Poor Cyclist

[fikustree]

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.

[Tuckervill]

Depending on where you live, you should be able to find a bike for cheap. It doesn't really matter what you buy--if you want to ride, you can make it work.

Garage sales are the best place to find cheap bikes, IMO. I'm sure you can find something. Where DO you live?

Karen

[mimitabby]

hey Fikustree

I just bought a pair of used bike shorts for 25 bucks including postage.
you need to shop around. in the meantime, check craigslist and garage sales for bikes.
We all savor a good bargain. You're right, a lot of us are putting $$$ into bicycles, but some of us don't have much money and are still riding bikes and having a great time.
Must have: a helmet/ gloves.
gloves were on sale at Performance bike the other day for 10 dollars.
Helmets can be gotten fairly cheaply too.
And bikes? my son found one last year that was marked "FREE" and he rode it home!

[Popoki_Nui]

Value Village, Salvation Army, Goodwill. This morning I did my monthly circuit of these stores. On other outings I've seen bike shorts, tights, helmets, and occasionally even some decent bikes. It pays to be persistent; keep going and you're bound to find much of the goodies you need/

[Trek420]

...bike swap meets are my favorite way to save a buck or two.

Check your local cycling club. I've gotten wonderful deals. Stick around here and you'll learn ways to make the sport affordable and welcome to TE.

[teigyr]

Take it slow and buy things as you need them. You don't need a computer, especially right away. The shorts? See how far you start riding. Could be you can get by with what you're wearing until the distance is such that you are uncomfortable. Check with local cycling clubs to see if there are swap meets around where you are.

You need gloves, a helmet, a multi-tool, tire levers, and tubes/patch kit. Oh and you need a pump. After that, just see how far you go with it!

I've seen bikes listed for very reasonably. There was somebody in Washington from TE who had a whole bunch of bikes she was selling for about $100/ea +/-.

You can do it

[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!!!

[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.

[kjay]

Fikustree, I have a pair of never-worn biking shorts and several (about three) cycling tops that I will never wear, and the tops (short sleeve mostly) are either new or worn once. You are welcome to have them for nothing. Just contact me via email or private message, and I'll send them to you. I would rather send them to a biker than to take them to Goodwill or someplace like that.

Oh, by the way, they're all sized large or extra-large. I hope that doesn't throw a wrench into this.

kjay

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.

[latelatebloomer]

Here's Long-lost LLB (we finally got DSL in our slice of the boondocks, so it doesn't take forever & a day to read TE now) I, too, am a second-hand Rose in the cycling world. My very darling Giant OCR3 was $200, found the first week I put out word that I was hoping to find a road bike to fit both me and my artist's budget. Trekhawk here at TE sent a better saddle and shorts she had "thinned" out of. Spin instructors have handed me water bottles and socks. The LBS owner who sold me my shoes laughed at my expression when I found out that the cleats weren't included with the shoes. He'd already thrown a used pair in the box. I do watch the Terry & TE sites for good sales - being a large rider, I feel I need the best shorts I can find, and I take comfort in the fact that they hold up well. But beware cheaply made stuff. My Terry full-finger gloves fit like they were custom made and will take a beating. I settled for a pair of fingerless Performance gloves to save money - 1 month later, the seams are already falling apart.

I bet you're gettting pm's with offers of goodies. The world of cycling is full of people with good hearts (and great butts. )