Do you have to be rich to get into cycling?

Tom_Cruise

Ive always wanted to cycle, but bikes seem so expensive.

Is it a sport that requires heavy investment? Alot of recommended starter road bikes etc i see online cost a small fortune, for me anyway.

I was talking to a seasoned cyclist today and told him about my interest in cycling. He showed me his bike and gear, the helmet alone cost him 340$. I understand that this is probaly at the higher end of the spectrum but it just goes to show how expensive it can be.

How do you start of? Do you buy a really,really cheap bike?

Ole Rodrigo

Ive found it expensive. It is expensive. Ive ditched the car, thats how I manage. If I need a car I just rent one out.

Once its becomes your transport as well as your hobby its a lot less extortionate .Think about the cost of running a car or yearly tickets for public transport and taxis, and then subtract it from the costs of cycling.

onimpulse

You don't need to spend a load to get into it. I started on a bike worth about €600 - with the bike to work now, you can half that & definitely no need to spend crazy money on a helmet, less than €100 & put it on the bike to work too. As you go on you can upgrade if you want to, but you definitely don't need it to start.

Darkglasses

Not really, I work a low paying job and get along fine. You build up stuff like that over time, picking up bigger stuff s/h or on special offer sometimes.

To be honest, cycling saves me a lot of money. For the last year or so I've been commuting exclusively by bike, no massive costs to own and run a car. Obviously this isn't possible for everyone, no kids etc.

Captain Havoc

To be fair, the cost of entry to the sport is quite high, you'd be looking at an easy grand by the time you've a bike, clothes, helmet, pedals and shoes. Once you get them though, it isn't that expensive, depending on how much you do. Maintenance is again something that is dependent on mileage and your willingness/ ability to learn how to do things for yourself.

Captain Havoc

Darkglasses wrote: »

Not really, I work a low paying job and get along fine. You build up stuff like that over time, picking up bigger stuff s/h or on special offer sometimes.

Second that, you learn how to find bargains (like the bargain alert page here), end of season you can pick up stuff for next year, best bargain I got this year was the BMC long sleeve jersey and shorts for €47 when the shorts alone are about €70. You just have to jump on these things, also keep an eye on various stores bargain days.

Darkglasses

Captain Havoc wrote: »

To be fair, the cost of entry to the sport is quite high, you'd be looking at an easy grand by the time you've a bike, clothes, helmet, pedals and shoes. Once you get them though, it isn't that expensive, depending on how much you do. Maintenance is again something that is dependent on mileage and your willingness/ ability to learn how to do things for yourself.

I'd say that's a little steep. I bought a decent condition s/h Giant Defy 3, helmet, shoes, pedals, track pump and mini pump, 5 or 6 different bits of clothes, and a few other bits and pieces for 600 euro all in.

kerry4sam

Tom_Cruise wrote: »

Ive always wanted to cycle, but bikes seem so expensive.

Is it a sport that requires heavy investment? Alot of recommended starter road bikes etc i see online cost a small fortune, for me anyway.

I was talking to a seasoned cyclist today and told him about my interest in cycling. He showed me his bike and gear, the helmet alone cost him 340$. I understand that this is probaly at the higher end of the spectrum but it just goes to show how expensive it can be.

How do you start of? Do you buy a really,really cheap bike?

In short - No you don't have to be rich to get into cycling!
I can't avail of the bike to work scheme so funded bicycle myself. You can always upgrade your bike then in time to come and go from there.

Clothing and gear can be expensive; but most is a once off purchase so you will get value for any monies spent; once you enjoy cycling that is.
I started off late last year with a few pieces here and there and then just go from there pending circumstances and interest.

Still remember buying my first set of clothing last year; that I actually had to pass on as they are now too big for me (damn weight-loss and body-toning! )

Invest in a good bike. Buy your clothing and gear online as I've found them to far more in-expensive than instore clothing and gear; for the exact same pieces!
The reference above to that expensive helmet: You said it yourself, he was a seasoned cyclist. Starting out I wouldn't see a need for a helmet of that cost.

You will get hooked in no time; Get yourself your bike and reasonably priced helmet; some essential cycling clothing & gear; start planning your routes and just get out there peddling

Hope that helps in some way,
kerry4sam

macnab

I have spent a small fortune on cycling, I have 4 bikes in my garage including a 6.6kg carbon fibre build costing €2400. I also have a Carrera TDF that I bought recently for €200.
At the end of the day you spend what you can afford if you love cycling. So yes it is expensive, but in a good way ha ha.

Tom_Cruise

macnab wrote: »

I have spent a small fortune on cycling, I have 4 bikes in my garage including a 6.6kg carbon fibre build costing €2400. I also have a Carrera TDF that I bought recently for €200.
At the end of the day you spend what you can afford if you love cycling. So yes it is expensive, but in a good way ha ha.

I have spotted a few Carreras on done deal for the 300 mark. As far as i know they sell in halfords for 450-500 or so. Would this do for a first time bike?

Colash

800-1000 euro will get u into the sport at an entry level . The bike , clothing , helmet, shoes , pedals , etc etc

Bloch

You can get a good secondhand road bike for upwards of €350. After that you might find yourself paying €30 for a new tyre, new bits and pieces every so often, and unexpected expenses like when someone kicks in your spokes when the bike is locked.

I don't bother with special cycling clothing - I have a breathable top but it was actually for jogging. I bought spd pedals and shoes and use them for longer trips, but don't feel clip-in pedals are essential.

Tigger

rich ain't what it used to be
couple of grand will get you going

kumate_champ07

you dont have to be 'rich' but it will make you poor

JRant

It's more of an investment than a cost really. 3 years ago a paid just under €900 for a bike to commute and use at the weekends. In that time I've saved €600 to €700 per year on transport costs. Maintanence runs about €80 per. That still leaves me up around €650+ over the course of 3 years. So depending how you use it then it really is a no-brainer.

Plus once you start its very hard to go back to the car or public transport for the commute.

MajesticDonkey

You don't have to be rich, you just need a little hint of madness

macnab

Tom_Cruise wrote: »

I have spotted a few Carreras on done deal for the 300 mark. As far as i know they sell in halfords for 450-500 or so. Would this do for a first time bike?

300 is OK if the consumables don't need to be replaced any time too soon, ie tyres and chain etc should be good. The TDF is a heavy bike but its a good honest usable bike. I have used mine for my 90km round trip to work without fault.

colossus-x

I'm sure I'm echoing comment's earlier but of course you don't have to be rich. All you need is a bike with a gear system that works. If you live in the country getting up those hills are exhausting but if you have a good working gear system you'll get up those hill without much effort whatsoever.

Just be careful of the traffic especially on country roads and esp bends.

hardCopy

You'll soon pay for the bike when you start skipping boozy nights out so you can go for an early Saturday spin.

Although you will spend even more when you lose three stone and have to replace your entire wardrobe.

spoke2cun

Good point Hardcopy. I agree with that. It can become a very good addiction.

Beasty

hardCopy wrote: »

Although you will spend even more when you lose three stone and have to replace your entire wardrobe.

I now have trousers in 4 sizes that are too big for me ...

Beasty

If you approach cycling as a "means to an end" it can be done very economically when compared to other forms of transport. If you really get "into cycling" though it can quickly become consuming both in terms of time and expense - there are always things you may want to get or upgrade, and even if there is no need to spend the temptation can be great ...

Inquitus

If you are on the higher tax rate and your employer does the Bike to Work you can get a Grands worth of bike for @480 yoyos, usually spread over 12 months, so loss in net pay of @40 yoyos a month. Lob an extra 500 yoyos in yourself and you'll nab a decent road bike that will do you for everything from club spins to sportifs and racing.

Half the people on €5k bikes with €2k Carbon wheels could make themselves €10k faster by losing 10kgs!

Cee-Jay-Cee

You can be on the road with a reasonably well spec'd bike, helmet and padded shorts for €500.

Second hand bikes that cost 1000+ can be found in the classifieds for €400 and you'll get a perfectly good helmet in lidl/aldi for €10. Padded shorts will set you back €60 although there are cheaper available.

I'll be selling my 2012 Ridley Compact at the end of this year. It cost me €1000 last May and I see they're €1200 new now. I don't expect to get much more than €500 for it despite the fact that it has been treated like a baby and is in absolutely as new condition and has covered around 3k kms so far.

monkeyslayer

you only really need a bike to get into cycling, the specialist clothes, shoes etc can come as you need em... a second hand steel racer for a couple of hundred, and aldi helmet or something and an old pair of tracksuit bottoms, wind jacket and trainers will get you you up and down the road for 20 to 40kms on a decent day.

mirv

Look into Aldi/Lidl cycling specials. Helmets/shorts/jerseys/lights/track pumps for a tenner each. Sunglasses for a fiver.

Helmets and sunglasses are key places to save much as they're mostly fashion/branding rather than function. A €10 aldi lid has the same moulding (inmold) technology as the most 'high tech' lids, passes the same CE safety tests, and weighs a respectable 266g. Brand name sunglasses are almost entirely exercises in marketing and fashion and you'll reap 98% of the benefits of a triple digit pair without having to lighten your wallet.

Jerseys and shorts are similar - sure a more expensive pair may be more comfortable, but as long as you're passing people on hills it doesn't matter if they're wearing gold-gilded ASSOS or if they're wearing dunnes stores clothing. Reward yourself with fancier clothing as you improve or meet your goals.

Spend as much of your budget on your bike as possible and try to get at a very minimum a 8-9 speed drivetrain, but 10 speeds if possible. Anything lower than 8 speed shimano is going to be a dead end and you won't be able to upgrade or replace parts on the drivetrain as there will be compatibility issues OEM 5-6-7 speed parts. Get smart on drivetrains, parts, and cleaning/mechanical skills and you'll not only have a better running bike, but you'll save money on having to go to the bike shop to buy replacements for prematurely worn parts.

Try to avoid the urge to get flat bars instead of drop bars as you'll soon develop the flexibility required for drops and you'll appreciate being able to get out of the wind. You'll also avoid the trap and cost of trying to upgrade a flat bar setup to a drop bar one.

kumate_champ07

mirv wrote: »

Look into Aldi/Lidl cycling specials. Helmets/shorts/jerseys/lights/track pumps for a tenner each. Sunglasses for a fiver.

Helmets and sunglasses are key places to save much as they're mostly fashion/branding rather than function. A €10 aldi lid has the same moulding (inmold) technology as the most 'high tech' lids, passes the same CE safety tests, and weighs a respectable 266g. Brand name sunglasses are almost entirely exercises in marketing and fashion and you'll reap 98% of the benefits of a triple digit pair without having to lighten your wallet.

Spend as much of your budget on your bike as possible and try to get at a very minimum a 8-9 speed drivetrain, but 10 speeds if possible. Anything lower than 8 speed shimano is going to be a dead end and you won't be able to upgrade or replace parts on the drivetrain as there will be compatibility issues OEM 5-6-7 speed parts.

Try to avoid the urge to get flat bars instead of drop bars as you'll soon develop the flexibility required for drops and you'll appreciate being able to get out of the wind. You'll also avoid the trap and cost of trying to upgrade a flat bar setup to a drop bar one.

not shorts, best to invest in them. the helmets are ok for the price but look ugly. jerseys/jackets seem fine tho

mirv

Aldi/Lidl shorts are fine - they run through different manufacturers and the fit isn't always the same but if you find the fit fine, then they're grand. I find them plenty durable for their cost.

Pad thickness and shape varies and they're a matter of personal preference anyway, and you'll never know what shape/thickness suits you until you try, and it's cheaper to try out a 10e pair than a 70e pair especially if you're skint. Thicker/wider isn't always better - thicker pads tend to chafe my thighs for example.

Spending extra on a bit of money on bib shorts might be a bit more comfortable if you're carrying a bit of spare tire but aren't absolutely necessary.

Helmets are so highly subjective it's nearly impossible to make judgement I reckon. As long as you take off the MTB visor off, and position the straps and helmet properly you'll be grand. Better have a properly fitting helmet than a 300e lid sitting on the back of your head showing off your forehead and fringe. It's just a polystyrene bucket anyway.

mirv

Also, like others have said - no point buying really fancy shorts if they're going to be a couple sizes too big after a few months.

Nedkelly24

I got into it last year for under300spuds thanks to the bike to work..a year later and finished buying the gear..spend on the bike and the rest will follow..my advice..

TychoCaine

Inquitus wrote: »

If you are on the higher tax rate and your employer does the Bike to Work you can get a Grands worth of bike for @480 yoyos, usually spread over 12 months, so loss in net pay of @40 yoyos a month. Lob an extra 500 yoyos in yourself and you'll nab a decent road bike that will do you for everything from club spins to sportifs and racing.

Half the people on €5k bikes with €2k Carbon wheels could make themselves €10k faster by losing 10kgs!

Yup. Last year Fitzcycles.ie had their last BH Speedrom 7.1 (carbon frame + Tiagra) discounted from €1500 to €1050, which I put through the Bike To Work for €43/month

Nedkelly24

TychoCaine wrote: »

Yup. Last year Fitzcycles.ie had their last BH Speedrom 7.1 (carbon frame + Tiagra) discounted from €1500 to €1050, which I put through the Bike To Work for €43/month

Jammy.;-:-)

smacl

Cycling is cheaper than a very modest pub / club habit, once you avoid having too many brown boxes landing on your doorstep. Over three years, I've picked up two bikes (new hybrid €550, 2nd hand road bike €300) and probably spent a couple of grand over the same period on bits and bobs for the bike, clothing, entry to sportives, and energy drinks. For me it comes in at about €25 per week on average, though the larger part of the money was spent in the first year.

Anyway, I thought Tom Cruise was loaded, what gives?

Wishbone Ash

There's very few other sports/leisure activities where you can save substantial money on petrol/diesel.

Hmmzis

Nope, you don't have to. I'm cycling and do the odd race and I'm not rich. Got my road bike 2nd hand for 450eur, new tyres 50eur and was good to go. Had to replace shifters after a while 60eur 2nd hand. Got tired of the heavy wheels and got some Aksiums for 160eur (not needed but was nice to have). Most of my cycling clothing is from Aldi/Lidl, maybe 100-150eur in total. I do have a club jersey and full boards.ie kit but that wouldn't be needed to get into cycling or even racing (any odd plain kit will do for that purpose).

In total you might only need about 500-600eur to get into cycling if you go 2nd hand or get a good deal on simple new bike and go easy on the clothing part. Decent helmets can be had for far less than 100eur, I'm very happy with my 30eur one.

kingoffifa

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/4693639

nothing wrong with that bus - so sub 300 in the most sought after size frame.

throw another 200 or 300 with that and you would be able to race.

all it takes is hours and hours of practice!

DaveyDave

It's expensive to get into at first but it's much cheaper than a car and public transport. You could buy a new bike each year for the cost of tax, insurance and petrol alone nevermind servicing, the cost of the vehicle and car washes. Then again if you get public transport it's cheaper than a car but a bike will probably pay for itself after not getting the bus for a year.

Get a decent bike now, say €500-750 and the essentials (bottle, saddlebag, tyre levers, lights, tube and pump) and get the rest gradually over time i.e jersey/shorts, €50 for a track pump and some allen keys to do your own basic servicing etc.

You don't need a helmet but one could be had for €30, you don't need a jersey/shorts right away as any polyester clothing will do. I've been cycling 2 and a half years and only got myself a decent MTB jersey and shorts in January, 20% off. Most of my repairs/upgrades are 25%+ off online, Chain Reaction deliver within 2 days and also have free shipping along with Wiggle. My brake pads are €11 online or €19 in the LBS, I bought a new crankset off CRC for half the price of another bike shop. I highly recommend avoiding bike shops if you're looking to do cheap, I found it hard to get certain things as some shops only had expensive upgrades for stuff like saddles and seat posts which I needed cheap replacements for.

Malari

DaveyDave wrote: »

It's expensive to get into at first but it's much cheaper than a car and public transport. You could buy a new bike each year for the cost of tax, insurance and petrol alone nevermind servicing, the cost of the vehicle and car washes.

I thought the OP was primarily asking about cycling as a sport though? I know there's a bit of cross-over, and I have my bike for commuting mainly, but I also go out recreationally on it a lot. However, nearly all the people I know who cycle as a sport never use their bikes as an alternative to a car, which is a different question.

Unregistered.

Malari wrote: »

I thought the OP was primarily asking about cycling as a sport though? I know there's a bit of cross-over, and I have my bike for commuting mainly, but I also go out recreationally on it a lot. However, nearly all the people I know who cycle as a sport never use their bikes as an alternative to a car, which is a different question.

Never use there bikes as an alternative to a car? And miss out on free training en route to work?! A lot of people who cycle for sport would have different bikes for racing and commuting etc. In my experience.

smacl

Unregistered. wrote: »

Never use there bikes as an alternative to a car? And miss out on free training en route to work?! A lot of people who cycle for sport would have different bikes for racing and commuting etc. In my experience.

And so, one bike very quickly becomes two bikes, and the logical answer to most bike related questions seems to be 'get another bike'. My first bike, a much loved hybrid, is now my hack commuter, which is probably true for quite a few people.

Malari

Unregistered. wrote: »

Never use there bikes as an alternative to a car? And miss out on free training en route to work?! A lot of people who cycle for sport would have different bikes for racing and commuting etc. In my experience.

Yes but in my experience those that commute did so before they took up cycling as a sport, rather than just recreationally or a way to get around. Not as a result of taking up cycling as a sport.

biomed32

Personally, cycling can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it. I started off on a borrowed bike and aldi/lidl cycling clothes. I have now bought a superb second hand bike and soon enough ill be switching out the aldi/lidl cycling clothes for some better ones. I have no doubt that when I have a well paid postion and some stability in my life in terms of employment ill go out and buy a beast of a bike on the BTW and expand from there. Thats just my two cents worth on the subject

Tar.Aldarion

If you can wangle using it for commuting it will pay for itself. I've already saved 335 euro this year on bus fairs. Got the bike in January for 835 on bike to work, so much less than that.

TychoCaine wrote: »

Yup. Last year Fitzcycles.ie had their last BH Speedrom 7.1 (carbon frame + Tiagra) discounted from €1500 to €1050, which I put through the Bike To Work for €43/month

That would take 2 years to pay off? Or do you mean cost to you and not gross?

tomasrojo

If you restrict yourself to cycling as a means of transport, you can spend as little as 3c per km, though that involves doing your own repairs, largely, and not updating your bike till you crack the frame of the current one.

You can save a huge amount of money if you can avoid car ownership . Not possible for everyone, but living in a city makes it more feasible, and gocar.ie means some you can have occasional access to a car without owning one.

If you're into the greater world of cycling, it seems to be quite expensive, but I guess decent savings are still possible by commuting by bike.

detones

I don't think you have to be rich to cycle but it helps!

I have to say I tried doing things on the cheap and ended up regretting it, and ultimately replacing everything with better quality more expensive stuff. For example:

Aldi Track Pump: Exploded when trying to get 120psi into tires and embedded lump of plastic in my leg.

Lidl Mini Pump: Got a puncture, went to use it, mini pump was only 2 months old and had ceased up leaving me to walk 6k to a garage.

Cheapo non bib shorts: After a drop of rain the chamois turned into a grippy rubber like substance and left my @rse cheeks looking like an Orangutans.

€7 wireless Bike Computer: Wasted 3 to 4 hours setting up then I got readings ranging from 97 to 145km/hr.

Lesson learned, you pay peanuts you get monkeys and a monkeys @rse.

TychoCaine

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

That would take 2 years to pay off? Or do you mean cost to you and not gross?

It comes off your gross pay before tax, so really makes sense if you're on the top tax rate.

t'bear

detones wrote: »

Aldi Track Pump: Exploded when trying to get 120psi into tires and embedded lump of plastic in my leg.

Snap (without the leg injury) - piece of crap

Inquitus

detones wrote: »

I don't think you have to be rich to cycle but it helps!

I have to say I tried doing things on the cheap and ended up regretting it, and ultimately replacing everything with better quality more expensive stuff. For example:

Aldi Track Pump: Exploded when trying to get 120psi into tires and embedded lump of plastic in my leg.

Lidl Mini Pump: Got a puncture, went to use it, mini pump was only 2 months old and had ceased up leaving me to walk 6k to a garage.

Cheapo non bib shorts: After a drop of rain the chamois turned into a grippy rubber like substance and left my @rse cheeks looking like an Orangutans.

€7 wireless Bike Computer: Wasted 3 to 4 hours setting up then I got readings ranging from 97 to 145km/hr.

Lesson learned, you pay peanuts you get monkeys and a monkeys @rse.

Some of the stuff is crap, some of it is alright, the compression gear is grand, arm warmers, leg warmers fine, and the winter jacket does a decent job.

All the stuff you mention above is indeed utter crap mind, just saying it's more a case of knowing whats a bargain and whats just shíte!

detones

Inquitus wrote: »

Some of the stuff is crap, some of it is alright, the compression gear is grand, arm warmers, leg warmers fine, and the winter jacket does a decent job.

All the stuff you mention above is indeed utter crap mind, just saying it's more a case of knowing whats a bargain and whats just shíte!

Yeah to be fair your bang on. I still use the base layer stuff I got cheap and its as good as the more expensive brands i have. Unfortunatly the last time an offer was on it was all gone by 8.05am!!

cdaly_

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

If you can wangle using it for commuting it will pay for itself. I've already saved 335 euro this year on bus fairs. Got the bike in January for 835 on bike to work, so much less than that.

Would you not cycle behind a taxi and save 6700 euros instead?

I reckon I save about €40 per week in petrol by cycling to work. I also save gym fees 'cos I'm getting all my exercise on the commute.

helimachoptor

The way i look at it is for a bike and the bits to start off (BTW scheme) probably €750.

I would spend €25 per week on the bus, that is not long adding up.