I like my bikes the way in which I like my tuna melts: no batteries, no Bluetooth connections, and no suspension methods.
That’s why I choose a motorbike just like the Homer…
…over a motorbike just like the Kona Aburrido or no matter it’s known as:
I imply it’s superb if that’s what you’re into, however I merely don’t wanna take care of these things:
On the identical time, I don’t solely like wise metal bikes with friction shifting and fenders. All of us have our turn-ons that defy logic and pragmatism, and mine is highway racing bikes. Certain, sure issues like disc brakes can smash it for me, since they’re type of like spinach within the tooth:
However as a lot as I fancy myself an everyday “Joe Tuna Soften” I additionally do get the visceral enchantment of a high-end highway racing bike, and I nonetheless take pleasure in driving them.
The issue is that they’re costly. Some individuals say Rivendae are costly as a result of they price greater than Surlys or no matter (FOR CHRISSAKES STOP COMPARING RIVENDELLS TO SURLYS), however high-end highway racing bikes are costly. For instance, right here’s one which I’ve chosen kind of at random:
The bike is seemingly straightforward to trip (no matter which means), however that’s not what we’re right here:
What we’re is the value, and this one prices fifteen thousand {dollars}:
Which is corresponding to what different pro-level race bikes prices:
Now, I’m not saying that is incorrect or something like that. Certain, I do assume the identify is horrible. “ENVE Melee,” actually?!? They may as nicely have known as it the ENVE Meanie Miney Moe. However the value is the value, and completely no person is forcing you to purchase an ENVE Melee. In actual fact, so far as highway bikes go, when you ignore the stratospherically-priced top-of-the-line fashions the Freds of right now arguably have it higher than the Freds of yesteryear.
Nonetheless, when you do wish to personal a top-of-the-line highway bike, this does pose a little bit of a sensible drawback for anybody who doesn’t have $15,000 to spend on a hunk of plastic. Certain, you may get a lower-end mannequin, but it surely’s not the identical factor. Effectively, superb, virtually talking is similar factor, since no person’s scranus can detect the distinction between the moduli of carbon fibers; for that matter, a blindfolded Fred couldn’t even inform Dura-Ace from 105, and Pogačar in all probability would have gained the Tour on a Bikesdirect particular. Nonetheless, let’s permit that there’s a sure kick that comes from driving a race bike with the “greatest” stuff (even when the kick relies nearly totally on the logos you see whenever you put your head down), and at that value a motorbike just like the ENVE Melee (Jesus, that identify!) stays the area of the rich and/or financially reckless. Certain, Richard Branson might be able to get a motorbike like that, however even he can’t afford a jersey to go along with it:
BUT!
The excellent news is that these stratospheric costs can’t undermine the easiest factor about bikes. And what is the easiest factor about bikes? Is it the liberty? Is it the enjoyment they confer to their riders? Is it the truth that a cheap bike is simply as able to granting each pleasure and freedom as an costly one?
Nah.
It’s the depreciation!
At $15,000 chances are you’ll not have the ability to purchase Pogačar’s Colnago:
However for a tenth of that value you could possibly purchase Johan Museeuw’s Colnago, which on the time appeared no much less unique, and which right now additionally has the excellence of being iconic:
In fact it helps so much to be sufficiently old to have needed these bikes after they had been new, which is unlucky for the younger, who lack not solely cash however the needed perspective to understand a real cut price. To them a motorbike like this in all probability appears primitive, however to me it’s a dream bike, and the shortage of something that requires batteries or fluids solely makes it higher:
Oh positive, the Dream Bikes Of Yesteryear gained’t include a dual-sided energy meter (I don’t even know what which means) just like the Tarmac SL8, however the excellent news is you you don’t want that, since you suck. How do I do know you suck? As a result of when you didn’t suck somebody wouldn’t solely have given you that Specialised S-Works Tarmac SL8 with a dual-sided energy meter already, however you’d even be getting a paycheck with a purpose to trip it.
In fact the true query is whether or not the bikes of right now will probably be equally fascinating in 20 years. 9-speed cassettes at the moment are low cost and considerable, however will you have the ability to get a firmware replace for a wi-fi drivetrain in 2044? It might be that by then a 2003 LeMond will probably be simpler to maintain on the highway than a 2024 ENVE Melee. Solely time will inform.
Both manner, given the value of a top-of-the-line race bike right now, it’s in all probability well worth the wait.
