So there I was, about a mile from the Trek store on my way for the fitting, and ready to place an order for the Trek Portland when I had a voice in my head yell “No!! Don’t buy the bike!!”
It was so loud and compelling that I actually pulled over and stopped the bike at a curb in a residential neighborhood.
I was confused.
I even called the GF, but she couldn’t offer any advice one way or the other. This was my decision.
I’ve been drooling over this bike for a few months now. I’d decided, I thought with certainty and commitment that it would be my reward for finishing the Triple Bypass. I’d test ridden it. I’d spent countless minutes pouring over the minutia of it’s components, staring at pictures of it. I love the look. I love the components. I love pretty much everything about it.
As much as I wanted to give in, something inside me was very insistent that I not indulge this desire.
I have bikes. I have bikes enough that there’s no weather (*safe* weather, that is) that I can’t ride in. Do I really need another? Do I really need another that costs that much?
So I turned around and went home, where I called the Trek store and told them I couldn’t make it.
Maybe after thinking about it more, I’ll jump over, but for now, I’m on the fence.
Good god, our quick reminisce of years past has somehow transferred to you my overwhelming urge for frugality. Go take a shower or something, quick!
Of course, your girlfriend is right: only you can make that decision. I tend to at least listen to my gut, even if I don’t end up following what it says. Do you have any idea why you felt the sudden reluctance? Buyer’s remorse, before the fact?
Maybe you need another test ride or two. How does it feel when you ride it? Does it occupy some middle ground between the Kona and the Torelli? What kind of riding will you use it for?
Then there’s the money concern: can you pay for it outright? Personally, I refuse to put myself in debt to buy a bike. That’s one advantage bikes can have over cars: most of us can afford a pretty nice one without financing, if we save for a while.
The Portland sure is a great bike. I’ve drooled over one at a shop here a few times. It’s probably not what I will get whenever I get a new bike, but I sure understand the appeal. The only thing I don’t like are those wimpy fenders.
If I knew then what I know now, I would not have purchased my road bike. I don’t regret it. It’s a good bike. It’s nimble. It’s fast. I hope one day I’m in good enough shape to really, really wring it out and put it through its paces. It’s not the most logical steed in my stable for commuting or errand-running, though. I’ve pretty much put it on the back burner as my long-distance bike for randonneuring at this point.
Obviously, it sounds like you need to analyze what it is that this bike will genuinely bring to the table. It sounds like you’re already doing that.