How much would you pay for +1mph/40K on the bike?

OK, if anyone reading this has the ability to add additional options they should be:

• $1000-$2000
• $2000-$5000 (should cover most sets of fancy-pants wheels)
• The sky is the limit.  See ya suckahs.

I'm so sad I screwed up this poll. 

Totally--I  tried to cover this with the "something, but I feel like I need to earn it first" option.  That might seem as clear to others as it seemed to me when I was ***trying*** to create the poll;) I didn't feel like I could put a set mph on that option, as it certainly varies a lot.

Do you mind sharing at what mph you would consider buying 1mph/40K speed?

I'm still sad about the poll. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

What about some sweet bullhorn to aero-or-die bars with Di2? :)

Ridiculously hardcore.

This info makes me happy--as they are the only pedals I've tried:)

I think the answer depends on what you already have.

Lots of people spend anywhere from $2k-4k upgrading from a road bike with clip on aero bars to a tri bike with a professional fit.  That's maybe a little more than a 1 mph gain...but gives you some perspective.

Many people spend anywhere from $500-$2k upgrading their wheels and only get about 0.4-0.7 mph benefit.

Buying a skinsuit, aerohelmet, and good race tires/tubes all together might add up to 1-2 mph and would cost you about $300.

Then you've got power meters, HRMs, coaching, etc that people pay hundreds or thousands of dollars on...but the gains could be small if you're already fast...or they could be huge.

For me, I already have most of the above (holy crap...I try not to think about all I've spent) so if I can squeeze out another 1 mph, that would be huge.  It would put me in contention for winning state championships at the 40k TT and posting the fastest bike splits overall at small local tris.  I don't really know how much I would pay because I know there is no such thing that could get me 1 mph other than training harder...but if it did exist and it was proven...and also that my competitors already had it and this would help me level the playing field...shoot...I may have to take out a loan.  LOL.

X2...right on the mark Jason. If it could be guaranteed that I could go 1mph faster with current gear and same effort level........$$$

This was  really helpful to read.  Thanks Jason.  I've seen lots of numbers thrown around for different wheels and aero helmets, neither of which I have, and I *gasp* couldn't even tell you what my tires and tubes are.  Needed to google a skin suit;) 

There. I said it.

Nor do I have a coach or a PM, though I do have a 910xt, and it is my wooby.

I started this thread because I haven't put nearly enough time in on the bike over the last year, and I have given myself a target mph to hit before I'll consider buying speed. I'm curious how others approach the work v coin equation. 

My target is 21mph for a Oly 40K, which I feel hopeful of hitting this season (my first). I have yet to do a bike focus of any kind.  I'm on week two of an eight week focus, shooting for 150-180/week, which I barely hit the first week and am short this week, but it's still way up from where it was.

Sooooo on my current stock rims, but professionally fitted tri bike, I might stand to gain 1.4-2.7mph?

Effin A.  That's some serious incentive right there.

What percentage of your bike do you do on TR?

Either you have the money to spend on it or not, and if not, then sure - saving up makes sense.  But I don't know why people worry about a speed target.  Is it just to dangle the carrot, so to speak, to reward yourself for training harder?  Life's short - get what makes you happy

I have a lot of money invested in my bikes but I've never once felt like it was squandered.  Each of the past couple seasons I've probably biked double my car mileage.