jjiggajouncer

EDIT: UPDATED JULY 29, 2008

There are a few threads floating around right now about the costs involved in riding bikes. Some are somewhat serious and others are just jabs at folks that obsess over the next greatest product on the market.

I've decided to compile a list of all my bike related purchases since I began riding in October 2007 and lay it all out in actual dollars and cents. I figured this may help out newcomers to the sport in setting up a budget for their needs. After all, your expenditures don't end with just the cost of a bike itself. There's a seemingly never ending list of "stuff to get".

I also thought this would be a good way to keep my expenses "in check" if you will.

For those who might be interested, the locations of my purchases are indicated in parentheses.

I'll try to update this list with running totals as I plop more stuff on top of my ever growing bike gear collection.

10/01/07 $20.29 Brake cable and housing, blue cinelli cork bar tape (LBS)
10/03/07 $57.60 Bell Slant Helmet white (LBS)
10/04/07 $138.72 Saris Bones 2 Bike Rack (LBS)
10/05/07 $79.98 Crank Brothers Candy SL Pedals black (Ebay)
10/06/07 $50.52 Specialized Comp Gloves, Maintenance (shorten brake cable, true wheel) (LBS)
10/12/07 $77.93 Specialized Taho Shoes (LBS)
10/15/07 $86.29 Hammer Nutrition (Voler) Bib Shorts x2 (www.hammernutrition.com) If you'd like to purchase anything from them I can give you my referral number so that you get 15% off your first purchase.
10/23/07 $69.44 Planet Bikes Super Flash Taillight, Serfas FP-200 Floor Pump (LBS)
10/30/07 $31.91 Generic QBP Quill Stem Adapter, Dimensions 80mm Stem (LBS)
10/31/07 $300.00 2001 Fuji Track Bike 58cm (Used from a friend. I finally officially bought it from him after borrowing it for over a month.)
11/06/07 $26.70 Topeak Hexus 16 Multi-Tool (LBS)
11/12/07 $41.47 Eleven81 QR Wedge Bag Medium, Planet Bike Red Zeppelin 2 CO2 Inflator, Park Tool GP-2 Patch Kit, 16 gram CO2 Refill x2 (LBS)
11/14/07 $22.24 Kroop's Eyeglass Goggle Clear Lens Black Edging (www.kroop.com) Probably returning these, they are just too darn big to wear with a helmet.
11/14/07 $46.78 Assos Lobster Gloves Black (L) (www.probikekit.com)
11/14/07 $130.03 Polar Wrap Exchanger ST Mask, Pearl Izumi Quest Splice Tights (M), Canari Razor Eclipse Jacket (M), Canari Paceline Sleeveless Jersey (M), Canari Signature S/S Jersey (M) (www.sierratradingpost.com)
11/16/07 $233.23 2005 Bianchi Giro frame, fork, headset, and seatpost (ebay)
11/18/07 $460.00 2006 Bianchi Giro frame fork and headset, Specialized SL carbon handlebar, Specialized Pave carbon seatpost, Ritchey WCS 110mm stem, Specialized Toupe 143mm saddle (ebay)
11/20/07 -$112.83 RETURN – Polar Wrap Exchanger ST Mask, Pearl Izumi Quest Splice Tights (M), Canari Razor Eclipse Jacket (M), Canari Paceline Sleeveless Jersey (M), Canari Signature S/S Jersey (M) (www.sierratradingpost.com)
11/22/07 $154.79 2006 Mavic Ksyrium Elite Front Wheel, Canari Paceline Sleeveless Jersey (S), Canari Signature S/S Jersey (S) (www.sierratradingpost.com)
11/23/07 $165.08 2006 Mavic Ksyrium Elite Rear Campy Wheel (www.nashbar.com)
12/08/07 $16.04 Master Lock 5 ft. Cable Lock (Dick's Sporting Goods)
12/21/07 $19.17 Serfas Guppy Lights Two-pack (One Red One White) (LBS)
12/23/07 $36.30 Seirus Innovations Thermax Balaclava, Novara Thermal Tech Beanie, Pearl Izumi CalienToes Toe Covers, Tri Flow Lubricant (REI)
12/26/07 $21.35 Smartwool Neck Gaiter (REI)
12/26/07 $30.65 DeFeet Woolie Boolie Socks, Serfas Guppy Lights Two-pack (One Red One White) (LBS)
12/26/07 $85.96 Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow Saddle White (www.cbike.com)
12/27/07 $0.00 Topeak Mini 18+ Multi Tool, Tri Flow Lubricant (gift from a friend)
12/28/07 $5.00 17t Cog Installation (LBS)
12/31/07 $15.00 True Rear Wheel (LBS)
12/31/07 $55.77 FSA Platinum Pro Titanium 68x108 ISIS Bottom Bracket (Ebay)
01/02/08 $11.33 Replace Broken Spoke (LBS)
01/02/08 $301.28 Bianchi Carbon 53/39 170mm Crankset, KMC X10 SL Chain, (2) 700x23c Continental GP4000S Tires, (2) 700x23c Continental Ultra Gator Skin Tires (www.chainreactioncycles.com)
01/03/08 $21.17 Two Pair Defeet Woolie Boolie Socks (LBS)
01/10/08 $709.87 (2) Campy ErgoPower Cablesets, Campy Chorus Short Cage Rear Derailleur, Campy Chorus 32mm Clamp-On Front Derailleur, Campy Chorus D Skeleton Brakes, Campy Chorus Ergo Shift Levers, Campy Centaur 12-25 Cassette, (8) Continental Race 28 Tubes (www.probikekit.com)
01/12/08 $144.99 Mavic SSC Brake Calipers (Ebay)
01/15/08 $120.09 Specialized Body Geometry Therminal Bib Tights, Large (LBS)
01/17/08 $13.95 (2) Nite Ize Nite Ride flashlight holders, black (Ebay)
01/17/08 $119.60 Fenix L2D Premium Q5 black, Fenix L2D Premium Q5 olive (www.fenix-store.com)
01/18/08 $116.45 Specialized Toupe Ti 143 mm Saddle, white (Ebay)
01/21/08 $39.99 La Crosse BC-900 Battery Charger (www.amazon.com)
01/23/08 $29.66 (2) Fizik Microtex Bar Tape Chalk White (www.biketiresdirect.com)
01/23/08 $187.98 Crank Brothers Candy 2Ti Pedals, white (Ebay)
01/23/08 $55.99 Sigma BC 1606L DTS Cadence Wireless Computer (Ebay)
01/23/08 $160.00 Vermarc Thermaflex Bib Tights medium without pad, Crank Brothers Shoe Shields (www.speedgoat.com)
01/24/08 $132.00 Specialized BG S-Works Boa Road Shoes white size 46 (Ebay)
01/25/08 $54.00 (7) Custom Barplugs (Bianchi, Specialized, Fuji, Raleigh, Smiley Face) (www.barplugs4u.com
01/29/08 $65.02 Hudz (White, Campy), Campy Lockring (LBS)
01/30/08 $113.49 Vermarc Thermaflex Bib Tights large without pad (www.aebike.com)
02/01/08 $11.00 Defeet Blaze socks XL (LBS)
02/01/08 $19.26 (2) Polar Insulated Water Bottles 20oz. White (REI)
02/03/08 $37.99 Racor Gravity Freestanding Bike Rack PLB-2R (www.amazon.com)
02/05/08 $60.60 Shimano Dura Ace EX 80mm 26.0 Quill Stem (Ebay)
02/06/08 $25.94 Quicker Pro Mini Pump (Ebay)
02/07/08 $94.75 Fizik Arione Ti Saddle white w/ silver stripe (Ebay)
02/11/08 $100.00 Specialized BG Defroster MTB Shoes size 46 (Ebay)
02/12/08 $110.90 Selle Italia Storika Saddle Brown (Ebay)
02/12/08 $27.87 RETURN - Campy Lockring – PURCHASED (2) Delta Inox Stainless Steel Water Bottle Cages, (2) White 20 oz. Polar Insulated Water Bottles, Pedal Washers (LBS)
02/19/08 $11.99 (4) Custom Chainstay Protectors (www.bestskinsever.com)
02/20/08 -$127.50 RETURN - Vermarc Thermaflex Bib Tights, medium without pad (too small) (www.speedgoat.com)
02/20/08 -$250.00 SOLD – 57cm 2005 Bianchi Giro frameset (sold to a friend)
02/22/08 $136.00 2008 Crank Brothers Candy 2Ti White pedals (Ebay)
02/24/08 -$25.94 REFUND - Quicker Pro Mini Pump (broken/nonworking) (Ebay)
02/27/08 $16.00 Dia Compe Aero Hoods White (Ebay)
03/06/08 $49.97 Shimano Dura Ace BR-7800 Rear Brake Caliper (Ebay)
03/07/08 $145.50 2008 Fizik Arione White K:ium Rails (Ebay)
03/15/08 $240.19 Specialized BG Pro Road Shoes White size 46, Crank Brothers Quattro 3-hole Cleats (LBS)
04/04/08 -$90.00 SOLD – Selle Italia Storika Saddle Brown
05/30/08 $57.49 Planet Bikes Super Flash Stealth Taillight, Specialized BG Pro Gloves (LBS)
06/10/08 -$75.00 SOLD – Specialized Toupe 143mm Saddle White
06/14/08 -$75.00 SOLD – Specialized Toupe 143mm Saddle White
06/25/08 trade traded my Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow Saddle White for Selle An-Atomica Titanico LD Traditional Leather Saddle Red
06/30/08 $53.21 Dura Ace BR-7800 Front Pivot Bolt Assembly, Knog Frog Lights x2 White Body Red LED (LBS)
07/09/08 $29.04 CW-X Insulator Pro Long Sleeve Zip-T, Black, Medium (www.steepandcheap.com)
07/15/08 $186.93 Selle An-Atomica Titanico LD Second Skin Watershed Leather Saddle White (www.mcmwin.com)
07/28/08 $300.00 2003 Lemond Alpe D'Huez (craigslist)
07/29/08 $18.04 White Lightning Degreaser, Pedros Cleaning Brush

Total as of July 29, 2008: $5846.50

If anyone would like a quick and dirty review of any of the products I've purchased, just ask. I can post a few quick comments in this thread or I could make a new thread if a more extensive review would be warranted.

Quick list of items that will most likely be added in the reasonably near future, no particular order:
-extra short sleeve summer jersey or two
-extra pair of bib shorts
-cycling jacket
-prescription riding eyewear with transition lenses

crydee

How are those bib shorts, nice price. Their size chart is different usually medium is around a 30" waist.

merlinextraligh

This is a very dangerous exercise. Ignorance (particularly when it's your spouse's) is bliss.

jjiggajouncer

I've been very pleased with them so far. They are way more comfortable than any of the regular cycling shorts I've tried on.

For what it's worth, I'm about 5'10", 170-175 pounds, wear a size 42 jacket and a 32 or a 33 pant depending on the brand. I went with the Large bib shorts and the fit seems spot on to me. I was considering getting medium, but I'm glad I didn't.

PM me and I can give you my Hammer Nutrition customer number and you can get a 15% discount on your first purchase from them by using me as a referral.

banerjek

+1

My wife once tallied up all my cycling expenses, counting equipment, trips to participate in rides, health club membership so I could shower, etc. Turns out that the only thing we spent more money on was taxes. But who could put a price on happiness?

DocRay

If that happens, tally her shoe purchases, end of argument.

caloso

Word.

Use cash. Destroy receipts. Hide the evidence.

Crash716

so true....i bet i have spent over 2k just on random stuff this year no including the 2.5k bike..

cyclezealot

The way things are going, a gas refill might soon cost 100 dollars. Whats the complaint. So far this week, I have not started my car once, thanks to my bikes.

pseudobrit

2007 Bike stuff:
2750
850
70
125
230
300
70
125
2007 Travel and registration:
500
200
300
100
60
30
100
60

plus plenty of food and incidentals I'm can't possibly account for. AmEx freaking loves me.

If anyone totals this up and I see it I will kill myself.

Machka 

If I counted up ALL my cycling-related expenses over all the years I've been cycling, the total would be well in excess of $10,000.00. In fact, I dropped $7000 all in one year.

cyclezealot

I would think, after about five years of cycling, one stops counting.

explody pup

Cheaper for me than a lifetime of heart medication, antidepressants, and trips to the therapist.

Trsnrtr

My bike shop has a computer system that keeps a total of purchases for every customer since they put it in back in the mid 90s. I won't tell you exactly what my total is, but I could have easily bought a top line 2008 Honda Accord or Toyota Camry.

Considering that:

I also shop online and at other shops, too, doesn't include cycling trips and tours, and that the total is only since the mid-90s, not 1982 when I started, that's a somewhat staggering statistic. Then again, my wife rides, also, and we average over 10,000 miles a year between us, so maybe it isn't too bad. At least my wife understands and has seen the LBS total without throwing a fit.

CastIron

Which is what my wife will need if she ever does the math.

banerjek

I don't hassle her about her Olympic bronze medalist figure skating coach, and she goes along with my bike purchases. Fortunately, she appreciates the importance of having decent equipment.

SteelShepherd

Oy. Lemme See. I spent $120 on shoes and shorts for spinning class 2 weeks ago. Then on Saturday (11/3) I spent $1200 on a 2007 Fuji Roubaix RC and another $600 on gear and accessories.

mezza

If you commute you can take off the equivalent price of petrol.

Also, tell the missus it makes you fitter, happier and better in the sack. She'll be happy.

My Mrs asks me 'Are you riding to work tomorrow?'. If I reply 'Dunno' or 'Maybe' she tries to encourage me

pedex

tax write off

being paid to ride has its benefits

cmh

And how many miles did you ride in October? I bet your $$/mile is a bit above the $.50 or so it costs to drive a car.

Btw, you can get an under saddle bag for a lot less than $20. Maybe something like $7-8 on sale at performance.

jjiggajouncer

I would estimate that I rode maybe 100-150 miles in October, so WAY above $0.50 per mile. I hope to increase my distance per outing from the LOW 6 or 7 miles I average now to maybe double that or more. That should help with that ratio but it will still be a while before/if I ever get lower than $0.50 per mile.

As for the bag, I was just throwing our an estimate. Just as there are $5 bags out there, there are also $100+ bags out there.

pedex

Haven't done my 2007 expenses yet, but for 2006 I averaged just under $4 per mile, that's my pay after expenses. I typically only spend a few hundred per year on riding equipment and ride as much as most drive. 2007 has been unique in that dept though, built up 2 bikes and bought one outright, but the good news is I won't be doing any new bikes till these die or I die, whichever comes first. Since 2001 but not including 2007 I'm averaging 4.8 cents per mile, my cost of riding.

saddle bag is useless to me, I have a messenger bag

JBS103

Spending $900 is not scary. Having the ability to spend 10 times that in a matter of minutes is.

the beef

Probably about $2000 for two and 3/4 years of road cycling.

jsigone

well after the bike and main gear is bought and paid for, it's all about tubes, GU, sports drinks and clothing as needed. I spent about 100 bucks in winter gear but knowing I'll be comfy when riding the next few months is worth it. I average about a tube a month if that, and a box of Gu will last almost 8 weeks or 8 big rides. I don't carry them on sub 2 hr rides.

It's also been nice to have to get gas every 2 weeks since I ride 3 days a week to work. The other two are bowling nights, so I have to drive then. 91 oct was 3.39 yesturday when I filled up!!!! 2 weeks ago it was 3.09!!