No doubt, I thought the same as you did as I mentioned, until recent. Perhaps its a little senility setting in or that last crash that split my helmet 5 ways last fall, but my mindset has changed with time and that may even be a good thing. I would like to think my experience has led me to better, perhaps its not, but it is what it is. I simply hope your open to this concept of the quality of our ride, the quality of our passion and that its a worthy pursuit for each of us. Your right, I have seen a good many riders that dish it out (money) and it doesn’t buy speed, its not length but they do seem to have something, appreciation for something we all have dearly in common, the ride. And if your open to this which I think you are, perhaps some years from now, like i did, I hope you think of that when your successful. When you throw down money for others think your crazy for, or lace up thoughtfully your perfect hoops or when you don a sick jersey/bib kit. In the meantime, its all about heart and showing everyone around ours is made of and striking a balance in all of this.

I’m pretty sure that no one here on this blog, of all places measured their dedication to the sport by the cash they spend. Far from it

By my 10 grand bike is still a fraction of what people earning a tenth of my salary spend on their car… and for trips they could easily do by walking, riding or public transport.

Motorbikes, cars, Paragliding, boating, skiing with chalets in the alps or rockies….all far far more expensive than cycling. And also pretty popular.

Many of the greatest riders I’ve raced with rode on cheap kit. Many rode on really, really expensive kit. But whats great with cycling compared to many other technically involved sports, is that compared just to the average alcohol/drink/drugs/car/clothes etc expenses of even a normal middle inncome person, you can ride a f-ing awesome road bike for less a month.

Pay your money and take your choice.

For my money the decent (and even the very expensive) cycling kit gives you a HUGE return on the investment in your life, that no car, or bigger apartment, or better bottle of booze will deliver.

And sad though it may seem, I’ve rarely met a cyclist who did’nt ride that bit further, faster and with more of the spirit you suggest, when they have a bit of new kit… from new socks and bar tape to new Edge-rimmed carbon wheel sets : O )

I commute a few days per week – though slack off big time December through February – then crank it up again. Overall, I ride more miles then drive, which makes it easy to justify some nice bikes. But do I commute to save money? Not really – I’d do so even it was more expensive then driving. I do so to squeeze riding time in, which is tight being Family Guy. The money savings is just an added bonus.

Being Family Guy and the one paycheck household – money is also tight – so I do purchase some items online to save dough. Not to be cheap, but to make it happen at all. I’m currently building up a mountain bike for my 10 year old son and everything has been purchased online so far. Without some of the incredible savings found online, this project would be toast – or he’d be riding/racing a 30 pound tank.

As an ex-bike shop guy myself (many years ago), I feel bad about this in a way. I’d hate to see the local bikes shops close, but I can’t afford what I’m looking to do at retail prices.

Back in my dual income, no kids days – I purchased items from shops I dug on principle alone – didn’t care if it was a bit more dough. At this stage in my life, I can’t justify that on bike stuff – well, higher end bike stuff anyway. In a few years, when we again have two incomes, I’ll head down to the local shop and try to make up for it. Over the past 25+ years I’ve also contributed a fair amount of coin to local bike shops with business as well.

Even so, I also realize we’re in a changing world – where things are manufactured and how they’re sold – not the same as 20, or even 10 years ago. Some of this change is cool, some of it is not. I think businesses, including the local bike shop will adapt. There will always be a need for the local shop, no matter how much stuff is sold online. I think some shops can adapt by selling locally and online. By the number of “real” bike shops selling on eBay, that’s already occurring.

Interesting stuff for sure, and we’ll see what the future will bring to the bike industry. It will always remain in some shape or form.

@dacrizzow: thanks for the comments, I agree wholeheartedly.

1) $$COST-as a non car owner for many years, I’m quite happy that my state of the art bike is still a third of the cost of the BMWs many a colleague drives. : )

2) FAMILY COST – as fairly new dad, I do find it essentially impossible to hold down a professional career and ride more than a couple of hours a week without being a truly negligent parent! (unless you really outsource all the household chores and child-care!) The bike will have to hold off a bit until the kids are older : o )