Good excuse to stop upgrading.

Posted by: Calum F on 06 August 2012

I think I have a decent lower-mid range set-up (CD5XS/DAC/200/202/NAPSC/PL into HC (DR's to come) and started thinking about 282 due to a recent thread.

 

But then, last week I went in to my local bike shop by chance and picked up a stunning new racing bike (cancelled order, 15% off) for less than half the cost of a 282.

 

I will still be on the forum as I'm still interested in the discussions and the NAIM gear but I am so glad to get the monkey off my back (upgrading) as I have now run out of money and will just have to make do with what I have and forget about having a 282. Might also help be lose some timber.

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by Wugged Woy

Gord', wish I had your system 'to make do with'....................

 

Be happy, and enjoy your system. Don't let a forum like this brain-wash you into upgrading. It can be dangerous.

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by Steve J

Calum,

 

It's simply a case of priorities first and foremost. I 'made do' happily with a NAC62 NAP140 with a late '80s LP12 for about 12 years whilst the children grew up, also complicated with a divorce in the late '90s. It was only after I became more financially secure that I started to improve my system.

 

Enjoy what you have now. You only live once and it's important to do what you feel is right for you.

 

Just be careful on your new bike though and try to avoid what happened to George.

 

ATB

 

Steve

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by rackkit
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Calum,

 

It's simply a case of priorities first and foremost. I 'made do' happily with a NAC62 NAP140 with a late '80s LP12 for about 12 years whilst the children grew up, also complicated with a divorce in the late '90s. It was only after I became more financially secure that I started to improve my system.

 

Enjoy what you have now. You only live once and it's important to do what you feel is right for you.

 

Just be careful on your new bike though and try to avoid what happened to George.

 

ATB

 

Steve

So what happened to George?

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by dave simpson
Originally Posted by rackkit:
 

So what happened to George?

George, his knee and his bike got in a fight with a car and the car won:

 

 

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by ryder.
Originally Posted by Steve J:

 

Enjoy what you have now. You only live once and it's important to do what you feel is right for you.

 

 

I was about to post a message without reading through all the responses here. Then I see this line, which pretty much sums up my thoughts.

 

Personally I would say be grateful with what you have right now, and since there is music playing in your room, nice music produced by Naim gear, that is an excuse to stop upgrading. However, as Steve has mentioned above, you only live once. I've just said this 5 minutes ago in another thread. What a coincidence.

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by DrMark

You can still participate and enjoy this forum without constantly upgrading or thinking of same - I have found a lot of cool music on the "What Are You Listening To Now" thread.

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by Bart

Calum, I'm someone else who has a wide variety of interests.  My interest in hi fi gear has to compete with many other interests that vie for my disposable income. 

 

Fitness is SO important, and I hope you enjoy your new bike.  I have a now-10-year-old titanium Serotta bike, and cannot bring myself to "upgrade" it.  Everything is carbon now, and I'm enjoying being "old school" :-)

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by joerand

Part of the wisdom we should supposedly gain as we age is being content with what we have.  That person is probably ahead of one who constantly seeks upgrades.

 

Bart, both my road and mountain bikes have no carbon on them, but they are fine machines.  Even if I swapped out for carbon parts, I don't think I'd ride them any faster.  The important thing is just to get out and ride!

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by mikapoh
Originally Posted by DrMark:

You can still participate and enjoy this forum without constantly upgrading or thinking of same - I have found a lot of cool music on the "What Are You Listening To Now" thread.

+1

Posted on: 06 August 2012 by rackkit
Originally Posted by dave simpson:
Originally Posted by rackkit:
 

So what happened to George?

George, his knee and his bike got in a fight with a car and the car won:

 

 

Oh dear.

 

Hope he's ok now and can ride again?

Posted on: 07 August 2012 by naim_nymph

Calum,

 

Show us a picture of the new bike then! 

 

It’s strange how many bikers often seem to enjoy the benefit of a good home audio, or to put it another way, it’s strange how audiophiles often seem to like bike riding.

 

Maybe it’s not strange but the yin and yang of exercise vs. relaxation, in the restful shadow of ones home listening to music, and out into the light and fresh air, both very complementary.

 

Debs

Posted on: 07 August 2012 by jfritzen
Originally Posted by naim_nymph:

 

It’s strange how many bikers often seem to enjoy the benefit of a good home audio, or to put it another way, it’s strange how audiophiles often seem to like bike riding.

 

Maybe it’s not strange but the yin and yang of exercise vs. relaxation, in the restful shadow of ones home listening to music, and out into the light and fresh air, both very complementary.

Perhaps it's just because of money: either car and inexpensive hifi or audiophile hifi and bike .

Posted on: 07 August 2012 by cyclo

Count me in on the biking Audiophile. 90 miles from home and back tomorrow to ride Peak District Audax http://www.aukweb.net/  from Marple near Stockport. Somehow the music sounds so much better after cycling up 2000m of hills.

Posted on: 07 August 2012 by patk

It is cool to see the common interests here.  Fellow rider with a Ti Serotta also.  I'm with Debs, post pics of the new ride.   

Posted on: 07 August 2012 by George Fredrik
Originally Posted by rackkit:
Originally Posted by dave simpson:
Originally Posted by rackkit:
 

So what happened to George?

George, his knee and his bike got in a fight with a car and the car won:

 

Oh dear.

 

Hope he's ok now and can ride again?

Dear Rackkit,

 

It will be sixteen weeks on Thursday at teatime. As it goes I had the op next day in the afternoon - no food after the crash, because I did not have any before a friend took to hospital and then it became clear that I would be operated on next day. It was an experience not to repeat if possibile!

 

 

I was allowed to weight bear again after six weeks, and probably a bit scary is that I got back on the bike seven weeks to the hour after the incident. At the time I found I could ride the bike, but not walk without at least the one crutch! Stopping, and getting on and off were not joyful as I expect you can see! I returned to work a few days before being allowed to weight bear. 

 

Since then I have continued to get stronger, though the leg still aches something chronic from time to time.

 

I am no longer happy to ride on the road with cars though. If one per cent of drivers fail to concentrate insufficiently just one per cent of the time, then the risks to cyclists can easily be very serious ... 

 

I am afraid to say that this inattention among a tiny minority of motorists is not regarded nearly seriously enough at present. I do not think anything will ever be done about it, and so I give up on the urban highway.

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 07 August 2012 by The Hawk
Originally Posted by Bart:

Calum, I'm someone else who has a wide variety of interests.  My interest in hi fi gear has to compete with many other interests that vie for my disposable income. 

 

Fitness is SO important, and I hope you enjoy your new bike.  I have a now-10-year-old titanium Serotta bike, and cannot bring myself to "upgrade" it.  Everything is carbon now, and I'm enjoying being "old school" :-)

I like my titanium frame best, better than my carbon frames. Your Serotta is an excellent bike!

 

 

Originally Posted by joerand:

Part of the wisdom we should supposedly gain as we age is being content with what we have.  That person is probably ahead of one who constantly seeks upgrades.

 

Bart, both my road and mountain bikes have no carbon on them, but they are fine machines.  Even if I swapped out for carbon parts, I don't think I'd ride them any faster.  The important thing is just to get out and ride!

I'm more than content with my 'old' bikes, no need to upgrade, as you say, get out and ride!

 

 

Originally Posted by naim_nymph:

Calum,

 

Show us a picture of the new bike then! 

 

It’s strange how many bikers often seem to enjoy the benefit of a good home audio, or to put it another way, it’s strange how audiophiles often seem to like bike riding.

 

Maybe it’s not strange but the yin and yang of exercise vs. relaxation, in the restful shadow of ones home listening to music, and out into the light and fresh air, both very complementary.

 

Debs

Debs, that's so true. My 'new' Naim Dealer (hififofum) had a bike hanging on the wall next to the equipment the first time I walked in. I knew I was home!

 

Dave

Posted on: 07 August 2012 by pjl2

Upgrading is not mandatory. It is perfectly OK just to be happy with what you have and to stick with it, even if you know that x.y or z will sound better. There is no requirement to reach the top - nor is doing so any great achievement. It just means you have spent a lot of cash on your system.

 

Peter

Posted on: 07 August 2012 by Gale 401

I would love to be able to ride a bike.

I would have more than one with a basket a bell and things to make it look good.

I would love to ride a horse again or just kick a football from the corner post.

Dive off the 10 m platform at CP or the new place.

Just be to able to run would be fun.

Sit behind a drum kit for two hours.

If i could have a week to do all those things like i used to with my little boy and then leave this planet.

I would and i would go happy.

Posted on: 07 August 2012 by MangoMonkey
Originally Posted by Gale 401:

I would love to be able to ride a bike.

I would have more than one with a basket a bell and things to make it look good.

I would love to ride a horse again or just kick a football from the corner post.

Dive off the 10 m platform at CP or the new place.

Just be to able to run would be fun.

Sit behind a drum kit for two hours.

If i could have a week to do all those things like i used to with my little boy and then leave this planet.

I would and i would go happy.

Very well said indeed. Kudos!!!

Posted on: 08 August 2012 by Btl

Hifi from UK and bikes from Italy is a good mix. I've just ordered a Wilier cento1 and i'm really looking forward to riding it. I've been riding cyclocross for a couple of years but going for a proper racer this time. 

Posted on: 08 August 2012 by Christopher_M
Originally Posted by Bart:

 I have a now-10-year-old titanium Serotta bike, and cannot bring myself to "upgrade" it.  Everything is carbon now, and I'm enjoying being "old school" :-)

Oh don't go telling me Reynolds 531 has been surpassed!

 

Enjoy your new bike Calum.

 

Chris

Posted on: 08 August 2012 by George Fredrik

Or 501 Reynolds, which has its own claims to fame as well!

 

The only Ti[tanium] on my bike is in my right leg!. Very classy job though!

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 08 August 2012 by The Hawk

Or Columbus SLX, as used in my Marinoni!

 

Dave

Posted on: 08 August 2012 by Calum F
Originally Posted by Christopher_M:
Originally Posted by Bart:

 I have a now-10-year-old titanium Serotta bike, and cannot bring myself to "upgrade" it.  Everything is carbon now, and I'm enjoying being "old school" :-)

Oh don't go telling me Reynolds 531 has been surpassed!

 

Enjoy your new bike Calum.

 

Chris

 

Reynolds 531 has been surpassed, kind of. I have a Dawes Imperial (full R531) circa. 1983 which has been replaced by a Trek Madone 3.5, NAC 282 having been sacrificed. At least Trek had the decency not to call the bike "Madone 282".

Posted on: 08 August 2012 by George Fredrik
Originally Posted by Calum F:
Reynolds 531 has been surpassed, kind of. I have a Dawes Imperial (full R531) circa. 1983 which has been replaced by a Trek Madone 3.5, NAC 282 having been sacrificed. At least Trek had the decency not to call the bike "Madone 282".

These old tubings sets that required lugging have not been surpassed except for a few per cent of weight. The ride with them is unsurpassed. Like comapring a Rolls Royce Wraith with a Porshe 911. different and each has its place - unsurpassed.

 

ATB from George