The Daily Beer And Bike Log Jan. 15, 2015 : Looking at those Bikes you Can Not afford is not always a Bad thing

In looking for a subject to write about I was flipping through some magazines searching online and came back around to one of my original posts, or just an idea in an older post. The magazines I love to look at each month

 

 Bike, Dirtrag and on occasion Mountain Bike Action, all have reviews and tests

 

 

Bike has an excellent yearly “The Bible of bike tests” issue on high end bikes. Even if you don't subscribe there is some good info here.

 

 Now can I afford any of these bikes on my tab? Hell no!!! Even if I made a bit more money would I buy any of the bikes on the pages of my favorite Magazines? Still probably not, but I would find a happy medium between what I now ride and one of those high end luxury models.  

Do I wish there were a few more “bikes on a poor man’s budget articles”? Yes I would love to see them and if I get around to it I will create one, but I also completely understand why the newest, best, and most expensive bikes are in the magazines. They sell. No not the Bikes, not even more copies of the magazines, hell I enjoy reading about the rides and looking at the beautiful pictures of places I hope to one day ride. But I do also look at those high end bikes. Same As if I were looking at classic cars, would you rather look at some piece of shit Chevette

 

 or a Shelby Mustang all supped up with shiny new parts a great paint job etc…

 

That is a no brainer. I love to dream like any guy. If someone offered me one of those bikes for a cost or a price I could pay, would I take it? Fuck yes!!!  I would, anyone would. So here are some reasons to read about these bikes you may never be able to afford, but also are not a waste of your time. I am not getting paid by any of these magazines (I fucking wish I were) and I don't get a free subscription either, just letting you see the glass half full side.

One. A realtor once told me when I was looking for a house go look at a $500,000 dollar home just to see what you get for that. So when you look at the homes within your $200,000 budget you have an idea of the perks or the downside to the homes that are within your range and options helping to find a home that fits you and your paycheck. Same goes with a bike, You may not need all that suspension, or the high end parts that come with the 10,000 Bike, but a few of those parts may work out well on you 700 dollar bike, creating a bike that fits you and your wallet. Also if you can afford something in between that will make it cheaper in the long run, because you get those couple of extra parts included, well the researxh was worth the time.

 

Two.  And it falls in line with one above. Some of the newest bikes feature the newest and best parts, and it is a good way to get reviews of them, Maybe you will never get the bike in the magazine, maybe not even the less expensive version of said bike. But the wheels it comes with may be something you would spend some money on to improve your own bike.  Now they don't always  go over every part on a bike usually it is the overall bike that the review looks at, but if they are talking drivetrain, forks or even wheels, and how they handle in certain situations, the part or parts they are talking about may be what your local bike guy told you to look into.  And if that particular part is out of your price range that bike shop guy may be able to point you to something similar.

Three. What I call the Double D’s

 

No Not those you perverts. Although take the time  and take another look.... Anyhow my Double D's are the Dream and Drool moments. That time When you sit on the crapper and read…What?.... That must be just me?.... Bullshit!!! Don't judge me!!

Anyway those moment when you are looking through, going man I wish I could afford that one right there it is always fun to look at those really high end bikes, even if the bike you actually can afford is a fifth of the cost, You can dream and drool over it can't you?  And that lower price bike in the rel world is the bike for you and it gets you out on those trails for a good time. Isn't that what really counts? We can all look, we can all dream, but tearing it up on the trails. That is what is really important.

Disclaimer: I am no expert in anything on this blog as it states it is a Beginners journey into Mountain Biking and Beer Brewing. These are just opinion and observation pieces through my eyes as things happen. It is my personal journal for the world to see, that is all. Anything technical I would always refer you to some sort of expert, be it a brewer, or bike shop.