What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

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Mike Sales
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Mike Sales »

Mick F wrote:How can you gold-plate carbon fibre?
Plating is done ............ please correct me if I'm wrong ........... by electrical connections.
Anode and cathode ........... and relies on the conduction of electricity.

I don't think you can electroplate a plastic.


The resin is a plastic, but carbon fibre does conduct. I would not know whether the fibre itself is insulated by its resin coating. Quite possibly I would guess.
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Marcus Aurelius
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Marcus Aurelius »

Mick F wrote:How can you gold-plate carbon fibre?
Plating is done ............ please correct me if I'm wrong ........... by electrical connections.
Anode and cathode ........... and relies on the conduction of electricity.

I don't think you can electroplate a plastic.

Apparently there’s a process where they can gold plate pretty much anything. The gold is in suspension, which they paint onto the object. Then a current is passed through the solution covering the object, and the gold precipitates on the object. Carbon fibre is easy, because it becomes a cathode, resin impregnated or not.
Postboxer
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Postboxer »

Maybe these?

https://www.bikester.co.uk/kcnc-vb1-can ... gLf6PD_BwE

Not sure who did their photographs.
reohn2
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by reohn2 »

Postboxer wrote:Maybe these?

https://www.bikester.co.uk/kcnc-vb1-can ... gLf6PD_BwE

Not sure who did their photographs.


Nor I,the pads are downside up :?

£310 :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Manc33
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Manc33 »

£350 for two nuts...

Image

Code: Select all

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ULTRA-RARE-Chris-King-Titanium-GripNut-Conversion-Kit-1-inch-Brand-New/153433748727
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DaveP
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by DaveP »

I'm surprised no one has used the B word yet!
I mean, if theres a bike that has had insane amounts of cash poured in its general direction it must be the Brompton. Adding a Rohloff hub... well, if you really like them - at least its quality kit in it's own right, but while you're at it, that new rear triangle you need or the job ... might as well have titanium...and then if you replace the forks (titanium anyone?) you can have disc brakes...
And then there's the outright bling - £140 for a new pair of frame clamp screws? Really? Take a gander at Bikeganghut and be startled. Mmm Maybe hand your cards to your significant other while you're off viewing some of the hardest bike porn around...

You would be quite justified in pointing out that some of this stuff has some merit. Might actually be more functional for some individuals. What I can't get over is the fact that the vast majority of the people who buy this stuff start by buying a nice, new, and fully functional bike and in some cases having major "upgrades" done before even sitting on it. They'd do much better donating to the relief of aging cynics...
Wouldn't they? :mrgreen:
Trying to retain enough fitness to grow old disgracefully... That hasn't changed!
9494arnold
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by 9494arnold »

Have to say man recent Bike tests reports amuse/alarm me.
The test spiel often goes 'Might Benefit from a Different Fork.....' 'Would benefit from better wheels'
Surely it should say 'The forks/wheels aren't any good, don't buy it'
AlanD
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Location: South Oxfordshire

Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by AlanD »

Someone who is close to me and will remain nameless, did a mechanical apprenticeship.
I bought him a bike toolkit ( quite a good one too) and a Haynes bike workshop manual. He trashed his first bike, bought another and paid for a service contract that the shop were running. Is there an emoji for banging your head against a wall?
Syd
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Syd »

9494arnold wrote:Have to say man recent Bike tests reports amuse/alarm me.
The test spiel often goes 'Might Benefit from a Different Fork.....' 'Would benefit from better wheels'
Surely it should say 'The forks/wheels aren't any good, don't buy it'
Wheels are often where a manufacturer will save costs on a bike. I’ve changed wheels on brand new bikes on a number of occasions.
Syd
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Syd »

Carlton green wrote:
Personally I would agree with Mike’s point elsewhere. To me there is a certain madness in paying vast sums for artworks, that’s not to say that I think art is without value but rather that not everything should be valued solely in monetary terms ...
Why madness? If someone wants something they like, and can afford, then why not buy some unique artwork?

Would you think the same of someone ordering a steak in Miller and Carter when you can get one a lot cheaper in Wetherspoons? Or Mrs Syd and I having a £185 lunch yesterday when today’s was only £7.40?
Carlton green
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Carlton green »

Syd wrote: 9 Oct 2021, 6:16pm
Carlton green wrote:
Personally I would agree with Mike’s point elsewhere. To me there is a certain madness in paying vast sums for artworks, that’s not to say that I think art is without value but rather that not everything should be valued solely in monetary terms ...
Why madness? If someone wants something they like, and can afford, then why not buy some unique artwork?

Would you think the same of someone ordering a steak in Miller and Carter when you can get one a lot cheaper in Wetherspoons? Or Mrs Syd and I having a £185 lunch yesterday when today’s was only £7.40?
£185 for a lunch! What’s your profession? I wonder if it’s too late for my children to retrain. :D
Don’t fret, it’s OK to: ride a simple old bike; ride slowly, walk, rest and admire the view; ride off-road; ride in your raincoat; ride by yourself; ride in the dark; and ride one hundred yards or one hundred miles. Your bike and your choices to suit you.
Syd
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Syd »

Carlton green wrote:
£185 for a lunch! What’s your profession? I wonder if it’s too late for my children to retrain. :D
Mrs Syd and I both have jobs in NHS.
Psamathe
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Psamathe »

Syd wrote: 9 Oct 2021, 6:16pm
Carlton green wrote:
Personally I would agree with Mike’s point elsewhere. To me there is a certain madness in paying vast sums for artworks, that’s not to say that I think art is without value but rather that not everything should be valued solely in monetary terms ...
Why madness? If someone wants something they like, and can afford, then why not buy some unique artwork?

Would you think the same of someone ordering a steak in Miller and Carter when you can get one a lot cheaper in Wetherspoons? Or Mrs Syd and I having a £185 lunch yesterday when today’s was only £7.40?
I once had lunch at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons (although it took lunchtime and much of the afternoon). I didn't pay (it was a business thing and NOT to win a deal). I didn't like the food that much and actually didn't eat some of the stuff brought to me or rather had a mouthful and no more. I'd have preferred a reasonable pizzeria. No idea how much it cost as I never saw the bill.

Ian
Psamathe
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Psamathe »

Syd wrote: 9 Oct 2021, 6:16pm
Carlton green wrote:
Personally I would agree with Mike’s point elsewhere. To me there is a certain madness in paying vast sums for artworks, that’s not to say that I think art is without value but rather that not everything should be valued solely in monetary terms ...
Why madness? If someone wants something they like, and can afford, then why not buy some unique artwork?
.....
I can to a degree understand purchasing a physical work of art (but am unsure about the ludicrous numbers some pieces attract). What I can't understand is these Non-Fungicidal Tokens. I can understand the process but not why - beyond that they (currently) represent some value that can grow and be traded. I appreciate the scheme has been thought out (e.g. that the artist can "bake-in" a commission to him/herself on each trade) but I can't appreciate the pleasure from owning an NFT.

Ian
Syd
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Re: What's the biggest waste of money possible on a bike part?

Post by Syd »

Psamathe wrote: (although it took lunchtime and much of the afternoon).
Ditto. Table booked for 1pm and left around 4:30pm.
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