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I've been contemplating a new bike for a while now; my first thread on this forum was about exactly that. I've done a fair bit of research, looked at a few bikes in shops, scoured the internet for good deals etc. Then I saw an ideal bike, heavily reduced in the sales. All the numbers matched up, and I was all set to hit the button.
But I'm a great procrastinator, and take ages dithering over things like purchases (still no walking shoes or waterproof, see my other threads!). And it's not about the cost; it's far more about whether or not I can justify buying more stuff. When I already have more than enough stuff (ok, so I still need some shoes and a waterproof). I don't believe in just buying stuff for the sake of it; I have several bikes and they mostly sit around doing nothing but gathering dust. My wife, who is far less acquisitive and materialistic than I, questioned whether I really [i]needed[/i] another bike. And as we all know, it's not about [i]need[/i].
Anyway; back from a short break, I get the bookmarked webpage up with the chosen bike, all ready to finally buy the thing, and lo; 'sold out'. It's an older model, so no chance of new stock arriving (at the heavily discounted price). So that's that. I won't be getting it.
Disappointed? In all honesty, I'm actually relieved. TBH, this was a bit of a wanting something new, rather than really wanting a new bike. Otherwise I would have bought the bloody thing. But not I can't have it, it's made me stop and think of options. I have a perfectly good little steel frame around which I can build a suitable bike, just sitting in by workshop/cellar. A perfectly good little frame which would end up totally neglected and ignored if I'd bought a shiny new bike. A perfectly good little frame which is actually perfect for my needs. So why was I looking for a new bike? Daft.
So it's going to get built up. My ageing hybrid (the bike that was to be 'replaced') will go to a friend who need a bike to commute on, and at least one possibly two other bikes will be going now. Along with several sets of wheels, tyres, and assorted other decent quality bike bits. That's it, time to declutter. A Stalinist purge is in order.
Imagine, if I didn't have enough bikes, and needed a new one, and had the space to fit it in...
They invented 650B because of thinking like that
😆
I've discovered another frame I'd completely forgotten I had! That's pretty bad; if you can't remember having something, it's sure sign you have too much. 😳
I was looking at new bikes all the time, agonising over which type of bike, let alone what specific bike/frame.
In the end I sold 2 frames I had hung up (one a week after building it up from the parts bin), have another bike for sale and have accepted that the 2 complete bikes I have are ideal for what I want and different enough that I can warrant having both. I feel better for having less clutter.
[i]the 2 complete bikes I have are ideal for what I want[/i]
that's defeatist talk that is.
i need to stop buying the monthly magazines,
recently been eyeing up the m8000 xt drivetrain, do i need it no, is it any better, possibly, although the weight saving is soon lost when you decide 1x11 hasnt the gearing range i want (for that particular bike) and then the parts all add an additional £15-20 per part, so why buy it, i can afford it no problem.
but then the devil says with brexit it'll all go up 20% in the next few months, so buy now and save
decisions decisions
tight yorkshireman..
[i]all ready to finally buy the thing, and lo; 'sold out'. [/i]
[i]Disappointed? In all honesty, I'm actually relieved[/i]
Yep, I;ve had situations just like that. Often I'm hanging on, not buying/bidding slightly in the hope that they get sold. There's a camera lens on ebay as I type just about to end. I want it! I don't need it! If I keep typing...
And a road bike in the sales... Just sold 2 bikes to clear ... hang on 40secs on that lens... gone... phew... but damn!
Well done DezB! 😀
Kind of feels quite liberating, not buying stuff!
I think it just goes to show how much we are, as a society, conditioned into consuming. When you step out of that mindset, you suddenly realise that ownership of things really isn't that important.
I really wanted to buy a lovely old car once. Passed it in the street, with a 'for sale' sign in the window. I put the idea to my wife, who looked at me with some disgust, and said 'You idiot. What are you going to do with it, you can't even drive!'. 😆
It was pretty though. 😳
Less is more. Or is it less?
Less is more, I'm realising that, I have a few hobbies, and a lot of kit for each, rugby kit, shotguns, mountain bikes, a rally car, all with associated clothing/safety gear, tools, spares, shiny stuff I just wanted etc.
I'm paring it down, I don't like clutter, mess and stress in my work, I like things clear cut, simple, straight forward and high quality. I'm pushing for that in my personal life too. Don't get me wrong, I like a laugh, I'm no neat freak, and not really OCD-ish, but having, and wanting less 'stuff' frees my mind up, a lot. And perhaps instead of thinking about what bike might be better or nicer than mine, I might just go and ride one of the far better than my abilites bikes I already have.
"having, and wanting less 'stuff' frees my mind up, a lot"
I'm starting to really recognise the benefits of decluttering and owning less 'stuff'. I'm starting to really appreciate a bit of empty space in our cellar. I'm finding the effects of the process to be very therapeutic.
I was pissed off on Monday, because the winning bidder of an old laptop I'm flogging on Ebay pulled out of the deal, because they claimed they couldn't afford it. I'm not bothered about that, or the £62 I'm now not getting for it, I'm pissed off because the bloody thing is still sitting there at the top of the stairs, taking up space. 😡
I'm hopefully having a bit of a clearout later on today; several pairs of old tyres and a ton of old bike bits are going to a charity that does up old bikes. I'm so pleased the useless old tat will now become useful parts of bikes that will go to deserving people.
And I'll have more SPACE!!! 😀