I mean no insult to you (or question your 'seriousness'), I'm simply pointing out that times have moved on a bit from when I saved up my first months wages to buy a Carlton 531 with full Sun tour group for £300.It's gorgeous, it's a sh*t load of cash. You obviously move in different circles to me.
I guess I'm not a serious cyclist because I haven't got £3000 to spend. Now wind your neck in.
You^ Canuk: "....when your average club rider can blow £3k on a Sunday ride carbon bike, clearly it's not a lot of money to an awful lot of people."
Yes, there will be a few like that even on this a.m.'s CTC Easy Ride, but I guess some will be on the C Card, not cash. And many of the riders have no particular interest in BIKES, only the cycling. Even more true with the many roadies I'll see out this a.m.
I love such bikes, but if I had 3 grand for a bike, wouldn't be that. Where would I ride it? Would it ride better than a modern carbon machine (no)?
Bikes are for riding, all weathers, not "collecting".
Today I'll be on my 10 y.o. Brompton.....
That's pretty rude. So be it, if that's your schtick. Clearly you are out of touch with modern club cycling, where three grand bike is considered 'entry level'... and nothing out of the ordinary. Disposable income (aided and abetted by an 700% property boom) has come on a fair bit since 1980, no? Access to cheap credit and remortgaging has made a huge section of the population half millionaires. At borrowing rates so cheap it makes no sense not toI don't know anyone that has a spare three grand lying around. Are you on drugs? Maybe you should be.
You're beginning to sound somewhat entitled. We get it your acquaintances are rich, you're rich, I'm not, nor is anyone I know or knew. As for now the ignore button offers relief from your stupidity and arrogance.
My sincere apologies to the op