How much did you spend on your bike?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,204
Bikes: Colnago C59 Italia Di2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
How much did you spend on your bike?
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.
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.
#3
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
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.
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.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 3,362
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
__________________
SocialCyclists Forum
SocialCyclists Forum
#5
Primate
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: gone
Posts: 2,579
Bikes: Concorde Columbus SL, Rocky Mountain Edge, Sparta stadfiets
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
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.
Though the frame was freely obtained, my bike is irreplaceable, so I cannot participate.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 860
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 860
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Hutto, TX
Posts: 121
Bikes: 2010 Trek 2.3 ; 2004 K2 Team Zed HT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Hutto, TX
Posts: 121
Bikes: 2010 Trek 2.3 ; 2004 K2 Team Zed HT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#10
Custom User Title
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 1,913
Bikes: 2006 Marin Stelvio, 1990s Steve Bauer, Marin Palisades Trail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
too much.... or ... not enough
depends who in the house you ask.
depends who in the house you ask.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 158
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
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.
#13
dude
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sewanee, TN
Posts: 92
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
I don't own a car, I've never bought a computer, and I eat mostly rice.
Priorities.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
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.
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.
#15
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 28,387
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
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
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
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 2,365
Bikes: 2010 Trek Madone 5.5 CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 1,445
Bikes: Lynskey R240, 2013 CAAD10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
Miles? Less than a dollar per mile, but more than a penny per mile.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 412
Bikes: raleigh sport (thank god i got rid of it), current: cannondale systemsix w/ultegra 10, 2009 cannondale scalpel
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 87
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#21
You gonna eat that?
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.
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.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
Last edited by Doohickie; 03-15-10 at 09:40 AM.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
Posts: 233
Bikes: 04 Fuji Navada, 05 Specialized Allez, 09 Scattante CFR Team Red Platinum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Saratoga, NY
Posts: 613
Bikes: 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 (Shimano DA), 2008 Kuota Khan (SRAM Red), 2009 Giant OCR2 ( Shimano 105 ), Lynsky R340 ( SRAM Rival )
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Which bike? replace in the stable? or for immediate use? outright purchase or rolled cost of bike, upgrades, & spares?