There's a new bike boom happening

A good quality bike can cost as much as an OK used car, granted much less operation and maintenance cost.

 

That may almost be true, but any evidence to show that all these additional bikes people are buying are the high end ones?

I know at least part of this might be explained by professional Millennials moving back into the big cities. But that's only a small part of this overall trend, I would guess.

 

Well, somewhere between high end and WalMart bikes, a person who rides often (especially commutting) will probably spend anywhere from 300 to 800 on a new bike. Much less is junk, much more is overkill.

 

Ironicly, I grew up 20 miles away but moved away when I was 16, long before I started seriously riding. What I missed as a boy. I would say for this level of riding, about a 1,300$ bike is about right. Those guys bikes are around 2 K and up

If you can master these trails (or similar) on a relatively cheaper, full rigid bike, my hat's off to you.

 

I did my first single track on my Giant. That's the reason I bought the Cannondale.

 

Not almost true, demonstrably true. Here is a 2019 Intense Tracer Factory Build.

$8,399.00

https://intensecycles.com/collections/tracer/products/tracer-factory-build-1

Millennials are not likely to spend that much on a bike. Older, more financially secure folks do.

 

Thanks for a very well made and entertaining video.

I used to race bicycles and frequently rode over 200 miles a day but, unfortunately am no longer able to ride due to two 20+ year old hip replacements, chronic & inoperable back trouble and pending knee surgery.

I couldn't help but notice that the angle of your knee indicated that your saddle was lower than I ever adjusted mine or maybe your bike's frame size is too small.
Do you ever have discomfort in your knees after a longer ride?

 

Dang, that's a lot to have to deal with. What flavor did you ride? Strictly road bike, or a hybrid? 200 miles a day is quite a distance.

I keep the saddle low on the Dog Walker in case something unforeseen happens, like riding clean smooth into a chain draped across one of the roadways on the school property. It was about 5am and I just flat didn't see it, lol. I've been walking my dogs like this for 20+ years, and this Rhodesian is 100% on her recall, but ya never know what might yank you sideways.

On my XC rig the saddle is much higher.

 

the problem with bikes is so many steal them

 

Not if you value it. You consider your situation, where and how long is the bike left?

When I go to WalMart per say, I park on that concrete island where the hedges are, as close as possible, to the front door. Locked to whatever sign is expedient.

Most at risk my bikes get.

 

Hey, same here!

Hate 'em

 

That's true. We didn't go over $1k til we passed 40.

 

So riding a bike on a busy highway is worse than killing and eating people.

Okay, I guess we have your number.

 

Anyhow, 5 pages. The lack of division, was bound to end. Anyone else ever rode a tall bike? The seat was near 6 ft off the ground. Logged many miles on one. Used to ride thru our historic downtown, antiques district, popping a bullwhip, I also made. Sounded like a .38 between those old 3 stories. Snowbirds looked on in befuddelment, locals knew what was up. Aint rode it in a few years.

 

I was about 20 but I have ridden, exclusively my entire lifetime. I'm close to double that, now.

 

Are you talking miles or dollars?

 

I keep ours inside the house and I do not ride to the store. There's little chance to steal if you are vigilant.

 

You are the only one trying to not get along. Stop it.

 

I had a bullwhip I bought at Trader's Village up in Arlington Texas. I'd pop it in the Dallas area and it was pretty loud but when I took it to the Houston area, the humidity made that thing super loud. I got pretty accurate popping pears off my Mom's pear tree, but I can only pop it one way. :/

 

What was your first $1K bike? Mine was a Kona Stinky.

 

No. I detest stupid comments; esp when we see a consistent disregard for facts and decency.

 

Thanks,

I've primarily had road bikes especially when I lived in Europe where a bike was my primary means of transportation other than hitch hiking and public transportation.
In Europe, I had a mid-range Motobecane road bike. The last place I lived in Europe was the Black Forest (Freiburg i. Br.) which was close to both the Alps and Alsace-Lorraine which is known for its delicious wine.
Riding through the Alps was a real grind going uphill but also a real blast passing cars and tour busses during the descent.

I did most of my racing in the US (criterion and road racing) when I had another Motobecane and an infamous Schwinn Varsity to which I added bricks on the luggage rack and wore ankle weights for training on rainy days.
My last and most recent bike is a simple Trek road bike that currently hangs in the barn. It has far too much sentimental value to sell or give away.
Maybe I'll dust it off & take if for a short spin after pending knee surgery.
Good luck & be careful.

 

$

 

Need to make me a new 7fter for my saddle bag. I have kept bulldogs off my ass, twice. Did not hit em just popped it right in their face without ever stopping.

 

Consider a recumbent, easy on the joints. If you lived nearby I could build one to order for about a third of retail.