Fortunately… I work in “the trade”… Which means I buy bikes a bit (not much I can assure you!) cheaper than Joe Bloggs does, and as long as I don’t keep them for too long, I can usually sell them on in good condition after 6 months or so for little or no loss over what I paid for them.
Which is my only saving grace!
Cos my Full sus is worth well over £6k (the one it replaced nearer £8k!), my main road bike is worth closer to £7k than £6k, I’m just building up a Cotic BFe out of “spares” (yeah right!) I had lying about, and have just ordered a Ritchey Logic Road frame to do the same with a load of road bike parts (that I actually do have) that I’ll run as a 2nd road bike/winter bike (SRAM Red on a winter bike anyone?). I have a £2k CX bike that has done less than 150 miles (fun miles I’ll add though) that really I should sell but can’t face parting with, and a 29er HT that I’m in the process of swapping for the new updated 2017 version.
Would still give my right arm for one of Solarider’s road bikes mind!
Anyway… For those thinking “oh my god really?!?!” Remember that it’s a perk of the job. Fortunately I’m as mad keen on cycling now as when I started, if not more so, and that whilst most people are able to go out and get mortgages on nice houses and finance on cars etc. I’m stuck renting basically until my Dad pops his clogs, as I barely “pay” myself more than minimum wage… The perks, as listed above, are quite good mind! 😉