What say you? I’ll be interested to read these thoughts.
100% logical unless the paint scheme is horrendous.
Nearly 100% of all decisions are emotional if you’re making it for yourself. Most people just convince themselves that they’re using logic.
wow, already two very different perspectives. Keep it going.
If it had been pure emotion, I might have bought a Kestrel Airfoil pro or Isaac Joule. Both had too small of a headtube for me, even in a big frame…so I bought a Litespeed Saber…which is a dang nice fallback! “Love” it…**and **it is the right bike for me.
Mark
Logic prevailed until it came to material and paint scheme.
Fit and overall comfort was a logical process of elimination.
Then to go with carbon-Dura-ace-EC-90-h3’s and the decal scheme was emotional.
Oh boy, I would say it always starts with emotion. Like the first time I saw an Issac Joule, I knew I would have one someday. Or you can put a ball brushed finish on any Cannondale and it becomes an instant looker.
Dave in VA
Think its 50% but isn’t necessarily spontaneous or easily influenced.
20% logical… I need a new bike because…
80% emotional… I need THIS bike
some emotion involved but only after logic. all things being equal, go for what feels good.
but what’s the difference really. buying a bike because I like the way it looks or because it’s cool or whatever wouldn’t make me feel good if it was overpriced or underspec’d.
my dual has crappy brakes, everything else is fine the way it is. and I didn’t buy the bike for it’s brakes. I bought it to go fast.
which it does. and the frame is gorgeous.
so , the answer is both. can’t separate them.
First “real” bike purchase is 70% emotional, after that 50%.
I think there is a large difference in the first and second time bike purchase.
Thats my story and I am sticking to it!
Peace,
RF
PS ever notice how these 5 second polls never take 5 secs 
sales is the transference of emotion.
need = emotional, actaul purchase = logical, it usually takes several months to actually buy a bike, but only 1 minute to decide I need to buy one…
Tom,
There was no logical reason I needed that Cervelo Soloist you helped advise me on yesterday. I’m just a sucker for a good review.
My emotions were all over my interest in that bike. Then you said, in your reply to me, that those bikes are really hard to come by. Well, I actually DID find one in stock. The only logical part of the deal was when I concluded that, since they’re so hard to come by, I better buy this one NOW! Of course, that hardly passes for logic.
Bob C.
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emotion/impulse = i need a new bike to replace the $2000 +/- tri bike I already have
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logic = several weeks/months of research re: the latest tri bike technological innovations available and the merits thereof
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logic = test rides → this bike handles better, is stiffer, is a smoother ride versus
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emotion = choosing a bike after several test rides where their is no clear logical winner (including cost, if money is a constraint) → which one is sexiest?!
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emotion = buyer’s guilt for several minutes/hours after choosing the more expensive of the two equally performing bikes just because it was sexier
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emotion = the joy of going out and riding that new bike for the first couple of months - PRICELESS!!
pure emotion!!
It depends on what you use to think. Emotion istarts first, it’s what first makes you think that you need a new bike. There is nothing wrong with your current ride but you see the shiny new models and the “new bike bug” bites you hard in the butt. If you think with your gut then it’s the visual cues and gadgets that get your attention (ohh carbon fiber spacers, this bike will get me chicks!). If you think with your head you will research each model, ride them all and pick the one that fits the best and is the best value. There is nothing wrong with either of these approaches as long as you are truly happy with the purchase. Sometimes you need the impractical, shiny red sports car.
Some very good insights here. Some different that what I imagined, which is why I asked. Thank you very much.
First two bikes: emotion-Falcon, I liked the paint, then the Specialized Epic Carbon in 1992 carbon was still unique. Third, Dual, had the money to buy a P2 or equivlent but the Dual package couldn’t be beat for the price.
I just bought a bike and while I am not sure about your approach, I will admit that my purchase was made mostly on emotion and how it looked under the shiny lights.
That, and a brief test ride with different handlebars than it would come with for me.
Your comments are right on. The only thing I really got useful out of the test ride was deciding to go with Ultegra over 105. I did notice quite a difference.
I don’t know how your system accounts for people that need to feel that difference to make a decision, but it sounds very interesting.
And you are still in business. But that would seem to be more of a function of your knowledge than your system.