Thanks for reading the newsletter. I hope your holidays are a time of peace and joy.

Perceived Value:

The equation of perception and value combined with knowledge has riddled marketers for decades. As consumers we see things in dollar signs. How much is it? When do I get paid? That costs too much. I hear these statements a lot. A recurring theme here at the Bicycle Words is cheap bikes. This week I’m re-pointing the ship towards expensive bikes and their perceived value. In the world of sports cars and the yacht life you’ll find money, or is it the illusion of money? Many people strive for the rich life and will go to great lengths to get there hoping that there is some achievable happiness or lack of problems if they can just get more money. Winning the lottery will solve everything! False. More money brings more problems, usually in the form of excessive spending which demolishes the pile of cash quickly. So, does spending significant amounts of money on a bicycle help people achieve something that they couldn’t get on a lower priced bike? Well, it depends on the end goal for the user. For this argument I’ll put the price tag for a high end bike at $4,000. That seems to be the threshold for most people I deal with that would be considered to be a cyclist of serious accord that wants what they want for a specific reason. Generally this reason is they want something that performs at a high level. Lightweight parts, feathery wheels, and aerodynamic properties will make a bike fast, no doubt about it. If the rider, as the motor, has the strength and endurance to push hard they will get an excellent result from the bike. This result is the reason that spending $10,000 on a bike is worth it for people capable of laying out that kind of cash for a bike that they can then ride to it’s potential. The speed and ride feel of a super bike cannot be mistaken. It is real. The emotion and joy that comes from hammering at your limit on a bike of top of the line components feels so good. It’s something that you have to experience to understand. However, if speed and performance are not you thing, maybe you just want to ride to the store to get a loaf of bread and a kombucha while taking a detour through the park. You too will feel good on your favorite bike. A proper fit, correct air pressure in the tires, and a positive attitude will get the rider the level of satisfaction they desire. You see, there is no right and wrong when buying a bike that fits your needs. The perception that you can only find happiness emptying your wallet is just not true. It all depends on the end goal and the tools you need to get to that goal.

Short Days

For us hardly souls in the northern hemisphere we’re experiencing shorter days, longer nights, and dropping temperatures. As cyclists we take great care to add layers of warm clothing so we can attempt to be comfortable on our rides. I’ll be the first to admit it, cold rides are not that fun, but I do it. I need it. Wearing ski gloves I can keep my hands warm and that’s all that matters to me. For people in the southern states that get to ride in 70F+ weather during December I wish I was along side you!

Thanks for reading, have a great week and watch out for the wild shopper zombies at the mall this week.

Peace,
Paul