I like my bikes the best way I like my tuna melts: no batteries, no Bluetooth connections, and no suspension techniques.
That’s why I choose a motorcycle just like the Homer…
…over a motorcycle 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 items:
On the similar time, I don’t solely like smart metal bikes with friction shifting and fenders. All of us have our turn-ons that defy logic and pragmatism, and mine is street racing bikes. Certain, sure issues like disc brakes can smash it for me, since they’re kind 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 attraction of a high-end street racing bike, and I nonetheless get pleasure from using them.
The issue is that they’re costly. Some folks say Rivendae are costly as a result of they value greater than Surlys or no matter (FOR CHRISSAKES STOP COMPARING RIVENDELLS TO SURLYS), however high-end street racing bikes are costly. For instance, right here’s one which I’ve chosen kind of at random:
The bike is seemingly simple to experience (no matter meaning), however that’s not what we’re right here:
What we’re is the worth, and this one prices fifteen thousand {dollars}:
Which is similar to what different pro-level race bikes prices:
Now, I’m not saying that is fallacious 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 worth is the worth, and completely no person is forcing you to purchase an ENVE Melee. In reality, so far as street bikes go, when you ignore the stratospherically-priced top-of-the-line fashions the Freds of at present arguably have it higher than the Freds of yesteryear.
However, when you do wish to personal a top-of-the-line street bike, this does pose a little bit of a sensible downside for anybody who doesn’t have $15,000 to spend on a hunk of plastic. Certain, you will get a lower-end mannequin, however it’s not the identical factor. Effectively, superb, virtually talking is identical 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 most likely would have received the Tour on a Bikesdirect particular. Nonetheless, let’s enable that there’s a sure kick that comes from using a race bike with the “finest” stuff (even when the kick relies virtually totally on the logos you see while you put your head down), and at that worth a motorcycle 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 motorcycle 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 perfect factor about bikes. And what is the perfect 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 worth you possibly can purchase Johan Museeuw’s Colnago, which on the time appeared no much less unique, and which at present additionally has the excellence of being iconic:
In fact it helps so much to be sufficiently old to have needed these bikes after they have been new, which is unlucky for the younger, who lack not solely cash however the mandatory perspective to understand a real cut price. To them a motorcycle like this most likely 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 certain, the Dream Bikes Of Yesteryear received’t include a dual-sided energy meter (I don’t even know what meaning) 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 as a way to experience it.
In fact the true query is whether or not the bikes of at present can be equally fascinating in 20 years. 9-speed cassettes are actually low-cost and plentiful, however will you have the ability to get a firmware replace for a wi-fi drivetrain in 2044? It could possibly be that by then a 2003 LeMond can be simpler to maintain on the street than a 2024 ENVE Melee. Solely time will inform.
Both means, given the worth of a top-of-the-line race bike at present, it’s most likely well worth the wait.