Sirnickdon

Every few days, it seems, I see a post on this forum, or on Living Car-Free, where somebody is very excited about the prospect of saving a few bucks by commuting, and optimistically asks everyone how much they've saved. Within the first few posts, it seems, somebody always scoffs at this naivete, and lists the $500 in parts, clothing and repairs they've spent in the last couple of weeks.

Maybe I just lack imagination, or have a tendency to round my numbers down, but I can't figure that I've spent more than $100 in the last six months.


Here is my commuter bike. A 1990s, cro-moly steel road bike, purchased second-hand for $20. The panniers are Nashbar townie baskets, purchased for $10 each from Nashbar, while the rear rack is a Bor Yeuh urban model, $15.


The Novara wasn't totally equipped for a rear-rack, so I had to get creative with a pair of "p-clamps," $0.99 each.


The pedals there are Chrome Bros egg-beaters, $40, and the front and rear lights are Trek, $10 each.

When I figure that up, I come to $97.99, so if you add to that spare tubes, Park tools, chain lube, etc., and more food than usual (thought I've always seen eating as its own reward), I figure I've spent about four weeks' worth of gas on transportation the last six months.

What am I doing wrong?

spinninwheels

nothing

cruzMOKS

How can you get excited about your commute if you are not buying stuff?

Good job.

MrRamonG

No lycra? Jersey?

gascostalot

The problem is that you're not white enough.

https://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/02/10/61-bicycles/

Honestly you're not doing anyting wrong. In fact, you're one of the few who actually 'gets it' when it comes to bicycles for transportation.

stringbreaker

Looks like you are on the right track, you don't have to spend a fortune to commute to work on a bike. Since I bought the bike I originally intended to commute with I haven't spent much at all on that bike. A new set of pedals and thats about it. I probably have $500.00 wrapped up in that bike in the three years since I purchased it and thats for the bike itself a rear rack, Nashbar panniers lights and pump. I can't even guess how much I have saved in gas but it has paid for itself for about 3 times over. On the other hand don't even ask how much I have spent buying other bikes and accessories but its less than my wife has wrapped up in her embroidery machine and the quilting machine thats on her list. She lets me have my obsessions and I let her have hers. I look at it this way the bills are paid and there's money in the bank so its all good.

Barrettscv 

Spending money is part of the learning curve .

Some, like me, just learn at an older age.

Michael

thebarerider

Shoes for the Egg Beaters? Probably another $60-80, right?

I think you'll find that a lot of people who spend more money do more than just commute. That's not always true, but mostly I think it is.

daredevil

You're lucky if you don't need fenders and better lighting. Winter commuting adds other issues also like studded tires and proper clothing. I wish I could get by as cheap as you.

gerv 

I have shelled out about $300 on my commuter this year, which included:
- good tires
- crankset
-bottom bracket
-front and rear derailleur
- chain
- brake parts

Since I've had the bike 3 years and since this repair should last me about another 3 years... I agree with you. Since all of this is much less than a typical month's car payment...

kmac27

You are in fact saving money, not in the immedeate, but over a longer time spand. You are only thinking about gas, what about oil changes, lights going out, brakes wearing down? What about cataclysmic car breakdowns that cost between 600 and thousands!?!?

You are also investing in your health, believe it or not. When you become more active you will face less health problems statistically and have to go to the doctor less. In the 2 years I have been biking I have spent somewhere around $2500. This includes getting started and my first bike that I spent too much repairing because it was too cheap. Now that I have all of the expensive stuff taken care of I only have to repair tires, chains, cogs and batteries in lights ;-).

Feel excited about your new gizmos, its always nice to get new equipment

kmac27

After rereading your post I am shocked at how little you have spent!! You truly have a much better idea on spending less than necessary, I on the other hand have a $400 check coming every two weeks, how can I not buy new equipment for my bike ;-)

mawtangent

I won't go into details, because I made many miss-steps and might open myself up to much flamming...I spent around $1200 in the last two years (since my "reawakening" to bycycling at 41 years of age) on bikes and bike-related gear. Knowing what I know now I could be have set myself up satisfactorily for $300. At least I do have back up bikes and some education for the extra money spent.

Hot Potato

Biking becomes transportation that is also recreation, thereby allowing a huge percentage of discretionary spending. Some spend more on recreation than others.

charles vail

Interestingly, I have spent probably somewhere around $6000-$7000 in the last seven years. Most of this has been on bikes that I do not ride much. My most used commuter I have had for at least 15 years and I converted it to a derailleurless two speed for about $300 total. I ride it about 250 miles a month.

Anybody want to buy a performance recumbent, a vintage campy equipped race bike or a mustache bared, lugged steel all rounder.

Sammiches

I only started pedaling my commute 8 weeks ago, and I've spent at least as much as I've saved, and I've gone super cheap on the bike stuff I buy.

But now that I have most of the tools and accessories I need I figure the real savings will kick in next summer. I still need a truing stand, however. And I'll probably get an indoor trainer for December to mid-March. Then I'll need a slick road tire for the trainer, the knobbies would be way too loud. Etc.

But as others have noted, it's not just about money, there's also fitness. And I won't spend more than a certain amount on gasoline, based on principle.

girljen

I spent a lot of money up front. I'm about to spend even more money, so that I can get an awesome bike as opposed to just an adequate one. I did not start bike commuting to save money, I started because I needed the exercise and because riding a bike is fun. Now all my 'gas' money is going into a savings account to buy my new Surly.

Soho17.0

Sounds like you've done a great job saving some cash. I on the other hand have spent a little more than even I expected.
I picked up a used, 2007 Trek Soho, for $450 off Craigs list. This included a CatEye cyclometer, rear rack, and an extra seat. My commute is 17 miles each way and I need enough room for my lunch and work clothes. So, this is what I've spent so far:
Polar 24oz water bottle 12.99 (This is Phoenix and it's HOT!!!)
Topeak Explorer rear rack 29.99
Topeak MTX EXP Trunk w/panniers 81.99
Two extra tubes 10.00
Topeak Mini Morph pump 24.99
2 shirts (wicking) 40.00
I already had a Planet Bike front and rear light (cheapos), cable bike lock, and one pair of mountain bike shorts. I still need to get two more shirts and at least one more pair of shorts. My goal was to recoup my up-front expenses in 4 months but with all the added gear it may take upwards of 6 or 7 (my truck only gets 12 to 13mpg).

JR97

I saved and paid a little extra for a bike designed and setup with all that I wanted. There were some other add-ons, but maybe total $100. I shouldn't have to spend much at all going forward. I've already saved $300 in gas. At this rate, the bike will have paid for itself in another month. The only big expense I see though is better lighting now that it's getting pretty dark when I leave in the morning.

ATAC49er

A year and a half ago, I dropped $1850 for my present (and only) bike. Since then, I've spent about $150 on tires, I upgraded my wheelset for free (AND got another bike going for a family member), and bought a $12 brake adapter that is now no longer being used, but it did its job while I did use it. Oh, and $5 for the quart of 0W-20 synthetic motor oil I use as chain lube (still have about 28 oz. left!)

So, just over two grand over time; it's a very versatile bike, been commuting on it all this time, and it can handle trails that I won't ride on! Over that time, based on my last expense load for a car (adjusted for time, it was '04), I have saved about $180/month in gas & insurance, another $225 in parts for tune-ups & oil changes. So I think the bike has paid for itself by now; I'm also in better shape, healthier, with a smaller carbon footprint....

It's a matter of perspective; a bike's expense pays itself off fairly quickly. An automobile NEVER does.

recumelectric

For about 20 years, I don't think I spent more than $500 for all bikes (3, at least) and the accompanying equipment (front basket and headlight). Never replaced parts or anything. Just picked out what I liked, bought it, and rode it.

In the past 2 months, I have spent 7 times that amount. I figured that after this many years riding and loving it, it was OK to indulge. I think I may have overdone it, as I'm now finding some deals that didn't seem to be available at the time of my purchases. This baby had better last a looooong time.

...So, yes, OP, you are doing everything right. You just can't beat a $20 bike.

JayTee705

Interesting analysis.

In my case, it costs $400++ per month to park at my office--never mind gas, tolls and the fact that my spouse uses our only car--so I figure I'm ahead of the game even if I did splurge somewhat on a new, dedicated commuter.

That said, I also bottom fed on Craigslist and scored a very nice vintage MTB that I converted to an Urban Utility Bike for not much moola. I'm convinced that with patience and luck one can score some very nice and cheap rides in the secondary market.

So I agree that bike commuting doesn't have to be expensive, but it's not all about saving money for some people I reckon.

UmneyDurak

On my commuter bike I didn't spent all that much. That being said I blow all my savings on food. Farmers cheese from local Russian store, some good cheese from Trader Joes, etc, etc.

gpc

Today I begin my 8th full week of commuting. I haven't put gas in my car since June 20th. At $75 per fill up, I don't have a problem equipping myself.

- Panniers - $60
- Multi tool - $20
- Lights (cheapo) $20
- Tubes, patches, etc: $20
- Fenders (quick detachable) $15
- Rain gear: $45
- New pedals: $55
- Bike: ~$490

I'm set now with the exception of a good headlight and possibly cold weather gear.

d2create

What is this savings you speak of?