Commuting - Any other bottom feeders out there?

Come on now... you know who you are. In case you don't, a bottom feeder is someone, like myself, who trolls for bargain basement .com blowouts whenever they need to buy something bike related. The Nashbar returned merchandise section is a goldmine! Not everyone can walk into the LBS and shell out more than they should for brand name components and such. We buy Wellgo knock-off's instead of Shimano's best, or even low end, for that matter. Why pay $35 for a V-brake when it's pretty hard to tell the difference between that and one that cost $10? Face it; buying cheap is a good way to go, especially when you're putting together a short range commuter/runabout that you don't want to worry about locking up on the street.

I'm considering starting a semi-regular thread, "The Bottom Feeders Corner", in which I and other like minded shoppers can post SHORT reviews of some of the more value-intense components and accessories we've scored.

DanO

I'm considering starting a semi-regular thread, "The Bottom Feeders Corner", in which I and other like minded shoppers can post SHORT reviews of some of value-intense components and accessories.

This is an important distinction.

With that said, I'm guilty as charged.

bk

I usually spend what I consider a reasonable amount on bike parts, but clothing is another story (except bibs ;) ). I'll get the sale stuff or the discounted stuff from any online site or local store (like REI's "scratch n' dent sale"). Sometimes I'm happy with the purchase - sometimes I'm disappointed.

Some of my favorite bargain sites (where I usually get quality merchandise) are STP and whoever comes up in a search at bestbikebuys, qbike, or biketiresdirect.

I will change my nickname to COD - the ultimate bottom feeder

I'm definitely a bottom feeder and it usually works out for me. Only been screwed by cheaply made items a few times (take a good look at cheapo blinky lights, some suck). I've used knock-offs like wellgo pedals for years and never have a problem. Keep in mind some of wellgos products are better designed than others. The trick is to look at a part and see if it will work for your application.

Has anyone in the bottom feeder world noticed instances where a brand name item looks exactly like a Taiwanese cheapo (like Tektro brake levers)? Are some people paying extra for basic, off-the-shelf Taiwan stuff with a designer name? There's a lot of Taiwanese frames and components out there with nicer finishes, designer names and of course, higher price tags. Slick marketing lets the non-discriminating buyer know that the botique, bohemian, independent, fighting "the man", small, mom and pop company from northern California or West Virginia is worth more than the original thing from Tektro selling at Nashbar for $10.

Edit: Check out the Cane Creek Crossstop levers for $30 and the Tektro RX 2.1 in-line levers for $20 (on sale at Nashbar $15). Looks like the same damn thing to me. And I've seen them up close, in person at a cyclocross event...

Performance forte spd pedals...........cheap and has lasted several years without any problems. Love the clearance area ..........for all sorts of things. Bottom feeding yeah.

There is a Performance store a block from my office, next to the Subway I sometimes go to for lunch. When I stop in at lunch time, I check the sales table first, then the clearance section, then I walk around the store looking at the other sales items.

aka a bottom feeder

Whoops, thought this was an IRS employees thread. My bad.

Yes, sales are good. Nonbike-specific clothes that work are great. I was just thinking earlier that if I was an "extra-small" size, rather than "medium-tall", I'd have a lot more cheap clothes options on the closeout boards.

Since I wear Alert Shirts for riding, built my own light set and have never even touched anything with the words "pearl izumi" on it I think I qualify. Especially in the commuting world where you may need clothing items to cover a week of riding and need to arrive not preceeded by your own stink, cheap is the way to go. There are many times when I wish there were a thread on good bargain sources for items. I'm slowly compiling my list of favorite hunting grounds, but sharing of info wouldn't hurt.

biketiresdirect.

Some great deals to be had there.

I usually spend what I consider a reasonable amount on bike parts, but clothing is another story (except bibs ;) ). I'll get the sale stuff or the discounted stuff from any online site or local store (like REI's "scratch n' dent sale"). Sometimes I'm happy with the purchase - sometimes I'm disappointed.

That's why I like Nashbar and Performance... especially Performance. They have a no hassle return policy. They even include the return shipping labels in the box. If, FOR ANY REASON, you're not satisfied just fill out the form and send it back.

DanO

Since I wear Alert Shirts for riding, built my own light set and have never even touched anything with the words "pearl izumi" on it I think I qualify. Especially in the commuting world where you may need clothing items to cover a week of riding and need to arrive not preceeded by your own stink, cheap is the way to go. There are many times when I wish there were a thread on good bargain sources for items. I'm slowly compiling my list of favorite hunting grounds, but sharing of info wouldn't hurt.

Next time your at WalMart check out the sportswear section for soccer jerseys. They're made of light weight, stretch fabric that does a decent job of wicking persperation and have a decent zipper in front. Sure, they might be missing a couple small pockets in back, but for $10 to $20 bucks I can overlook that.

DanO

Oh yeah...I'm a bargin hunter for sure. My friends know it too. I send them emails when I find deals on things they're looking for. They're very appreciative and a purchase results. Though "Bottom Feeder" might carry too much of a negative conotation...I prefer to think of it is making sure you get the best bang for buck (aka BBB).

I absolutely WON'T pay brand new prices for gear. I can see why bikes are at different pricepoints, and really don't find them that badly overpriced, but gear, especially clothing, is completely ridiculous. I use my stuff 'til it falls apart, as well.

"I use my stuff 'til it falls apart" - here, here! Gotta use it till it's dead!

I bought a cheap-o water bottle cage which included a bottle in the plastic wrap. The junk was two bucks less than a decent aluminum cage, and lasted about a month. Two days ago I look down to see the cage arms had fallen off along with the junky old bottle I was using only til it died. I was happy to see both of them gone, now I have an excuse to get a water bottle and a good cage.

Orchard hardware here in NorCal had a sale recently on bike parts, something like 40% off everything. Unfortunately that's where I got the faulty cage/bottle combo, though a pair of garage hanging hooks was a deal at three bucks.

Come on now... you know who you are. In case you don't, a bottom feeder is someone, like myself, who trolls for bargain basement .com blowouts whenever they need to buy something bike related.


Whew, for a second there I thought you were talking about my eating habits!

Off topic, but WTF is with all the Dano's in Southern Cal? I mean in Hawaii I could understand, but everytime I see a guy in BF from Southern Cal, he's a Dano (shut up Treespeed, don't screw with my wacko pet theories). :D

Is it bottom feeder enough that I periodically check the local Goodwill? Usually they don't have anything, but every once in a while, paydirt. :D

Just swung by there this morning, as a matter of fact. :)

No way i can do it here. Everything is about 2-3 times as much here as it is in the US.

Stupid bloody small population in massive country...

Anyone want to start a backdoor export business??? (Don't tell expat ;) )

Is it bottom feeder enough that I periodically check the local Goodwill? Usually they don't have anything, but every once in a while, paydirt. :D

Just swung by there this morning, as a matter of fact. :)

I've been wanting to go by there...looking for descent wool stuff on the cheap.

at one still-distressing point in my wasted youth, i had a job that required formal business-type clothes. part of my solution to the whole time-wasting issue involved six months' supply of silk shirts. still got them; using them now for warmth layers - it worked for the raf sixty years ago, after all. i could just be bitter and twisted about that dress code, but there's something really satisfying about the kind of use they're getting now.

Let's face it life is like a good sale on stuff that works, and Nashbar, Pricepoint, SuperGo, Performance etc. etc. etc.....they have it. It never fail's when you find yourself in need of improvement for your favorite bike that they or someone else out there is selling it cheap. Not only that, but when you have the sudden notions to alter your bike's fit, like comfort and speed, they have the parts on sale. Even though, I still patronize the LBS because I find them pretty good too. Life is 2 good when everyone is rollin.

Me too , I'd rather build something or go to goodwill and find a cheap beater to strip for parts .

New? what this new people are talking about?
Bout everything I have is 2nd hand. I do buy new chains, tires, tubes, spokes and cables. But I will reuse even those if in good shape.
You haven't empraced bottomfeeding till your first reaction to needing a replacement is where will I find a good used one? Also you can get the upscale used parts you drooled over when they were new. I love old high end parts.

Yup, I can't even believe the prices at the LBS. The one that's most convenient to me is owned/operated by a former Cannondale exec. They're heavily into racer stuff, all their clothes are on par with the $80+ jerseys, etc.
I'm more of an alertshirts guy myself. I built my own lights, I buy my compression stuff on sale at the sporting goods sale at the end of running season.
I think in my experience cheapo blinkies are the biggest mistake in the "saving money" area; they don't. They aren't waterproof, they fall apart on bumpy roads, after a few rides in the rain they're junk.

Well, since some of my favorite haunts are Goodwill and Play it Again Sports, I think I qualify! ( I even got a MTB there for $10 and a pair of 15 year old rollerblades :) ) I would definately be interested in reviews of lower priced items. I have a newly found interest in bike mechanics and would like to know how things like Nashbar Cranks etc. hold up. They are ALOT cheaper than other brands. Could work out well on a project bike, especially an early attempt at building.

Well, since some of my favorite haunts are Goodwill and Play it Again Sports, I think I qualify! ( I even got a MTB there for $10 and a pair of 15 year old rollerblades :) ) I would definately be interested in reviews of lower priced items. I have a newly found interest in bike mechanics and would like to know how things like Nashbar Cranks etc. hold up. They are ALOT cheaper than other brands. Could work out well on a project bike, especially an early attempt at building.
Nashbar-branded items are good quality, as far as everything I've seen. I've got a stem and cassette from them on my main road bike, and have been pleased.

Sometimes I want exactly what I want and nothing else will do. Those times I'll spend whatever it takes, wherever it is. The rest of the time I bottom feed. Why not save money if I can find cheap stuff that will work just fine.

SS

Yep, I'm a "bottom feeder" er, rather a "Frugal" buyer.

The name "Tightwad" says it all. :D :beer: :D :beer:

I'm so "tight" that I can get downright cheap at times.
Oh, yes I love it !!! :D :D

What a great thread. I loving getting the things I want as inexpensively as possible. I also love finding useful purpose for other people's trash or castoffs.

Check out the maintenance stand I built from pieces of unistrut and hardware I scavenged out of the dumpster at the plant where I work. It helps to be somewhere there is a lot of construction going on for things like this. There are a million possible uses for unistrut.

I also will look for used before I buy new. I was surprised at how little the classifieds get used on this forum. On an archery forum that I frequent at well, it is always hopping with used equipment at better than ebay prices.

Just hit up ValueVillage on my lunch hour. I got a lambs wool shirt and a merino wool shirt for a grand total of $14.98. One was a United Colors of Benetton, the other was a "J. Ashford"; made in Italy it said. Schweet.

Just hit up ValueVillage on my lunch hour. I got a lambs wool shirt and a merino wool shirt for a grand total of $14.98. One was a United Colors of Benetton, the other was a "J. Ashford"; made in Italy it said. Schweet.

I think the majority of my wool sweaters that I use for winter layering have come from the Thrift store...I've got like 5 merino wool sweaters and none of them has cost over 3 bucks.

I never pay more then 20 bucks a pair for name brand kevlar tires. A LBS around here gets good deals buying out the shops that go belly up. 20 bucks for 2 continental double fighters that go for at least 35 a piece. Same for a pair of 26x2.125 nokian studs. Sometimes I venture into the online for stuff I can't get cheaper. Often you have to get what you can then trade.

Is it bottom feeder enough that I periodically check the local Goodwill? Usually they don't have anything, but every once in a while, paydirt. :D

Just swung by there this morning, as a matter of fact. :)
So right. I got a Brooks Bros. cashmere sweater for $3. So soft and light, yet very warm. I wore it for dressup for two years, then casual with jeans for a couple more years. Now I wear it as a bottom layer for cycling, warm wicking wool right next to my skin.

I buy warmups in large sizes for $1.50, and wear them over my bike pants in cool weather. they last a few weeks before the bike tears them up, then I throw them out.

I have drifted into the "frugal biker" group because I have kids and am not the best money manager, and thus I have very little money for personal use. Now my mind has been twisted so that I can't bring myself to buy expensive stuff, EXCEPT this Christmas I am getting a high-end messenger bag of some sort.

I too thought I scored big with some Chinese blinkies for $2.50 each. I bought four and tried to put them on the back of the milk crate on my bike. They fell apart. I taped them on. I rode in the dark. Everyone started honking at me. (I got disoriented and was in the middle of the road in the dark, but that's another story.) When I checked my lights, they all were off. The switches were so cheap that every tie I hit a bump one of them would go out, until they all were off. Now my lighting is industrial-strength, but still frugal. The headlight is a 20-watt MR16 halogen bulb in a PVC housing and the tail lights are LED clearance lights from the auto-parts store, all powered by a fat, heavy, sealed lead-acid battery in a wooden box bolted to the water bottle mounts. Dorky beyond belief, and heavy. And frugal.

My personal favorite place for clothing is the army surplus store, and Payless for hiking boots which I use as biking shoes. (Warning. I would think twice about buying cheap shoes for actually walking, but for biking they seem fine.)

Thanks to ideas presented in another thread, I am upgrading my winter mittens. Instead of spending $65 to $100 for winter mittens, I purchased a yard of wind-blocking Polar Fleece from the Malden Mills online store, and am sewing some liners for leather shells. I hope to report on their performance when there is some weather to test them.

I think the majority of my wool sweaters that I use for winter layering have come from the Thrift store...I've got like 5 merino wool sweaters and none of them has cost over 3 bucks.


So what do you wear over your wool?

I plan to try and hit Goodwill this weekend.

http://theshoestring.com/index.php?articleID=1080&sectionID=146

I have no problem dropping coin on something like a $60 pair of tires but the only way I can afford to do that is to look for the discarded Smart-Wool at Value-Village or the local Salvation-Army Thrift Store.

I've adopted my local bike co-op and donated a bunch of bike stuff I don't use.
In return I got a 130-BCD crank set and (get this): a 52/42 stainless steel Biopace ring set - like new. For free.

That's not bottom-feeding. It's just frugal!

EDIT: if there's only a few $ difference between shopping online for something or the LBS, I'll support the LBS. They've paid that back in spades with free advice and stuff from the junk box.

I don't mind paying full price for the really good stuff but admit to supporting my commuting habit with some bottom feeding from time to time: thrift stores provided most of my Winter wool layers & several of my rain bikes. 2 super thrift finds were a new pair of Carnac mountain bike shoes and a nice Campy hub front wheel that I spotted in with some old golf carts.

I shop nashbar for parts and use my lbs for repairs i cannot do. I also check the dumpster of another bike shop with permission.Old tubes they throw out can be patched or cut up for other uses, and i am using some new brakepads they threw out, on my 14 inch folder I am running a brand new 165mm shimano biopace crank set on one of my folders .They threw the crank out this spring.i would not call your forum bottom feedeers corner . I would call it parts advice and tips for and from the devotedly thrifty. :D

So what do you wear over your wool?

I plan to try and hit Goodwill this weekend.

Usually a cotton-poly sweatshirt down to about freezing, I've got a Sedona jacket when it gets colder or the snow is flying, as well as one of them nylon/fleece jackets that are way warm. I don't think I spent more than 40 for any of the jackets, though not at the thrift store...more like Kohl's.

Me too , I'd rather build something or go to goodwill and find a cheap beater to strip for parts .

I just found a bike with handlebars that I need at a thrift store for $7.00 and I didn't have the cash, now I do, so I am on my way back to pick it up.

The brakes don't look too bad either. :)

Hit up Goodwill yesterday. 2 more wool sweaters @ 4.99 each.

Check out the maintenance stand I built from pieces of unistrut and hardware I scavenged out of the dumpster at the plant where I work. It helps to be somewhere there is a lot of construction going on for things like this. There are a million possible uses for unistrut.


I rescued a bed frame from the dumpster a few weeks ago with the thought of doing something similar.

Any lessons I can learn from your experience?

Do you just set the bike into a channel at the top, or hold it in in some way?

I rescued a bed frame from the dumpster a few weeks ago with the thought of doing something similar.

Any lessons I can learn from your experience?

Do you just set the bike into a channel at the top, or hold it in in some way?

I put a piece of cloth in the channel and then use a bungee cord around the top tube and unistrut cradle to hold it in place. It works great so far.