Can you ever have too much stuff?

[Easytigers]

Ok, so have got to the point where I pretty much have everything I need for the commute to work, rain or shine...
So why do I still have the daily routine of looking at ebay, aldi/lidl deals plus every other bike website that I can find (not to mention drooling over a couple of bike mags that I subscribe to!)???
Will it never end???
I keep having the same conversation with my wife which always ends with...'But I really need it and that's it then...'
Just me or is it a secret cycling phenomenon?
Russ
p.s. I dropped the wife off to meet the inlaws today and had to have a 'sit down' with myself before I convinced myself not to go to Aldi for their sale...am I going insane???

 

[ianrauk]

Nope...it's normal cyclist behaviour.

 

[yello]

I think, at some level, you're not quite satisfied with the stuff you have or the function it performs. It takes trial and error to get the right stuff in the right place... and it's not just a matter of buying the 'best'. It's about getting stuff that works for you. Thanks my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it

Seriously though, I do have stuff that is spot on ideal (not just cycling stuff either) and I don't look to replace it until it's broken/worn out. It's like it's ticked off in the search for perfection.

 

[Fiona N]

My problem is that once I find something perfect - Crank Brothers Quattro road pedals, for example - I buy several (pairs) and hoard them just in case they stop making them (as indeed, Crank Bros have - concentrating on mtb pedals) when I need to replace them.

This means that most of my favourite stuff comes in pairs - the original and a carefully preserved 'spare'. The trouble with modern technical clothing is that it rarely wears out - I reckon the manufacturers hope you'll get bored of it and buy something new - so it does mean that I have accumulated a huge amount of sports clothing. Basically the only time I get rid of something is when a) I get too fat for it b) it didn't perform to expectations whereupon it gets consigned to Ebay

 

[Radman]

No you can never have enough stuff, even though ive got four different cycling jackets for nearly every weather condition known to man, i still went out and bought another one last week at aldi.

Oh and a pair of their cycling shoes as well !!!!

 

[Easytigers]

Saw the shoes...any good???

 

[steveindenmark]

Yes you can

Most of the old old stuff is probably tat and as you have got older and probably colder and wetter whist riding. You realise that you have spent a fortune on crap, inferior products. That is until you put your hand in your pocket and get some quality gear.


That is my experience anyway.

Steve

 

[gb155]

Nope...it's normal cyclist behaviour.

+1

 

[soulful dog]

The important thing here is whose answer to this question should you listen to and take heed of? Your darling wife or a bunch of similarly afflicted cyclists on a forum......

 

[NotFabian]

NO

 

[ayceejay]

good point soulful but ....isn't the point of this thread to come up with 'her indoors' proof excuse?

 

[snorri]

You can never have too much stuff, but you can have too little space.

 

[baldycyclist]

There is a strong possibility that I may need to buy a new set of drawers as the three drawers I am allowed in the house are now full of lycra, nylon and polyester in various colours from black to vivid green or yellow. Or it could be possible that I get a separate house altogether with an underground airconditioned garage with auto doors when I approach and a batman style thing that allows me to don all my clothes in an instant!

Isnt it a pain getting dressed three or four times a day - I wish I could just wear my kit at work. The pupils would laugh at me somewhat though!

 

[Easytigers]

Three drawers! I'm only allowed two

Both are stuffed with so much kit that the bottom of the each one keeps falling out! +1 for the underground airconditioned garage!

 

[yello]

You realise that you have spent a fortune on crap, inferior products. That is until you put your hand in your pocket and get some quality gear.

That's my experience too Steve!

Problem with quality gear is that it lasts a long time and gets outdated/superseded. New, 'better' stuff comes along.... and you want to try that out. That's when it gets really difficult to justify reaching for the credit card!