What Would You Do With $5500 USD?

[eastcoaststeve]

Posted this over on the "other" site, but thought you lot might enjoy it too.






I was flipping through a copy of Mountain Bike Action the other day and started thinking about the possibility of adding a modern bike to my line up....

then I did the math...



one of these would set me back about $5500 US:

Which got me to thinking about how much I have tied up in my current "ridable" stable...
turns out I have almost exactly $5500 US spread out over this lot:

The modern bike might be faster from point A to point B, but I'm pretty sure it would be "bored" with my current performance level



Think I'll stick with the old stuff for a while longer.




Steve

 

[andrewl]

I can’t see the photos due to the fun police at work so I’m no sure what type of bike you’re looking at for your 5.5k$ but I don’t thing it matters much.

Bikes for most of us are a luxury item and so some of us will spend that money on a new machine other will buy 17 old machines (or any combination in between).

Me I like bikes which are a bit special (I’m keeping that ill defined as special is particular to me and my taste in bikes) and so I can easily justify spending silly money on a bike that I like (new or old). Some people will say a new bike is boring, but I disagree they just have a different personality (one which I find pushes me to go harder and faster).

New bikes are also reliable and have warranties, which sometimes is a nice thing. 20 years when I used to go riding with my mates more often than not there would be broken rims, forks and frames. These days we just return with a smile.

So really for me new vs old is just a horses for courses argument and new and old compliment each other quite well in my world.

 

[T'boo Ted]

maybe as nice a xizang as i can get with lots of nice bits on it... or a new dean colonel with some new bits... or something...

 

[DM]

If I had $5,500USD ?

I'd buy all those nice Fats, Kleins, Bontys & Spookys that you kindly showed us... as it seems that was your asking price... or did I mis-read your post?

Yeah, $5.5K is a bit rich for one Spesh made of techno-space-plastic. The Chinese obviously have a great sense of humor!

 

[ridevintagemtb]

I think he's asking... if given the choice, would you chose one solid modern bike or would you chose a fleet of vintage MTBs for the same price?

Modern.

 

[taffy]

I think for $5.5 k you've undervalued your retro fleet a tad.

If i cashed in my 7 i'd be able to afford a mid high end modern.
of course if something broke i'd have to save up a month to replace the part and there would be no half hour standing in the garage agonizing over which one to ride (though if I'm honest thats actually a nice thing)

A modern will be more practical, faster and max the envelope etc.

if it were me and somopne put a big wodge of £20 notes (of the $5.5k value) in my mitts i'd be incisive for about 30 seconds before buying retro (this assumes the other half is no where me or the money or it'd go on a new kitchen )

 

[danson67]

(this assumes the other half is no where me or the money or it'd go on a new kitchen

Could we mock up a cool retro kitchen forum....then she might understand our mancave urges?

All the best,

 

[utahdog2003]

I think for $5.5 k you've undervalued your retro fleet...

I have to agree. True value of your bikes is way more than the 5.5 quoted. And you can also get a much better deal on a modern bike than full retail. Apples to oranges and all that.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

I've asked myself this hypothetical every now and then. I usually come down to having both. I'd sell a couple of the old bikes, and with the $2800, wait till that spesh or a modern rig, like it, comes on the bay for half what they cost new, and click the BIN.

But if I had to pick one or the other, I'm not winning any races anytime soon.
Vintage stable.

 

[mikee]

nice collection there steve
i know where my money would go (or has already went)