The Money Mustache Community

Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: calskin on August 02, 2013, 02:09:17 PM

Title: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: calskin on August 02, 2013, 02:09:17 PM
I'm wondering what value Mustachians put on their bikes.  Please post a comment on what you use your bike for too.

EDIT
I just want to say there's no judgement at all coming from me.  I'm just a Jr Mustachian wondering what is a realistic amount I should be looking to spend.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: MrBrokeAssMustache on August 02, 2013, 02:26:51 PM
My bike was just a little over $1000. That may seem high, but it's my hobby, my main form of transport (i'm currently trying to sell my car), and because of it's steel frame and quailty components it should last a very long time.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: rocketman48097 on August 02, 2013, 02:30:18 PM
I spent $270 on a Schwinn Hybrid from Target, plus sales taxes.  Don't let anyone fool you that you need an expensive bike to commute.  It has worked out great and if you need repairs, bike shops do these for DIRT CHEAP, even the replacement parts are cheap.  I also will ride to the grocery store on my bike, and anywhere else I can think of.  I use mine for transportation, with the big incentive of cheap exercise and it saves me time because I would have to commute 10 minutes by car, each way, to work if I didn't bike. 
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: MilwaukeeStubble on August 02, 2013, 02:32:11 PM
I put in 600-800.

I bought new from someone I know who owns a bike shop.  $750 out the door with fenders, rack and helmet.  Probably should have bought used, but it's a hybrid that I use year round as my main mode of transportation around town and it should last forever so I'll deal with it.

Still have a car but it stays parked for 2-3 weeks at a time (I leave town a lot on weekends)
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Russ on August 02, 2013, 02:45:40 PM
Road bike: about $1k, but a screamin' deal since I was decent friends with the importer at the time. Used for regional-level racing then, "fitness" and longer endurance rides these days.

sw8 fixie: $350 new, put about $400 of parts on it in the year and a half I have owned it. Used for commuting erryday, and for rolling around town looking cool in my spare time. Too small for me and I don't use it much since I've fixed up the CX bike below, so I'm trying to sell it before I move next week.

CX bike: probably $750 when I got it used 5 years ago. Trashed just about everything racing and crashing, and just rebuilt it a few months ago for $450-ish, replacing everything but the frameset. Probably worth $800-900 now altogether. Now it's used for commuting, bummin' around town, and long rides with unknown quality of roads.

My first road bike was $1050 new, bought on closeout for somewhere around $800 in 2005 or 2006, and sold for $650 last spring.

I know all my bikes are splurges. I don't own a car so I'm ok with that.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: DanBrewMan on August 02, 2013, 02:48:15 PM
I got my cannondale CAAD9 for around $700.  It's pricey, but well worth it if you bike a lot.  It's very comfy and lightweight!
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: StarswirlTheMustached on August 02, 2013, 02:54:20 PM
About $750, all-up (rack, etc.) from a local bike shop. Is it a splurge? Oh, for sure. But it paid for itself after about 10 months of offset bus passes (or 10 months of no-insurance, or about  instantly in not-having-a-car) and I'm quite happy with it. I'd gone through two department-store bikes by then, and was fed up with junk. I hope not to have to buy another, although it is an aluminium frame, and that means it shall crack eventually.
If that happens in my lifetime, then I'm going build a frame from hardwood or bamboo so I can stand on my statement that I'm "not buying another." To be honest, I'm kinda hoping it does crack; frame-building sounds fun.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Eric on August 02, 2013, 02:56:52 PM
I don't really remember.  I bought a low end new Trek mountain bike.  I think it was about $300, but that was 13 years ago.  Still works like a champ today.

Although I am starting a new job in 2 weeks that will allow me to bike commute (10 miles) for the first time, so I've been thinking about getting something faster.  But mine still works fine, so it seems like unnecessary spending.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Simple Abundant Living on August 02, 2013, 03:08:11 PM
Just bought my first hybrid bike last night. 2011 Giant escape- $200. I hope that was a good deal, and a good bike. :)
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: rocketman48097 on August 02, 2013, 03:28:44 PM
$200 is cheap and Giant is an excellent brand.  I think you got a great deal.  Remember, repairs are not car repairs, so no need to buy expensive in my opinion.  They are dirt cheap, just make sure you buy a tire gauge with PSI.  I got a flat but only because I never inflated my tires, it was a beginners mistake and one that I have learned from.  Given I live 3.5 miles from work, walking with a flat was a hassle but not enough to give up bike commuting, it just made me smarter and wiser. 
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: calskin on August 02, 2013, 03:44:38 PM
If that happens in my lifetime, then I'm going build a frame from hardwood or bamboo so I can stand on my statement that I'm "not buying another." To be honest, I'm kinda hoping it does crack; frame-building sounds fun.

I LOVE this idea.  I'm not sure if you're an instructables fan, but you should check it out.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: ThatGuyFromCanada on August 02, 2013, 03:46:43 PM
I spent nearly $1500 on mine and have cumulatively ridden 4500 km on it with minimal maintenance - totally worth the investment 
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Kriegsspiel on August 02, 2013, 03:49:35 PM
'Did' and 'would' are totally different. I can't really remember, but I htink I bought my mountain bike for $100, and sold it for $100. I am pretty sure I bought my road bike for $220 or $230, and I'm trying to sell it for about the same in order to get a touring bike, which I'll probably spend quite a bit more for.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: mpbaker22 on August 02, 2013, 04:05:35 PM
I've bought 3 bikes in the past 4 years.

The first was a low-end, but nice and new, road bike.  $850.  Though I got help from parents as sort of a last year living at home birthday/Christmas present.

Second was a $80 craigslist mountain-style bike.

Third was a $12.50 Goodwill.  It did need a lot of work, but I only put $10 in parts into it, and now it's running as good as you can expect from a 70's road bike.  Actually gave this one to a grad student friend of mine.

I got my cannondale CAAD9 for around $700.  It's pricey, but well worth it if you bike a lot.  It's very comfy and lightweight!
My road bike is the CAAD 8!  Even though it was $850, it does have over 2000 miles on it, including 172 in the month of July.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: olivia on August 02, 2013, 04:06:05 PM
I spent about $750 total on a Giant Escape 2 hybrid/commuter bike and accessories.  The base price was $500 but I added fenders, a rear rack, pannier bag, lights, a U-lock etc.  It's been perfect for my commute and it's nice and light so I can easily get it in and out of the house.  (We have steps up to our door that are difficult to navigate with the bike, so I have to carry it on my shoulder.)
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: calskin on August 02, 2013, 04:06:27 PM
Just bought my first hybrid bike last night. 2011 Giant escape- $200. I hope that was a good deal, and a good bike. :)

That's an amazing deal!  I would love to get a deal like that.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: turboseize on August 02, 2013, 04:50:58 PM
My first everyday bike bike was a vintage peugeot racing bike outfittedt with Schwalbe Marathon tires, fenders, lights and bike racks. Had been my fathers racing bike, then his commuter/trecking bike, and when he bought a new bike, he handed it down to me. I handed it down to my brother when I got my second everyday bike: my grandfathers trecking and winter training bike: an old Gitanes racing bike outfitted with Schwalbe Marathon, fenders, lights and a bike rack... It's still sitting in my basement, waiting for a major overhaul.

My first road bike was a 1976 Cinelli with Campagnolo super record group, handed down to me by my grandfather. Unfortunately, I had a severe accident with a Bernes Mountain Dog (which ran onto the road while I was practicing sprints). I flew more than 10 meters, frame was cracked, rim broken, derailleur cracked...
With the money the dog owners insurance company payed I then bought the components for my first "own" road bike. I researched spare parts catalogues and comparing the parts numbers, I found out Campagnolo was handing parts down: this years Athena derailleur seemed to have been a Chorus part the year before, and before that a Record... That was in the mid-90s, I don't know if Campa still does that. I had a deal with our bike shop: I would buy the parts, but had to assemble it myself under their supervision.  (My parents had been customers to this shop ever since I could walk.) The shop owner insisted I gave him the cracked Cinelli frame because he found it so beautful:  last time I visited them (in the mid-2000s) it was still hanging on the wall. :-)
My new bike has a handmade italian steel frame (Sancineto) and the above described happy mix of Campagnolo components. Leather saddle is still from my grandfathers Cinelli, and of course, I still have it. Have not driven it for a year because of problems with my achilles tendons, but as these have improved significantly in the last months, I might give it a try again.
Bike parts were somewhere around DM 1000,-. This would be around 500€, but if you figure in 17 years of inflation, todays purchasing power might more be around 1000€.
 
My mountain bike is a vintage steel frame hard tail, no suspension Checker Pig with Shimano Deore XT group (with the exception of the ight shifter, which I had to replace after a crash (commuting to work on a washed-out farm trail, steep ascent, very muddy - that obviously was a pretty dump idea) and could only manage to get a LX. Spare parts situation with Shimano is horrible, at least for older parts. Bought that bike used from a guy I met on the German Saab car forum for 250€. Have some problems with gears not "staying in gear" but jumping around on the rear cassete when exposed to torque. Either I messed up the adjustment after repacing the shifter, or chain is worn. Need to figure that out.

Last year, I bought my wife a commuter bike as a birthday present.  Bought it used, of course. Scott aluminium frame, front suspension, Shimano Alivio components, Schwalbe Marathon tyres, freshly serviced. Not too bad for 150€!
She is not using it to commute (one way 25km, she takes public transport instead), but happily zooms around in town to meet her friends.

 
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Samsam on August 02, 2013, 05:06:12 PM
Spent around 900 on my road bike (half was paid for through my company's stay fit program), that was before I found MMM.  Had I found MMM before getting the bike, I probably would have made a smarter purchase.  But I am actually riding my bike everywhere and now my SO has a bike as well (about 400 for a hybrid).
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: m8547 on August 02, 2013, 06:00:57 PM
I got my commuter bike free from family. I think it cost a few hundred new in 1999, and I've probably put a couple hundred into it to keep it going as things break/wear out.  It's a steel frame and kind of heavy, but it's 90% as good as a fancy $1k+ road bike, and on my way to work I often pass people on fancy road bikes in fancy bike clothes while I'm wearing my work clothes or regular clothes (it's only a few miles to work and it's cool enough in the morning that I don't get sweaty). Of course people pass me too, since most of the time I just take it easy and cruise along.

I paid $700 for my mountain bike used, and I've put many hundreds of dollars into it (well over $500), but it's worth every penny to me. I got good deals on a few big upgrades (Fox terralogic fork for $200, carbon crankset for $20!), so now it's as good as a bike that would cost a few thousand.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: sol on August 02, 2013, 08:28:50 PM
Three years ago I spent $400 on CL for a 2008 Bianchi Volpe (steel xcross/touring bike), to which I've probably added $200 in fenders, rack, waterproof panniers, and lights.  Oh, plus another $100 for the bike trailer.  And about $100/year in zipcar costs for those times I really need to drive.

Total costs of bike ownership over the past three years: $1000.

Total savings from selling car: $9600 over three years.
$3.8k for car, $3k in gas, 1.8k insurance, 1k in misc costs like tabs, emissions, and speeding tickets.

Net profit from selling my car and buying a luxury bicycle setup, $8600 and going up every day. 

Plus improved fitness and a general sense of smug badassity for being a hard ass cyclist.

Plus never dealing with traffic jams or having to find parking, which were significantly contributing to my total daily stress load.

Plus not buying dead dinosaur goo from foreign countries that want to kill us.

Plus not contributing quite so much to atmospheric CO2 levels.

Plus that smug badassity.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: mrpress on August 02, 2013, 08:40:49 PM
Right around 500 for my hybrid (new) plus helmet, bike shorts, seat bag. Since then added a rack, lights, drop-style bar ends, cargo trailer. Saving up for a fancy pants road bike next summer. Would like to go used but hard to find one big enough for me.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Sparafusile on August 02, 2013, 09:08:00 PM
MMM did a article promoting bike riding and mentioned a sale at Nashbar.com. Bought my roadbike the next day for around $200.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: cbr shadow on August 02, 2013, 10:49:29 PM
Looks like i'm taking the cake on this one.  I spent $1900 on my triathlon bike. 
Does it help that my wife and I are both maxing our Roth IRA's and 401k's?
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: ritchie70 on August 02, 2013, 11:22:17 PM
I spent nothing, my employer spent around $350 I think, for a Trek 820.

They have a "gift catalog" when you hit certain work anniversaries, and I hit my 10th.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Mayan on August 02, 2013, 11:47:27 PM
I paid $200 for a 15 year old Cannondale hybrid from Craigslist, then bought a rack and replaced brake pads and seat post. Maybe not a great deal for a bike that old, but the frame was in excellent shape and it fit my criteria at the time.  I previously had ridden on a hand-me-down mountain bike that was too big for me; being able to travel significantly faster and more comfortably has been totally worth it.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Zalo on August 03, 2013, 01:16:41 AM
I got my cannondale CAAD9 for around $700.  It's pricey, but well worth it if you bike a lot.  It's very comfy and lightweight!

I got the same exact bike for the same exact price (used on CL, practically new). Good taste. :D
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: gooki on August 03, 2013, 02:06:59 AM
$200 for my backup single speed.
$600 for my electric.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: jfer_rose on August 03, 2013, 06:03:17 AM
I spent $1000 on my bike. I don't own a car and think of my bike as a car-substitute. My bike is my favorite possession. Having a bike I love helps encourage me to ride it more.

This article sums up why I don't feel bad about spending a lot on a bike:
http://www.lifeedited.com/a-case-for-buying-the-bike-you-want/

Yup, not feeling very mustachian talking about this. But I'm not willing to spend so much money on everything else-- it's just that my bike is a priority for me.

Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Kriegsspiel on August 03, 2013, 06:16:32 AM
I spent $1000 on my bike. I don't own a car and think of my bike as a car-substitute. My bike is my favorite possession. Having a bike I love helps encourage me to ride it more.

This article sums up why I don't feel bad about spending a lot on a bike:
http://www.lifeedited.com/a-case-for-buying-the-bike-you-want/

Yup, not feeling very mustachian talking about this. But I'm not willing to spend so much money on everything else-- it's just that my bike is a priority for me.

Quote from: that site
Before I put it together, I had two bikes: A well-worn road bike with a slightly buckled headtube and a mountain bike I was always planning on (but never) riding. I decided to trade both in and get the one bike I wanted and would match my riding needs. BikeEdited, if you will.

I like the cut of his jib.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: BlueMR2 on August 03, 2013, 07:54:03 AM
My mountain bike was $250 new back in 1986 (a gift from my grandparents)...  I've replaced tires once, brakes a zillion times (most recently spending $50 on some fancy brake pads that will actually stop the bike in the wet), and the chain once (just a couple months ago).  It's a testament to how badly you can beat a bike and have it still keep working...  I don't replace anything on it until it's trashed (the chain reached the point that it would jump off the sprocket half the time I tried to shift, and a chain gauge fell right through with no resistance).  I can't even guess how many zillions of miles I put on that thing.  :-)

On the opposite end of the scale, from my pre-mustachian days, just a few years ago, I have my road bike.  I bought all the components separately and built it myself.  Putting $4500 worth of parts into building my own equivalent of the the bikes that were selling for $5000-6000 at the store down the street.  It's an absolute dream to ride, but technology advances so fast that a $1000-2000 bike today is as good or better.  I now realize that I'd be better off buying a $1000 bike every few years...
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: ToeInTheWater on August 03, 2013, 08:35:36 AM
$175 on CL for a Fuji road bike.

will likely need some work - tune up / tires - in the near future, but so far, so good

been commuting to work couple times a week - still pretty weather dependent, plus a pleasure ride on the weekends

b
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: minimalist on August 03, 2013, 09:34:22 AM
I paid $150 on CL for a Marin city bike in like-new condition (<50 miles on it) four years ago. All I've done so far is replace the rear brakes.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: MoneyCat on August 03, 2013, 10:23:29 AM
I got a Next cheapo 6-speed bike from Walmart.com with no taxes charged and free shipping.  I adjusted everything on it myself and it works just fine.  It's not the fanciest bike in the world but it gets the job done.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: kudy on August 03, 2013, 11:01:23 AM
$25 bike on craigslist.
~$37 on new wheel and fixes at the local co-op

= $62 to get going.

But then soon after, the non-essentials started to get added in; I decided the seat was too old (falling apart), so $29 for a new seat. Also spent about $50 on lights for winter riding, ~$31 on a patch kit and other emergency stuff, $50 on cold weather clothing, & $40 for new pedals. Oh, and $700 on a ridekick :)

I've talked about these expenses on my blog a few times... amazing to me that I am still relatively cheap compared to some people including the electric trailer.

My total spending on bike related expenses since I started riding is probably somewhere around $1,100.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: onehappypanda on August 03, 2013, 11:50:39 AM
$150 for a mid-80's Fuji Del Ray on Craigslist. Came from a guy that used it as a road bike, and was in good working condition. I didn't have to do anything to it to get it running.

I did also purchase lights, a u-bar lock and cable (for wheels), and a rear rack to haul stuff: total cost about $80 or so? Already owned a helmet ($40) and a tire pump ($20?).

But if you want to include all that stuff, $150 for the bike and $140 for all the other stuff comes in at just under $300 (where I work and go to school, that's less than the cost of an annual parking pass).

Maintenance hasn't cost me anything so far but eventually I'll have to replace tires and tune it up, bar tape is also due for replacement, but altogether it's SO much cheaper than maintaining my car.

Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: hybrid on August 03, 2013, 01:55:43 PM
$150 for Trek road bike on CL about a month ago
$50 for tune up and a repair
$30 for rear basket (bike came with rear rack, basket attaches to it, not technically necessary to get bike going)
$40 for inner tubes, hand pump, tire changing gear (not technically necessary to get bike going)
$40 for lights

Money very well spent.  I may graduate to something else at some point, but I really like this ride so far except for the very aggressive posture, and may simply change out handlebars to address that.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: calskin on August 03, 2013, 08:10:55 PM
Plus improved fitness and a general sense of smug badassity for being a hard ass cyclist.

Plus never dealing with traffic jams or having to find parking, which were significantly contributing to my total daily stress load.

Plus not buying dead dinosaur goo from foreign countries that want to kill us.

Plus not contributing quite so much to atmospheric CO2 levels.

Plus that smug badassity.

I like it.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: calskin on August 03, 2013, 08:16:07 PM
Looks like i'm taking the cake on this one.  I spent $1900 on my triathlon bike. 
Does it help that my wife and I are both maxing our Roth IRA's and 401k's?

No judgement at all.  I appreciate the comment.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: calskin on August 03, 2013, 08:16:57 PM
I spent nothing, my employer spent around $350 I think, for a Trek 820.

They have a "gift catalog" when you hit certain work anniversaries, and I hit my 10th.

Awesome
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: kendallf on August 03, 2013, 08:34:47 PM
Looks like i'm taking the cake on this one.  I spent $1900 on my triathlon bike. 

Don't worry, there are probably loads of people, both on these forums and anyone who rides regularly in general, who've outspent you by large margins.

I don't keep track (any more) but I have at the very least $4-6k in the 3-4 bikes I ride most frequently.  I haven't bought anything other than consumables (tires, tubes, chains, cassettes) in the past year though.    Mint says I've spent $682 on cycling since last November (when I started using Mint).
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: calskin on August 03, 2013, 08:50:01 PM
Well we just went to the good life bike shop in Calgary and I picked up a Miyata Two Ten in really good condition for $118 because I was short a toonie (but I donated my old bike, so I think they got a pretty good deal).  The chain and cassette need a good cleaning, but it rides really well!

I would have walked right past the bike, but my wife pulled it out thinking it might fit her (she's 5'5"), but it was way too big, so I tried it and it was perfect (I'm 6'2").  She's amazing and brilliant and pretty cool and reading this.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: onemorebike on August 04, 2013, 07:08:01 AM
I'm afraid the cake is mine to take. Sorry.

The only saviour is that I bought each of them at a steep discount (making any eventual resale about a break even) and I am a passionate advocate for bicycling and walking - as in, that is really my day job - so given the amount of time and energy I spend riding and talking about bicycles, its nice to have ones I absolutely love.

Surly CX: $1000 (with Ultegra upgrade)
Surly Big Dummy: $1250
CETMA Bakfiets (family bike #2): $2800
Giant Trance X2 (full suspension mnt bike): $1160

This doesn't include my wife's bikes.

Looks like i'm taking the cake on this one.  I spent $1900 on my triathlon bike. 
Does it help that my wife and I are both maxing our Roth IRA's and 401k's?

No judgement at all.  I appreciate the comment.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: jradc on August 04, 2013, 09:46:38 AM
Like sol, I've got a Bianchi Volpe, which is a great all-around bike. I bought mine in 2006 after my previous bike was stolen (another great all-around bike: Novarra Randonee). New, it cost me $1,000. I enjoy bike maintenance, so I have done a lot of repair and upkeep on it to keep it in tip top shape, get it to fit me really comfortably, and work for my errands. I've probably put in about $400 in addition to the purchase cost (fenders, upgraded seat, stem change, racks, bags, various part replacements).

Even my relatively extravagant bike purchases come out to something like an annual cost of ~$250, which is really nothing when compared to car ownership.

I'm now 33 and I have only owned a car for about 2 years total my entire adult life. It wasn't intentional, but I kept putting it off and seeing how far I could get on bicycles, sharing cars with housemates (and contributing to expenses), zipcar, etc, and it keeps on working for me.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: crazy jane on August 04, 2013, 10:16:54 AM
I paid 299 for my beloved Fuji Crosstown 2.0 in 2006. It's a hybrid and it's just right for all of my cycling needs.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: annod on August 04, 2013, 03:14:20 PM
Bike or bikes?

I have three bikes, one just over $1000. another $600, and a folding bike bought in 2004 ($400)
May seem excessive, (want to sell one, can't decide which)  but biking is my main mode of transportation, as I don't have a car. (spouse has a car, which I use sometimes)
Over the years, I calculated the amount I spent on bike as transportation-including stolen bikes,  accessories, clothing, repacir, maintenance, upgrades... it is about $350 per year. Way cheaper than having a car.

I actually like having more than one bike because it has happened more than once that I was leaving for work in the morning and discovered I had a flat tire (must be slow leak). It is so nice to be able to just grab another bike to go to work.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: capital on August 04, 2013, 04:09:03 PM
My main commuter was a fixie I bought for $320 used. I've put maybe $100 in parts into it? For flat urban riding, fixies are fun and very low-maintenance.

My main commuter when I lived in San Diego was a Fuji Touring I paid $300 for used (after ~6mo of hunting for a cheap touring bike on multiple Craigslists). I rode it across the country from Pittsburgh and then rode it 7,000 miles the year I lived in San Diego, so I ended up grinding most of the components into dust and have a bunch more money in parts in it. Pretty much the only original parts are the derailleurs and shifters-- low-midgrade Shimano seems to be pretty damn durable.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: frompa on August 04, 2013, 04:10:32 PM
I am a die-hard, and I have not a single bike or two, but a fleet.  I am unapologetic.  Oldest, my Cannondale tourer, and regular about town bike, I bought new about twenty years ago for $700; my Brompton folder, bought new about ten years ago for $2k; my speedy Trek road bike, weighs next to nothing, bought new about four years ago for about $2k; my Catrike recumbent, bought new about six years ago for $2500; and last but not least, my trusty Cannondale mtn bike I bought used about five years ago for $400.  I use all of these all the time, as do other visiting family and friends, and my theory is I ride them til they fall apart -- as they are all excellent bikes, they DON'T fall apart.  I sold another recumbent two wheeler I'd stopped using last summer on Craigslist, for near what I paid for it about seven years earlier.  I probably bike anywhere from 3-6000 miles per year, depending on what cycling vacations I can get in in a given year.  So there you have it.  My bike confession.  Ha ha.  Bike on!
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Stache In Training on August 05, 2013, 12:35:34 AM
I spent about 500 something, and my wife spent about 450 something. 

We bought them together, and asked for a discount (since the mark-up on bikes is high), and got about 10% off.  Great mustachian idea, if you have to buy more than one at a time, and are at a shop, not a big box store... which you should be for free service plans!
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: martynthewolf on August 05, 2013, 01:50:43 AM
I spent £500 on my hardtail MTB. I use it for commuting and shopping. I've also used it a few times off roading. When I ordered the bike I got £100 voucher to spend on accessories which enabled me to kit it out with, lights, mudguards, locks and a pump. It should last me for years to come so I was happy spending that amount for something quality that is versatile.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Hamster on August 05, 2013, 10:17:07 AM
In 1990 I bought my first "real" bike, that wasn't a department store clunker. It was a Trek 830, which was considered a mountain bike then, but more like a non-suspension hybrid in today's world. It was $380, and is probably the best money I ever spent on my life. Back then I was a naturallly mustachian kid doing agricultural work and restaurant work while in high school, and I used that bike for work and school when weather allowed. As a naive kid, I even rode in the dark, no lights, no helmet... It was also my commuter for med school and residency, and I did all my own maintenance. 2 years ago, I handed it off to my brother as long as he agreed to continue riding it.

In 2006, upgraded to a Surly Long Haul Trucker steel-frame touring bike,  for $900 new. I've put many thousand miles on that bike, and only replaced chains, pads, tires - due for new cassette and rear rim now. it has saved me a ton on commuting costs. After finishing residency, I was fairly unmustachian for a while with my new found income.

In 2010, added a "summer bike"... A $3000 trek Madone 5.2 racing bike. I've probably got about 3-4k miles on that one. If I had it all to do over, I would stay under $1500, but I love the bike, and selling it wouldn't be worth it to me.

Now that my brother has my little old bike, I really want either a mountain bike or a hop-on/hop-off cruiser for riding around the neighborhood in flip flops with my kids, but that will be a very cheap used beater when/if I get one.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: zinnie on August 05, 2013, 12:36:03 PM
My current bike was a gift, but it was around $600 and I'd be happy to spend that much myself.

It is awesome and I don't really see bicycle purchasing as an area I need to be super frugal in.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Miss Stachio on August 05, 2013, 04:12:11 PM
$20 on a Pugeot at a garage sale about 9 years ago.  Had to change an inner tube ($4?) to get it in good running shape.  Looked like it had been in storage for 20 years.  It's still my daily commuter bike.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: mgreczyn on August 05, 2013, 04:39:59 PM
Which one? 
Mountain Bike - $1,500 in 2003
Road Bike - $2,000 in 2005
Commuter bike (OK, really an ancient steel frame mountain bike) - $20 (twenty) plus $100 on new brakes after 5 years
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: wing117 on August 05, 2013, 05:58:09 PM
$360 for a new 2009 Giant Rincon bought in 2010, but have had to outfit myself recently with the 'extras' that have added up to another $280.

"Extras":
Helmet, new tires (semi slicks), bike pump, touring rack, waterproof pannier, degreaser/lube, bike lights, bicycle multi-tool, and extra tube.

On the list to get:
Repair stand, floor pump, ergon 2 grips, new brake pads

Love the beefiness of the Rincon and I ride 6 miles worth of gravel every day now so the mtb frame comes in handy (The gravel is why the ergon grips are on my wish list). It is due up for a serious overhaul and cleaning soon though. The only thing I'd turn this bike in for is a Surly Long Haul Trucker.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: MoneyCat on August 05, 2013, 08:47:17 PM
No offense intended to anybody posting on here, but I don't understand why anybody would pay $1000 for a bicycle.  Isn't the Mustachian point of getting a bicycle to save money from not using your car?  It would take forever to get back the cost savings from buying a $1000 bicycle.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: YK-Phil on August 05, 2013, 09:07:52 PM
No offense intended to anybody posting on here, but I don't understand why anybody would pay $1000 for a bicycle.  Isn't the Mustachian point of getting a bicycle to save money from not using your car?  It would take forever to get back the cost savings from buying a $1000 bicycle.

I tend to agree with most of your comment, except the last part about the cost savings. If I remember well, I paid $20 for my bike, an early 70s 10-speed steel-frame bike in excellent condition, which I stripped down of all its brake and gears, and rebuilt the back wheel into a single-speed with coaster brake for perhaps $30 bucks of parts, if not less, and equipped with home-made paniers and baskets that didn't cost anything but my time. I've been using it to run errands almost every day of the year, under the sometimes sunny, sometimes rainy and often snowy skies of Calgary and for Sunday rides with my wife, who rides a cool vintage British folding bikes bought for $70 at the local community bike shop. Admittedly, I wouldn't use my bike for any other purpose than what I am using it now, and certainly not for trail riding or sports, or even for a long commute to work. In this respect, i can understand why someone would fork a $1,000 or so for a good quality bike that has the perfect setup, and that will give the rider years if not decades of use and enjoyment. In this regards, the investment is minor, especially that such bikes, with proper care and maintenance, will last twenty years or more. Over such a long period of time, the cost of owning a great bicycle, even considering repairs and maintenance (extremely cheap compared to those of a car), would be extremely low compared to other forms of transportation.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Russ on August 05, 2013, 09:18:45 PM
Isn't the Mustachian point of getting a bicycle to save money from not using your car?

The Mustachian point of anything is to spend resources on things that are worth it to you, and don't spend resources on things that aren't. Along with some other things maybe, but that's one of the bigger lessons.

That's no more than my opinion/interpretation, of course
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: mgreczyn on August 05, 2013, 10:23:45 PM
No offense intended to anybody posting on here, but I don't understand why anybody would pay $1000 for a bicycle.  Isn't the Mustachian point of getting a bicycle to save money from not using your car?  It would take forever to get back the cost savings from buying a $1000 bicycle.
For me the point was, well, to ride bikes for fun.  My financial philosophies have changed much since those days, but the level of contentment I derive TO THIS DAY from doing a tough trail ride or a Sunday morning road ride is well worth the cash outlay.  When I bought the bikes I was in my mid twenties and single.  I won't try to argue that it was the BEST use of money, but I sure could have found something WORSE to spend it on and I would definitely do it again given the chance (which I certainly can't say of all my splurges from those days).  Before the bikes I drank way too much, ate an extremely unhealthy diet and the only form of exercise I regularly engaged in was weight lifting.  These factors combined with what I suspect is a genetic predisposition for high blood pressure to produce an entirely predictable result.  After I spent a total of $3500 on mountain and road bikes and took up sprint triathlons my BP was under control and I was much happier.  You could even say that it saved my job, as the flight docs had started giving me funny looks when they took my BP and were talking crazy stuff about low sodium diets and medication.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: kms on August 06, 2013, 01:27:03 AM
I currently own three bikes, although one needs some attention and one is more of a hobby/project (see below).

The bike that I use for my daily commute as well as all other errands (we don't even own a car) is a somewhere between 1992 an 1994 Bavaria Trekking bike. Simple construction, steel frame, no suspension. The bike itself was completely free, I saved it from being scrapped bout three years ago. It was in mint condition, tires 10 years old but barely used, and the chain was missing. I'm guessing that the previous owner bought it in the 90s, then barely used it and decided to throw it away once the chain snapped. After saving it I've invested somewhere around US $100 in a hub dynamo, LED front light and back light, and obviously a new chain. After around 15,000km it's still going strong and will probably serve me for a long time.

My previous bike, the one that currently needs some attention, was US $50. I bought it on a flea market after my previous one got stolen. I had to invest another US $50 in new tires and some consumables, but it lasted for a couple of years until I found the Bavaria one that fits better. Recently I found out that it's a Bill Grove Innovations frame that's supposed to be either really good or really rare or both. The third bike is a 1976 Hercules Estrella that I found in the shared basement of our apartment building. It belonged to one of our neighbors and since he didn't need it anymore he gave it to me for free. It's also in mint condition, no rust and generally speaking working, just needs new tires. I'm trying to rebuild this one for as little money as possible (aka free) and then either give it away again or use it as sort of a retro bike whenever I need to look shiny and all hipster like :-)
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: omegashop333 on August 06, 2013, 02:36:17 AM
I go to a salvation army store in the ritzy part of town. Nice bikes for 50-80 bucks all day long....half price on Wednesday's($25-40). They also replace and repair at the same local.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Mike on August 06, 2013, 03:53:50 AM
Even a higher-end bike is going to cost far less than a car on a per-mile basis. 

If you drive 6000 miles per year @ 30mpg with avg gas cost of $3.50 / gal, that's $700 annually just for the gas.  Add on the cost of auto insurance, and your total outlay is over $1000 - even with a low-cost policy.  And all of this ignores the cost of maintaining the car - which can be quite significant depending on how old it is and what issues it has.  Even newer cars will cost $100+/yr to keep up with the maintenance schedules (oil changes, tire rotations, etc).

An annual bike tune-up will only run you about $75.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Half-Borg on August 06, 2013, 05:26:13 AM
I got my trekking bike for 55€ at a garage sale. Great condition, does not look like it needs any maintenance soon.
I had a 600€ bike before, which got stolen. I am never paying a lot of money for a bike again.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Theadyn on August 06, 2013, 05:36:53 AM
Mine was free just for asking around and I use it for fun.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Peanut Butter on August 06, 2013, 06:09:49 AM
I have two bicycles. The first is a 1987 Schwinn Tempo. I actually got the bike for free - I had been saving up for a bicycle (hadn't ridden since I was a kid) and my boss found it in her garage, left by the former owners of the house. It was in decent shape, but things like the brake pads, tires, bar tape, etc needed replacing. I think I spent about $80 on that, (it came with a rack) plus panniers, fenders, lights, etc.
Here it is as it came when I got it back from the bike shop that first time:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/kookaburra/My%20life/bike/DSCN3292.jpg)

Here it is now, as my have-fun/go-fast bicycle:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/kookaburra/My%20life/bike/June%202013/DSCN4317_zps086b3b10.jpg)

I was thinking about getting it rebuilt so that it had a more modern drivetrain, but since it's all stock with some awesome custom touches (like Mavic Rims and Bullseye hubs) I'm going to keep it like it is and get a newer aluminum road bike at some point, probably end of October.

I bought my utility/commuter bicycle in May 2012 - Windsor Kensington 8 from Bikesdirect.com for $450.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/kookaburra/My%20life/bike/October%202012/2012-10-11_12-49-39_677.jpg)

Now it has a VeloOrange Campeur rear rack and a giant Wald front basket on it. I need to shine it up and take some more pictures.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: madage on August 06, 2013, 06:28:01 AM
Fun times. I have a 1995 Mongoose IBOC Comp SX mountain bike. I purchased it new with earnings from my paper route (quick aside - I'm very sad my kids probably won't be able to have a paper route, given the way the newspaper business is going) and shipped it to Europe when my family spent six months there. I think I spent about $1000 after all the accessories. I still ride it today, though now the bike spends 100% of its travel time on asphalt. Anyone have a recommendation for some 26" commuter tires? I still have knobbies on it. Some here may not remember, but Mongoose used to be a respectable brand...

I had a great time riding up and down the foothills of the Swiss Alps on my bike. It's a shame how little I rode it once I got my driver's license after returning to the US. Probably partly due to the comparatively lacking scenery in the Midwest. Trying to make up for lost time now.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: MakingSenseofCents on August 06, 2013, 08:16:25 AM
My bike was around $450, but I do wish I would have spent more time researching and determining which bike I bought.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Peanut Butter on August 06, 2013, 09:14:41 AM
Anyone have a recommendation for some 26" commuter tires? I still have knobbies on it.

If it has enough clearance, I'd go for Schwalbe Big Apples. Expensive, but bullet proof and very cushy ride.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: acc7x3 on August 06, 2013, 09:48:27 AM
1980's Schwinn World Sport.
150 on craigslist and another 100 or "tires, tubes, etc."
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: belgiandude on August 06, 2013, 02:25:25 PM
About 5 euro (second hand). It is my main form of transportation, i.e. I cycle around 120 kilometers per week with it. :)
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: calskin on August 06, 2013, 06:58:15 PM
@Peanut Butter - Beautiful Bikes!
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: palebluedot on August 06, 2013, 08:28:04 PM
I am looking to buy my first bike since I was a kid.

Is this one a good value?
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_557556_-1___202383

I am looking to use it for errands and going to my part time job on weekends (5 miles each way). I'd love to eventually ride to school and my main job on weekdays but I'm not sure I would have enough time in between to get to class on time.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: michelle on August 06, 2013, 08:44:02 PM
Just upgraded this weekend. Nearly new Specialized Vita Comp $550 used from Craigslist.  I think about $1000 retail. I absolutely love it!
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Rollin on August 07, 2013, 02:21:09 PM
Non-Mustachian prices for my three bikes (just sold the fourth for $1,100 on CL).  However, they are all used very often and worth every penny to me.  Part of riding is enjoying a well-built and smooth-operating bike.  I also like good looking bikes too so that often adds to the price for me.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Rollin on August 07, 2013, 02:26:46 PM
I am looking to buy my first bike since I was a kid.

Is this one a good value?
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_557556_-1___202383

I am looking to use it for errands and going to my part time job on weekends (5 miles each way). I'd love to eventually ride to school and my main job on weekdays but I'm not sure I would have enough time in between to get to class on time.

Slightly on the expensive side for a single speed (and likely heavy) bike.  I would also think that the top of fork and headset setup would not be very stable (would feel wobbly).  For just a few dollars more you might be able to pick up a better bike - you are on the threshold between "not so good' and "good" bikes.

I do like the integrated rack and the simplicity though.  Don't let me talk you out of it.  If it gets you out riding and you enjoy that - that is the most important thing!
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: GuitarStv on August 07, 2013, 02:39:34 PM
Anyone have a recommendation for some 26" commuter tires? I still have knobbies on it.

I used some 26" 1.5 inch Kenda Kwest tires and thought they were pretty decent for cheapies.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: livetogive on August 08, 2013, 09:57:34 AM
$600 or so shipped new with pedals for a nashbar CX-1.

First commute to work was today! 
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: cambridgecyclist on August 08, 2013, 10:33:52 AM
I spent an embarrassing amount on my commuter bicycle. It is a titanium touring bike. I fully expect it to last longer than I do, though... and it's still a fraction of the cost of a car.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: PantsOnFire on August 08, 2013, 11:28:33 AM
My most recent road bike build was a smidge over $1800 including all taxes, shipping, and estimated costs of the "parts bin" items I already had on hand.  Decidedly antimustachian, but at least I save a grand or so building it myself. 
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: GuitarStv on August 08, 2013, 12:03:49 PM
I spent about 700$ all-told for my summer touring bike, and about 350$ for my winter hybrid bike.  Both are comfortable, quick, and run really well.

Being a little OCD, I track all the distance I cycle.  I've gone a bit over 1300 miles since buying these bikes . . . mostly for groceries/commuting that I would have used the car for otherwise . . . so, if MMMs 51 cents per mile cost of car ownership holds true I would have spent 663$ driving that distance.  I should break even some time next year, and be well into the green the year after that.

The difference that having a machine in decent shape that you can rely on vs the free, but crappy (and constantly in need of repair) older mountain bike that I had been using before is huge.  I don't feel like the money I spent on my bikes was wasted.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: enigmaT120 on August 08, 2013, 12:41:30 PM
My 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, by the time I set it up with front and rear racks and Ortleib panniers (9 months of rain where I live) was almost $2,000.  It took me 10 months of bicycle commuting (with a free and good quality, but poorly fitting bike) to save that up, in gas savings alone, as I have a face-punchingly long commute and won't move.  My employer buys a commuter bus pass, so if I ride to where I catch the bus the commute is free.

I ride on gravel roads all the time, and wish to tour up in the logging roads of the Oregon coast range. 
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: PantsOnFire on August 08, 2013, 02:17:41 PM
It just occurred to me that I probably have more money in cycling clothing than I do in the bikes themselves. 
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: deciduous on August 08, 2013, 07:23:46 PM
My bike was a hand-me-down from my father, which is the main reason it's one of my most cherished possessions. I've probably put about $600-1000 into it over the last decade, part by part. It's due for a tune-up, actually, and I might rebuild the drivetrain to granny it up a little.

I am interested in buying a second bike, a beater. I specifically want something to use on rainy days and when I'm going to be leaving it locked up outside for a while; I'm paranoid about security because it means so much to me. So I'd love to spend $150 for something that's rusty and not stylish, but basically alright.

I don't suppose there are any good clues when browsing craigslist to determine whether a bike was stolen?

-pl-
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: yahui168 on August 08, 2013, 09:39:50 PM
My wife and I haven't bought a bike in 20 years. My wife asked me to find her a bike so I showed her a new bike online. She took one look at it and said "$200! I'm not spending $200 on a bike!" It was literally one of the cheapest new bikes I can find. She's okay with a used bike but finding a decent used bike for under $100 on Craigslist has been *challenging*.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: jfer_rose on August 09, 2013, 05:32:42 AM
My wife and I haven't bought a bike in 20 years. My wife asked me to find her a bike so I showed her a new bike online. She took one look at it and said "$200! I'm not spending $200 on a bike!" It was literally one of the cheapest new bikes I can find. She's okay with a used bike but finding a decent used bike for under $100 on Craigslist has been *challenging*.

You dodged a bullet with her not liking the $200 bike. If you're looking at new, rather than used, bikes, chances are you're not going to get good enough quality below the $400-$500 dollar MSRP. A cheapo new bike will likely result in spending lots of money on the bike or on not riding it because it is so uncomfortable.

For used bikes, if you're striking out on Craiglist at your price point, you might have better luck at garage sales.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: mgreczyn on August 09, 2013, 06:23:45 AM
A cheap bike sitting unused in your garage will cost you way more than an expensive new bike that you ride all the time.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Jwesleym on August 09, 2013, 09:31:38 PM
I had a contest with friends to "trade up" using craigslist.  I had to start with a free item, so I found a punching bag in the trash in my neighborhood.  I traded it to a guy for a PSP and some games.  Then I found someone willing to trade for a Schwinn mountain bike.  While I was there I talked to them about my family and they threw in a kids bike as well.  So, I got the bikes for free, didn't win the contest.  My friend managed to get an iPad with his trading.  The bikes were great, they just needed some air in the tires and worked great!

Since then (about 6 months) I have added some things to the bike to make it more useful as a commuter.  Nashbar street tires, panniers, and bags totaling an embarrassing $170.  I do ride it to work a lot, and live 2.8-5 miles from work depending on which side of the base I have to go to that day.  So, the money has been worth it for me.

It just occurred to me that I probably have more money in cycling clothing than I do in the bikes themselves. 

I don't understand the "cycling clothing" thing, there are a LOT of people around here in Hawaii that ride $5000 bikes and wear nut huggers and tight shirts.  I don't see the need to show off my family jewels to ride my bike to work.  As it turns out, shorts and a T-shirt work just fine.  It is very windy some days, so I'm probably losing 1-2 mph due to drag.  Is it really that important to look like I'm sponsored by Trek to ride to work? You can keep your grape smugglers, thanks.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: beltim on August 10, 2013, 01:17:30 AM
I swear I'm not a troll, but I don't have a bike.  Yes, I've read MMM's post.  However, I feel pretty good that my car is worth far less than the average amount spent on bikes in this thread.  I'm moving in a few months after I graduate, when I will sell my car and look into getting a bike then.  This poll is still pretty interesting, if only for planning.

Can I ask you folks a question, though?  Why do almost all bicyclists I see wear tight-fitting Lycra clothes that are plastered with brands that I assume are related to cycling.  Where I live, I'm sure I see some professional riders,  but I can't imagine that 90+% of the cyclists I see are sponsored.  And none of my European or Asian friend who ride bikes have these clothes, so I'm guessing they're a particularly American phenomenon.  Can anyone explain why?
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: jfer_rose on August 10, 2013, 03:58:04 AM
Can I ask you folks a question, though?  Why do almost all bicyclists I see wear tight-fitting Lycra clothes that are plastered with brands that I assume are related to cycling.  Where I live, I'm sure I see some professional riders,  but I can't imagine that 90+% of the cyclists I see are sponsored.  And none of my European or Asian friend who ride bikes have these clothes, so I'm guessing they're a particularly American phenomenon.  Can anyone explain why?

It's just part of the un-Mustachian culture of the US. People are convinced that every new activity requires stuff. In big cities I think this trend is reversing though. There's the Cycle Chic movement plus Grant Petersen's book "Just Ride" which are just a couple examples about why that's changing. I see just as many people commuting by bike in suits here as I see commuters in racing gear. Well, ok, I don't see so many people wearing suits in the sweltering summer months, but certainly even in summer most people are wearing normal clothes here, tee shirts, shorts, etc. There is no need for racing gear if you're not racing and I think a lot of people are figuring that out.

An aside, I think that the opening of Capital Bikeshare has helped in this regard here in DC. When you're using a bike as if it were public transit, it just makes sense to wear whatever clothes you happen to be wearing.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Russ on August 10, 2013, 06:37:58 AM
Can I ask you folks a question, though?  Why do almost all bicyclists I see wear tight-fitting Lycra clothes that are plastered with brands that I assume are related to cycling.  Where I live, I'm sure I see some professional riders,  but I can't imagine that 90+% of the cyclists I see are sponsored.  And none of my European or Asian friend who ride bikes have these clothes, so I'm guessing they're a particularly American phenomenon.  Can anyone explain why?

Sure there's no need for it, but they do have their use, the shorts especially. The fabric helps you stay cool, and the tight fit helps you not feel like you're dragging a parachute. Most people know about that. Further though, there's the padding in the shorts which helps with saddle soreness and is not the same as having a softer saddle. There's the chafing reduction given by the tight shorts (this is why you're not supposed to wear your undies under bike shorts). And there's the jersey pockets, which are in the only convenient place for a cyclist to have pockets - on the back.

None of these are really necessary for bumming around town or hitting the multi-use path for a leisurely Saturday morning ride. The inconvenience and goofy looks make their perceived value even less in those casual situations. But when I ride over 10 miles, whether it's for transportation or fun, you'd better believe I'll be wearing at least a pair of cycling bibs under my shorts (with shorts only so I can get into wherever I'm going).

I doubt they're primarily an American thing; I would just suppose your Euro and Asian friends don't ride very far when to do go places and therefore have little use for bike clothes. Here in the states, those cyclists are usually stuck on the multi-use path, so you only see the Lycra dudes on the road. In my experience living in a city where many people bike, almost nobody wears Lycra. That's just my experience though, and YM obviously V's
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Albert on August 10, 2013, 07:05:07 AM
I don't have any bike clothes other than a helmet, but I don't use my hybrid bike for road racing and rarely if ever ride more than 40 km a day. If I wanted to do either thing I'd buy them. Several colleagues at work are really serious about cycling (one is currently on a cycling trip in Kyrgyzstan, another is training for a marathon) and they have a very good equipment including all the proper clothing.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Runge on August 10, 2013, 10:05:28 AM
If that happens in my lifetime, then I'm going build a frame from hardwood or bamboo so I can stand on my statement that I'm "not buying another." To be honest, I'm kinda hoping it does crack; frame-building sounds fun.

About 20 years ago, my dad made his own frame out of aluminum. Only issues it had were due to cracks forming in the welds because he became overweight. He didn't have an oven to heat treat the welds at the time. I inherited the bike after he fixed the welds, and it still performs well today. Oh and it's designed to be a road bike.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Kriegsspiel on August 10, 2013, 10:07:58 AM
I've lived throughout the US, and in Germany, and there were FAR, FAR more riders wearing tight bike clothes in Germany than anywhere in the US. My anecdote cancels out your anecdote.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: beltim on August 10, 2013, 10:57:11 AM
Can I ask you folks a question, though?  Why do almost all bicyclists I see wear tight-fitting Lycra clothes that are plastered with brands that I assume are related to cycling.  Where I live, I'm sure I see some professional riders,  but I can't imagine that 90+% of the cyclists I see are sponsored.  And none of my European or Asian friend who ride bikes have these clothes, so I'm guessing they're a particularly American phenomenon.  Can anyone explain why?

Sure there's no need for it, but they do have their use, the shorts especially. The fabric helps you stay cool, and the tight fit helps you not feel like you're dragging a parachute. Most people know about that. Further though, there's the padding in the shorts which helps with saddle soreness and is not the same as having a softer saddle. There's the chafing reduction given by the tight shorts (this is why you're not supposed to wear your undies under bike shorts). And there's the jersey pockets, which are in the only convenient place for a cyclist to have pockets - on the back.

None of these are really necessary for bumming around town or hitting the multi-use path for a leisurely Saturday morning ride. The inconvenience and goofy looks make their perceived value even less in those casual situations. But when I ride over 10 miles, whether it's for transportation or fun, you'd better believe I'll be wearing at least a pair of cycling bibs under my shorts (with shorts only so I can get into wherever I'm going).

I doubt they're primarily an American thing; I would just suppose your Euro and Asian friends don't ride very far when to do go places and therefore have little use for bike clothes. Here in the states, those cyclists are usually stuck on the multi-use path, so you only see the Lycra dudes on the road. In my experience living in a city where many people bike, almost nobody wears Lycra. That's just my experience though, and YM obviously V's

I don't doubt that the material is useful.  What I really don't understand is why it's all plastered with brands.  I'm guessing since I don't recognize the brands they're cycling brands.  I guess it could be explained by  jfer_rose's comment that "people are convinced that every new activity requires stuff."  I live in the 8th most populous city in the US, though, so I don't think it's changing strictly based on big cities.

Kriegsspiel, most of my German friends drive.  There may be self-selection in the Germans who come to the US, but they bike at a far lower rate than other Europeans in the US.

Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: girly mustache on August 10, 2013, 11:20:56 AM
This is the first time I've ever told anyone this -- but I spent $3200 on an OHM Commuter with Bionx (electric bike) and I love it. I love it love it love it -- but also feel a little sick to my stomach that I spent so much money.

I used it to commute (with a trailer I'd drop my daughter off at school then commute to work and back - about a 32 mile round trip. Even with the motor, it was physically demanding for me to ride this far. When I purchased the OHM I had not ridden since I was a kid - and literally had range anxiety that I would get stuck somewhere and not be able to make it home.

I've since changed jobs and do not ride to the new job (there's a 4 lane hghway with little shoulder and many 18-wheels trucks - I'm just not comfortable with it) - so I now also have a folding Dahon (spent $500/new) that I ride to the bus stop and from the bus to work with as well as a Specialized bike that I bought used on CL for $450. My only real regret is that I didn't buy all the bikes used - I looked for about 6 months for the OHM used - but never found one - and bought the Dahon after only looking for a couple weeks for a folder on CL. I still have a car and drive as needed -- but love being able to use my bike to commute or ride locally....

There are some very badass people here -- I feel badass for just being able to not feel car dependent - it's a smaller badass - but I'm still pretty proud of it.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Russ on August 10, 2013, 11:29:15 AM
I don't doubt that the material is useful.  What I really don't understand is why it's all plastered with brands.  I'm guessing since I don't recognize the brands they're cycling brands.  I guess it could be explained by  jfer_rose's comment that "people are convinced that every new activity requires stuff."  I live in the 8th most populous city in the US, though, so I don't think it's changing strictly based on big cities.

Alright, I feel like you're asking two different questions, which I suppose explains the misunderstanding above. As to why cycling clothes are often covered in branding, there are a few reasons that I see:
-People wear protour jerseys on casual rides like they wear baseball jerseys to baseball games. It's a way to support your team, feel more involved, or whatever. I don't do it so I don't know all of those people's motivations, but they're similar to any sport.
-A surprising number of people actually are on racing teams with unique team kits. They're not "sponsored" in that they're professional, but their team probably gets some money to do cool things a couple of times a year. These people represent the majority of the NASCAR-style kits that have 10-15 sponsors per uniform.
-Middle-of-the-road cycling clothing often has a huge logo representing the clothing brand. Cheap clothes and very expensive clothes usually don't do this. Again, I don't wear these so I don't know all the motivations, but they may include showing pride in a relatively expensive purchase, liking the looks of the logo (some are very stylish), or maybe even deciding that the logo was tolerable in exchange for more comfortable clothes even if they don't like the look.

I don't think "people are convinced that every new activity requires stuff" explains the prominence of corporate logos on cycling gear. That seems more to me like a somewhat pessimistic anti-consumerist answer to the question of "why do people wear cycling clothing", which is what I thought you were asking before.

Quote
Kriegsspiel, most of my German friends drive.  There may be self-selection in the Germans who come to the US, but they bike at a far lower rate than other Europeans in the US.

All of my German friends in the US ride bikes, while few of my other European friends who live here do (and I'm not just making this up to fuck with you). I don't believe this is the sort of thing you can make sweeping generalizations about with nothing more than a few anecdotes.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: beltim on August 10, 2013, 12:08:02 PM
I don't doubt that the material is useful.  What I really don't understand is why it's all plastered with brands.  I'm guessing since I don't recognize the brands they're cycling brands.  I guess it could be explained by  jfer_rose's comment that "people are convinced that every new activity requires stuff."  I live in the 8th most populous city in the US, though, so I don't think it's changing strictly based on big cities.

Alright, I feel like you're asking two different questions, which I suppose explains the misunderstanding above. As to why cycling clothes are often covered in branding, there are a few reasons that I see:
-People wear protour jerseys on casual rides like they wear baseball jerseys to baseball games. It's a way to support your team, feel more involved, or whatever. I don't do it so I don't know all of those people's motivations, but they're similar to any sport.
-A surprising number of people actually are on racing teams with unique team kits. They're not "sponsored" in that they're professional, but their team probably gets some money to do cool things a couple of times a year. These people represent the majority of the NASCAR-style kits that have 10-15 sponsors per uniform.
-Middle-of-the-road cycling clothing often has a huge logo representing the clothing brand. Cheap clothes and very expensive clothes usually don't do this. Again, I don't wear these so I don't know all the motivations, but they may include showing pride in a relatively expensive purchase, liking the looks of the logo (some are very stylish), or maybe even deciding that the logo was tolerable in exchange for more comfortable clothes even if they don't like the look.

I don't think "people are convinced that every new activity requires stuff" explains the prominence of corporate logos on cycling gear. That seems more to me like a somewhat pessimistic anti-consumerist answer to the question of "why do people wear cycling clothing", which is what I thought you were asking before.

Quote
Kriegsspiel, most of my German friends drive.  There may be self-selection in the Germans who come to the US, but they bike at a far lower rate than other Europeans in the US.

All of my German friends in the US ride bikes, while few of my other European friends who live here do (and I'm not just making this up to fuck with you). I don't believe this is the sort of thing you can make sweeping generalizations about with nothing more than a few anecdotes.

Russ, thanks for a thoughtful response.  I guess cycling is different from the sports that I play in wearing apparel.  Sure, people wear baseball jerseys to baseball games, but when I play softball, no one wear a Derek Jeter jersey.  Similarly, people don't wear soccer jerseys when I play soccer or football jerseys when I play football.  But I get that it's a way of showing support for your team, and that makes sense to me.

I didn't realize racing teams were so common.  That definitely explains some of the large groups that I see with NASCAR-style branding.

As for German friends biking, I don't think you're making stuff up.  And I wasn't trying to make sweeping generaliations.  I was just wondering if the wearing of biking apparel that I see is an American trait, given that I personally haven't seen my friends from other countries do it.  Kriegsspiel's response was only to a minor detail in my question, and he didn't respond to my actual question at all.  From the helpful responses, I gather that the wearing of bicycle apparel is not unique to Americans.  I think that's interesting.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Albert on August 10, 2013, 12:25:25 PM
As far as I've noticed in America there is a larger percentage of cyclists who are treating it as a sport or form of exercise as opposed to a form of transportation thus higher percentage of specialised biking gear. This of course directly related to cycling being far less widespread in certain areas of Europe.

By the way cycling is not popular everywhere on the continent. For example, I don't think I saw a single bike last time I was in Italy.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Jwesleym on August 10, 2013, 02:35:26 PM

Sure there's no need for it, but they do have their use, the shorts especially. The fabric helps you stay cool, and the tight fit helps you not feel like you're dragging a parachute. Most people know about that. Further though, there's the padding in the shorts which helps with saddle soreness and is not the same as having a softer saddle. There's the chafing reduction given by the tight shorts (this is why you're not supposed to wear your undies under bike shorts). And there's the jersey pockets, which are in the only convenient place for a cyclist to have pockets - on the back.


I can understand the padding part, but it just seems that it is overkill to wear the stuff unless maybe training for a tri or something IMHO.  But, from my perspective, I only ride 10 miles per day max.  Also, I have a large padded saddle, so not much saddle soreness since I got through the initial acclimation.

**I think this topic has been somewhat derailed**
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: turboseize on November 02, 2013, 12:56:16 PM
Anyone have a recommendation for some 26" commuter tires? I still have knobbies on it.

If it has enough clearance, I'd go for Schwalbe Big Apples. Expensive, but bullet proof and very cushy ride.

Either Big apple or some of the wider Schalbe Marathon. Marathons are less comfortable, but nearly absolutely indestructible. They come in different profiles and rubber compound, depending on use.
They're expensive, of course.


- - - - - - - - -


As to cycling clothing: in everyday use, nearly nobody here in Berlin or in Munich or any other bigger german city I've been to uses specialised cycling gear (besides helmets). However, all these trips are relatively short distances (5-10km).

People doing longer rides will use cycling clothing - for the reasons explained above. Bike shorts greatly reduce saddle soreness (which a soft saddle won't!).
I do have to admit I also have "branded" cycling clothing: a "Banesto" vest I bought when I was 16 or 17 and a certain Mr. Indurain happened to be very popular. ;-)
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: ruthiegirl on November 02, 2013, 03:20:46 PM
Well, this topic has derailed a bit, but I'll answer the original question.  I spent a lot. 

$1800 for a big cargo bike outfitted with a baby seat, panniers and a big front basket.  I use it daily to take kids to and from school and grocery shop. 

And I bike in my jeans and cute boots. 
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Nudelkopf on November 02, 2013, 04:30:00 PM
I spent $1200 (Australian) about a fortnight ago, on a road bike. I don't own a car, so I was happy to pay for a bike that I loved riding.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: rubybeth on November 02, 2013, 05:03:30 PM
Got a nice Trek road bike probably in 2006 or 2007, for about $400 which included the fenders and rack I had added, and a helmet that matches. My DH got a bike a couple years ago from a local used bike shop, and also got fenders, a basket, a bell, some lights, and a rack on the back for about $200.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: YK-Phil on November 04, 2013, 02:04:00 PM
I just moved back to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to start a new job (three time more money, but also three times more work and stress, less than half the free time, and sadly and more importantly none of the fun I had as a flight attendant...not sure yet if I made the right choice...), and I plan to continue living frugally here, indeed even more so here since I am all by myself, the rest of the family being in Calgary, so I will continue using a bicycle all year long, but since shipping my own bike up here would have cost a few hundred bucks and some headaches, I just bought a used GT Palomar in great shape for $100. I need to change the cassette/freehub, which I can't do here because I neither have the tools nor a workshop, so I'll have to fork about $50 at the LBS. I will also have to get a pair of fenders and winter tires, which I can hopefully get cheap or free from the Good Life Community Bike Shop on my next visit in Calgary.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: SnackDog on November 04, 2018, 06:42:26 AM
$9/month for the Bcycle bikes. Don't have to maintain it or clutter my garage. Station is two blocks from home.  The new ones are heavy but smooth Trek bikes. Three speeds. Bell. Baskets. Fenders. And a lock.  Can ride to work, gym, grocery, bar, etc.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: GuitarStv on November 04, 2018, 07:50:40 AM

Sure there's no need for it, but they do have their use, the shorts especially. The fabric helps you stay cool, and the tight fit helps you not feel like you're dragging a parachute. Most people know about that. Further though, there's the padding in the shorts which helps with saddle soreness and is not the same as having a softer saddle. There's the chafing reduction given by the tight shorts (this is why you're not supposed to wear your undies under bike shorts). And there's the jersey pockets, which are in the only convenient place for a cyclist to have pockets - on the back.


I can understand the padding part, but it just seems that it is overkill to wear the stuff unless maybe training for a tri or something IMHO.  But, from my perspective, I only ride 10 miles per day max.  Also, I have a large padded saddle, so not much saddle soreness since I got through the initial acclimation.

**I think this topic has been somewhat derailed**

At 10 miles per day max, yeah . . . bike shorts are probably unnecessary.  My commute to work is currently 14 miles each way, and I can do a ride in and back without bike shorts.  When I do more than two rides a week though my ass starts to really appreciate the comfort.  In very hot months I sweat a ton and chafing/saddle sores become a problem without bike shorts . . . this problem goes away when I wear 'em.  Getting saddle sores means at least a week off the bike for me, so I don't risk it any more and just wear bike shorts on every ride.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: jeninco on November 05, 2018, 12:21:19 PM
I'm in the "very, very expensive" crowd: For my 40th birthday or thereabouts I had a custom steel-frame Waterford built, for just about $4000 (that birthday was a while ago). The bike has around 15,000 miles on it at this point, and I ride rather than driving at least 5 days/week. I also ride for exercise/fun once or twice a week in-season. I also don't have a fleet of bikes -- I have an old steel-frame Bontrager (around $100, used) I use to pull the grocery trailer and, very occasionally, to ride on trails, but 95% of my riding is on the Waterford, including on dirt and gravel, and in snow and slush.  With newfangled lights, I also ride all over the place at night.

I am oldish and non-standardish dimensions (long, uneven legs, fairly short torso), and this bike never hurts my back, my rear, or my hamstrings. I regret nothing :^).
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: singpolyma on November 05, 2018, 12:49:34 PM
How much I "did" spend is a bit hard to say: all covered by benefit money that must be spent on "athletic gear" or a few other categories, but it's taxable benefit money so I pay about half. First bike was ~$600 CAD (Kona Dew) -- it got stolen a month ago, after two solid years of riding, so I got a used Norco Indie 3 on Kijiji, ~$360 CAD after repairs. That will go to my Dad next year and I'm upgrading to a Norco Indie IGH with Gates Carbon CDN ~$1400.

Would I spend so much if it wasn't "per money"? I don't know. My bus pass before I started riding was ~$984 CAD / year -- so most of these bikes I could buy brand new every year and still be saving money. A single repair on my wife's car costs ~$700, so again if I can delay one of those by a year by riding the bike pays for itself that way too.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: PlainsWalker on November 05, 2018, 01:41:12 PM
    I dropped $1,200 on a Surly Cross-Check and then an additional $600 on fenders, helmet, lights, rear rack, leather saddle, and panniers. My wife and I dropped from 2 cars to one and I road the bike in to work just about everyday for over a year.
    The round trip is 20 miles and in the heat of the summer saddle sores became a going concern doing that ride every day in my jeans. I switched over to wearing bike bibs along with applying chamois cream and changing when I got to the office and that resolved the saddle sore issue. The bibs get worn under insulating layers in the winter when the temperature drops below freezing. I know we go back and forth on this forum concerning the helmet thing. Mine is bright neon yellow with reflective tape on it so it makes me more visible to motorized traffic. I wear it every time I go out. When I was rear ended by an SUV I was sure glad the helmet absorbed a good chunk of the energy when my head hit the pavement.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: GuitarStv on November 05, 2018, 01:55:34 PM
I've spent many warm summer days on my bike.  Seems like I've spent at least as many cold, stormy times as well.  Worth it.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Boofinator on November 05, 2018, 02:05:25 PM
Nashbar road bike, somewhere south of $300 all in. Thousands of miles in, definitely satisfied about the purchase. Though a better bike sounds tempting, the big upside with Nashbar is I'd have absolutely zero pangs of sadness if (when?) my bike is stolen (following the long walk home, of course). When I hit FI, I'll probably splurge on a fancy-pants bike.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: PoutineLover on November 05, 2018, 02:48:09 PM
I think my bike cost about 3-400 new about 16 years ago, and I have gotten tons of use out of it. Super worth it, and it's still in good condition for the most part.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: robartsd on November 05, 2018, 03:59:09 PM
My bike (Mongoose Alta) was purchased retail early in 1997. I don't remember the purchase price, but it was probably in the $300-600 range. I've probably ridden this bike 20,000 to 25,000 miles (current average is close to 2000 miles/yr). Including original purchase I've probably spent $1,500 to $2,000 on bike, parts, and accessories over the years which works out to about $0.06 to $0.10 per mile.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: jgoody on November 05, 2018, 05:08:42 PM
My current commuter setup probably comes in just barely north of $600.  It's a 1980s Peugeot "mountain tourer" frame with mostly '90s Shimano Deore DX/XT components from a donor bike that was in lousy cosmetic shape.  Between the frame and parts bike, $200?  But then add nice front & rear racks, cables/housing, panniers, lights, fenders, lock, and helmet and I'll bet we end up just over $600.  I occasionally consider "treating myself" to something nicer since I use it a lot, but I always decide against it for the theft-bait factor.  My current bike doesn't look that appealing to thieves, but does the job just fine.  Having a bike stolen can be a deeply upsetting event if you care a lot about the bike.

Now that's my answer for the question/spirit of the question, but next I have to confess that I am bike obsessed and also have a tandem bike, a cargo bike, a snow bike, a mountain bike, and a loaner bike for friends to borrow when they visit from out of town.  The most expensive is the Bullitt cargo bike which I bought new.  I built my own cargo box and made my own custom wood fenders for it.  My wife and I like to bike tour and the cargo bike allows us to continue doing that despite having a one year old and a three year old.  Plus, it allows for lots of fun around-town rides with the kids and way more "car free" days than we'd otherwise manage.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: adventurestache on November 05, 2018, 07:28:33 PM
I spent around $1000 for a new commuter / hybrid bike. For what it's worth, that seemed to be around the are where diminishing returns started to set in, at least for what I wanted out of a commuting bike.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Slee_stack on November 07, 2018, 12:08:12 PM
MTB'g is one of my two big physical activities I regularly participate in.

My original bike purchase ($2200 full squish 29er), semi fat wheel upgrades, and replacement/maintenance over the past 5 years has almost certainly broached $3k.

There's also gas charges (to get to some trails) and car costs probably to add on top of that.

I probably could have possibly gotten something for $2k all in, but why?  MTB'g is a passion that I enjoy multiple times per week, every week!  I even enjoy wrenching on my bike.  Its not actually 'work' to me to maintain it.

Long ago, I tried to stop judging what people spend on their passions if they can truly afford it.  If they spend it on stuff they don't use...well I'll continue to judge that.

As an aside, I do almost always wear cycling shorts (although often under baggies).  Fun and comfort are paramount for any ride.  A ride becomes a chore quickly when you start chafing.

10mi isn't much, particularly on pavement.  I don't wear cycling shorts on my beater bike ($300...15+ years ago) when I ride around town.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: Slow2FIRE on November 07, 2018, 05:31:57 PM
About $500 with sales tax in 2003 for my mountain bike.

Around $275 in replacement parts, maintenance and "upgrades" over the years.  (so I selected $600-$800).

Was using my bike for some commuting and plenty of extracurricular activities.  Now I work from home and only use the bicycle for play time.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: letired on November 07, 2018, 06:01:25 PM
I've spend somewhere between $600 and $1000 on two bikes (the first one was stolen after ~6 years) and assorted parts and maintenance.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: El Jacinto on November 08, 2018, 07:42:58 AM
I bought a single speed bicycle on craigslist for $450 several years ago. I lived in a flat area then, so it was a great idea, but not so much now. I can't really ride for commuting, since I now live on a hilly (very steep in a couple spots), curvy, two-lane road. It's dangerous enough to drive. I'm definitely not riding it on a bike, so I limit my bike riding to going around the neighborhood for fun now, though the single-speed struggles with the hills there too.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: dashuk on November 08, 2018, 10:18:07 AM
No offense intended to anybody posting on here, but I don't understand why anybody would pay $1000 for a bicycle.  Isn't the Mustachian point of getting a bicycle to save money from not using your car?  It would take forever to get back the cost savings from buying a $1000 bicycle.

We probably gain $1000 a year from the fact our bikes mean one motor vehicle rather than two in the household, even for reasonably mustachian choices of motor vehicle. Actually it's only the fact the in-laws live somewhere really awkward that stops us going car-free, although that wouldn't be the entirety of another $1000 because there'd be some train and car rental in there.

That said, although we have a few $k worth of bikes, I've never bought an individual bike for more than $700, although upgrades, etc probably mean my least-mustachian triathlon bike might have ended up owing me twice that. I'll reclaim most of that by selling it though.

Of the purely transport bikes, the most expensive was our tandem, which is also the only one bought new and probably stands us at $800 by the time kid seats, etc were factored in (allowing our whole family of four to travel on one bike!). Only had that 6 months, so it's probably only saved us $100 or so in fuel, parking, bus fares, etc.

My commuting bike was bought used for about $250, and I've done over 5600 miles on it. I have worn out a set of wheels and various other bits though, so maybe again $800 total costs over that time. Going forward this one is likely to do 400+ miles a year now I'm only cycle commuting.

Probably the most likely to raise eyebrows in our fleet is that child #1's (4yo) current bike was over $300 used, and that he's had nearly $600 worth of bikes in under three years. However, both his ability and enthusiasm for cycling are way beyond his peers, #2 will end up riding them all as well, and they will still have some residual value even after that. So no regrets.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: robartsd on November 08, 2018, 01:05:31 PM
Probably the most likely to raise eyebrows in our fleet is that child #1's (4yo) current bike was over $300 used, and that he's had nearly $600 worth of bikes in under three years. However, both his ability and enthusiasm for cycling are way beyond his peers, #2 will end up riding them all as well, and they will still have some residual value even after that. So no regrets.
Quality kids bikes are important to having a family biking lifestyle. If you take care of the bikes and are connected with a large enough network with other family bikers, you should find someone who needs the bike and appreciates the quality enough (so many kids bikes are junk) that the depreciation should be modest even after your two kids have outgrown them.
Title: Re: What did you spend on your bike?
Post by: FLBiker on November 08, 2018, 02:24:58 PM
I know we go back and forth on this forum concerning the helmet thing.

Wait, do we?  Helmet every single time I ride (OK, not when I'm at work and biking within campus, if I'm honest).

Anyways, I spent ~$300 on a Gary Fisher Mako about 10 years ago.  Wow.  I can't believe it's been that long.  I commute about 10 miles a day, but I've dropped to 1 day a week due to day care drop off.  Until last fall, I did it everyday.  If I did touring, I'd spend more, but for a commuter it's been fine.