Commuting - This forum is expensive!

I'm not upset, I'm just sayin'. It could be the fact that I'm an impressionable newbie but thanks to reading this forum over the past week, I've made the following purchases.

Cateye LD1000 $23
Rear Rack $18
Take a Look Mirror $15
Alert Shirt x2 $30
Brooks B-17 $52
Full-Finger Gloves $22

Now that I look at it, I guess it's not that expensive but Nashbar, REI, and AEBikes should give Bike Forums(Commmuting) a kickback.

Yeah, it all adds up. I reckon I spend at least $100, maybe as much as $200 a year on bike maintenance and accessories. Really cuts into the $800/year I save on busfare, or the $3000/year it would cost me to own a second car if I wanted to drive to work.

If you'd been reading long enough you'd have saved a little on the tail light getting a PB superflash <$20!!!

I'm not upset, I'm just sayin'. It could be the fact that I'm an impressionable newbie but thanks to reading this forum over the past week, I've made the following purchases.

Rear Rack $18


Next you'll be getting panniers to go with the rack. :p

Gotta spend more to save more!

Now that I look at it, I guess it's not that expensive but Nashbar, REI, and AEBikes should give Bike Forums(Commmuting) a kickback.

There is a computer forum site I belong to, and a wireless networking dealer offers special package deals and discounts for forum members.*
I'm kinda surprised that online shops like Nashbar and Performance don't offer at least a little something (like maybe free shipping on orders under a certain weight limit) to bikeforums members. I'm sure that it would help to drum up some extra business.



*(Netstumbler forums, and FAB-Corp; for anyone who's interested.)

You think that's bad?

Water bottle: $4
Bottle Cages: $8
Seatbag: $12
CO2 inflater/carts: $16
Rack: $20
Clipless Pedals: $30
Panniers: $40
Clipless MTB shoes: $50
NiteRider Evolution: $120
Trek 1200: $640

:p All thanks to BF.

Sure, but $52 for a B-17 is a smokin' deal. What full finger gloves did you get? Mine are starting to get holes and $22 is also a great price.

If you'd been reading long enough you'd have saved a little on the tail light getting a PB superflash <$20!!!

True, and it's brighter than the cateye.

But if you had been reading EVEN LONGER, you might have spent $100 on a Dinotte tail light. The brightest, but not the cheapest.

So if you average it out I'd say you played it safe by not reading too much. :D

Oh, and if it wasn't for BF, I never would have found out about Rivendell Bikes.
Here I am over $3k later... :rolleyes:

Got the B-17 and Pearl Izumi Gel-Lite Tour Gloves at Alfred E. Bike (http://aebike.com/index.cfm). The idea for gloves came from the forum, picked out the make/model on my own.

Why der yer think this site is sponsored by so many bike part suppliers? :)

Don't worry... you'll make it up in volume! :p

Hmmm...lets see....

bike $30
cables $10
tires $40
B-17 $60
fenders $20
rack $15
pannier $25

So that's $200. I save 1.5 gallons of gas when I ride it to work, so at $3.30/gal, that's like 40 commuting days to break even. Should make that easy enough.

Just don't join the roadie forum if you think commuting is expensive. At least we can rationalize our purchases!

Click the Nashbar link in the ad after the second post in any thread.

I do believe THAT gives BF a kickback.

Since I properly started commuting last year, I must've racked up a bunch of purchases based entirely around the opinions and mentions from the BF commuter crowd :D

Let's see, 2 PB Superflashes, Freddy Fenders, new saddle (Velo cheapie), PB 5000x headlight, cyclocomputer and bell for the roadie, spare tubes, pump, lube/cleaning kit, extra water bottle+cage, bar tape, cables, housings, road treads for the MTB, half finger gloves... the list just goes on and on and on... :p Now that it's getting crazily hot, I'm beginning to seriously consider some proper wicking clothing (ie, joining the spandex crowd :D)


Mostly I guess at LBSs, but I have made the following just recently:

Seatpost rack from Nashbar - $19 (missed that GREAT rack/pannier sale by ordering a week too early! Damn!)

Clipless pedals - $35
SPD shoes (x2) - $50 total (great deal at the time, 82% off)

from Performance Bike.

Oh... and thanks a bunch to the folks in the coupons forum, too. :beer: :)

When compared to buying a car and all the crap that I'd imagine you'd buy with one, as well as the regular fill-ups, I'm OK with my buys. I used to spend $90/month on a transit pass, so I guess I have a $90/mth starting budget for commuting with :D

Click the Nashbar link in the ad after the second post in any thread.

I do believe THAT gives BF a kickback.

Hell yeah... I saved 2 bucks on my last order... lol.

It could be the fact that I'm an impressionable newbie but thanks to reading this forum over the past week, I've made the following purchases.

Cateye LD1000 $23
Rear Rack $18
Take a Look Mirror $15
Alert Shirt x2 $30
Brooks B-17 $52
Full-Finger Gloves $22


You could just get off the Internets and go ride your bike.


Savings: (You do the math.)


You could also stop nickle and diming on your bike purchases and get serious about supporting the sponsors of this web forum, and the bicycling industry in general, and actually get out there and spend some real cash... just, you know, so that we all know that you're truly into this whole thing.

I mean, $30 on a shirt?


Do you have Sheldon Brown's Geomagnetic Booster (http://sheldonbrown.com/geomag.html) yet?


Get busy! Start spending! Wimp.

You people DO realize that this is the LEAST expensive cycling sub-forum here.

Just saying.

You people DO realize that this is the LEAST expensive cycling sub-forum here.

Just saying.

I don't know about that, there are a few cheapskates like myself in the Classic and Vintage forum, cruising Goodwill for "classics".

My employer pays me $200+ a year not to bring a car to work, and I buy no gas. Even if I buy a new headlight this year, I still come out ahead. :)

Yeah. I'm looking into spending about 500 sometime in the near future to purchase a new, longer rack and also some good panniers (as opposed to the cheap Nashbar ones I currently have).

Also planning on likely spending another 500+ on purchasing some tools so I can work on my bike.

I think that was $30 for 2 shirts...

Do you have Sheldon Brown's Geomagnetic Booster (http://sheldonbrown.com/geomag.html) yet?

I hope this is a joke.

LOL
Try this:
$2700: CF bike.
$150: look keo sprint pedals
$200: cheap pair of SIDI shoes
$100: jersey

...and soon
$200-$250 for a pair of assos shorts.

Yes I know it is bad form to make a post such as this. Just showing that it can get worse. :p

Yeah. I'm looking into spending about 500 sometime in the near future to purchase a new, longer rack and also some good panniers (as opposed to the cheap Nashbar ones I currently have).

Also planning on likely spending another 500+ on purchasing some tools so I can work on my bike.


$40 Lifu tool kit works quite nicely for me.
My only complaint about it so far is that it comes with a crappy chain tool.

Just don't join the roadie forum if you think commuting is expensive. At least we can rationalize our purchases!
We roadies are able to rationalize our purchases quite effortlessly, thank you very much. It goes something like, "I want that." And then we're good.

Of course it's even easier if you're a roadie and a commuter. Then it's "I want that, and it will make my car-free trip to work much nicer."

Save $ too. Because I commute by a college town a lot of kids come and go. Since I mostly ride the residential streets. I see stuff that they can't take with them back home or to a new job. My latest find: a nearly new entertainment center. I had to borrow a truck to pick it up the next day, but it was still there. I don't go dumpster diving and most of the stuff I've picked up has a sign on it saying "free". I'm sitting on an knock off Aeron chair that someone also put out.

I'd miss all these finds if I were to drive in the main thoroughfares.

We roadies are able to rationalize our purchases quite effortlessly, thank you very much. It goes something like, "I want that." And then we're good.

Of course it's even easier if you're a roadie and a commuter. Then it's "I want that, and it will make my car-free trip to work much nicer."


Heck yes! No car + commuting = more money for gear.
That and cycling is my primary hobby, sport, and form of transportation.
Cheap equipment falls apart on me but I am thrifty when I feel like it. Other times I save my money and spend it where I think it is most appropriate. I find value in what I purchase.

Tell me about it. I don't have the $ figures, but my accessories have added up to the cost of the bike!

DiNotte lights, both headlights and taillight.
Tubus rack
Ortlieb panniers.
Abus U-lock.

And I am not done. Brooks saddle is next. And a bike computer, and, and, and.....


Also, I ended up spending about 200.00 more on the actual bike I decided on, because of this forum :) Ended up getting a Trek FX 7.5 instead of a Fuji Crosstown

LOL
Try this:
$2700: CF bike.
$150: look keo sprint pedals
$200: cheap pair of SIDI shoes
$100: jersey

...and soon
$200-$250 for a pair of assos shorts.

Yes I know it is bad form to make a post such as this. Just showing that it can get worse. :p


UNFORTUNATELY, I have you beat by a long shot. :rolleyes:
Except I would never spend anywhere near $200 on a pair of shorts. You win that one. :D

Unfotunately? he he
That is a mere sampling. However, like you, this is a contest I would prefer to loose and will leave it at that. :p

Do you have Sheldon Brown's Geomagnetic Booster (http://sheldonbrown.com/geomag.html) yet?

I'm waiting for him to perfect the EGO booster. It makes your bike as fast as you believe it is. ;) Should be priceless.

I'm not upset, I'm just sayin'. It could be the fact that I'm an impressionable newbie but thanks to reading this forum over the past week, I've made the following purchases.

Cateye LD1000 $23
Rear Rack $18
Take a Look Mirror $15
Alert Shirt x2 $30
Brooks B-17 $52
Full-Finger Gloves $22

Now that I look at it, I guess it's not that expensive but Nashbar, REI, and AEBikes should give Bike Forums(Commmuting) a kickback.


I don't see any bike tools, CO2, spare tires listed ;)

I ride year round - luv night riding - so I think I have about 6 different pairs of glasses - all colors for better night vision/rain, etc, finally upgraded and got better winter clothing, etc, went clipless on all bikes -- now-a-days it seems everything I pick is $100 or under :(

Just had commuter/mtb stolen - cost to replace bike is $685 (was $1200 a couple years ago :() - and I'm submitting a rather unpadded claim for $1300 - with the pedal/seat upgrades - all bike tools, two front headlights, 1 taillight, etc (cell phone). :( And I'll get diddly squat too.

LOL
Try this:
$2700: CF bike.
$150: look keo sprint pedals
$200: cheap pair of SIDI shoes
$100: jersey

...and soon
$200-$250 for a pair of assos shorts.

Yes I know it is bad form to make a post such as this. Just showing that it can get worse. :p

OK, I can see $2700 on a bike. I'd go with lugged steel, but hey; to each their own.
What I've noticed about the pedals and shoes is that if you wait a year, Nashbar will have them on "last year's model" closeout. Just last month they had Sidi Genius 5 (2005 model) shoes for under $70.

I usually wait until something I want is on mega sale before I buy it. These are my last two finds...
Nashbar Elite Rack Trunk: $24.99 (reg. $49.99)
Nashbar Elite Handlebar Bag: $19.99 (reg. $39.99)

To the OP
+1

Just spent
130 Showers Pass Century jacket (replacing 5yr old SP jacket)
147 Brooks Professional Saddle (expensive Gel saddle shot after 2yrs or 8K riding)
40 2 pair Decente 8 panel shorts..(7 yr old pairs too BIG nowl and worn out)
===
$277

I can't help thinking there is a big difference between 'need' and 'want' or 'perceived need' when it comes to bikes and bike stuff. check out this thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=311542 But, whatever floats your boat.

OK, I can see $2700 on a bike. I'd go with lugged steel, but hey; to each their own.
What I've noticed about the pedals and shoes is that if you wait a year, Nashbar will have them on "last year's model" closeout. Just last month they had Sidi Genius 5 (2005 model) shoes for under $70.

I usually wait until something I want is on mega sale before I buy it. These are my last two finds...
Nashbar Elite Rack Trunk: $24.99 (reg. $49.99)
Nashbar Elite Handlebar Bag: $19.99 (reg. $39.99)


Unfortunately when I "need" something it does not tend to correspond with closeouts. :rolleyes:
Though my ksyrium elites actually were on closeout.

Unfotunately? he he
That is a mere sampling. However, like you, this is a contest I would prefer to loose and will leave it at that. :p

I need to print this out and show my wife. See? See? I'm under control!!

I just need to resist urge to tweak her bike now that she's commuting.

In general I'm doing well redistributing disposable income away from bike and back toward music cds.

But I am starting to covet some form of LED headlight...

Unfortunately when I "need" something it does not tend to correspond with closeouts. :rolleyes:
Though my ksyrium elites actually were on closeout.
Want vs. Need are two totally different things for me.

My back rim was getting to the point where the sidewalls were no longer square, and started bowing out at the bead. I NEEDED a new rear wheel.

I got tired of uber-sweaty back from my backpack, but it still works just fine. I WANTED some rack/bar bags and used that as my justification when I found them on sale.

UNFORTUNATELY, I have you beat by a long shot. :rolleyes:
Except I would never spend anywhere near $200 on a pair of shorts. You win that one. :D

Yeah, likewise. I think I was spending about $5K/year on cycling when I was racing. Now I've gone the other direction and am tracking my expenses versus vehicle savings and even with a commuter bike purchase this year, I'm within $50 of breaking even. If you throw in the hand tools I've found along the road, I think I'm there. Last week I picked up a brand new 1/2 socket wrench with a 1 3/16" socket (with high-speed road rash) . It was shiny. I stopped. Now my next question is what in the hell do use a 1 3/16" socket on?

Want vs. Need are two totally different things for me.

My back rim was getting to the point where the sidewalls were no longer square, and started bowing out at the bead. I NEEDED a new rear wheel.

I got tired of uber-sweaty back from my backpack, but it still works just fine. I WANTED some rack/bar bags and used that as my justification when I found them on sale.


Semantics. :p :)
Wants become needs depending upon the severity of the problem they may be solving.
When money is tight needs become wants depending upon the prioritization required.
The fun thing about cycling is that when money is tight you can get by on very few needs. Helps my family out from time to time.

Yeah, likewise. I think I was spending about $5K/year on cycling when I was racing. Now I've gone the other direction and am tracking my expenses versus vehicle savings and even with a commuter bike purchase this year, I'm within $50 of breaking even. If you throw in the hand tools I've found along the road, I think I'm there. Last week I picked up a brand new 1/2 socket wrench with a 1 3/16" socket (with high-speed road rash) . It was shiny. I stopped. Now my next question is what in the hell do use a 1 3/16" socket on?


A 1 3/16" inch bolt of course.
I do not track my expenditures so if it makes you feel better... you win. :)

I hope this is a joke.
This is NOT a joke. Sheldon is a very well-respected figure in the bicycling community and would NEVER promote something that wasn't rock-solid worth it.

This is NOT a joke. Sheldon is a very well-respected figure in the bicycling community and would NEVER promote something that wasn't rock-solid worth it.

Speaking of rock-solid, every commuter needs one of these:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html

Speaking of rock-solid, every commuter needs one of these:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html

Actually, I'm waiting for my Product W (http://sheldonbrown.com/w.html). That natural miracle drug Theobromine is gonna make me bigger than the winners of all previous TdFs combined!

Yes sir! :p

I guess its not that bad when you consider all the lists up here is still way below that of driving and equal amount of time given the usefulness and durability of the item.

I keep repeating this in various threads (but once more won't kill us): many of my coworkers pay $175/month for parking in the attached garage. That's a brand new Ultegra spec'd bike every year. So I don't feel too guilty about buying stuff to make the commute safer, faster, more efficient, or for that matter more fun.

I keep repeating this in various threads (but once more won't kill us): many of my coworkers pay $175/month for parking in the attached garage. That's a brand new Ultegra spec'd bike every year. So I don't feel too guilty about buying stuff to make the commute safer, faster, more efficient, or for that matter more fun.
+1. It's $90/mo here. And we only have to have one car, so that's one less car payment, one less insurance payment, one less gas tank, one less maintenance schedule, etc. I like cars; they're useful. They're a very expensive tool, and I'm glad we only have to have one for right now.