The high cost of cycling

Arnie Berger

I was thumbing through the latest issue of the Colorado Cyclist
catalog, not looking for anything in particular, when I was awestruck
by the cost of a Campagnolo water bottle and cage ($113). I decided to
see what it would cost to outfit myself with a bike, clothing, and
shoes if I chose the most expensive items in each category in the
catalog.

Caveats: I subsequently found more expensive items in other catalogs,
and I'm sure that there are boutiques that have even pricier items,
but this is just a brief overview of one catalog at one point in time:

1- Liespeed Vortex Frameset $3350
2- Campy Record Group with Carbon cramk substituted for $2079
the regular crank
3- Reynolds OOZO Prolite Fork $389
4- Deda Alanera Integrated carbon bar and stem(1) $490
5- Continental Grand Prix tires (pair) $100
6- Campy Hyperon ultra clincher wheelset $2889
7- Fizik Alliance Seat $209
8- Easton Carbon Seatpost $180
9- Crank Brothers Eggbeater Pedals $350
10- Campy Carbon Cage and Water Bottle(My personal $113
favorite)
11- Ciclosport CM-436M Computer $210
12- Ciclosport HAC4 Heart Rate Monitor $300
13- Giro Atmos Helmet $190
14- Oakley M Frame Glasses $190
15- Carnac Silex Shoes(2) $380
16- Assos Swiss Federation Jersey $125
17- Pearl Izumi Heliarc Shorts $200

Total (3) $11364

(1) I later found a separate bar and stem combo for $20 more
(2) I later found $400 shoes in the Supergo catalog.
(3) I just realized I forgot gloves. Shhessshh.

Now, to be fair, I did round up from 99 cents to the nearest $, so
this is worst case. And, I'm reasonably certain if you placed this
order you might be able to negotiate a break on the shipping charges.

Anyway, you gotta love expendable income.

Arnie

R15757

<< 1- Litespeed Vortex Frameset $3350
2- Campy Record Group with Carbon cramk substituted for $2079
the regular crank
3- Reynolds OOZO Prolite Fork $389
4- Deda Alanera Integrated carbon bar and stem(1) $490
5- Continental Grand Prix tires (pair) $100
6- Campy Hyperon ultra clincher wheelset $2889
7- Fizik Alliance Seat $209
8- Easton Carbon Seatpost $180
9- Crank Brothers Eggbeater Pedals $350
10- Campy Carbon Cage and Water Bottle(My personal $113favorite)
11- Ciclosport CM-436M Computer $210
12- Ciclosport HAC4 Heart Rate Monitor $300
13- Giro Atmos Helmet $190
14- Oakley M Frame Glasses $190
15- Carnac Silex Shoes(2) $380
16- Assos Swiss Federation Jersey $125
17- Pearl Izumi Heliarc Shorts $200 >>


Parking that get-up in front of the coffee shop all day: PRICELESS

di

"Arnie Berger" <aberger@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
news:97c4d1eb.0405161838.77faba2b@posting.google.com...
> I was thumbing through the latest issue of the Colorado Cyclist
> catalog, not looking for anything in particular, when I was awestruck
> by the cost of a Campagnolo water bottle and cage ($113). I decided to
> see what it would cost to outfit myself with a bike, clothing, and
> shoes if I chose the most expensive items in each category in the
> catalog.
>
> Caveats: I subsequently found more expensive items in other catalogs,
> and I'm sure that there are boutiques that have even pricier items,
> but this is just a brief overview of one catalog at one point in time:
>
> 1- Liespeed Vortex Frameset $3350
> 2- Campy Record Group with Carbon cramk substituted for $2079
> the regular crank
> 3- Reynolds OOZO Prolite Fork $389
> 4- Deda Alanera Integrated carbon bar and stem(1) $490
> 5- Continental Grand Prix tires (pair) $100
> 6- Campy Hyperon ultra clincher wheelset $2889
> 7- Fizik Alliance Seat $209
> 8- Easton Carbon Seatpost $180
> 9- Crank Brothers Eggbeater Pedals $350
> 10- Campy Carbon Cage and Water Bottle(My personal $113
> favorite)
> 11- Ciclosport CM-436M Computer $210
> 12- Ciclosport HAC4 Heart Rate Monitor $300
> 13- Giro Atmos Helmet $190
> 14- Oakley M Frame Glasses $190
> 15- Carnac Silex Shoes(2) $380
> 16- Assos Swiss Federation Jersey $125
> 17- Pearl Izumi Heliarc Shorts $200
>
> Total (3) $11364
>
> (1) I later found a separate bar and stem combo for $20 more
> (2) I later found $400 shoes in the Supergo catalog.
> (3) I just realized I forgot gloves. Shhessshh.
>
> Now, to be fair, I did round up from 99 cents to the nearest $, so
> this is worst case. And, I'm reasonably certain if you placed this
> order you might be able to negotiate a break on the shipping charges.
>
> Anyway, you gotta love expendable income.
>
> Arnie

But you would have a very nice ride, or maybe try a Walmart Schwinn for
$149.00 & Bell helmet for $18.95
:<)

psycholist

"Arnie Berger" <aberger@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
news:97c4d1eb.0405161838.77faba2b@posting.google.com...
> I was thumbing through the latest issue of the Colorado Cyclist
> catalog, not looking for anything in particular, when I was awestruck
> by the cost of a Campagnolo water bottle and cage ($113). I decided to
> see what it would cost to outfit myself with a bike, clothing, and
> shoes if I chose the most expensive items in each category in the
> catalog.
>
> Caveats: I subsequently found more expensive items in other catalogs,
> and I'm sure that there are boutiques that have even pricier items,
> but this is just a brief overview of one catalog at one point in time:
>
> 1- Liespeed Vortex Frameset $3350
> 2- Campy Record Group with Carbon cramk substituted for $2079
> the regular crank
> 3- Reynolds OOZO Prolite Fork $389
> 4- Deda Alanera Integrated carbon bar and stem(1) $490
> 5- Continental Grand Prix tires (pair) $100
> 6- Campy Hyperon ultra clincher wheelset $2889
> 7- Fizik Alliance Seat $209
> 8- Easton Carbon Seatpost $180
> 9- Crank Brothers Eggbeater Pedals $350
> 10- Campy Carbon Cage and Water Bottle(My personal $113
> favorite)
> 11- Ciclosport CM-436M Computer $210
> 12- Ciclosport HAC4 Heart Rate Monitor $300
> 13- Giro Atmos Helmet $190
> 14- Oakley M Frame Glasses $190
> 15- Carnac Silex Shoes(2) $380
> 16- Assos Swiss Federation Jersey $125
> 17- Pearl Izumi Heliarc Shorts $200
>
> Total (3) $11364
>
> (1) I later found a separate bar and stem combo for $20 more
> (2) I later found $400 shoes in the Supergo catalog.
> (3) I just realized I forgot gloves. Shhessshh.
>
> Now, to be fair, I did round up from 99 cents to the nearest $, so
> this is worst case. And, I'm reasonably certain if you placed this
> order you might be able to negotiate a break on the shipping charges.
>
> Anyway, you gotta love expendable income.
>
> Arnie

Nice post, Arnie. I haven't thought about this in a while. I remember
seeing the Giro Atmos helmet at $189 somewhere and thinking any idiot who
buys that should be ... well ... nevermind. They'd have to have already
fallen badly on their head. We are our own worst enemies when we buy that
kind of crap. I buy closeout items and I constantly harvest stuff off of
old bikes if it still works. I refuse to pay $75 for a jersey or shorts.

But at the same time, I have to laugh when I'm around the racer snobs who
make fun of the 35 year old dentist who rolls up on a rig and in an outfit
like the one you priced. Who do they think makes their sponsorships
possible? Were it not for those dentists and other professional wannabes
who can afford this stuff, where would those cool racer dudes be?

Bob C.

LioNiNoiL_a t_NetscapE_D 0 T_NeT

> Were it not for those dentists and other professional wannabes
> who can afford this stuff, where would those cool racer dudes be?

They'd be on fixies, in wool jerseys and wooden-soled leather shoes,
like God and Henri Desgrange intended.

S o r n i

Arnie Berger wrote:
> I was thumbing through the latest issue of the Colorado Cyclist
> catalog, not looking for anything in particular, when I was awestruck
> by the cost of a Campagnolo water bottle and cage ($113). I decided to
> see what it would cost to outfit myself with a bike, clothing, and
> shoes if I chose the most expensive items in each category in the
> catalog.
>
> Caveats: I subsequently found more expensive items in other catalogs,
> and I'm sure that there are boutiques that have even pricier items,
> but this is just a brief overview of one catalog at one point in time:
>
> 1- Liespeed Vortex Frameset $3350
> 2- Campy Record Group with Carbon cramk substituted for $2079
> the regular crank
> 3- Reynolds OOZO Prolite Fork $389
> 4- Deda Alanera Integrated carbon bar and stem(1) $490
> 5- Continental Grand Prix tires (pair) $100
> 6- Campy Hyperon ultra clincher wheelset $2889
> 7- Fizik Alliance Seat $209
> 8- Easton Carbon Seatpost $180
> 9- Crank Brothers Eggbeater Pedals $350
> 10- Campy Carbon Cage and Water Bottle(My personal $113
> favorite)
> 11- Ciclosport CM-436M Computer $210
> 12- Ciclosport HAC4 Heart Rate Monitor $300
> 13- Giro Atmos Helmet $190
> 14- Oakley M Frame Glasses $190
> 15- Carnac Silex Shoes(2) $380
> 16- Assos Swiss Federation Jersey $125
> 17- Pearl Izumi Heliarc Shorts $200
>
> Total (3) $11364
>
> (1) I later found a separate bar and stem combo for $20 more
> (2) I later found $400 shoes in the Supergo catalog.
> (3) I just realized I forgot gloves. Shhessshh.

Don't forget that $350 chain that was discussed recently.

Bill "if it ain't on sale it ain't for me" S.

Pete

"Arnie Berger" <aberger@u.washington.edu> wrote
>
> 1- Liespeed Vortex Frameset $3350
> 2- Campy Record Group with Carbon cramk substituted for $2079
> the regular crank
> 3- Reynolds OOZO Prolite Fork $389
> 4- Deda Alanera Integrated carbon bar and stem(1) $490
> 5- Continental Grand Prix tires (pair) $100
> 6- Campy Hyperon ultra clincher wheelset $2889
> 7- Fizik Alliance Seat $209
> 8- Easton Carbon Seatpost $180
> 9- Crank Brothers Eggbeater Pedals $350
> 10- Campy Carbon Cage and Water Bottle(My personal $113
> favorite)
> 11- Ciclosport CM-436M Computer $210
> 12- Ciclosport HAC4 Heart Rate Monitor $300
> 13- Giro Atmos Helmet $190
> 14- Oakley M Frame Glasses $190
> 15- Carnac Silex Shoes(2) $380
> 16- Assos Swiss Federation Jersey $125
> 17- Pearl Izumi Heliarc Shorts $200
>
> Total (3) $11364
>

Fabby, we've found your ride.

Pete

Thomas Reynolds

aberger@u.washington.edu (Arnie Berger) wrote in message news:<97c4d1eb.0405161838.77faba2b@posting.google.com>...
> I was thumbing through the latest issue of the Colorado Cyclist
> catalog, not looking for anything in particular, when I was awestruck
> by the cost of a Campagnolo water bottle and cage ($113). I decided to
> see what it would cost to outfit myself with a bike, clothing, and
> shoes if I chose the most expensive items in each category in the
> catalog.
>
> .............
>
> Total (3) $11364
>
> (1) I later found ......
>
> Arnie

Gee Arnie, the time it took four you to research all this could have
been spent riding.

TOm

H. M. Leary

In article <20040516225701.13396.00000733@mb-m06.aol.com>,
r15757@aol.com (R15757) wrote:

> << 1- Litespeed Vortex Frameset $3350
> 2- Campy Record Group with Carbon cramk substituted for $2079
> the regular crank
> 3- Reynolds OOZO Prolite Fork $389
> 4- Deda Alanera Integrated carbon bar and stem(1) $490
> 5- Continental Grand Prix tires (pair) $100
> 6- Campy Hyperon ultra clincher wheelset $2889
> 7- Fizik Alliance Seat $209
> 8- Easton Carbon Seatpost $180
> 9- Crank Brothers Eggbeater Pedals $350
> 10- Campy Carbon Cage and Water Bottle(My personal $113favorite)
> 11- Ciclosport CM-436M Computer $210
> 12- Ciclosport HAC4 Heart Rate Monitor $300
> 13- Giro Atmos Helmet $190
> 14- Oakley M Frame Glasses $190
> 15- Carnac Silex Shoes(2) $380
> 16- Assos Swiss Federation Jersey $125
> 17- Pearl Izumi Heliarc Shorts $200 >>
>
>
> Parking that get-up in front of the coffee shop all day: PRICELESS
>
>

You don¹t think I¹m gonna ride this thing and get it dirty, do you??

In my dreams, maybe.....

HAND

--
³Freedom Is a Light for Which Many Have Died in Darkness³

- Tomb of the unknown - American Revolution

Cathy Kearns

"Arnie Berger" <aberger@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
news:97c4d1eb.0405161838.77faba2b@posting.google.com...
> I was thumbing through the latest issue of the Colorado Cyclist
> catalog, not looking for anything in particular, when I was awestruck
> by the cost of a Campagnolo water bottle and cage ($113). I decided to
> see what it would cost to outfit myself with a bike, clothing, and
> shoes if I chose the most expensive items in each category in the
> catalog.
> Total (3) $11364

Barely covers the cost of a calfee custom dragonfly tandem frame
with the S&S couplers....

Matt O'Toole

Cathy Kearns wrote:

> "Arnie Berger" <aberger@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
> news:97c4d1eb.0405161838.77faba2b@posting.google.com...

>> I was thumbing through the latest issue of the Colorado Cyclist
>> catalog, not looking for anything in particular, when I was awestruck
>> by the cost of a Campagnolo water bottle and cage ($113). I decided
>> to see what it would cost to outfit myself with a bike, clothing, and
>> shoes if I chose the most expensive items in each category in the
>> catalog.
>> Total (3) $11364
>
> Barely covers the cost of a calfee custom dragonfly tandem frame
> with the S&S couplers....

Think of the money you'd save because you wouldn't need a truck to carry it.
The case would fit fine in the back of your '86 Honda CRX.

Matt O.