Reader Inquiry: How Does One Get Started Riding Without Breaking the Bank?
Saturday January 3, 2009
I received the following email on New Year's Day:
Hi Dave - I am a middle aged male wanting to ride, not compete with Lance Armstrong, just get out and ride for fitness and fun. My problem is my limited budget - I'm not flush with extra cash to lay out there for all the fancy stuff.
How does one get started riding without breaking the bank? Thanks- Charlie
Any thoughts or suggestions you have for Charlie? Comment below.
Comments
Charlie, Find several bike shops in your area. Hopefully you will find one with knowledgeable staff to help fit you to a bike that you would like, and listen to suggestions. Than ask if this shop does layaway. Do yourself a favor and don’t buy from big box merchants. With tax time here, well maybe that could help.
Charlie, I’d read through this site as well as speak with some people who also ride. That’s the best way to discover what you really should buy (helmet, etc.) and what’s just fluff. For instance, you don’t need to buy flashy cycling outfits to get out and ride.
Charlie, don’t be afraid to buy a lower-end bike — I bet Lance Armstrong could ride ANY bike and beat the stuffing out of 99% of the rest of us, which shows it is the rider that counts, and not the bike. I bought a used bike and loved it for years.
Also, while I ride a road bike, I feel that my mountain bike was easier to maintain — I rode only in the city, though.
Good luck!
Try craigslist for cheap used bikes. Good fit is more important than any other feature. If at all possible, when you go to inspect the bike, bring a friend that knows something about bike fitting.
I second sally’s idea for craigslist. All you need to start riding is you, bike, and helmet. Get a used one that’s cheap but reasonably fits you, and see if you like being on a bike. Then go to a local bike shop and test-ride better ones and get impressed. If you feel you really want to get more from cycling, you can work the way up from there.
I got my last bike off the local freecycle site. Previously, I had gone to a bike shop to make sure of the correct size frame for my size & build. Then I put a WANTED post on the local freecycle site & was very specific about what size frame mountain bike I needed.
Three days later I had my new bike - for free.
This is actually my problem with modern cycling. everything is too darned expensive and everyone tells you to get nothing but the “best”. To me, the must buy items are the bike (of course), some gloves and a helmet. That’s it. As for the bike, hybrids are so easy to ride and the bargain ones are just fine. I ride three times a week during the summer and spring and my ride is a Schwinn Voyageur, which retaliled for $249, but I picked up for $198 at an end of model year closeout. Honestly just to get into biking this is all you need. Shop around, test ride a few, but I say $300 for the bike $30 for some gloves and maybe $40 for a decent helmet and you’re set to go.
Used or find a friend. If you know anyone who does ride ask around. Worst case most guys know of a loaner bike or best a free or cheap bike.
kijiji is a great source for used bikes cheap.
I went to a local bike shop. What I liked about that was it wasn’t a chain shop or anything but it did sell some name brand bikes. If you’re going for a road bike with maybe an eye toward upgrading to a racing bike one day, look up some of the teams that ride in the Tour de France and find a bike you like. Then find a cheapo version of the same bike.
For instance, I went with Giant because they have a womens team and the local bike shop sold it. Good bets on cheap, but not shabby (read: old reliable) are Raleigh and Schwinn. They’re heavy, though. Giant, you can get an aluminum/carbon hybrid for about $700 new. Ask the shop for a used bicycle and you might be talking $300 or less.
If you are just tooling around a city running errands, you can go to any department store and buy a mountain bike. Those are heavy as well, but you might be talking about the $100 price range.
If you go the bike store route, make sure you know (or have an idea) for what you will be using the bike (commuting, mountain, road touring or road racing). Each one has a different bike.
Basically, to ride you just need three things: helmet, bicycle, gloves (just in case you take a spill). For years, I road around in jeans (shorts in the summer) and a T-Shirt with a backpack on my back with a water bottle in it (although a water bottle cage and water bottle specifically designed for it is a nice addition).
Hi
Sorry, bike helmet and gloves is just a starter, but here are my thoughts.
1. Get a friend if you can, and look around for a used (or freebie) bike. This way, if the tyres, brakepads,sprockets, chain and chain set are in good wear, the you should be OK for a while. All of these things wear out - cycling isn”t for free!
2. A new bike which is very cheap, will not last you very long. I bought a good, but relatively inexpensive bike, for commuting to work, and it lasted me 2 weeks before I had to start replacing the gears, and the wheels started warping. If you are only riding a few miles a week, then no problem.
3. You need to be warm and comfortable, and safe. So you will need some hivis belt/jacket, or hivis stickers. You do need windproof clothing for cycling in winter, plus windproof gloves, and something to protect the ears.
4. Bikes break down and do need regular maintenance. So you will need a basic tool kit (make up your own - not the ready made kits), and some spares such as spare spokes etc. You may need lighting. You will definitely need 2 types of lube, and grease. Don’t be tempted to use the motor car versions!
How important these things are, will be governed by how often you cycle, when you cycle, and whether you will be cycling to work. If you are cycling for fun, then you don’ t have to arrive. If you are commuting, you do need to arrive, and these ‘extra’ bits will be more important.
hiya,
while you may think cheap is the way to go, you will regret it! once you get bit by the cycling bug you will ‘need’ more stuff. if you start to ride with a club, you will want a reasonably lightweight bike, clip-in shoes, helmet, gloves,water bottles,cages,jerseys, padded shorts,computer, tools,warm weather and cool weather changes etc…good luck!
All you HAVE to have is a bike.The rest is up to you.Craigslist is good.
The main thing you need is to mount up and RIDE.
There’s some good stuff above. I can’t add to it, but want to wish you encouragement. Just get on it and go and all else will follow.
Charlie,
I am 59,and got back into riding last year. I highly recommend the Trek 7200.
It has a smooth ride, and 24 speeds. The price range would be in the range of $369 to $389. Well worth the money. Good luck.
Idon’t understand why people say to go to a bike shop I got a bike from K Mart and it is a very good bike. There was a chart a the store on how to fit your bike. I don’t need a salesman to tell me what size I need.You try on your bike just like clothes and shoes.My bike cost less than 100 dollars.I have had it 5 years and its still a great bike.Its a Huffy.I guess if you want to be cool then you need a pricy bike.
I read all the comments. If someone mentioned Thrift Shop, I missed it. The writer will be able to see what is available, how it fits, and maybe even take it for a spin.
It’s worth a look.
James
Getting a used bike is the best band for the buck if your trying to save money. Depending on your budget, ebay and craigslist are your best bets, just make sure you get the right size frame. If you have a choice of getting crappy components or a good frame, the frame is far more important. Its alot better to save up and get a good bike, then to buy a walmart bike on a whim. There are all kinds of deals out there, and even free bikes. Good luck!
Charlie:
Please e-mail me and I’m sure I can help you get started with a very unique and exciting biking experience. All you need is an ordinary, inexpensive bike, and I’ll tell you where and how you can buy a component part that will give your bike the capability to pedal in six different motions. The product will cost you approximately $60 FOB Taiwan, you can install it yourself, and the result would be 3 bikes in 1: (1) a conventional/traditional bicycle at the Normal Position of the gear shifter; (2) a multi-function bicycle with capability to pedal in six different ways at the Multi-Function Position of the gear shifter; (3) an exercise bicycle when the bike is mounted on a bike stand.
The China National Bicycle Team have been using this new technology in their training program.
The manufacturers in China are my personal friends.
Amelia
Do what I did - build your own out of 2nd hand bits. It took me 18 months(1946-1948) but I loved that bike, raced on it first time in 1948.
Another way - join a good club and state your problem to some of the club elders. They’ll give you all the help you need.
Bonne chance!
Be sure and get a bike from a bike shop and not from a store, like Costco, K-Mart etc. These places do not fit correctly if at all.
See if you can find some friends that ride and ask them to introduce you to some people at a local shop. You can get nice entry level bikes. Make sure you tell them that you are starting out. Be sure and get a helmet and riding pants.
Riding cleats would come later
Remember, you get what you pay for.
Check with pawn shops in your area.
I too am a middle aged man that decided to start commuting to work last year, 11 miles each way.
I wanted to get a new bike but didn’t have the money so I took my 20 year old Schwinn Impact for a tune up and started riding it.
Now as a new season comes up, I wouldn’t trade that bike for ANY other bike.
Just ride. Get some shorts, gloves, an helmet and go for it!
Be safe.
Hi Charlie,
If you haven’t been on a bike for a while, a mountain or a hybrid are the best bets to start off with. They are stable, and you can easily mount a rear rack (and fenders if you live in a wet area). You are going for COMFORT and STABILITY if you are just getting started.
I would go to a local bike shop and test ride several bikes - road bike, hybrid, and mountain. Try different vendors and options. The bike shops will not push you to buy a specific bike and they will give you pointers on what you want in a bike.
Once you know what you want, check craigslist for any local sellers. You could probably get a fairly good bike for $100-200. A new bike will probably run more in the $300 range
When my sister started riding 3 years ago, we took her to 4 different bike shops. She settled on a hybrid with knobby tires and front shocks which weighed over 30 pounds! It was a good starter bike, but it only lasted her 2 years before she got something lighter. She spent $500 for it, which was a little high, but she put quite a few miles on it, which she wouldn’t have on a bike that she didn’t feel comfortable on.
Other gear: Buy a NEW helmet (you don’t want to mess around with your head!), you can get a good one for $30 on sale. Padded bike gloves are good for comfort and safety. I can’t ride without my padded shorts, or else get a gel seat pad until you get used to sitting on a bike seat. Also, I consider bike shoes important, they have a hard sole that transfers your energy to the bike (instead of being absorbed by a running shoe). You can usually get a new pair of shoes in the $30-60 range at REI, Performance or bike nashbar. A water bottle, flat repair kit (with levers), tire pump, and a spare tube are good things to carry on a ride. If you plan to ride before or after work, you should probably also get a flashing light for the rear of your bike and a white light for the front.
Good luck and enjoy!
Charlie,
Keep it simple. I have a friend who is in the same situation as you. He put out the word among his friends about what he wanted to do. Within a week, he was given two bikes. One of them, a single speed “bomber” bike, had only been ridden three times. The other was a multi-speed found discarded in the street awaiting the trash man. I have given away several bikes, myself, over the years.
Buy a helmet. Since all of them have to pass safety standards, you don’t have to buy a big money one. You probably have all the clothes you need to get started and discover if biking is for you.
Read this site and others, plus a magazine or two, to find out information about biking that will help you along. From my perspective, the most important measurement is seat height, the easiest to adjust. Just ride anytime and anywhere.
Marvin