Poor Cyclist

[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

[Starfish]

Also, really use the For Sale forum right here on TE. Proactively ask for the things you want/need, and let folks know your price range.

Not long ago, I posted there asking if anyone had a certain saddle used that they wanted to sell. A TE member contacted me and said I could have it free for the price of shipping. It would have been a $100 saddle new. It is in great shape, and I love it.

Recently, I had two other saddles I wanted to let go. Because of the generosity of that first TE member, I decided to let them go, also just for the price of shipping, in order to "pay it forward" so to speak.

Ask for what you want and need, and who knows what might come to you!

[fixedgeargirl]

Fikustree, I'm also in ATX .

My best thrift store tip - look in the men's clothing section. That's where I found my pair of Shebeest shorts. You'd think the brand name would be a tip off .

I think a lot of thrift store sorters assume that all "active wear" belongs in the men's section. I've found tights and an excellent pair of Pearl Izumi shorts w/ the coveted corduroy-type chamois in the men's section. I don't have much luck finding tops there, as I am pretty petite above the waist, except for the girls , which leaves me out of shopping tops in the kids section too .