Good article for those with deep pockets you mean!! $10,000 as the tipping point beyond which you get diminishing returns seems a little much. I would have thought it a lot lower.
It seems like at much less, the components aren't as good, though.I thought the $2500 sweet spot was good. I'd say even a little less.
This is the truth. I will say, for me, it's come down to the things like a better drivetrain, better brakes, things that aren't discernible necessarily between my $2500 Trek and my $5000 Trek. But, as I've ridden more and more the past 3 years, I can definitely tell the nuanced differences between my "old" $2500 bike (that I have since sold) and my new, more expensive one. I HAVE gotten faster, but for downhill, I think the different geometry and the dropper post on the new bike made the difference there. For climbing? The carbon IS lighter, but I think it's just me getting stronger overall.I've ridden enough miles with enough different people that I've learned one truth about cycling:
The legs matter. The bike -- not so much.
I've dropped people on all kinds of bikes, and I've been smoked by guys (and gals...) riding some dumpster POS.
http://www.bikeradar.com/us/news/article/mountain-biker-wins-road-race-on-his-hardtail-22736/
So, while I appreciate the differences in the Shimano XT drivetrain vs. the Deore, and and XT brakes, etc. is it really worth $2500 more? I'm not sure. Makes one think, for sure.
I've ridden enough miles with enough different people that I've learned one truth about cycling:
The legs matter. The bike -- not so much.
I think $2,500 - $3,000 is the sweet spot for most people who are looking to ride semi regularly. Less if you are going to ride 1-2 per month. Beyond that you either just like the more expensive bike more or you are looking to compete very seriously and need the best equipment.
I've ridden enough miles with enough different people that I've learned one truth about cycling:
The legs matter. The bike -- not so much.
The one place I'll splurge on is wheels. If I hit a pothole, I wanna damage the pothole. N+1, baby!
I should also say that my experience is entirely on road bikes... MTB's with their suspension systems, etc. probably (?) have different considerations as to where the "break even" price point lies.
I suppose, just from my experience in that business, having ridden with customers and racers and commuters and everyone else, I would say less than 10% of our customers understood how to use gears properly. Emphasis on properly. I'd say 5% could use a bicycle to its potential, maybe less than that. So can you spend a lot on a bicycle? You bet. Can you justify it? Well..I suppose if you can afford it, why not? It's certainly not BAD to spend more if you can afford it..you do get a superior product. But for 95% of riders? No chance. So I think they're saying, if a shop is telling you to spend $5k on a bicycle, and you don't KNOW that you need to spend $5k..you probably don't have to.For that matter, I don't know what "all they'll ever need" means. No one (who doesn't earn their living racing) "needs" a lighter wheelset or a reliable shift under load. Seems like a pretty arbitrary choice to say "$2500, yup, that's it."
I suppose, just from my experience in that business, having ridden with customers and racers and commuters and everyone else, I would say less than 10% of our customers understood how to use gears properly. Emphasis on properly.
I'd say 5% could use a bicycle to its potential, maybe less than that.
Off topic: What kinds of things do people do improperly? (wondering if I can learn something here) (I already know I shouldn't be shifting under load, but sometimes it happens ... )
Are you just saying "Yes, but you don't *need* it" in a different way?