Bicycle-related expenditures for the year

[melissam]

As some of you know, I started riding again this May after being off the bike for a couple of years. The good news is that I already had the bikes and most of the necessary equipment to start riding again. However, it's always fun to go shopping, so the $$ have been racking up over the past couple of months.

Here's my "Mastercard ad" for recent bike related expenditures:

1. Custom hitch for car. $ :eek: I'm pretty embarrassed about how much I paid for this, but on the other hand, it was the catalyst for me to get riding again, so I guess that makes it "priceless."

2. BVG Hitch rack. $200.

3. Glue for patch kit. A must have, since the other glue had long since dried up. $3

4. New jerseys. $90.

5. New pairs of bike shorts. $80.

6. Replacement Look cleats. $15.

7. Krebs bike map. $12.

8. Bike-related books. $50.

9. Brooks saddle + shipping. $75

10. New tubes. $15.

11. Heart rate monitor. $60.

12. Tune up. $50.

13. Pedals just in case the Bianchi becomes a commuter bike. $35.

14. Being able to bring the bike with me so I can ride with my Dad. Priceless.

Whoo, I've racked up $1500! No DH to have to explain this to, so that's good. Good thing I got a couple of employee referral bonuses! :D

-- Melissa

[Tri Girl]

It definitely adds up quickly, but if it gets you out there on your bike again- then it's all worth it! And not having anyone to "answer to" per se- even better.
Have fun riding (with and without Dad). :)

[light_sabe_r]

Let's see I just got into it this year...

1: Jamis Tangier Womens Specific Hybrid $899
2: Fluid front and rear Lights $10
3: Fluid Bike shorts (oh so comfy) $29
4: Jelly Belly team Gloves $12
5: Arm Warmers (french bank I think) $18
6: Leg Warmers (BARGAIN) $25 (reduced from 50!!)
7: Nalani women's Jersey $40
8: Pro Race Bike shorts 2 for $50 (Bought online... from bf's fave store WORST BIKE SHORTS EVER!)
9: Cat Eye computer $19
10: Bottle cage $2.50
11: Fluid Bike Pump: FREE
12: Anaconda Water Bottle: FREE
13: 2 women's Mtn Bike Jerseys off ebay 45$

NOW
Add to the fact my boyfriend bought my Bell Helmet... $20 reduced from $80 (I was supposed to get a Fluid one Thrown in with the bike, but I have a WIDE head so I had to go with the Bell) and first Jersey ($100) plus a better set of Tyres... ($60)

AND add about $40 freight...

We've spent almost 1410 in start up costs for my bike this year! And I still want to get a bike rack for my ford Festiva so we can take my Jamis and his Bianchi on LONGER trips to scenic trails and such. Even do the gold coast strip...


EDIT: WHOOPS I forgot medical expenses relating to my fall a few weeks ago... EHEHE... May was well make that total go up to 1650

[Denise223]

Hey Melissa :) !

You can't put a price on good health, right? Bicycling IS great -- physically AND mentally :D !

I love #14, too. Have fun riding with your dad :) ! Helps to keep him in good health as well.

ENJOY!!

Have a great night!

Denise

[Kitsune06]

*gape* :eek:

Uhm...

1. exDH's components off his naked/vandalized frame to put on DP's bike to make it rideable: $60
2. Handlebar ends: $14.99
3. Camelbak Bladder, 70oz: $27.99
4. Elete, teeny bottle to try it: $4.99
5. Elete, 8 oz bottle b/c it's awesome: $15.00
6. 2x S-Ram prolink so I can work on dem chains- $4.00
7. lt. blue canari jacket replacement $20.00
8. Tail light $5.99


$152.00, total. ...and I STILL get the hairy eyeball!

[melissam]

Well, Kitsune,

I just look at it as my way of helping the economy. ;)

-- Melissa

[Kitsune06]

:D Indeed! I told DP this evening "See? You should consider yourself lucky!"
...but she only laughed. Ha!

[melissam]

Well, laughing's a good start! :D

[Veronica]

I'm afraid to add it all up!

We've spent a little over :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: (one eek for each digit!) A big chunk of that is our custom tandem - a little more than half actually. A smaller chunk was Thom's replacement Rambouillet, after his accident in Australia. Other big ticket items were the bike case and my Bridgeston MB1. We also bought some really good lights. Everything else is kind of incidentals - food from REI, tires... I put my clothing in a different category, so that's not included. :D

I'm so thankful that we are able to spend our money on something we both get so much out of. :) And everything we have bought has been carefully researched and is getting used... A LOT!

V.

[cusepack]

Wow, I wasn't sure if I should even post in this thread because then I'll actually see the numbers in black and white!!!

Well, here goes:

Specialized shoes: $125
Ultegra Pedals: $125
SRAM chain: $40
4 jerseys: $250
2 shorts: $80
new bar tape: $20
5 tubes (I stock up when tubes are on sale): $30
Lube/Cleaning Supplies: $35
Tune-up: $50
Books/Magazines: $250
2 Base layer shirts: $50
jacket: $50

So, it looks as though I've spent $1105 (and I'm sure I'm forgetting some things!!!). Whew, at least we're almost in the 8th month of the year . . . hopefully, I won't need much more . . . or wait, is that "want much more"?!?!?!?

Seriously, cycling is probably one of the best investments in and for my life that I've ever made.

[Kitsune06]

I've seriously come to a point where I said "Self? Yeah. Uhm... Cycling and all the accoutrements seem to cost less than sleep aids, antidepressants, a gym membership and whatever drugs it would take to work both my lousy jobs without going crazy. We're sticking with biking."

... and I never argued.

[Aggie_Ama]

I am probably not remembering everything and this is just for me since Jan 1. Considering how often I ride and that my bike is very low end, I think this isn't that bad. DH has spent some cash too, but this is just me.

1. New tire $34.99
2. Tubes $20
3. CO2 Pump $19.99
4. Spare Cartridge $3.99
5. Ol Army Cycling Jersey & MS150 Team Fee $75
6. PI Shorts $50
7. Socks to match #5 $10
8. Polar Water Bottles $17.99 (for 2)
9. New gloves $55 (bought 2 pairs)
10. Headsweats $10
11. Much needed bike tune up including new cassette: $100
12. Arm Warmers- On Sale for $12

So that is $408.96.

The following items were also purchased but they were from money I got as a work bonus OR birthday money:
1. Pearl Izumi Jacket/Vest $49
2. Cannondale Shorts $55
3. Tifosi Sunglasses $50
4. Sleeveless Jersey $25
5. Socks to match sleeveless jersey $5

That is another $184

Then there is the food stuff. I am sure I have spent about $30-40 on Sport Beans and Luna Bars. We have now spent close to $20 on NUUN tablets. There was $6 to try HammerHEED. And quite a bit on Gatorade before my dentist said no to that.

[Aggie_Ama]

I've seriously come to a point where I said "Self? Yeah. Uhm... Cycling and all the accoutrements seem to cost less than sleep aids, antidepressants, a gym membership and whatever drugs it would take to work both my lousy jobs without going crazy. We're sticking with biking."

... and I never argued.


Amen. I really fell in love with cycling after I could no longer bowl due to a movement disorder. Running was the first thing to fill the void, but it didn't take me out to see the world and was hard on my knees. I think how depressed I was when I first started shaking and realize I am happy now because I have something to do (and good medicine). I too have a lousy job, but the day seems better when I am looking forward to a nice bike ride!

[emily_in_nc]

Used Titus Racer X mountain bike (ebay): $1379 including shipping
New Shimano XT crankset for said bike since I need 170mm cranks, and it came with 175s: $272
Other bike shop tuneup stuff and labor: $$?? (not sure yet, I pick it up Tuesday!)

Yes, it adds up - but it is money well spent in my book!

Oh, I should also add that I recently made $750 selling one of my road bikes, so that helped offset these purchases. :)

Emily

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Biking is our investment in the good health of our bodies AND our spirits. And when both these things are in good health, that goodness spreads even beyond us like an aura, affecting those around us as well in positive ways.

Others spend as much on beer, cigarettes, jewelry, car stereos, cable tv, etc....

[tomgrrrl]

Biking is my therapy, though I must admit I'm a sucker for bike stores and probably buy items I don't actually need (I'm trying to cut back on that). I don't have a DP at the moment so there's no one breathing over my shoulder...there is, however, that pesky bank account I have to look at so I guess that serves to keep me in line (most of the time).

[Nanci]

No WAY do I want to know! I _am_ looking forward to wearing my two LS jerseys that I waited and waited and waited for, that Terry finally put on clearance, if it ever gets cold again.

And my Shimano sandals and the Sugoi shorts are priceless.

All the stuff to set up my bike for randonneuring...

All the rain gear...

I don't have too many purchases I regret- except the world's ugliest event jersey, my first one :-( . And the road shoes. Never wear them.

[DebW]

I've spent $240 on tools this year (it's hard to believe there were that many tools I didn't already have - headset tools where the big ones) and $210 on parts (headset, 2 chains, 4 tires). I think of all the money I've saved by riding on the same frame since 1983 and many of the same parts since 1974. Maybe it's been enough to buy myself a Titanium frame next year?

[SheFly]

I'm afraid to add it all up!

We've spent a little over :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: (one eek for each digit!) A big chunk of that is our custom tandem - a little more than half actually.

I'm so thankful that we are able to spend our money on something we both get so much out of.
V.

Surprisingly, I need to add one more :eek: to your total! I just looked, and with a new tandem frame, racing fees, regular upgrades/purchases, we are close to :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: ! Good thing we are both so into the sport - no explaining to do here.

I will say that we also offset some of this amount by selling some gear, which would bring us back down into Veronica's range :D .

SheFly

[Brina]

first two items are my Ruby and DH's Kona Hoss. I don't even want to add it all up.

[Veronica]

I will say that we also offset some of this amount by selling some gear, which would bring us back down into Veronica's range :D .

SheFly

Yeah, that reminds me. We are going to be selling our current tandem. It's a Santana Arriva, S&S coupled, size small, small. In case anyone is interested. :D

V.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/bike/full-tandem.jpg

[SheFly]

Yeah, that reminds me. We are going to be selling our current tandem. It's a Santana Arriva, S&S coupled, size small, small. In case anyone is interested. :D


SA-WEEET! Too bad it is WAY too small for us... We built up a TT tandem this year, but it is a Jumbo/Large.

Since my original post, I found even more $$ spent on biking this year... I also looked up last year's total, and we have spent more this year already :eek: .

Who's idea was it to start this thread???? :D

SheFly

[Tater]

Let's see...since Jan. 1st...

Blackburn fluid trainer - $250
Canari windbreaker, yellow - $35
Pearl Izumi shorts X 2 - $80
Armadillo tire X 2 - $30 (I think)
Egg Beater pedals - $85
Specialized mtn bike shoes - $90
Under Armor shirt X 2 - $50
Cannondale gloves - $20
Headsweats - $20
Jansport backpack - $65
Medical bills after unclip failure - $200
Total = $925
I figure it money well spent.

What I like more: miles on truck this year = 275, miles on bikes = 1600+!!

[MomOnBike]

I thought I was getting off cheap, 'cause all I bought were some non-cycle specific clothes. (The 'bent doesn't insist on padded shorts, so cheap runners shorts work just fine.)

Then I started remembering other things, and adding those up. (NB the prices below are estimates. I really don't want to know!)

Clothes: $250.

Various shiny bits: $50

New granny ring: $50

New panniers & used trunk (Aerotech): $400

New sandles (soon): $85(?)

Tires, tubes, etc.: $50

Thats about it for me, but we, as a couple, also bought:

New bike for DH (plus shiny bits): $2000

Arkle panniers for DH: $260

Tires and tubes for DH's upright: $50

And now for the kicker, we recently had to buy a new (for us) car that is too small to carry two 'bents. We'll have to get a small trailer, and have a hitch installed (on a sporty red Neon. We just might be off our little rockers)

So:

Trailer & hitch: ~$2000 (WAG method of estimation)

Plus:

Katy Trail tour in October: ~$1000 (WAG method again)

Um, yeah, the bikes are a significant expense, maybe more than DH is saving by bike commuting. But they are still cheaper than a heart attack.

(I just added all the figures up. I was right. I didn't want to know.)

[stella]

wow, I had a cheap year:

1. new chain for beater bike: $10.00
2. used brooks saddle for beater bike: $20.00
3. team pro s for road bike (new) : $125.00
4. tune-up, including new cables for road bike: $50.00
5. baileyworks messenger bag, new: swapped for vintage jerseys: $0.00!!
6. wool jersey: e-bay: $25.00
7. shifters for beater bike: $10.00

no major purchases this year--years past, a different story!

[extra-vert]

I just built up a Klein bicycle, buying almost everything on ebay, new and used. I kept a spreadsheet to track my costs versus retail for each item, (hoping somehow that I could beat buying a stock bike, (that never really works). The bike is finished, but I am scared to death to add up the final tally, especially when the bike is about 3 lbs heavier than I anticipated:eek:
But, I just keep on telling myself that no matter how much $ I pour into my bicycle it will always pale in comparison to my ex-boyfriends expenditures for his constant whims and upgrades. I just know that when I finally send him the new pic he's been requesting, he'll advice all kinds of upgrades.:eek: Carbon wheels, GPS computer - NO WAY, I'm done for a while.

[esther231]

I just started so I had the set up costs.

Here's what I've spent.

Pilot 1.2 - 1000
Helmet - 120 - light weight - I get hot easily.
Shorts - 102 - They are really really comfortable.
Seat bag - 13
CO2 cannister and refills -25
House pump - 34
Lock - 13
Heavier lock - 17
Tube - 5
Levers for changing tire - 4

$1333.

I haven't gotten a bike computer but would like one.

The last bike I bought was 25 years ago. I rode that thing to death for about 5 years. It didn't owe me a nickel or a dime when I stopped riding. It brought me so many happy days that it was worth every cent I spent on it and more. Lots more.