Would you buy a super bike?
Poll: Would you buy a super bike?
Total Members Polled: 133
Discussion
So for the purpose of this poll, don’t include yourself if you are the in a position where N+1 means your 6th bike, which will go on the back of your Porsche for alpine cycling holidays.
This question is aimed at those whose it would be their only road bike.
For most of us, we could never afford an exotic super car, but a lot of us could afford a super bike, so it becomes a matter of justifying spending 5, 7, 10k (wherever “super” starts, I’m not really sure) on a bike, when that might be the same (or more) of the value of our car.
Since seeing the GCN review of it, I go wobbly kneed every time I think about the Wilier Filante SLR, but I wouldn’t want to ride a 9k bike for fear of falling off or otherwise damaging it!
So would you?
This question is aimed at those whose it would be their only road bike.
For most of us, we could never afford an exotic super car, but a lot of us could afford a super bike, so it becomes a matter of justifying spending 5, 7, 10k (wherever “super” starts, I’m not really sure) on a bike, when that might be the same (or more) of the value of our car.
Since seeing the GCN review of it, I go wobbly kneed every time I think about the Wilier Filante SLR, but I wouldn’t want to ride a 9k bike for fear of falling off or otherwise damaging it!
So would you?
Edited by jimmy156 on Sunday 17th January 20:20
Edited by jimmy156 on Sunday 17th January 20:20
I'm still umming and ahhing over whether I can justify spending £500 on a secondhand road bike to replace my now 11 year old crosscountry steed, so the idea of spending £5k or more would terrify me.
I'd be worried about it being stolen, crashing it, or just not being quick enough to do it justice.
I'd be worried about it being stolen, crashing it, or just not being quick enough to do it justice.
Spending money on bikes is one of the few hobbies I've kept up through Coronavirus.... It's not THAT ruinous Vs say cars, fancy houses, or a drug habit.
I've tended to buy "decent" and then slowly upgrade, but prospect of getting something perfect is pretty attractive.
Am with the comments that marginal speed isn't the only important thing , but also it would suck to be the guy on an S-works getting overtaken by everybody.
I've tended to buy "decent" and then slowly upgrade, but prospect of getting something perfect is pretty attractive.
Am with the comments that marginal speed isn't the only important thing , but also it would suck to be the guy on an S-works getting overtaken by everybody.
Why limit the thread to just roadbikes? Plenty of super mtbs in the your bike thread.
Back on topic.. I have a 'super' road bike of sorts. It should have been 10k new as a bike. I needed a new frame at the time and westbrook got hold of a load of NOS Scott bikes and I picked up the frame and fork for less than 200 quid. To which I then bolted tatty old campy bottom end components... Much to the annoyance of a couple of roady mates. Like bolting steel wheels to a ferrari was one analogy drawn.
I have to say, subjectively, it really isn't that much better than the brand x it replaced - certainly not enough to warrant the RRP price difference.
So for me no for a road bike, yes for mtb.
Back on topic.. I have a 'super' road bike of sorts. It should have been 10k new as a bike. I needed a new frame at the time and westbrook got hold of a load of NOS Scott bikes and I picked up the frame and fork for less than 200 quid. To which I then bolted tatty old campy bottom end components... Much to the annoyance of a couple of roady mates. Like bolting steel wheels to a ferrari was one analogy drawn.
I have to say, subjectively, it really isn't that much better than the brand x it replaced - certainly not enough to warrant the RRP price difference.
So for me no for a road bike, yes for mtb.
take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
Why limit the thread to just roadbikes? Plenty of super mtbs in the your bike thread.
Back on topic.. I have a 'super' road bike of sorts.
Wouldn't exclude MTB, but would frame only! I'd almost certainly go for "top" drivetrain/wheels with a middling frame if made to choose...Back on topic.. I have a 'super' road bike of sorts.
10k is a standard sort of toy benchmark isn't it? It could be a track prepared MX-5, or a motorbike, a decent shotgun or rifle/scope combo, even a cheap microlight or sailing boat. You could probably spend that on a set of golf clubs. The problem comes when there are already lots of other similar expensive toys in the inventory. If cycling was 'your thing' then I don't see any issue with it. If cycling is just one of many 'things' which fill your time it becomes harder to justify.
For me I wouldn't because:
a) I only ride once or twice a week,
b) I'm not fit or fast enough to appreciate the difference (let's face it, if you are going to draw that much attention to yourself then you better have the ability to back it up),
c) cycling is just one of many things which take up my time and money, a couple of 2-3k bikes is fine, 10k may be noticed by the purchasing department and have a detrimental effect on other spends.
d) while the bike in the OP is undoubtedly lovely to look at, I have no emotional attachment to it. It is just another expensive bike to me, I'm not a bike spotter so couldn't tell you anything about it. It's certainly not something I would lie awake thinking about.
Buuuuut, if it does it for you, and it is your one bike, and you do lie awake thinking about it, then buy it, and enjoy every moment of it!
Just don't drop it, and make sure it is insured!
For me I wouldn't because:
a) I only ride once or twice a week,
b) I'm not fit or fast enough to appreciate the difference (let's face it, if you are going to draw that much attention to yourself then you better have the ability to back it up),
c) cycling is just one of many things which take up my time and money, a couple of 2-3k bikes is fine, 10k may be noticed by the purchasing department and have a detrimental effect on other spends.
d) while the bike in the OP is undoubtedly lovely to look at, I have no emotional attachment to it. It is just another expensive bike to me, I'm not a bike spotter so couldn't tell you anything about it. It's certainly not something I would lie awake thinking about.
Buuuuut, if it does it for you, and it is your one bike, and you do lie awake thinking about it, then buy it, and enjoy every moment of it!
Just don't drop it, and make sure it is insured!
Dnlm said:
Wouldn't exclude MTB, but would frame only! I'd almost certainly go for "top" drivetrain/wheels with a middling frame if made to choose...
I went frame-only and then the other way - top frame, decent fork and respectable kit. I'd probably not notice too much difference going from, say, XT to XTR, but wanted the frame as the starting point. As bits wear out they'll get replaced, ahem, appropriately...Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff