Bike_UK

Or your most often used bike if you have several?

I am not trying to find out who has got the biggest wallet, but am hoping it will help me solve a nice little problem. It is time for me to purchase a new cycle (now i've sold my only vehicle) and was going after something quite nice. The Specialized Tricross has caught my eye but then i began to wonder if i'd feel happy leaving that outside all the places i'll need to be visiting. Work is ok, because it will be in a secure car park, but supermarkets, martial arts class, etc would all mean the bike is left on the street (albeit locked up against something) and unless i'm going to carry around a heavy lock everywhere i am thinking it might not be such a good idea.

So what do you use everyday?

becnal

You should carry the heavy lock around everywhere.

Mtn Mike

I own bikes ranging in cost from $50 to $5,000. Usually I commute and run errands on my $50 bike, and I only lock it half of the time. Sometimes I'll use my cross bike for longer commutes, and I always lock that bike. I never take my expensive bikes around town, unless I can keep my eye on the bike the whole time I'm out.

Roody

I ride a rigid steel mountain bike (Specialized Hardrock). It probably cost only $400 when it was built. It was probably at least 5 years old when I bought it for $100, but it had never been ridden. Well, it's been ridden now, and you can tell that by looking at it. However, it still works as good as it did the day it was made, and it's a very good bike that serves me well. I have had tough guys say they want it, so it isn't theft-proof.

Unless you are into time trials and triathlons, you do not need to spend much on a bike. Say you look at three bikes: Bike A costs $500, Bike B costs $1000, and Bike C costs $2000. Is Bike B twice as good as Bike A? No, of course not. It's probably at most 20% better. And Bike C is probably less than 10% better than Bike B. It's all about diminishing returns and marginal utility, which are accepted economic principles.

Now is Bike A "good enough"? That's up to you to decide. Any of the three bikes is undoubtedly good enough for utility riding and transportation. They're all three also good enough for having fun as you ride them. Bike B will be a little smoother and faster, and maybe somewhat sturdier. Bike C will turn a lot of heads on your Saturday club ride, if you're into that kind of thing.

Yes, you have to worry more about an expensive bike getting stolen. That factor alone might decrease your happiness with the pricey bike.

As for my personal opinion...I hate to quote Lance Armstrong, but he was right: "It's not about the bike."

gwd

I agree. If your bike is rideable it is worth at least the permitted mileage reimbursement charge of 44.5 cents per mile, probably more than that. If the bike has even 1000 miles of useability it is worth at least $445.00. Another way to look at the value is how many bus trips it can replace.

folder fanatic

I don't advocate the ticket price of a bike so much as it's probable use in reality. I always buy either a used bike, or a simplier model of a new bike model range that reflects the riding style and the enviroment that I ride it in. The three bikes that I have now are either used previously or a basic simple new model of a make that is proven for long term use.

As for security, I use folding bikes that I take with me everwhere I go. If I can't do that, I don't take them on that trip. That works for me.

bike756

The bike I use for errands is worth about 7-800.

Artkansas 

My current everyday commuting bike was free.

Before that, my commuter bike for a quarter century cost me some scrap wood that I had no use for.

nasiralpharia

My everyday commuter is a trek 7.2fx hybrid, got it about a month ago, it was about $400USD Still need to add fenders though. I think it depends where you live. In my area people tend to leave bikes right outside of their apartments or homes. I don't go that far though. If I lived in queens ny, where I grew up, then I would probably use something cheaper around town

sheba

My commuter is an old steel Giant road bike, single speed. Really that's all you need for getting anywhere. It's fast, it's smooth, it won't wear me out, and the whole setup only cost about 100 bucks. On another note: I will never commute on my 3k racing machine; really I'd only shave a few minutes off of a 20 minute ride; there's no need for extreme speed around town.

!!Comatoa$ted

I think this is a good idea. Get a bike that is good to use around town, which won't hurt the wallet if it dissapears. Then get a nice bike that really goes, and ride it only for fun, so that the only time you are not riding it is when it is at home.

tsl

If for no other reason than building the upper body parts many cyclists seem to neglect.

On topic:

Purchase price: $500
Accessories, big heavy lock, and other crap: another $500
Value to me: Priceless

rmwun54

I use my 20 year old road bike that costed $900.00 back in the days as a commuter. A 1986 Bianchi road bike upgraded for multipurpose riding.. Even though it is an old bike I still carry a 3 lbs chain to lock it where ever I go.

attercoppe

My bike was free, I've put less than $200 dollars into it over the last three years or so. Its value to me? Practically priceless, it is my main form of transportation, to get to work and back, the grocery store, the laundromat...

But I don't think that's what you're really looking for; sounds like you're asking not how much everyone's bikes are worth, but whether or not you should get an expensive bike - and the only drawback to you seems to be having to carry around a "heavy" lock. Even a log chain and a huge padlock wouldn't be all that heavy - unless you're a weight weenie, carry whatever it takes to secure your bike to your satisfaction, whether the bike cost nothing or $2000. I don't generally lock my bike up (after an initial period of nearly always doing so) because I live in a friendly small town. On the other hand, I do bring it inside every night, take it inside at work, and rarely leave it outside a store for very long. And now that the tourist season is getting into full swing here, I will likely lock it up more often until fall comes and the visitors clear out again. It is important to me not to lose it, because even though it's not worth a lot of money, as I said it's worth a lot to me, because I use it to get around and do everything.

chicbicyclist

My bike was purchased for $60 used on craigslist. The add-ons killed me, and is running upwards of $700 right now, including the assist kit.

I use a Krypto Evolution U-lock. I figured that not alot of thieves like the "granny" look of my bike. And that weird handlebar. Nobody likes those.

___

...mine ain't worth two dead flies, but it gets the job done.

catatonic

most often used, I'm not sure on the exact price, since it's had so many changes done to it, but approx $2500

My other bike is about $1100.

Yeah, not exactly what you expect in a car-free/commuter type person...I just think of them as my two-wheeled pickup truck and corvette

AverageCommuter

Most expensive only cost me $300 back in 1997. Fuji Odessa rigid MTB.

The one that sees the most use was free on Freecycle. I've probably put about $150 into it since I bought it.

I lock it up with a heavy chain and this round lock...

wahoonc

My orginal commuter was a Raleigh Sports 3sp that I bought at a pawn shop for $35 in 1978...still have it It has been thru hell, I rode it daily for 6 years, my brother took it to college for 4 years, rode it pretty much daily. I got it back commuted on it for 3 more years. It now is in the shed waiting for some long overdue rebuilding. Next commuter was a Giant Iquana Mt bike, outfitted with slicks, fenders, racks and lights. Total cost $500 plus or minus, rode that one until it got stolen from my house, recovered it and rode it for 2 more years. Currently not commuting, but when that changes commuter most likely will be a Breezer.

Aaron

bikerbear

my daily bike now is my new Trek su100 aprox 400 orig my daily bike was going to be trek 839 singletrack mtb I found at pawn shop for $100 but proved to be just too big I was stretched way too much to the handlebars so got a new Trek 7200 hybrid for $400 -- still have that one use it on rainy days as it has fenders, etc. I am happy with both bikes and only took short while to save up the funds. I lock both bikes everywhere I go.

Roody

You are so right, Nameless One.

bikerbear

oops that should read trek 930 singletrack

Bike_UK

Thanks for the replies.

After considering what everyone has said, I don't think i'll bother with the Tricross. Will keep my eyes peeled for a second-hand road bike for the longer rides instead.

pedex

25 year old schwinn world sport converted to singlespeed/fixed, paid $100 for it and it sees about 13,000 miles a year of messenger work/car free living

had it 3 years, gone thru 2 wheel sets, several pairs tires, 4 chains, 1 bar tape, it just got its second saddle, and about 5 pairs of brake shoes for its front brake

some hints Ive learned riding for a living:
if your afraid of hurting it or riding it in bad weather its the wrong bike
if your gonna be upset if its gets stolen, its the wrong bike
locking up is easy, carry a mini U-lock and stick it in your back pocket
if your counting on race bike parts to last a long time and be maintenance free---dont
the more complicated it is the more trouble it will be

in the end, its just a bike, its a tool to do a job

StumpHumper

My Hardrock was $360 or so in 2001. I want to get a 2nd bike when I have the loot together, I wanna drop like $750-$1200 on the next one, just to see what the diffrence in the ride is.