I like my bikes the way in which I like my tuna melts: no batteries, no Bluetooth connections, and no suspension methods.
That’s why I desire a motorcycle just like the Homer…
…over a motorcycle just like the Kona Aburrido or no matter it’s referred to as:
I imply it’s advantageous if that’s what you’re into, however I merely don’t wanna take care of these things:
On the identical time, I don’t solely like wise 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. Positive, sure issues like disc brakes can destroy 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 driving them.
The issue is that they’re costly. Some folks say Rivendae are costly as a result of they price 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 outwardly straightforward to trip (no matter which means), however that’s not what we’re right here:
What we’re is the worth, and this one prices fifteen thousand {dollars}:
Which is akin to what different pro-level race bikes prices:
Now, I’m not saying that is mistaken or something like that. Positive, I do assume the title is horrible. “ENVE Melee,” actually?!? They could as properly have referred to as it the ENVE Meanie Miney Moe. However the worth is the worth, and completely no one is forcing you to purchase an ENVE Melee. In reality, so far as street bikes go, if you happen to ignore the stratospherically-priced top-of-the-line fashions the Freds of at present arguably have it higher than the Freds of yesteryear.
However, if you happen to do need 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. Positive, you will get a lower-end mannequin, but it surely’s not the identical factor. Effectively, advantageous, virtually talking is identical factor, since no one’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 in all probability would have gained the Tour on a Bikesdirect particular. Nonetheless, let’s permit that there’s a sure kick that comes from driving a race bike with the “finest” stuff (even when the kick is predicated nearly totally on the logos you see once you put your head down), and at that worth a motorcycle just like the ENVE Melee (Jesus, that title!) stays the area of the rich and/or financially reckless. Positive, Richard Branson might be able to get a motorcycle like that, however even he can’t afford a jersey to go together with it:
BUT!
The excellent news is that these stratospheric costs can’t undermine the easiest factor about bikes. And what is the easiest 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 be capable of purchase Pogačar’s Colnago:
However for a tenth of that worth you may 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:
After all it helps loads to be sufficiently old to have needed these bikes after they had been new, which is unlucky for the younger, who lack not solely cash however the essential perspective to understand a real discount. To them a motorcycle like this in all probability appears primitive, however to me it’s a dream bike, and the dearth of something that requires batteries or fluids solely makes it higher:
Oh positive, the Dream Bikes Of Yesteryear gained’t include a dual-sided energy meter (I don’t even know what which means) 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 if you happen to 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 so as to trip it.
After all the true query is whether or not the bikes of at present will likely be equally fascinating in 20 years. 9-speed cassettes at the moment are low cost and plentiful, however will you be capable of get a firmware replace for a wi-fi drivetrain in 2044? It may very well be that by then a 2003 LeMond will likely be simpler to maintain on the street than a 2024 ENVE Melee. Solely time will inform.
Both method, given the worth of a top-of-the-line race bike at present, it’s in all probability definitely worth the wait.
