring the stuff with you either way, the gain you get via bike is the same, right?

Also - there's a psychological term for this I think which escapes me at the moment...but if you drop $10k on a bike you're going to use the heck out of it, and you're going to need to justify that investment by getting damn good at cycling.

ps - i have none of the equipment you speak of...just trying to offer my version of an answer.

I bought the most ridiculous bike I could find for my 60th birthday.  That was the point.  That is what I wanted.  I could easily afford it.  I may not be able to keep up with skinny, young bike racers on the road.  Heck, I can't keep up with the fat guys on mountain bikes on the road.  But I can outspend almost anybody in the bike shop.  And I really like nice bikes.  I appreciate the engineering, efficiency, and singleness of purpose of a TdF bike.  So, I bought one of my own.

TW

A post that would have made Ayn Rand smile.

Bravo!

It's because TT bike and carbon wheels with deep wells are cool!  If I had the expendable income I'd have one of those expensive bikes too!  It's how YOU feel that matters the most.  I try not to judge, it's not my job.  I believe in people doing what makes them feel happy.

What we can do is offer sound advice, when asked.

Some people might believe that the TT bike will make a big difference in their time while not investing in the training.  Sure they might see improvements just due to aero/body position etc.

The bottom line is you can only buy some much, the real speed comes from engine work.  Not everyone races to be on the podium, they enjoy MOP/BOP finishes but they like to do it in STYLE!

To each their own.

I'd love to own one of those Felt DA series TT bikes but I have two kids to put through college.

I see, you are purposely going slow so everyone can check out your cool gear!

Reminds me of that ole SnL skit with Billy Crystal.."it is better to look good than feel good!"

Perhaps one of the greatest BT posts of all time.

And when I pass these cool bikes I'm thinking "cool, I can check this bike out in transition while he's still finishing the run"

I like this answer the most!!  Why not if you can afford it.

I am forced into keeping a hybrid bike due to monetary issues!!  Its in the garage far too much.  I know I would enjoy a proper road bike so much more.

I have a sensible motorcycle and bicycle.  Both bought with my head and not my heart, to keep my commuting costs to a bare minimum.  I dont enjoy either!!

Sensible is boring afterall, it's a hobby for most people. 

I used to ride sportsbikes, people would spend a fortune to shave a few grams off a part, talking about it whilst eating a fry up!!  Doesnt make sense to anyone else but them............ its brilliant!!

And then you can look at my shoes when I come in and go, "damn, he's got cool shoes too!" 

I'm fairly new to triathlon. I bought a Cervelo P2 as my first "real" bike. I don't ride in aero much because I've only been riding for a few months and my handling sucks.

I bought such a nice bike purely because the Share the Ride deal brought the cost down to what I was planning on spending on a road bike. Seems like a no brainer bargain to me. I love my bike and I love riding it, and yeah, I'll probably look stupid riding upright this season, but I'll get better at handling eventually and then I'll be happy to have my pretty, pretty bike.