I’ve got the itch to buy a new bike but I think it may be a bit silly. I’m on a 2021 Trek Domane right now. Prior to that I had a 2004 or thereabouts LeMond Buenos Aires. I’d say I’ve only been cycling semi-seriously since I purchased the Domane in the middle of 2021 – I didn’t end up riding my LeMond much except to commute to and from work for a little while.
I don’t race and have no plans to but for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, I am thinking about getting an Emonda for the “racier” feel, so I can go faster and so I can climb quicker. This all feels a little silly since the main reason I’m cycling in the first place is just general health and fitness. And feels a bit like a frivolous way to spend $6-$7k.
Life is short, if you can afford it, then why not. People buy all sorts of things for all sorts of reasons, there are way worse things you could spend your money on (imo)
I guess I don’t get why this would be insane? You’ve got people all over the place spending $200k on a 911, I don’t think $6k is insane whatsoever for such a useful thing.
Just needed to read the title of the post to know the answer…and it’s no. No, you’re not crazy for wanting to buy a new bike.
That being said, there are definitely CHEAPER ways to climb faster, but you can NEVER underestimate the motivation a new bike gives you to ride. I say go for it if you can afford it.
If the itch is too strong to resist, get the new bike.
And enjoy riding it.
Here in the UK, where a pack of 20 is £15.70, I sometimes tell people that I could have smoked a whole pack of Marlboro cigarettes every day for a year with the money I spent on a bike.
I find fun in watching the cogs turning in their mind as they think about that.
I think my previous gravel bike was a 2021 Fuji Jari 1.1, a capable beast and I don’t race gravel either and have no plans too (I’d rather smash it when I feel its safe and back off 90% when I dont, if I raced I’d have to be more consistent) and but saw a good deal on a titanium gravel bike from a local bike shop (a Paradigm Verso) so I gave into the urge.
The Domane is an SL 7 so it has great components and I’m quite comfortable on it for long distances. I had a run of flats so went with some tires that are more puncture resistant. I like your ideas if I end up not buying the new one.
One way of thinking about this (and consumers in general don’t do this enough) is to look at opportunity cost. If you buy the Emonda, what will you have to forgo?
Is that a nice vacation with your partner? Maximizing the retirement savings so you might be able to retire earlier?
Only you can answer that question of course, but I’ve found it to be a helpful exercise whenever I have a New Bike Itch.
(I’ve got two main bikes, one is 15 years old, the other is 12 years old)
You got it the other way around… you’re crazy for NOT buying a new bike! As others have stated… its N+1 !! In today’s world after the pandemic, its best to look out for you first. And if that means a new bike to make you mentally and physically happy, do it!
I broke my old CX frame and bought a new bike a year ago. Used it as an excuse to finally splurge and get a fancy one now that I’ve come into some money. Spent $6k on frame, modifications, and wheelset. The bike is super sweet, but if I could go back in time, I would spend just about 2k and call it a day. Regret isn’t the right word, but I don’t enjoy cycling anymore sitting on this beauty than I did on my aluminum frame bike with the $300 Chinese carbon wheelset I bought off Amazon.com
I’m kinda partial to the 2021 domane. Rides great despite being a bit portly. Throw on some high end wheels and fast tubeless tires and you’ve got speed comfort and reliability for $2k.
Or…it’s hard to go wrong with a new bike so you’re kinda good either way.
