Poor Cyclist

[Trek420]

but if you need bike socks, and these are in your size, right now www.Steepandcheap.com has Sock Guy bikes socks at 72% off.

woops, now they are gone but don't forget the TE closeout pricing, some great deals here.

For example, NOW they have my favorite jacket at 50% off

www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17474

[fikustree]

Thank you so much everyone! When I posted yesterday I was just feeling so overwhelmed. I got a bike on Craig's list for really cheap but all the other stuff seemed a lot harder to find. I really want the shorts for my ride to work because it is really hot and the next day after riding I feel almost too sore to ride again, but I do.

Do you get a bum callus after awhile?

I was a little hesitant about buying used shorts because of the eww factor but now I see that that is an option. Thanks for all the links, time to go shopping

[mimitabby]

fikus, some of us are more uh.. sensitive than others.. You won't get a callus on your bum, but if the saddle isn't an instrument of torture, you'll get used to riding it. If it is excruciating, it could be that it isn't going to fit... or you might just need the saddle lowered or raised or tilted.

some people will not buy used shorts, but I've done it and i'm not the only one.
happy hunting!

[fikustree]

I doesn't hurt when I am riding, it hurts the next day when I get back on. I took a free spinning class and that was even worse. I couldn't ride my bike for the next 3 days I have tried different seat heights and I think I found the sweet spot but I think I might need one of those saddles with the middle cut out.

[Jenn]

I am kind of struggling with the cycling world. I am poor. I wanted to start riding for exercise and to commute to work. I didn't realize how much fun it was going to be! Now I want to learn all sorts of things about cycling but everything seems very geared towards buying things, taking your bike to get tuned, having computers etc.

Are there any other poor cyclists out there who got a bike from a garage sale and are trying to figure out where to buy cheap cycling shorts? I almost got sick when I went into a bike shop and saw how much they cost. I was thinking maybe I could afford 20$

Any tips would be so appreciated. I feel alone.

I thought I was alone in the "cycling" world because I buy used stuff off ebay! I'm a stay at home mom that is living on Military pay....(need I say more) Anyway, I rode my husbands bike for MONTHS along with my spinning trainer my MIL got for nothing....But the clothes....OUCH....yea, it's an expensive sport....we finally bought my bike in March on sale w/a military discount and it was still over $700. It hurts initially but, once you have the basics you are good............until.........you say...hmmmmmmm wow....that looks good!!!!! It's all over!!!

[Xrayted]

The first thing to remember is that whatever road or distance you ride on your bike has already been ridden by a woman on a Raleigh Sports with 3-speed Sturmey-Archer gearing in the 1930's. If she could do it, so can we. There is also a story here on the boards somewhere of a TE girl riding up a steep hill in Pennsylvania being overtaken by a traditionally-dressed Amish lass on a Dutch bike!

Heh. That was me in Strasburg, PA on my new-to-me road bike and she blew my doors in like I was sitting still. She had a rusted out little single speed bike that was probably handed down across generations. I know it had to weigh more than 35 lbs or so but there she went, right up that hill and I was struggling to catch my breath. It just made me more determined to get out and ride. I bought my bike from a doctor I worked with when I was an xray student last year. It was a fantastic bargain compared to new and she had only taken it out a few times before she got bored. (she is easily bored so many of us students got great stuff from her) My helmet I got on Ebay as well as my shoes. All of my shorts/shirts/gear are from there or various sales at local/online stores. I hate paying full price.

The question was raised above... where do you live? We have TE ladies from all over who could give you specific places to check in your area. Craig's list is a great resource as well as your local re-use-it or pawn shop. As for the shorts and jerseys, clipless pedals, computers... those can wait if you are doing shorter rides. The safety gear can't. Get a spare tube, a pump that mounts on the bike, small tool kit, a water bottle, helmet and gloves and some blinky lights so you will be seen. Also, wear the brightest colors you can. And the most overlooked safety precaution is to check your local bike traffic laws to make sure you are riding in a proper/safe/legal manner before you get out there.

Good luck and let us know how you make out. If you need anything, the TE ladies are here for you.

~X.

[Trek420]

I doesn't hurt when I am riding, it hurts the next day when I get back on. I took a free spinning class and that was even worse. I couldn't ride my bike for the next 3 days I have tried different seat heights and I think I found the sweet spot but I think I might need one of those saddles with the middle cut out.

Like one of these for sale by a TE'er?

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...601#post205601

[DrBadger]

www.sierratradingpost.com has a HUGE sale going on right now... everything that is on clearence is 70-80% off the retail price, and they have a bunch of bike shorts and some jerseys for $20 or less.... definately worth a look.

Keep a look out and you can get some pretty good deals.

[fikustree]

I live in Austin TX

[surgtech1956]

Ebay - I was afraid to ask who buys off Ebay - glad I'm not the only one. There are some excellent bargains on Ebay. I also shop Performance Bicycle, Bike Nashbar, Sierra Trading Post, and REI. I never pay full price.

[mimitabby]

Ebay! that's how I got my bike! and my first pair of shorts.

and LOTS of other stuff.

[madisongrrl]

You can buy a cycling liner short for about $20. They kind of look like boxers with a chamois pad and then you can wear shorts or pants over them. Very comfortable, versatile and economical.

[missymaya]

Ebay Ebay Ebay, that's how I get and sell a lot of my stuff and I'm living on a very small budget. Also, talk to some local riders in your area and they might be able to hook you up with stuff.
Another thing, and I know this is gonna sound kinda silly, but if your birthday comes around or something like that and people ask what you want, go for gift certificates to the LBS that you like. It helped me get some new tires and shorts
The people here on this forum are very knowledgeable and can send you to sites that give good deals. Don't be afraid to ask and welcome to the riding world!

[madisongrrl]

Also http://www.bestwebbuys.com/bikes/index.html

[bruiser]

First post- wahoo!

I totally started out buying stuff from REI -other outdoorsy/climbing purchases there made me feel comfortable with being a cycling newbie. Now that I am not so intimidated I have switched more to my LBS. I got my bike on sale for less than $500, and its doing double duty as transportation and recreation

I say go for the shorts first. They have saved my butt... Plus, I feel pretty cool wearing them. Definitely boosts my confidence. The last things for me to purchase were jerseys, gloves, and energy thinga-ma-jigs. However, I do wish I had bought the gloves first off (didn't think I could justify them until I started riding more than 10 miles at a time- I was so wrong)!

I say don't sweat the clothes. Who cares what you look like as long as you're having fun and feeling good? You can always upgrade parts/clothes later on, too. I prioritized by fixing the trouble sports (head/helmet!, shorts, shoes/pedals).

I now upgrade after saving up for months!

~V