Am I Insane?

cjcanty said:

Hi everyone,
need some reassurances on my sanity level. I just put in an order for a Trek Madone 5.9 Project One. It will take about 6 weeks to get the bike (the longest 6 weeks of my life no doubt). Would love to hear from other people who own the bike. Or bikes of similar value. I test rode a bunch of bikes but this was definitely the best (in my not so expert opinion). I figure this summer I will spend about 8 - 10 hours riding every week. And this is the last bike I will buy for many a year.
Does this justify my purchase? I hope so. I work hard, I deserve it. My mortgage will still be paid.
Anyone else on here who are dumbfounded by the amount of money they spend on what is still essentially a bicycle (although a very nice and fast bicycle)? One thing is for sure, the mother in law won't find out. I will be riding too much to see her anyway. lol.

Oh, good gracious--justified? If you love the thing, you want it badly, and you're not operating with stolen funds, you're justified.

Another thing to consider is that bikes which have a lot of gratuitous emotion invested in them (such as a long-awaited Project 1) are likely to receive a lot of attention from their owner. The more you appreciate that costly build, the more likely you are to tend to it, look at it, and hopefully, ride it.

Be sure to post pictures when it turns up.

Lokstah,
thnx for the justification. I feel so much better. (is the six weeks up yet?).

cjcanty said:

Lokstah,
thnx for the justification. I feel so much better. (is the six weeks up yet?).

What Project 1 options did you spring for, out of curiosity?

None of the advise you get here about justifying the expense of a new bike is going to fly with your mother in law. We're all as crazy as you are. The people who don't get it never will. Shortly after dropping a month's salary on a new road bike I showed my non-cycling girlfriend an add for a local sporting goods store that had a golf club on sale for $1000. Not a set of clubs. A seven iron. When you look at what a lot of people spend on their hobbies, even the most expensive bike looks like a bargain. Enjoy your new ride.🙂

Just looked on the Trek web site for your new bike. Very nice. Are you insane? That's an interesting question. I find that when I tell people how much I've spent on my bikes they tend to look at me funny. Some of those folks smoke cigarettes @ $4.00 a pack, a pack a day, in seven years they've spent enough to buy two Project One Treks. Last year I bought a Litespeed Vortex (2004) and I built up a Litespeed Saber for Triathlons (when I say built....I built it right....DA10, Zipp 909 wheels etc etc). Like you these will be my bikes for many years to come. Before the Litespeeds I had an old Cannondale R900 from 1996 so I deserved a new bike or bikes. So back to the original question; are you insane? If you are then many others on this site are (including me) and riding is your therapy.

lokstah said:

What Project 1 options did you spring for, out of curiosity?

I go the widow maker paint with full Dura Ace 10 speed, and the race x-lite wheels. The verdict is still out on what kind of saddle to put on it. I also got the FSA K-Wing bars.

cjcanty said:

I go the widow maker paint with full Dura Ace 10 speed, and the race x-lite wheels. The verdict is still out on what kind of saddle to put on it. I also got the FSA K-Wing bars.

Ouch. The Widow Maker paint is intense. You're going to look fairly badass out there. Quite an equipment spec, too.

Just make sure to tell your family that you paid about half of what it really costs😉. I have to use stashed cash for all my bike purchases so they don't end up on our credit card statement. I think we're all insane, so join the club. Sounds like a nice ride, make sure to show us some pics.

Yep, your certifiable :p. You should have just got the frame and had your LBS build it up with Record 😄.

It's a justifiable expense if you say it is. It's your money. Enjoy the ride.😎

cjcanty said:

Hi everyone,
need some reassurances on my sanity level. I just put in an order for a Trek Madone 5.9 Project One. It will take about 6 weeks to get the bike (the longest 6 weeks of my life no doubt). Would love to hear from other people who own the bike. Or bikes of similar value. I test rode a bunch of bikes but this was definitely the best (in my not so expert opinion). I figure this summer I will spend about 8 - 10 hours riding every week. And this is the last bike I will buy for many a year.
Does this justify my purchase? I hope so. I work hard, I deserve it. My mortgage will still be paid.
Anyone else on here who are dumbfounded by the amount of money they spend on what is still essentially a bicycle (although a very nice and fast bicycle)? One thing is for sure, the mother in law won't find out. I will be riding too much to see her anyway. lol.

Should you have your dream bike? Sure! Are you sane? That's a separate issue.
I ride a Look bike with Dura Ace,no longer new but pricey at one time. I intend to enjoy the rest of my days on earth to the fullest extent possible.
Ask yourself ,how much longer will I live? I will be surprised if you cannot rationalize the bike.
Offer your mother-in-law a ride on the bike.

The definition of mixed-emotions= Watching your mother-in-law ride your new Madone into the path of a fast moving Semi.

Looks like I came to the right support group. I will post pictures as soon as I get the bike. How about seeing some of the rides that belong to other people on this thread.

cjcanty said:

Looks like I came to the right support group. I will post pictures as soon as I get the bike. How about seeing some of the rides that belong to other people on this thread.

Some recent photos of my Klein, here in a recent grip-tape thread (where else).

cjcanty said:

Looks like I came to the right support group. I will post pictures as soon as I get the bike. How about seeing some of the rides that belong to other people on this thread.

Here's an older picture of mine. I've since put on the TiSport decals and black and white Cinelli tape.
http://www.cyclingforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2195

artmichalek said:

Here's an older picture of mine. I've since put on the TiSport decals and black and white Cinelli tape.
http://www.cyclingforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2195

That's a beauty...

artmichalek said:

None of the advise you get here about justifying the expense of a new bike is going to fly with your mother in law. We're all as crazy as you are.

lmao. How true.

lokstah said:

That's a beauty...

Thanks. I got it built up just before the snow hit. I can't wait to get some more non-roller miles on it.

I just received (about 10 days and 200+ miles ago) my long awaited dream bike: Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel SE, Ksyrium SL's, Campy Record, FSA Superlight cranks....a lotta bike. I love it, I ride it, I clean it compulsively, I will race it and sooner or later, more than likely, I will crash it 🙁 Was it worth it? Like you said, bills are paid, kids attended to. Life is short, I don't drink, smoke, party or go nightclubbing anymore....why the hell not? Enjoy yourself! 😄

NRW77 said:

I just received (about 10 days and 200+ miles ago) my long awaited dream bike: Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel SE, Ksyrium SL's, Campy Record, FSA Superlight cranks....a lotta bike. I love it, I ride it, I clean it compulsively, I will race it and sooner or later, more than likely, I will crash it 🙁 Was it worth it? Like you said, bills are paid, kids attended to. Life is short, I don't drink, smoke, party or go nightclubbing anymore....why the hell not? Enjoy yourself! 😄

Holy smokes! That sounds great, NRW77. What's it look like? I always go to the IF site and browse the color/decal options. Currently I'm thinking you have to go candy orange with silver decals. Currently.

lokstah said:

Holy smokes! That sounds great, NRW77. What's it look like? I always go to the IF site and browse the color/decal options. Currently I'm thinking you have to go candy orange with silver decals. Currently.

Silver with yellow on green decal, pretty neat loooking. I lean toward cool colors and ws thinking about blue panels under the decal but it was a few too ny $$ although, considering what it cost already... :o Here are soe pics if I posted the right:

NW