Recently I have been contemplating building up a new bike. I have and 2007 transition which is still a great bike, but it leaves something to be desired. I have been scanning though countless bike sites checking out frame sizing and weights. The thing that concerns me is that for many of the new models are getting pretty expensive. There is nothing wrong with buying a new super bike, but how do some afford it. I don’t have 10k sitting around, I don’t know of many who do. My question is this, how do many athletes afford these new super bikes. Financing? Credit Cards? or do they just knock-off a couple dozen liquor stores?
best bike I can think of is only $6,800, way under $10k
=)
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Simple answer to this question: They have a significant amount of discretionary income.
I know many people who own bikes that are more valuable than their cars, they budget accordingly.
I have a few friends who are professionals (doctors/accountants) and their salaries more than allow them to buy these bikes.
For those of us not making in the 6 figure salary. I put away a hundred dollars or more per month and with that I just bought me a new cervelo.
My last major bike purchase was afforded by a windfall from cashing out all my unused vacation leave when I changed jobs. Definitely would not have fit into our regular budget, although in a roundabout way you could say I saved up for it through all the vacations we didn’t take.
Some people just have that laying around so if you got it you might as well spend it!
There are two ways to do what you are asking.
Buy it brand new and spend the major bucks or take the time to research the items that you want and either buy a good used frame or new frame and try to piece together a build.
I can not remember the last time that I have bought a complete new bike. I really enjoy sourcing the parts I want and building it up to my exact specs.
My last build was a Cervelo SLC that comes in at 13.42 lbs and I did it for around $3500 but it took a long time to get exactly what I wanted and I had to do a lot of wheeling and dealing.
a $10,000 bike that I ride 12+ hours per week and is a linchpin to my primary hobby that gets a large share of my disposable income seems about right. Also consider its quid pro quo after considering the $5k pair of ear rings or $10K necklace/bracelet, etc. that I seem to be buying at each major holiday for the wife who will only wear each one once or twice per year.
As far as paying for it, always cash (or 30 days interest free on a card and then paid off in full) and is the result of college and graduate degrees and a career of busting my ass at the office.
I agree with BMAN. I’m the proud owner of an ‘uber bike’ that by the book is wayyyyy out of my income bracket (Archon T1). I bought the bike on used and parted out the kit and replaced it with parts I had on my old bike, and some I’d been collecting along the way. Now I keep an eye out for specific things I want to change and scoop them up when an unbeatable deal comes along.
You’d be suprised how well you can do on ebay. I wanted a light Ti seatpost for the Archon and Litespeed has one for sale @$250 + shipping. I was able to get a lighter one from Austraila for ~ $22.
In a little while I’ll have enough parts to rebuild my Ghisallo. granted it won’t be an uber build, but it should be pretty nice for a guest bike coming in at about 7 kilos with CF wheels.
Oh yeah, and BTW my “$10,000 uber bike” is a lot less expensive than two jet skis, or snow machines, or ski boat, or motor yacht, or BMW 5 series, etc, etc. It’s all about where you wan to spend your dough. oh I don’t golf either.
think harder =)
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To my mind the term uber-bike should really mean uber-fast more so than simply uber-expensive. I’m willing to bet good money that a used aluminium Cervelo P3 will probably test just as fast if not faster than most of the expensive carbon frames on the market.
I pay cash for cars and bikes. My current car (bought new) is a 2002 Mazda Protege. It’s in good condition and probably worth around $6K today. My current bike is a 2008 Felt B2 Pro that I paid a little less than that for. I’ll drive my car for another 3 or 4 years at least and the bike too.
So I don’t spend a lot of money on cars or on loan interest, that leaves more money to spend on nice bikes 
I know many people who own bikes that are more valuable than their cars, they budget accordingly.
Being truly serious triathlete might preclude a lot of good jobs. That said, doctors and lawyers can usually make time for triathlons and pull 6 figs…especially doctors cause they don’t have to bill by the hour.
I would personally NEVER outspend my car to buy a bike. But my car is worth more than 10k so the point is kind of a moot one. You have to drive a <$7k car to make it even out for a premium bike…and even then I would suggest that you are overspending when you buy a bike in that price range.
if you spend more time riding than driving it makes sense to spend more on bikes than cars.
everyone overspends on cars for purpose of status…
everyone has excuses like “oh im an enthusiast I need a vette” yet a real enthusiast will keep up with them in a miata. or the “I have kids I need a Porsche Cayenne”
ok guy
=)
of course, same with bikes, plenty of tuby guys on $5k bikes going slow, but they earned the money, they can buy what they want!
*For those of us not making in the 6 figure salary. I put away a hundred dollars or more per month and with that I just bought me a new cervelo. *
I am fortunate enough to be making a 6 figure salary. I have a cervelo P2C (now P2) for which I paid 2500$. I bought used HED wheels in the slowtwitch classifieds for 500$. For 3000$, I have a faster time trial bike than most of the pro cyclists. I fail to comprehend why anyone would want to spend more than that.
Francois in Montreal
I think a lot of triathletes put undue pressure on themselves to have the nicest, most cutting-edge gear. It’s natural, of course…a ton of marketing dollars are spent to encourage people to buy the latest superbike from Cervelo, Felt, Trek, etc. Gear envy is rampant. But, dropping 10K, 5K or even 3K on a bike is certainly not necessary to enjoy the sport and also not necessary to post very respectable times.
I am fortunate to make a good wage in the six figures (and have for the past 10 years). I did my first triathlon in 1998 and until recently never spent more than $2200 on a bike. I have never won a race, but have gotten on a podium here and there (at small races). Last summer, I indulged and spent nearly 4K on a new road bike…more bike than my legs are worth honestly. But, I love riding it, so its worth it. By and large, I bargain hunt, buy used and pay cash.
that’s because you haven’t factored in the powermeter yet.
I was able to afford my uber-bike by getting hit by a car on my former bike. Now, the race wheels and power meter came later when the money I was putting away for a new bike was no longer needed for the new bike.
I just love nice bikes. For the longest time when I was racing more seriously I rode on relatively cheap bikes always wishing that I could have something nicer. Now that I make a very good living I don’t hesitate to change bikes and spend probably more money than I need to. I’m slower than I used to be but I appreciate having a nice bike. One thing that I have found is that it doesn’t matter what bike you own they are pretty much equivalent for a given price but people always like to say that they love passing others with the tricked out bike. If you have the money (pay cash) go for it you only live once.