So the repair v new bike dilemma.
Had one of those moments a couple of months back when happened to see a particular bike in a local shop window and just went weak at the knees. Heavily discounted too and sooo tempted but in the end with a half decent bike already on the go just couldn’t quite justify it.
Bike in question Merida one twenty 400 (ok, so taste is subjective, but whatever, this bike does it for me):
Thing is, the current bike now has some issues, the chain snapped recently buggering the rear hanger and derailleur, the full drive train needs replacing and there’s the start of a bit of play in the bottom bracket too. Realistically around £300 to get sorted which makes the new one wink even more.
Was in the bike shop today and there’s just one left of the 2022 heavily discounted model. Thing that’s troubling me though is the potential ongoing servicing and maintenance costs. I mean, you buy a new car reluctantly because the old one is knackered but confident after the initial outlay the running costs will be lower, but with bikes the components don’t seem to last that long and the replacement parts can astronomical. I could spend £300 on the trusty steed and be good for a year or so, but would be mightily pissed off if spending a considerable sum of money on a new one and then endIng up with an even bigger bill for servicing and replacement parts in a similar amount of time. It does appear the more you spend the higher the ongoing costs are likely to be which is the opposite of what is supposed to happen.
So more than a bit torn and will need to make a decision quickly. There’s probably arguments both ways and it’ll probably come down to urge v common sense, but being right on the fence at 50-50 any opinions and thoughts will be both appreciated and influential.
