Hey guys and girls; I have been trying to figure out when the "right" time is to change bikes. How and why do you choose to trade in your current (faithful) machine that still rides like new but is 3-something years old, for a new showpony just to keep up with the times? What is your current machine - and does your current setup cost (roughly) and do you regret spending that much/little money on your bike? What level are you riding at (skills wise, and competitively) - and did this influence your buying decision and justification to yourself and your family? How often do you change bikes and how much do your ride? Do you buy new exclusively or do you check out secondhand bikes and parts and mix-match to build your bike? My question is based on: If your bike is not holding you back - my current rig is a full carbon Trance Advanced 26'er, full XTR M980 with Tricon Wheels, Fox Doss Dropper and all in weighs around 12.5kg's. Sure I'll get rolling eyes whenever I do a big race and everyone is on their 29'ers, but that does not bother me; as I have no 26er insecurities (not dissing other wheelsizes - I just don't feel everyone needs to be on 27.5 or 29), I climb as fast as loads of guys on 29er carbon hardtails, and I can hold my own on singletrack, jumps, drops and fast decents. I'm also not blind to its faults - as I do spin out on top speed when other guys still have speed left, and over rocks, roots and ruts I do get shaken and not stirred - more-so than guys with bigger wheels. Also, I'm a trail rider, not a racer. I like to ride my bike hard, but rather than going flat out, I like to find the lines with jumps or wall rides, manual sections, and flowy singletrack. The reality is - my bike is a top end machine albeit from a couple years back, and for comparative builds in new bikes you are looking at serious money. What's responsible spending in buying a new rig - money wise? It feels like any decent quality bike is in excess of R50k - that is a lot of money by any standards, and if you commit to buying a machine of that value - are you happy to do it? Finance the machine or save and buy cash? Insurance is a given - but do you pay it with a smile or with hate in your eyes? What is your personal buying ceiling when it comes to bikes and how did you come up with it? Do you have other hobbies, and what are they - what kind of money do they require, and also how much of your time? I started thinking about this after chatting to an old school friend that just bought a new Spez Carbon with all the bells and whistles and he only started riding in August last year - this already being his second bike now. I know a lot of response will be along the lines of :'just don't tell your wife', or 'just do it', 'life is short - buy nice toys' and 26'ers are so yesterday, 29ers just make the world better' so try to spare me those, but do please lend me some insight in your thinking. chers nox
