mid vs Highend Mid vs High end vs Ultra High end

[GuyKilfoil]

I honestly give props to guys that consciously made the decision not to have kids, regardless of reason, as I think there are way too many people that have kids for the wrong reasons. Filling a void, keeping your marriage going (personal favourite), keeping up with the Jones' or just doing it because, y'know, that's just what you do... none of these are reasons to have a kid.

 

My wife and I chose to have kids (two so far, 4y and 5m pigeon pair) knowing full well what it entailed. Well, at least we thought we did, but we also knew there were many unknown unknowns and that that was OK.

 

I would choose just waking up next to that chubby little smiling face once over a million über bikes in a heartbeat.

 

I feel sorry for your kids if you're pissing and moaning that giving them an education and keeping them healthy means you can't have a carbon ******* bicycle.

[GuyKilfoil]

I honestly give props to guys that consciously made the decision not to have kids, regardless of reason, as I think there are way too many people that have kids for the wrong reasons. Filling a void, keeping your marriage going (personal favourite), keeping up with the Jones' or just doing it because, y'know, that's just what you do... none of these are reasons to have a kid.

 

My wife and I chose to have kids (two so far, 4y and 5m pigeon pair) knowing full well what it entailed. Well, at least we thought we did, but we also knew there were many unknown unknowns and that that was OK.

 

I would choose just waking up next to that chubby little smiling face once over a million über bikes in a heartbeat.

 

I feel sorry for your kids if you're pissing and moaning that giving them an education and keeping them healthy means you can't have a carbon ******* bicycle.

Post of this topic!! Couldn’t agree more. I have three kids (7yr old twin boys and a 3yr old daughter) and I wouldn’t trade all the bikes in the world for the worst moments with them.

[GuyKilfoil]

 

Very much not high end, very much happy.

 

Just need to find a bearing cover so can complete the slam, just can’t find one.

Check this out Savage:

https://www.soigneur.co.uk/online-store/cannondalemgik

[MORNE]

I would choose just waking up next to that chubby little smiling face once over a million über bikes in a heartbeat.

I feel sorry for your kids if you're pissing and moaning that giving them an education and keeping them healthy means you can't have a carbon ******* bicycle.

So much of this^

[DR ◣◢]

Hey! What happened to "he who dies with the most toys, wins"

 

I can't have kids. I can however have a carbon superbike though, which is nice. 

[gummibear]

i have ridden a few bikes over the years and as an avg Joe i cant tell a major difference between the group sets.I have a hardtail with XT and dual susser with XTR and if i was blindfolded i couldn't tell the difference.

 

Where i have noticed the big difference is in the wheels and suspension.Especialy the 120-140mm range of forks.

[MORNE]

just for clarity...

 

carbon super bike 

 

vs 

 

plastic bicycle

 

 

[stefmeister]

Post of this topic!! Couldn’t agree more. I have three kids (7yr old twin boys and a 3yr old daughter) and I wouldn’t trade all the bikes in the world for the worst moments with them.

 

I don't have any kids, I'd definitely trade them for a new bike if I could.

 

I just don't like kids, and intend not to have any solely for that reason.

Edited September 4, 2020 by stefmeister

[gummibear]

But occasionally you make the wrong life choices or get a tough break and all of a sudden you go from middle middle class to lower struggling middle class and take what ever job you can find.

Thats life, you do what you can to keep going and keep giving the kids the best you can, even if that means sacrificing your own "wants".

That's very true.

[MORNE]

I don't have any kids, I'd definitely trade them for a new bike if I could.

 

I just don't like kids, and intend not to have any solely for that reason.

spoken like a late 20 something(?) year old.

 

I used to vehemently agree with your sentiment, lord knows i never even held a baby untill i was 30 haha . All i'll say is that people and priorities change. but to each his own. 

Edited September 4, 2020 by morneS555

[Dicky DQ]

If you want my opinion?: for the same brand, Trek, Specialized, Giant etc etc the difference between all their base and upper models is quite significant:

1. Groupset - Drivetrain components and Brakes can vary hugely, not just on the initial out the box feel, but the overall duration and endurance of the groupsets, even maintenance costs. There are diminishing returns beyond SRAM GX (X01, XX1 and AXS are extremely expensive to own and live with), and Shimano XT (XTR and Di2 are just not worth it) - Agreed
2. Fork and Shock Combo - easy to underestimate the difference between an entry level fork and top of the range. Rock Shox as a brand vs Fox for instance, you will ride these suspension brands yourself and easily feel the difference, Fox is definitely the gold standard, but pricey AF! - I dont know if I can feel the difference and I ha Fax factory 32 and very old Reba race. The old one is probably better to be honest.
3. Frame Material - Alloy -> Basic Carbon -> Advanced Carbon - trust me its not about the weight, its about the way it "feels". Stiffness, compliance etc there are differences which you can get used to depending on your riding style. - I am back on a Ally frame and cant say I feel the difference. In fact it is lighter than the carbon frame it replaced.
4. Wheelset - this to me is the category where there are the biggest diminishing returns. Everyone has their favorite brands and hoop material favorite, but its clear that a - DT Swiss hubs are the best to own/maintain b - carbon hoops "rotate" nicely, but they crack and need costly repair a-lot more than a decent alloy rim which could be "bent" back into working condition, either through Tru'ing or even light repair with a disc truing tool. c - inner width for running large volume tires is super important, i've even seen XC'ers running 30mm inner diameter hoops which allow for low running pressures, larger 2.4" tires etc - Some say the can feel it, Me not so much and now with proof that lighter does not mean faster .....

As you can see there are a ton of attributes that differ between base and top of the range model. How do you know which is best for you? if non of the 4 points above made any sense to you i.e. you are starting out, my recommendation is to get the cheapest alloy MTB from your favorite LBS, don't listen to the hog wash about carbon and electronic shifting unless you have learnt to disseminate from the above attributes. - Hard tail vs DS. Biggest folly here, unless you are doing gravity why do you need it? OK comfort, Yes, I just cant afford it but that one makes way much sense. I can see guys in front of me sitting and pedalling but I have to be standing the whole way. THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

[stefmeister]

spoken like a late 20 something(?) year old.

 

I used to vehemently agree with your sentiment, lord knows i never even held a baby untill i was 30 haha . All i'll say is that people and priorities change. but to each his own.

35 here. Doubt it’ll ever change, unless a big effup happens. [emoji38]

[Pure Savage]

Check this out Savage:

https://www.soigneur.co.uk/online-store/cannondalemgik

 

Seen that, once I get the stem a little lower, will see if can run that, looks rad though. should come standard like that.

[gummibear]

When people talk of High end bikes then i think of Parlee and other custom brands.Hand made bikes for the owner to his/her spec.Not a bike you walk in to a shop and buy off the floor.

 

Edited September 4, 2020 by gummibear

[MORNE]

35 here. Doubt it’ll ever change, unless a big effup happens. [emoji38]

touché then

 

but even Pickle Rick had kids haha. never say never.

Edited September 4, 2020 by morneS555

[Dicky DQ]

This is the harsh reality far more common these days than having spare cash for fancy mamil builds - you think you’ve got it all sussed out and then Corona hits or you lose a loved one or the government decides to punish you for building a business and providing jobs for 20 years.

It’s good to remember that this transition from doing ok to battling can happen so fast

 

You wouldn’t think it from my bikes but it’s busy happening to me. Some ok planning and some luck will make my landing softer but life will be different

 

My advice for life is avoid credit wherever possible and when you do need it be in an equitable position - in other words whatever you’ve financed should be worth more than what you owe

In the same boat dude. It is ***, at least the liquidators can drool over my bikes (or not)

 

Strongs during this difficult times. 

 

I have been employing between 5 and 13 staff for 13 years, now no more.

Edited September 4, 2020 by TDFN