Comments on: #bikeschool: Bike Prices

By: Aaronthestrong

Aaronthestrong — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:31:00 +0000

Thanks for reading and commenting Heather! I have really enjoyed getting to know you as well. I can only hope that my daughter has someone like you to look up to as she grows up cyclist or not. I especially appreciate the viewpoint you bring to this conversation as a racer!

By: Heather Nielson

Heather Nielson — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:17:00 +0000

First of all, I feel incredibly honored that you’d even mention my name and secondly, very well thought out and written! I have loved getting to know you and watching you ‘pedal’ through your journey as you experience the bike. I agree that in starting out in a sport, there needs to be a price point for those just trying it out. I also believe that some bicycles really are worth the price tag. There is an incredible amount of R&D that goes into producing the top end bikes that most cyclists dont’ even know about and I have been privy to as a bike racer. The cost is justified in a lot of cases for the bike, but is not necessary for every consumer. Not every cyclists needs that kind of bike. I also think, for the same reasons, that bicycles are works of art. Thanks for your story and I can’t wait to see you be professor again my friend!

By: Aaronthestrong

Aaronthestrong — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Thanks for the comment and for reading Rik! I appreciate the advice and ideas.

By: Aaronthestrong

Aaronthestrong — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:28:00 +0000

Totally valid in everything you say there my friend. I will say that I went in to a little more detail in my first post on the site about my bike purchasing fiasco that might clarify the reasons I couldn’t (or at least had little luck) going used. You are right though, that I left that part out…that was an additional piece of advice I was offered.

I think it’s like Ian said in yesterday’s post, I just have a fear of not being able to provide enough for my daughter. When really…providing her a bike, or fun things to do, should be the LEAST of my worries. She has a roof over her head, plenty of food, and a dad that loves her more than anything else in the world (including my bike). Maybe I will get lucky and she will get really into gardening!

By: PedalmanTO

PedalmanTO — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:23:00 +0000

Great post Aaron. Find your boundaries and stay within them. Listen to the feeling you have when you ride each and every bike. Keep the Rubber Side Down brother.

By: Aaronthestrong

Aaronthestrong — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Thanks for the comment Tim.I guess your first question there sums up the point I was driving at. Is electronic shifting and carbon everything really necesarry at all? The whole point was kind of more an observation on the industry and consumerism as a whole. The bottom line is, Lance Armstrong would be Lance Armstrong on my chromolly bike just as much as he would on a carbon fiber bike. My concern is that, that isn’t the message any bike companies are sending.

By: Aaronthestrong

Aaronthestrong — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Thanks for reading Joel! I hope it pans out!

By: Rikaguilera

Rikaguilera — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:43:00 +0000

You make some good points. Yes, bikes can be very expensive. There is a reason for the cost though, and of course sometimes the cost is just over inflated. I often will be reached out to for advice on purchasing a “real” bike by friends, and to give an umbrella answer just does not suit every situation. One thing I do advise is to frequent bike shops. Ask questions, research and decide what kind of rider you will really be. No sense in breaking the bank on the lightest, craziest road race bike if you are going to be using it as a commuter (for example). Another thing i suggest is to look toward used. No matter how expensive some bikes can be, they don’t hold their value, so you can usually find a great deal at about half its orig price, without much searching. Now for me, I have found amazing deals in the form of bikes I have to build. Buy a frame here, brakes there, shifters,… you get the idea. I know that is not for everybody, as not everybody can or wants to take on a bike build, but what a way to get what you want (and truly make it yours) than to play Dr. Frankenstein and create it. And learning how to work on your bike, in the process, is truly rewarding.
Im glad that you did purchase a bike, and do feel the real sensation of riding that a bike is supposed to give. I would also advise looking toward the cycling community in your area for higher end used bikes to move onto later. Learn how to work (build) a bike, and create your own.
Your question has me thinking of a challenge now. I think Im going to try and build a “price busting” High end machine. I will try and keep the cost as low as possible, and see if I can create something awesome. I did recently build a full on XC race bike for 800.00 (or so), a SS XC race bike in the 450.00 range,.. think I will try a road race bike this time. With budget in mind of course. Ive built some others that were not very “budget” minded..
Good question. Thanks for putting it out there, and I hope you are not discouraged by prices of some rigs.
Keep riding brother,

Rik Aguilera

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:04:00 +0000

Hrm, you had me… you had me… then bang!!!

Great post, but unfortunately I think you were given too little info before your first purchase. No Big Box – yes, Right fit also yes, someone in your vicinity is an experienced cyclist with an old bike for sale that will be within your price range and get you started – missing. Hit Kijiji, Graigslist, ebay, etc and find that “starter” rig. You had a starter house right?? All this is good. I kinda fell away at the provide everything for your child. Sounds horrible I know. I do attempt to provide everything feasible for my kids also. I kind of have a try it, love it buy it philosophy with them tho. Even with sports I love eg.. Hockey/Snowboarding/Cycling I start them out with reasonable (not necessarily entry level) equipment and see how they like it. I know as a sports addict I always wanted top-notch for every sport but also understood it was not attainable (kinda sorta understood…. “But Dad”). There will be an interest embedded in your child’s head at some age, My son at 6 months pointed at a football in Walmart and went nuts. After that he freaked every time we switched the channel by a Football game (I don’t really watch Football). He then 3 years later was asked while watching me play tournament Hockey if he wanted to play Hockey. His response, “Daddy plays Hockey, I play Football”. Canada and friends have somewhat altered this since then but He still looks more comfortable with a football than he does on skates.My daughter fell into her sport of current sport of choice by accident. She was doing Dance but found it boring but was awesome. She was playing soccer and found it a little overwhelming but was strong. She wanted to try Gymnastics but had a minor fear of heights. End of soccer season one year the Mom’s were talking and one Mom said her daughter was trying out for the local Cheerleading team. My wife and Daughter went nuts! She tried out and was hooked. 5 years later she is still loving it and wow, lifting friends in the air every week makes for strong shoulders and back.My point, let them find their way and then spend on that sport… Some sports will come close to second mortgages, the average person can’t cover 3 of which. Hope your little one finds the perfect sport for him/her and loves it through the ups and downs!Sorry to write a whole entry as a response… All I am missing is photo’s

By: Joel Phillips

Joel Phillips — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:06:00 +0000

Fantastic idea Aaron…