Cycling: Cost per Mile
12-05-18 | 11:29 AM
#151
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,167
Likes: 6,390
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
You could save a lot of money buying a used bike.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
12-05-18 | 11:31 AM
#152
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
There's different circumstances dude. I'm at 13c on my CrossCheck, and I'm estimating $2000 cost, which I'm pretty sure is an overestimate. Go read C&V, people pick perfectly-serviceable lugged steel bikes off curbs and dumpsters every day, or get them for well under $100 at garage sales. Not saying everybody that wants to can just do that, but lots of people do get lucky.
Not everybody needs/uses a light (so can be 0), but still they can be cheap. My light system cost me about $25 (zoomable-head Cree XML T-6 flashlight $8.98, pair of good 18650 batteries $15, two hose clamps $1). That also includes a road-found Cygolite Hotshot (free to me!), but before that I was using a $15 PlanetBike blinky, which was fine, so $40.
I am in a crime-free-enough suburbia that I use a pretty-cheap cable lock, it probably cost me less than $10. Enough to thwart a convenience thief is all I judged I need.
I bought a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700x50s for $138.60, installed them at 5666mi on my odometer. They got something like 8 or 9000 miles before I replaced them with Mondials. The rear Mondial wore out (disappointingly quickly) so I put the better supreme back on, it's probably over 10000 miles by now.
Coupla chains, coupla pairs of brake pads. Coupla $15 helmets (Catlike Whisper knockoffs from fleabay). Coupla bucks for hardware to manufacture a Kittier and decorate it with reflective tape.
If I had spent $100 on a sturdy 1980's Schwinn instead of $1229.86 on building up my own CrossCheck, I'd be down in the nickel a mile neighborhood.
Not everybody needs/uses a light (so can be 0), but still they can be cheap. My light system cost me about $25 (zoomable-head Cree XML T-6 flashlight $8.98, pair of good 18650 batteries $15, two hose clamps $1). That also includes a road-found Cygolite Hotshot (free to me!), but before that I was using a $15 PlanetBike blinky, which was fine, so $40.
I am in a crime-free-enough suburbia that I use a pretty-cheap cable lock, it probably cost me less than $10. Enough to thwart a convenience thief is all I judged I need.
I bought a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700x50s for $138.60, installed them at 5666mi on my odometer. They got something like 8 or 9000 miles before I replaced them with Mondials. The rear Mondial wore out (disappointingly quickly) so I put the better supreme back on, it's probably over 10000 miles by now.
Coupla chains, coupla pairs of brake pads. Coupla $15 helmets (Catlike Whisper knockoffs from fleabay). Coupla bucks for hardware to manufacture a Kittier and decorate it with reflective tape.
If I had spent $100 on a sturdy 1980's Schwinn instead of $1229.86 on building up my own CrossCheck, I'd be down in the nickel a mile neighborhood.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda ... don't care.
I want to know what you ACTUALLY did, in detail, otherwise it's irrelevant banter, which is OK but doesn't qualify you to discuss the matter (same as I like to bike with the old German tanks.)
12-05-18 | 11:36 AM
#153
Thread Starter
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,224
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Well there's a limit to how much time/effort I am willing to put into an accurate calculation, but I'll do a more detailed accounting. I do have email history of things online bike part purchases.
12-05-18 | 11:37 AM
#155
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
12-05-18 | 11:45 AM
#157
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,657
Likes: 1,975
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
I also find questionable your chatter about the so-called bad road conditions of your locale causing so much tire and tube replacement costs. Maybe your fixie choice inspires you to ride like a hipster donkey over and through glass and potholes. Given the so-called bad roads you posted, any bicycle ridden with a modicum of care should get better service from the tires than you get on your commuting bike.
12-05-18 | 11:50 AM
#159
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
For starters - "wheelsets", brakes, derailler and cog replacement, fenders.
I also find questionable your chatter about the so-called bad road conditions of your locale causing so much tire and tube replacement costs. Maybe your fixie choice inspires you to ride like a hipster donkey over and through glass and potholes. Given the so-called bad roads you posted, any bicycle ridden with a modicum of care should get better service from the tires than you get on your commuting bike.
I also find questionable your chatter about the so-called bad road conditions of your locale causing so much tire and tube replacement costs. Maybe your fixie choice inspires you to ride like a hipster donkey over and through glass and potholes. Given the so-called bad roads you posted, any bicycle ridden with a modicum of care should get better service from the tires than you get on your commuting bike.
Idiotic banter in the middle skipped.
Tyres would be the logical choice here but they're not addressed in your commentary.
Do you operate in the manner on purpose?
Essentially, you haven't discussed why your option is cheaper?
12-05-18 | 11:51 AM
#160
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,657
Likes: 1,975
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
"Old German tanks" and English (Raleigh equivalents) that gave far better service, for much longer, for much less money/mile, and much less maintenance costs and futzing about than your trendy hipster dream bike.
12-05-18 | 11:53 AM
#161
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
That's OK. I'm heading down to Allgäu over Xmas by car and will bring back another German bike that would be more to your liking. Then, I'll have 5 bikes in my household (usually for guests to cycle down to and along the beachfront!)
12-05-18 | 11:56 AM
#162
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,167
Likes: 6,390
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
He does have a point. English 3-speeds are more durable than other bikes. I have the experience to back this up. I worked for a few years as a bike shop mechanic, and my bike-dense neighborhood still has a lot of English 3-speeds and fewer other bikes of that age.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
12-05-18 | 11:57 AM
#163
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,657
Likes: 1,975
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Don't hold your breath waiting for too many cyclists to post the results of such a pastime; sorta like advertising how much string you have gathered over the years.
12-05-18 | 11:58 AM
#164
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
I didn't start the thread. I still stand by the fact that just about everyone will be at 20±5 c/mi (in 2018 currency) when they factor in component replacement as some people in this thread haven't.
12-05-18 | 12:00 PM
#165
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,657
Likes: 1,975
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Great, than you can stubbornly insist that it isn't to your liking and continue to ride what you like and keep on paying out as much as you do per mile.
12-05-18 | 12:03 PM
#166
Thread Starter
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,224
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
As OP of the thread (and borderline OCD), I will provide a more detailed breakdown of my commuter. There are probably a few other numberphiles that would be able to, willingness is another question, and probably most will only hazard an estimate (which was my original intent for this thread anyways)
12-05-18 | 12:06 PM
#167
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
I need to determine whether a Römer Jockey can be attached to the FGSS or whether I need the MTB for that service. I think my value of around 20c/mi is average (at least for my urban lifestyle and as a full car replacement.) No one has convincingly shown otherwise.
12-05-18 | 12:10 PM
#168
Thread Starter
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,224
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
It occurs to me, a separate-but-interesting question is, what are recurring cycling costs only, i.e. keep original purchase and sale price out of it. So cost would include wear items like tires tubes patches chains cables housing bar tape etc, but it would be very hard to draw a line between upgrades and regular items.. I.e. when you bought that bike, and new pedals a month later, are they included in the maintenance costs, or do they count as the cost of the original bike because you planned for the bike you bought to have nice pedals, it just took a little while to shop for them?
On the flip-side; for some people upgrade-itis is such a habitual cost it should be considered a recurring expense.
On the flip-side; for some people upgrade-itis is such a habitual cost it should be considered a recurring expense.
12-05-18 | 12:21 PM
#169
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,278
Likes: 342
From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
A cheap chain results in a stolen bike at work. I see it once per month. No thanks (for me at least. Those thefts do result in my bike not getting stolen with my decent quality £35 D-lock.)
You're not in a bike heavy area (train station, bike rack at work, parked on the side of the street) where it gets banged/beat/messed with.
What happens to the 5c / mile when you include the cost of the bike itself?
You're not in a bike heavy area (train station, bike rack at work, parked on the side of the street) where it gets banged/beat/messed with.
What happens to the 5c / mile when you include the cost of the bike itself?
If the bike gets stolen, I would do it again and and it would be 3.7 cents again (not 5) in three years. Or in under two years rather, since I'd still have 2 pairs of tires and a set of brake pads.
12-05-18 | 01:51 PM
#171
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,657
Likes: 1,975
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
I use this combo for grocery shopping, taking stuff to Goodwill, as well as deposit bottle/can return. Given the 5¢ deposit refunds I'd say this bike pays for itself!
12-05-18 | 01:56 PM
#172
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45,197
Likes: 23,368
12-05-18 | 02:07 PM
#173
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,657
Likes: 1,975
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
12-05-18 | 09:16 PM
#174
Thread Starter
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,224
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
As OP of the thread (and borderline OCD), I will provide a more detailed breakdown of my commuter. There are probably a few other numberphiles that would be able to, willingness is another question, and probably most will only hazard an estimate (which was my original intent for this thread anyways)
That was at the start of my commuting. Since then I've commuted for 6 years. Purchases have included (many of these costs estimated to within $5)
Pair of Schwalbe marathon supreme 700x50: $138.60
Pair of Schwalbe marathon mondial 700x42: $88.96
2 extra chains: $30 (1 chain broke, 2 are in rotation)
Coupla tubes, patch kits: ~$30
Selle An-atomica Titanico X seat: $92
Bar tape, housing for accent color change: ~$25
Wellgo MG-1 pinned platform pedals, $25Bar tape, housing for accent color change: ~$25
2 helmets: $40
2pr kool-stop salmon pads: $30
Cable lock: $10
Total $1853. In case I forgot some other things, round up to $1900. Less than my original guesstimate of $2000.
Miles: I just checked my odometer and it says 17504. 6 years of avg 175 commutes/year at min 11mi rt = 11550. Since some commutes take longer routes and there is other non-commuting riding on that bike, but also a lot of miles on my old MTB, the number of miles on that bike are somewhere in between.
$1900/11550 = 16c/mi
$1900/17504 = 11c/mi
So my initial estimate of 13c/mi is smack in the middle of that window.
Nickel/mile over 15000 miles gives a budget of $750. If you start with a $100 sturdy vintage steel bike, that seems pretty easy.
12-05-18 | 10:56 PM
#175
Thread Starter
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,224
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Made charts and added them to the OP...
Histogram has top 10% lumped into an outlier bucket, and scatterplot has both axes logarithmic
Histogram has top 10% lumped into an outlier bucket, and scatterplot has both axes logarithmic
Last edited by RubeRad; 12-05-18 at 11:00 PM.