Should I sell or keep my Aeris? WWSTWD?

you obviously wanted a bike when you bought it
so you'd still want a bike if you sold it?
if you haven't got a bike then that would suck right?
thought a bout looking for a swap with cash your way? so downgrade to a more basic bike, or a well specced hardtail. get a few quid in your pocket and still be bale to ride as and when

I life without or atleast (with less) debt and ANY bike will be a happier one all in I reckon.

If memory serves you won that bike? Or have i misremembered?

Sort of won it yes, good memory. I won the hope bundle on the dream bike competition Xmas 2018. When foxy rang me to discuss the prize, I broke down on the phone and after explaining everything he allowed me to get a bike to that value instead. Think it was partly to try and cheer me up a bit after everything that happened that year. He said I could add cash to a higher value bike, with birthday and Xmas money and some extra from parents and inlaws once I told them about it I got the aeris.

When I've had mental health struggles I've found that riding a bike is one thing that gave me a bit of respite. I know how hard it can be to actually get out and ride though, but without a bike to hand it'll obviously be even harder. If you can trade down as above then you'll still have something to ride if and when the time is right, and the extra cash you release can maybe help you get back to that place a little quicker.

Fwiw when I was down, I would just plan to ride for 5 or 10 mins - literally "just go to the end of the road and come back". The effort of getting ready to go was enough, let alone the effort of actually riding. Sometimes I'd be back home in 10 mins and that was OK, sometimes I'd be back after 2 hours and that was OK too.

It sounds like a bike that you really wanted. I don’t know about your financial situation but if you sell it you’ll get nowhere near it’s financial value and nowhere near it’s emotional value. I’ve sold stuff and then regretted it - a Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!!
You take care now mate.

Riding a bike doesn't solve debt. if the sale helps clear that and put you in a better more stable place then sell it. Get square, your head will thank you.
It can be all consuming having that over your head.
If you were riding it all the time, then maybe I'd say keep it, but you obviously aren't, so don't let the heart blind you this time. Bikes will still be there when you are in a better place.

How far would selling the bike go to resolving the debt? And what's your financial outlook like over the near-medium term?

I guess, if it goes a significant way to resolving your debt, and puts you on a more stable financial footing, which in turn helps with the stress and emotional wellbeing, maybe it makes pragmatic financial sense?

If, however, selling it would be a drop in the ocean, and your finances are much more complex/significant to resolve, keeping (or 'trading' for a more budget bike) might be worth it for the benefit it would have on your own emotional wellbeing ...?

Do you have trails/riding from the door? If not, the Aeris might not be the right bike for you, for now, so maybe think about a bike that will get you out in your local environment, a pub beater HT, cheapy gravel/road etc, that you will actually ride even if its just for 10, 30 minutes or whatever ...

Agree with above, if selling could clear your debt/stress then it's probably a sensible decision but if it doesn't make a huge dent then perhaps keeping the bike will make more sense.

I've not been able to get out on my bike recently but the thought that it's a possibility is nice. It's part of the reason I still have a bmx in the back if my garage, I rarely ride it but the idea I could makes it worth keeping imo

He said I could add cash to a higher value bike, with birthday and Xmas money and some extra from parents and inlaws once I told them about it I got the aeris.

It sounds like yu have two issues here... debt and a lack of motivation to ride your bike (very very understandable) some of which might even be caused by debt.

Issue 1: When i had quite a bit of debt the most surprising thing i realised* was that even paying off a grand made a surprising difference to how good i felt AND how much less interest you pay (which means you pay off more of the original debt the next time you pay a bit off). I'm going to go against the advice about whether it will make a big enough dent to be worth it, it is always worth not being in debt especially if its getting you stressed. HAve you considered getting actual advice?

Issue 2: Firstly you don't have to ride a bike you can do anything you want with your time but excercise is obviously pretty beneficial for mind and body. If you are determined to ride your bike, what obstacles are there? What kind of riding can you do from your door? I genunely believe the best bike is the bike you are sitting** on i've got bikes worth about 50quid that will make me grin from ear to ear that sit at the front of the pile because they just make me smile. Someone posted above just going out for 5 minutes is a first step. It doesn't matter if you are in cycling gear or a pair of shorts and a tshirt. Ask the kids to help encourage you?

My point is I believe you can work on both issues and feel happier and healthier. Be kind to yourself dude, you've had it rougher than most people have in a lifetime a little bit of work now will be worth so much more when you are in a better place..

* i mean i clearly knew that was the case but seeig it actually happen was great
** and sometimes it isn't even a bike, a walk is great too, a run, a punch bag session, hell even skipping. Not a joe wix video though! jesus christ i thought i'd die!

He said I could add cash to a higher value bike, with birthday and Xmas money and some extra from parents and inlaws once I told them about it I got the aeris.

It sounds like yu have two issues here... debt and a lack of motivation to ride your bike (very very understandable) some of which might even be caused by debt.

Issue 1: When i had quite a bit of debt the most surprising thing i realised* was that even paying off a grand made a surprising difference to how good i felt AND how much less interest you pay (which means you pay off more of the original debt the next time you pay a bit off). I'm going to go against the advice about whether it will make a big enough dent to be worth it, it is always worth not being in debt especially if its getting you stressed. HAve you considered getting actual advice?

Issue 2: Firstly you don't have to ride a bike you can do anything you want with your time but excercise is obviously pretty beneficial for mind and body. If you are determined to ride your bike, what obstacles are there? What kind of riding can you do from your door? I genunely believe the best bike is the bike you are sitting** on i've got bikes worth about 50quid that will make me grin from ear to ear that sit at the front of the pile because they just make me smile. Someone posted above just going out for 5 minutes is a first step. It doesn't matter if you are in cycling gear or a pair of shorts and a tshirt. Ask the kids to help encourage you? YOu don't even technically need to "ride it" practie track stands in the garden if you can't leave the house.

My point is I believe you can work on both issues and feel happier and healthier. Be kind to yourself dude, you've had it rougher than most people have in a lifetime a little bit of work now will be worth so much more when you are in a better place..

* i mean i clearly knew that was the case but seeig it actually happen was great
** and sometimes it isn't even a bike, a walk is great too, a run, a punch bag session, hell even skipping. Not a joe wix video though! jesus christ i thought i'd die!

No possessions are worth keeping if selling them would alleviate mental health issues causes by debt. If selling it would make a decent dent in paying stuff off and ease some weight from your mind, then do it. You'll probably realise more of a return by splitting it and selling frame, forks, wheels, etc, separately.

If it goes, do you still have a bike you can use?

I'm crap at mountain biking and came to it late in life.  I love it though for one particular reason.  If I'm down or my head is in a bad place, it never, ever fails to lift my mood.  Like no other activity I've ever tried - it's like magic.  I sometimes go a couple of weeks without going out because, busy, bad weather, CBA or whatever.  Then when I do I kick myself for not doing it sooner and more often.

I am not underestimating the awful worries that debt can cause, but perhaps before you do sell it, ride it one more time.  Hopefully you will be reminded of the huge and immediate mental health benefits it can provide.  Maybe these will be more valuable than the money you would get for it, or if not you can use some of the proceeds to buy a cheaper replacement which will provide much of the same.

I’ve used it once totalling around 8 miles (I think) in 2019. Various mental, personal and childcare issues/difficulties (covid too) have prevented me from riding it.

Eight miles in three years with no other free time? That's not preventative issues, you're making excuses. Go out for a ride.

Yours, someone who's been doing exactly the same for the last 18 months.

Can I ask - do you have the feeling like you're not "worthy" of such a nice bike, and that you wouldn't be doing it justice? I've had that feeling more than once, and the solution was definitely to sell up and buy something older and cheaper, which, ironically, I ended up riding more..!

I posted on the other thread but then a comment was rightly made about the OP not being involved with that discussion.

Personally I'd say if you're not using the bike and you need the money to pay off some debts/help the family, then sell it. You can always buy a cheaper HT or something that you won't feel so guilty about not riding.

As Cougar says though, get out for a ride on what ever you have. I'm also someone who puts things in the way and then blames them for me not being able to ride enough, but I know I need to work on that myself. I actually drove down the peaks last Thurday then drove straight home as I couldn't find anywhere to park!! It was really busy, but I could ahve tried a bit harder rather than getting the arse and going home....

A bike is a bike at the end of the day. Bling Bird or £500 2nd hand HT they still provide smiles when you actually use them!

I think it depends on how much of a dent the sale of the bike would make to your debts.

If it barely scratches the surface then keep it. If it would clear them then sell it. The mental benefit of being debt free will outweigh the guilt of not riding the bike.

And for exercise, walking is free and easier to fit in to daily lives.

I think the muffin man states it well but if you can hang on to the bike do so

Struggling to read your responses and what's been said, reread them a few times.
Really appreciate them all and will try and answer everything, sorry if its a lengthy reply and apologies if I miss anything out. .

Riding a bike has always been my go to thing to clear my head and to get away from it all. I was prevented (or stopped if you like) from doing this for years as 'there was always something more important needing doing' so a lot of it now is definitely a mental block. Then with everything that happened, it made everything a lot harder. But I'm still battling that mental thing of other things need doing that I seem to have been conditioned into.

Yes, this literally was a dream bike for me. Been wanting a Bird for a while so when the opportunity came I couldn't believe my luck.

How far would selling it go to clear my debt, good question. It definitely wouldn't clear it but splitting it would probably get more and on a really really good day I might halve my debts. Might be a bit optimistic with that though. On a not so good day, a third possibly.

I don't have trails from the door unfortunately. Carmarthen is a short distance from Brechfa, Cwm Rhaeadr not much further and I'm on the end of the M4 for other trails. It's all roads around me from the door.

I completely agree that the debt could well be a factor in my lack of motivation. Definitely other factors though but this is probably part of it. With the costs of everything rising too its pretty scary.

I still have my stiffee frame and wheels sitting in the garage, forks, drive train and brakes were given away a couple of years back to fellow forumites.

Maybe having another ride on it might ignite something, especially after all this time. Have to see about doing that possibly before making a final decision. Just have to make that happen. Although it might then backfire and have the question answered for me.

Do I have the feeling of not being worthy of such a nice bike? I've sat here today just looking at it while everything is going round in my head. Don't think I deserve such a nice bike. At the time it was a very bittersweet win. My world got turned upside down and a few months later I end up with this bike. Again, could just be a mental thing around that as to why I've not ridden it?

Not sure if any of this helps or even matters but I've tried to answer what's been said. I know ultimately its my choice and I need to work out what's best, was just looking for more opinions on it and it has given me different things to think of and different ways to look at it. That's not always a good thing though.....

There are some debt reduction schemes about. Someone I know used one where creditors agreed much reduced monthly payments on the basis that something is better than nothing. I think they slashed or removed the interest too. It means you can’t borrow anymore during that period though - it’s not declaring bankruptcy though and I think it has Government/Financial Ombudsman support. Citizens Advice could help. Worth a try? Hope this helps mate!

@wheelsonfire1 is right, it’s called an IVA (Individual Voluntary Agreement) I started one several years ago and I can honestly say it’s the best financial decision I ever made, huge mental relief once everything is set up and you know you can go to the supermarket again without wondering how much the cheapest beans and bread is

Definitely worth looking into I would say

I would be More than happy to explain further and share my own experience via PM if you wanted

If you have to travel just to use the bike then it's little wonder you lack motivation and time. Maybe sell it and look at something cheaper/more appropriate/less time demanding. Dare I say gravel bike-ish? Ever considered running? I can usually fit in a run easily as there is less faff.

This may go against some moral code and even be a little embarrassing, but I'd happily throw say £25 a month in the kitty to mean both the bike can be kept and the bills get reduced. It'd only take say 10 on here to stick in the same and we'd have the debt cleared in no time

I’d be up for helping to clear the debt and keep the bike. You can’t not have a bike, I think it’s a crime isn’t it?

I can’t afford a long term commitment, just found out one of my dogs needs an expensive operation tomorrow. However, I’m willing to put a decent lump in as a one off. I’m sure there’s others on here, well I know there are!

Take this as well meant advice, from someone who has been in a similar situation (and by similar, I probably mean nothing like it) …

Sell the bike. You haven’t ridden it, you won’t ride it. You wanted it and didn’t ride it, you’ve got it and don’t ride it.

I’ve got a nicely spec’d Bird Aether. I bought it because I fancied something new, ridden it about 5 times I think since July last year. I have opportunities, I also have other hobbies like DIY and golf, so I don’t ride.

I’m at BPW on Thursday, it will be the last time I ride it because I’m going to sell it. I’ll still have a bike though, it’s in my genes and there’s no escaping that.
I’m selling the shock and forks, have already bought 2 pairs of forks to go on it for a downgrade and I’ll sell the frame. Going to buy a hardtail. Somewhat differently to you I don’t need the money, but I lack any justification to have such an awesome bike sitting doing F##k all in the garage, it’s criminal. A hardtail with some Pikes is going to grate less on my conscience that the Bird with 36’s and a DHX2 hanging off it.

If you really want a bike, sell the frame and forks and/or other flash components and buy something lesser because now’s the time to do it - selling it whole will mean you might not ever have a bike again. I was tempted but know that this time next year I’ll just buy something else that I won’t use.

Some of us are built to buy, build & enjoy bikes without riding them. I’m one of those, maybe you are too?

I may have just gone 2+2=15, or stating the obvious, but your latest response muddies the water somewhat.

When I read your first post, my go to answer was absolutely don’t sell your bike, it’s your escape and enables a brief moment in time where your burdens are not weighing you down.

But…getting out on your bike is a struggle, both physically and emotionally. Physically, you have to get yourself ready, the car ready, the bike ready (in the car)…then when you get there, bike needs to be assembled out the car before you can go, realistically around 30mins at the beginning and end of your ride isn’t on your bike.

Then there’s what the bike means to you, which is primarily a reminder to what has been the worst time of your life.

With that, I would either sell it and when you can get something like a gravel bike/HT, or change its colour etc so that it doesn’t look like the same tainted memory.

As someone else mentioned earlier, have you tried running? Getting out on my bike was a right pain, but I can be out and back from a good run in 45mins…so long as you take your time, and run easy it can be quite pleasant…and it’s a great head clearer.

P.s. You 100% deserve your dream bike!

If selling the bike would pay a 1/3 or maybe a 1/2 of your debt, it's either a seriously expensive bike or your debt should be 'manageable' to someone even on the Minimum Wage. Or do you not work?

Or is it that your debt is just something else your mental state won't let you sensibly manage?

And as Cougar said, if only 8 miles in 3 years - then just get rid of it.

Or is this just an example of your 'lifestyle', do you own/hoard other items that you don't actually use?

Is your mental health to #1 issue - if so, seek help.