All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

80mm lolz

 

I'm at the point of bike obsession right now I'd probably click "buy now" pretty quick if any of the bikes I wanted were actually available. This industry wide shortage is crazy.

Me: Take my money!
Bike Company: No, we will not

 

dude tell me about it.

I had the YT in the cart.... was like hmmm let me think about it.... 2 hrs later... She gone..

 

Looks like theres inventory of the higher end bikes. I've been getting this crazy idea of selling both my tallboy c r and cannondale jekyll 3 to buy a Bronson X01 or Pivot Switchblade X01. Probably is the time to do it considering the crazy demand for entry level bikes. My gf would be very upset to lose her bike though..

 

I would stinking love to buy a Izzo Launch Edition.

Extreme value compared to everyone else. Honestly, I'd buy that bike steal the components and sell the frame.
Do the math on the parts buying them separately.

 

Alright I give up what's RJ in your location?

I stick to the mid and entry level bikes. They fit my purpose and as mentioned earlier, I have no second thoughts about the bike when I decide what I'm doing, only my shins.

I come from the BMX world though, so the care for my bike is at that level, I'm used to being able to bail from pretty damn high up and the bike comes down without damaging anything (unless it's me that's damaged from it falling on me...... ).

 

I was wondering if anyone would ask lol. Rio de Janeiro. I was living there since winter and remote working in NYC. I came back last week because they were locking down.

 

OH you were the one who said you were just down in Brazil, cool.

 

This is my other thought. I'd feel pretty bad about scratching up high end components, but as I progress, i'm starting to be curious if the higher end stuff would improve my riding.

 

A bad carpenter blames their tools.

Until you are being paid the big bucks to ride, shaving off a few grams isn't going to be the difference in your enjoyment of the trails.

 

shaving off pounds on a carbon frame vs alloy I think is well worth it considering Carbon bikes can be had around the 3-4 grand range now.

 

Most components will not improve your riding ability but will definitely improve enjoyment.

I have been to a couple of bike demos and I was constantly amazed that these bike demo fleets were outfitted with all the bling so I ended up asking one of the mechs about it. He basically stated what I said above. Most companies have the philosophy that they want you to have the best experience as possible for the short duration you are on their bike so why would they spec entry level components that don't function as well.

 

Yeah totally agree. I'm looking at all the components on my bikes.. nx eagle gets the job done. shimano brakes are solid. No complaints on WTB wheels. Tranzx dropper seems pretty good. But! I've reading about the fox forks that I have. I got the 34 rythym and 36 performance. Maybe I can get more performance out of these and start tinkering with it.

 

1 - pounds vs ounces/grams, sure
2 - 3-4 grand oof. That's still a lot for some people, even myself I like to be within the 1k max margin. I fully accept the "limitations" that gives me. Still go out and have fun and still keep up (when in shape) with the carbon bikes

To each their own - it's not my money to spend, and I don't judge someone for doing it, I think it's cool to be out there and ride with people regardless if you spent 20$ or 20,000$ on your bike.

 

yeah that kinda frame price is more than my bike cost total...with upgrades...

I'll work with my heavier bike to help me get stronger, so I'll say...

 

I was saying 3-4 total bike price, not frame only. Canyon and YT are definitely front runners for carbon pricing due to direct to consumer.

 

Oh I did misread that. I thought you said carbon frames can be had for 3-4K. Oops my bad

 

I was just reminiscing of the good ol' days (2019) when I was able to buy a new cannondale jekyll 3 carbon with upgraded zee brakes, set up for tubeless, OTD for $3000. RIP 2019

 

Yep, I completely agree! I spent plenty of time on cheap used bikes early on in my mountain bike career. Slowly upgraded over time. Once you bike with a certain level of components it's really hard to go backwards. It's not that they make you measurably faster, but they do increase my enjoyment. I want shit to work at a high level so I can just focus on riding. I'm also a self-admitted gear whore.

I do miss the days when a 2 year old $5k bike would sell used for like $2-2.5k. Now I'm looking at all these lightly used bikes listed for $500 less than new. But when you can't buy a new bike it kind of jacks up the used market.

 

Upgraded hubs and brakes are absolutely worth the extra expense. Both from a performance improvement and enjoyment perspective.