Spending money on bikes! 'Rant'
05-12-15 | 07:45 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Bikes wear out and need service and eventual replacement of parts. But consider what you spent on generator hubs and the lights a capital investment, since those can be transferred bike to bike for nearly forever.
I don't know what insurance costs in Michigan, but when I surrendered my plates, it put about $1,000 cash into my pocket. Add fuel, tires, and basic maintenance an I figure it cost me about $50/wk for a 100 mile per week commute. Of course, if I simply stopped commuting in it, but kept the car on the road I'd be saving much less.
I don't know what insurance costs in Michigan, but when I surrendered my plates, it put about $1,000 cash into my pocket. Add fuel, tires, and basic maintenance an I figure it cost me about $50/wk for a 100 mile per week commute. Of course, if I simply stopped commuting in it, but kept the car on the road I'd be saving much less.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
05-12-15 | 07:53 PM
#27
blah blah blah
Joined: Aug 2009
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Unexpected expenditures aren't usually welcome regardless of whether it's for bicycle stuff or not. I don't like having to spend when I wasn't planning to either.
Lights are important, and it's also important to have whatever you need to have a certain comfort level and confidence while you ride at night. If dynamo lights are what you want, then so be it. I always believe in redundancy and have two forward facing lights and two backward facing lights. That way if one fails, the other one still is lit. I also carry extra batteries for the lights that don't run on a rechargeable battery pack.
Lights are important, and it's also important to have whatever you need to have a certain comfort level and confidence while you ride at night. If dynamo lights are what you want, then so be it. I always believe in redundancy and have two forward facing lights and two backward facing lights. That way if one fails, the other one still is lit. I also carry extra batteries for the lights that don't run on a rechargeable battery pack.
05-12-15 | 09:12 PM
#28
Thread Starter
Unracer Cyclist
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 266
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From: Michigan USA
Bikes: Huffy
But not body mention to the new people when they come to the forums looking for advice that biking can get expensive. And to be prepare for experiences like that. Lots of people out there buy bike and the first time it breaks they just hang them on their garage with out further riding. Because they experience the costly maintenance and the just give up.
I will just continue riding and hope to learn more about the bicycle culture and I new to this after all and I guess all learning has a cost too.
Thank you.
I will just continue riding and hope to learn more about the bicycle culture and I new to this after all and I guess all learning has a cost too.
Thank you.
05-12-15 | 09:28 PM
#29
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
But not body mention to the new people when they come to the forums looking for advice that biking can get expensive. And to be prepare for experiences like that. Lots of people out there buy bike and the first time it breaks they just hang them on their garage with out further riding. Because they experience the costly maintenance and the just give up.
I will just continue riding and hope to learn more about the bicycle culture and I new to this after all and I guess all learning has a cost too.
Thank you.
I will just continue riding and hope to learn more about the bicycle culture and I new to this after all and I guess all learning has a cost too.
Thank you.
Or compare to a health club - around here that's $50 monthly for a cheap one and $200 for a nice one.
With California prices and city driving gas alone is $0.24 a mile on my car, consumables and maintenance make that $0.34, and factoring in replacement cost assuming 150,000 of my own miles with a few thousand for scrap I'm up to $0.56 a mile. Then there's insurance for over $100 a month whether or not I drive and registration.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 05-12-15 at 10:53 PM.
05-13-15 | 05:02 AM
#30
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
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From: Kansas City, KS
Thinking the same lately. Although everything is fairly cheap if you shop around and don't go overboard. Alot of good points here.. every mile on the bike is one less on the car and won't have to replace it as quick, health benefits etc etc. I was discussing with my wife about maybe getting a road bike for long rides which she approved, but on further discussion just going to outfit my commuter for double duty and going to start with butterfly bars which she said ok to also. She doesn't mind me spending a little money on the bike at all.. she really enjoying the fitter me lol.
05-13-15 | 07:04 AM
#32
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: The Forest
I think I was reading the average cost of keeping a car on the road per year was $9,000 - $10,000. They do a kind of goofy matrix which includes maintenance, fuel, tires, insurance and depreciation, but doesn't seem to include a car payment. Anyways I think you're still coming out ahead with the bike.
05-13-15 | 07:14 AM
#33
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 306
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From: Bruce Twp, MI
Bikes: Huffy Sienna Cruiser, Specialized Rockhopper
Again, keep in mind that you won't be spending this large sum of money again on the bikes for a long, long time. You have two bikes set up how you want them. You can ride for a long time without spending any more money.
You can't do that with a car..
You can't do that with a car..
05-13-15 | 09:36 AM
#35
Old Fart
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 3,348
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From: Bumpkinsville
Bikes: '97 Klein Quantum '16 Gravity Knockout
OP. you don't HAVE to spend that much money to commute. You could be doing it for a total out-lay of a ferw hunnert bucks- a used bike; no dyno hub; serviceable but cheaper lights......
There's no limit to what one can spend on bikes and accessories...but the nice thing is: You don't have to spend a fortune; you can often accomplish the very same results for a fraction of the price.
And the nice thing is: Once you own the bike(s) and accessories, you can go a long time without having to spend much money- having only to buy the occasional new tire or chain.
Whereas with cars, just the gas alone can easily eclipse anything you'd spend on bikes...not to mention insurance; purchase price of the car; repairs and maintenance; registration....and God-forbid you live in a state with mandatory inspections!
There are plenty of people commuting on bikes with a total investment of a few hundred bucks....which is why many people who commute by bike do so: Economy. Start buyinjg the fancy high-tech stuff, and that economy is easily lost.
There's no limit to what one can spend on bikes and accessories...but the nice thing is: You don't have to spend a fortune; you can often accomplish the very same results for a fraction of the price.
And the nice thing is: Once you own the bike(s) and accessories, you can go a long time without having to spend much money- having only to buy the occasional new tire or chain.
Whereas with cars, just the gas alone can easily eclipse anything you'd spend on bikes...not to mention insurance; purchase price of the car; repairs and maintenance; registration....and God-forbid you live in a state with mandatory inspections!
There are plenty of people commuting on bikes with a total investment of a few hundred bucks....which is why many people who commute by bike do so: Economy. Start buyinjg the fancy high-tech stuff, and that economy is easily lost.
05-13-15 | 09:46 AM
#36
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
05-13-15 | 12:09 PM
#37
Rides Majestic
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,339
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From: Westfield, MA
Bikes: 1983 Univega Gran Turismo, 1970 Schwinn Super Sport, 2001 Univega Modo Vincere, Self-Built Nashbar Touring, 1974 Peugeot U08, 1974 Atala Grand Prix, 1986 Ross Mt. Hood, 80's Maruishi MT-18
Online shopping is going go be your friend if you are going go to be putting in serious commuting miles. If you get all your stuff from the LBS, you'll pay almost double. Niagaracycle has some really reasonable prices if you are willing to wait a week or so for your parts. Try to anticipate when you'll need commonly worn items like tires, chains, cassettes, tubes, etc. and buy them before you absolutely need them so you don't have to wait.
05-13-15 | 12:13 PM
#38
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 801
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From: S Oregon
Bikes: Berthoud Randoneusse, Curt Goodrich steel road, Zanconato Minimax road, Jeff Lyon steel all road,
good luck, as with everything in life there is balance. find it and you will be happy with biking again. Its a simple machine, requiring very little. we as humans make things bigger than they are, because we can. keep riding, keep smiling while you ride, keep spending money on your bike whne she needs it. shes the only one who gives you more back for the money you spend. or maybe your bike is a he and thats cool too
05-13-15 | 01:52 PM
#39
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: North of Boston
Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,
My point I was trying to make is that cars need gas to run and for me, just eating a good breakfast before I pedal to work doesn't cost any extra. YRMV
05-13-15 | 02:26 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
It just bugs me sometimes when I think of cal/$ x miles/cal and it's not much different from miles/$ diesel for a high economy diesel car. But one good thing about it, maybe OP can add that to his expenses rant since in theory at least, the breakfast could be half the size if you didn't have the ride and surely that could cost less.
05-13-15 | 03:51 PM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Bicycling doesn't have to be expensive by any stretch of the imagination. I ride 5k pus miles per year on Good equipment, and my costs involve replacing a few tires, which I don't spend serious dough on for the commuter, though my road bike's tubulars can be pricey. Add to that about one chain per year average, a cassette every few years, some brake shoes and cables, and grease and chain oil. All in all I don't think I'm spending $200/year to keep my bikes on the road, possibly less than $100.
Of course there's the capital outlay for good bikes, but a good bike that's 95% of the best available can be bought for $200 or so, maybe less, and ridden for 10-20 years with reasonable care. So, add that in and it's still cheap transport. It's possible to do about as well spending far less on initial outlay, and still see 10+ years of good riding if you avoid some of the glam that's in favor these days.
So all in, the bike is about 1/2 the cost of 12 monthly bus passes, and lot's more fun.
Of course there's the capital outlay for good bikes, but a good bike that's 95% of the best available can be bought for $200 or so, maybe less, and ridden for 10-20 years with reasonable care. So, add that in and it's still cheap transport. It's possible to do about as well spending far less on initial outlay, and still see 10+ years of good riding if you avoid some of the glam that's in favor these days.
So all in, the bike is about 1/2 the cost of 12 monthly bus passes, and lot's more fun.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
05-13-15 | 04:01 PM
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,239
Likes: 8
From: Bay Area, Calif.
OTOH, as I sit here consuming some mint chocolate chip bike fuel I do find that it offers some sensory benefits which I don't get while pumping gas into my car.
05-13-15 | 04:42 PM
#45
Banned
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
campagnolo seat posts https://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/dow...e.php?id=88790 + Brooks saddles are a Perfect match .
But if you have to park your bike out where people steal parts off your Bike , Id stick with a BSO with Function but no Bling.
But if you have to park your bike out where people steal parts off your Bike , Id stick with a BSO with Function but no Bling.
05-13-15 | 04:43 PM
#46
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Man! riding your bike and commuting to works suppose to be cheaper than driving your car right? Well that doesnt seem to be the case in my experience so far.
Well just like every good commuter I got a mountain bike to commute during the winter months, sure I had to get it ready for snow season so had to buy studded tires $100 each tire
a dyno hub plus lights $325 + additional lights because it is really dark where I work $150
Winter is over and who like to be carrying a heavy mountain bike right? well got me a road bike for the summers spring and fall months. For safety reasons I need lights on it so Another dyno hub plus lights $325 additional lights $30 just $30 because I was able to transfer some lights from the mountain bike. And yeah that road bike needed a tune up so it $75 at the friendly LBS.
During my commute last week two spokes from the real wheel broke so back to the shop and who knows how much that will be.
So back to the mountain bike while the road bike is being fix, the comfort seat post that bike has felt a part and back to the shop I went to get a new one $40 for a seat post.
I don't even know how to explain to my wife where that money is going. And I still need to get a new rear wheel on my road bike which currently has a 27 inch but I want to match the 700c the front wheel has with the dyno hub. That will be what? another $100 if I find a rear wheel on the cheap.
It is crazy man, Crazy! I didn't even add the cost on cargo rack+fenders+panniers for the two commuters on this post. How do you guys deal with that?
Sorry I am just not feeling too awesome about it so I had to vent here. thank you for letting me do so.
Well just like every good commuter I got a mountain bike to commute during the winter months, sure I had to get it ready for snow season so had to buy studded tires $100 each tire
a dyno hub plus lights $325 + additional lights because it is really dark where I work $150
Winter is over and who like to be carrying a heavy mountain bike right? well got me a road bike for the summers spring and fall months. For safety reasons I need lights on it so Another dyno hub plus lights $325 additional lights $30 just $30 because I was able to transfer some lights from the mountain bike. And yeah that road bike needed a tune up so it $75 at the friendly LBS.
During my commute last week two spokes from the real wheel broke so back to the shop and who knows how much that will be.
So back to the mountain bike while the road bike is being fix, the comfort seat post that bike has felt a part and back to the shop I went to get a new one $40 for a seat post.
I don't even know how to explain to my wife where that money is going. And I still need to get a new rear wheel on my road bike which currently has a 27 inch but I want to match the 700c the front wheel has with the dyno hub. That will be what? another $100 if I find a rear wheel on the cheap.
It is crazy man, Crazy! I didn't even add the cost on cargo rack+fenders+panniers for the two commuters on this post. How do you guys deal with that?
Sorry I am just not feeling too awesome about it so I had to vent here. thank you for letting me do so.
What kind of twisted, warped world do we live in where YOU of all people, must pay for things?
On top of that, why does it snow?!? OK, OK, maybe snow is ok, but not in YOUR part of the world. It should NEVER snow where you live or ride. And if it does snow, where are the free lights, dynohubs, studded tires, panniers, bags and fenders?!?
I just cannot believe how unfair life is for you.
WHY? WHY?? WHYYYYY????
05-13-15 | 08:04 PM
#47
Thread Starter
Unracer Cyclist
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Michigan USA
Bikes: Huffy
I feel your pain. Lights, dynohubs and tires should be handed out for free to noble, idealistic, care foregoing individuals such as yourself. Same for cargo racks, panniers and fenders. Selfish bastards dare to charge you money?!? And they actually accepted your money?
What kind of twisted, warped world do we live in where YOU of all people, must pay for things?
On top of that, why does it snow?!? OK, OK, maybe snow is ok, but not in YOUR part of the world. It should NEVER snow where you live or ride. And if it does snow, where are the free lights, dynohubs, studded tires, panniers, bags and fenders?!?
I just cannot believe how unfair life is for you.
WHY? WHY?? WHYYYYY????
What kind of twisted, warped world do we live in where YOU of all people, must pay for things?
On top of that, why does it snow?!? OK, OK, maybe snow is ok, but not in YOUR part of the world. It should NEVER snow where you live or ride. And if it does snow, where are the free lights, dynohubs, studded tires, panniers, bags and fenders?!?
I just cannot believe how unfair life is for you.
WHY? WHY?? WHYYYYY????
Last edited by TroN0074; 05-13-15 at 08:10 PM.
05-13-15 | 08:25 PM
#48
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,556
Likes: 1,827
From: Southwestern Ontario
Pretty simple. If you don't like spending the money you are spending, don't spend it. Find other ways, or just give it (cycling) up, and "lease a Hyundai" (BSNYC). No one is forcing you into this.
05-14-15 | 08:21 AM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,720
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From: North of Boston
Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,
Thank you man, some very valuable input you got there, I appreciate the sarcasms and I hope you do too. Back to the point, at least you wont denied that some stuff for bicycle are way over priced. Sure I am glad I paid for my two dynamos + two set of Busch & Muller from and rear lights. That is money well spent if you ask me. But paying $40 for a seat post? or $50 for replacing cable for the rear break, which I did a while back and that didn't even include new casing for the cable because the old was reused.
05-14-15 | 09:01 AM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,278
Likes: 342
From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Thank you man, some very valuable input you got there, I appreciate the sarcasms and I hope you do too. Back to the point, at least you wont denied that some stuff for bicycle are way over priced. Sure I am glad I paid for my two dynamos + two set of Busch & Muller from and rear lights. That is money well spent if you ask me. But paying $40 for a seat post? or $50 for replacing cable for the rear break, which I did a while back and that didn't even include new casing for the cable because the old was reused.
My yearly costs are about the same as FB's, $100-$200 per year on 5k-6K miles and that includes splurges on stuff I don't really need.
What I'm trying to get across is that complaining about a $40 seat post while paying someone a premium to replace a brake cable is incongruous. I don't look down on people who choose to pay, but you can't complain about your own choices.