lazerzxr

I was just wondering how much people spent on their bike in relation to the amount of money they can save each month. For this thread, it doesnt matter what bike you ride, how much it cost, how much you earn or wheter or not you are a Fred or a poser, I really dont care. Im just trying to see if a trend emerges on the amount people tend to spend in relation to their disposable income and the amount they ride.

Imagine your bike went missing, there is no insurance and you have to save yourself to replace it. How long would it take you? This is different from the cost of your bike in relation to your salary because that doesnt matter if all your money goes on the mortgage for example.

So, if you dont mind posting of course......how long would it take you to replace your bike and how much do you ride?

For me, I ride about 150 miles a week at the moment and could replace my bike in just under 3 weeks.

botto 

none of your business.

Machka 

What I spent on my bicycle, when I first bought it, is only a portion of what I've spent on my bicycle, or on cycling in general.

And the amount I cycle varies. The most I've cycled in one week is about 860 miles (in 2003) ... the least is 0. And everything in between.

midgetmaestro 

+1

Metzinger

I'm looking forward to seeing the weekly-miles-ridden/time-to-replacement graph.
Though the frame was freely obtained, my bike is irreplaceable, so I cannot participate.

bryroth

The question might be more simply put as "what percentage of your weekly income does your bike represent?" Yeah, I don't care to answer either. The reason is that I've put a lot of TLC into my bike. It's like that old question: 'Is a knife whose blade has been replaced once and the handle replaced twice still the same knife you originally bought?' It's a philosophical question. But my bike would take a very long time to replace again since it is not "off the shelf" so to speak.

Also, you have to take into account that those who are just getting into this sport often spend way more on gear and bike peripherals than the bike itself. Once you've got your "bike stuff" built up.

bryroth

Yeah, exactly what I was getting at. Good bikes find you, not the other way around.

sharky nrk

Meh, the question itself doesn't really ruffle my feathers enough to not respond with an honest answer. My bike initially cost about 1/3 of my weekly income. This of course was my first road bike, it was used, and is not probably representative of the norm here. Since buying it last summer, I have probably spend an additional 100% on replacing things that either borked or didn't fit me the way I wanted, and another 50-75% cost of the bike on accessories.

I do not make alot of money, but its decent for someone in my area of expertise and less than 5 years employment out of college. My recurring monthly financial responsibilities leave enough money for us to live comfortably with only student loans, my mortgage, and my wifes car payment as real debt. However, my wife and I agreed if I wanted to pick up cycling as a hobby, and not get rid of the track car, or motorcycle; then I would have to do it by scrimping and saving my extra income. So if I want a new component or something it means giving up a night at the movies or eating out every once in a while.

sharky nrk

Oh and I ride maybe 75 - 100 miles a week now that the weather is not sucking as much, but that will ramp up quickly to train for the RAIN ride.

Quijibo187

too much.... or ... not enough

depends who in the house you ask.

^oZ

Instantly. Not nearly enough.

transamman1999

i spent roughly $650 on my road bike after all my Craigslist-ing/eBay-ing was done. it's a basic alum frame w/ DA/Ultegra/105 franken-groupo.

i could replace it in a week or 2 depending on which week it is (aka if it's rent week).

and i ride about 150 miles per week, give or take +/- 20miles.

joebrew

I've got an expensive bike, and low-paying job. If my calculations are correct, my bike is about 10.5 weeks worth of work (not including shoes, pedals, computer, cages, etc - another week or two)....

I don't own a car, I've never bought a computer, and I eat mostly rice.

Priorities.

Retro Grouch 

Here's the background: My wife and I have been bicycle enthuiasts for decades. Last August I had an accident which injured both of my elbows. I can (barely) ride a conventional bicycle but I can't tolerate the pain for more than an hour or two at a time. After 6 months we made the decision that bicycling is what we do and we either have to change our lifestyle or buy a brace of new recumbent bikes.

The bottom line is, counting accessories, $7,500 for a Rans Screamer tandem with a few custom upgrades and $2,500 for a Rans Expedition Sport SWB recumbent also customizied. We could certainly have spent less but, during the past few decades, we've grown used to having good equipment.

That sounds like a lot of money to most people, and it is until you put it into perspective. Suppose we had decided to give up bicycling and to take up boating. A boat and trailer costing twice that amount of money wouldn't even be noticed by most observers and we'd still have to buy a different tow vehicle. To me, either way it's spending money for fun so what's the difference? Bicycling is what we do and we're going to spend what it takes for us to feel like we're having fun doing it.

Bicycling is cheap, healthy fun.

umd

If I told you, I'd have to kill you. However, I will say that:

a) I spent less than 1% of my household income on my bike

b) The bike itself is not the expensive part of my cycling

WCroadie

+1
Well, I've spent a little more then 1% since my wife no longer gets paid for her job(stay at home mom)
I've gotten excellent deals on both my bikes, but the maintenance, race fees, gas $$, etc. quickly adds up

jdon

How much $? More than I should, less than I could. How many miles? More than enough to warrant the expense.

silversx80

Just like with my photography gear, I spent as much as I could justify AND afford. Not a penny more.


Miles? Less than a dollar per mile, but more than a penny per mile.

grafsk8er

i still go to school so i'm paying for tuition and only work full time summers and part time at a bike shop. my bike was bought half with graduation money and the other half was my graduation gift from my parents. if my bike were stolen i could have another bike in a week (thank you insurance). but if i wasn't covered it would take me forever to get enough money again to buy what i have now

nutt

The thing you realize after selling your first road bike for 20% less than what you paid for it is that during the time you used that bike, you spent much, much more money on maintenance, tires, tubes, brake pads, chains, bibs, etc. than the difference between what you paid for it and what you sold it for.

Doohickie

Bike?

I have several. The most expensive was a little over $300 for a single speed (not sure exactly how much it was, since the wife got it for me for Christmas). My other six regular riders cost me $180 total to buy, and maybe another $500 in tubes, tires, lights, etc.

That said, if any one of my bikes wen't missing, I'd hardly skip a beat. if it happened to be my commuter, the loss of panniers & lights would be the biggest hit. Those I'd actually have to buy at a bike shop. Just about anything else I might need I would scrounge, pick up on CL, get at a swap meet, etc.

How much do I ride? It's hard to say. Most of my miles are from commuting. My commute went from 7 to 17 miles at the beginning of the year. I'm still not sure how often I'll be able to commute (it used to be more often than not; I can't say I'm to that point yet with the new commute). If I had to guess, though, I suspect I'll end up at about 400-500 miles per month. Maybe more, depending on recreational riding.

mrbUSA

Initially?

gvonne

Funny how only the guys(gals?) who spent very little on their bike or who got a good deal are giving up the goods. Hell I'll give it a go then. $2800 on my latest(last?) road bike. Maybe around $250 in accessories.

fskywalker

Too much

JaceK

Which bike? replace in the stable? or for immediate use? outright purchase or rolled cost of bike, upgrades, & spares?