Does pleasurable cycling have to be expensive?

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Does pleasurable cycling have to be expensive?

The reason that I ask this is because my cycling is pleasurable and has not been expensive.

3 & 1/2 years ago I purchased a new Falcon Explorer Hybrid type bicycle from a nearby LBS; Velo Cycles here in Norwich. I paid £149.99 for this well equipped bike which included; full mudguards, rack, and kickstand (supplied and fitted free by Velo Cycles). Since I bought this bike, I have cycled in the region of 10,000 miles on it for very little expense: Cable lock £9.99, a pump at £5.99, 2 X bottle racks at £2.99 each, 2 X Aluminum 1 litre bottles at £2.99 each, a set of adequate Pifco lights at £4.99 for the pair, 2 additional red rear reflectors at £1.35, 2 additional white front reflectors at £1.35 each, a Lidl computer at £4.99, a new tring-ring bell at 2.99, 2 X cheap puncture repair kits at .99p each and a new bar bag at £24.99. Giving me a grand total of £223.27.

During the time that I have had this Bicycle it has undertaken all of my cycling needs: a regular 10 (2 X 5 miles) miles per day commute, additional errends into the city, hauling a trailer with up to 35kgs of groceries and lots of other stuff of mine, various 25 mile + weekend pleasure rides and camping trips; both on and off road, including the North Norfolk Coastal path and Marriots way, been thrown around the local 400 metre long BMX track (imagine 47 year old, bald headed git on an Alloy rimmed 700 x 35 wheeled hybrid taking on the kids at their own game :biggrin:), has taken me out along the river banks fishing, and exploring the countryside and forests, bird watching and picnicing with my partner. With the exception of (deeper than usual) snow and hard packed ice I have used it in all weather conditions, including several salt water floods, and this bike has never let me down.

As a very experienced and "tooled up" Agricultural/Mechanical Engineer and welder/fabricator, to my absolute shame the maintainence has been extremely minimal; I have never cleaned the bike, the chain has been oiled 4 times, the bottom bracket adjusted once, the brakes adjusted twice, the headstock tightened once, the bottom bracket stripped, cleaned, new ball bearings fitted and regreased once, the rear tyre changed after glass split the tyre, I've repaired 5 punctures in total, and replaced the pedals after smacking a gate post very hard and bending a spindle. Even so the bike is still sound and tight; Believe me I know, as I use to be a test driver for one of the larger tractor and construction equipment manufacturers, and my whole body is atuned to the slightest unwarranted vibration, rattle, wobble, wear slap and free play.

An aerosol of 3 in 1 teflon oil at £1.99, 1 pair of pedals £6.99, 2 X inner tubes at £3.99 each, 1 new tyre at £21.99, a set of Bottom braket ball bearings at £2, and a 400 ml tube of Agri Castrol multipurpose EP2 grease at £3.50. That is £44.55 in replacemet parts and consumibles, giving me a grand total expenditure to date of £267.72.

This Bicycle meets most of my transporation needs; Yes, I do own and use a car; A Diesel Peugeot Estate. But by and large the bike is handier to use: No pay & display, No park and ride, No Parking tickets (I've recieved 2 in the car... ...ouch!). It is quicker and so much more convenient to use around the city of Norwich. All in all, that is not bad for a bicycle that cost just a little more than the hideous, poorly made stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap, fully suspenion thingies being knocked out by the supermarkets.
 

colinr

Well-Known Member
Location
Norwich
Does pleasurable cycling have to be expensive?
Depends what you find pleasureable about cycling, if you're into going as fast as absolutely possible then £270 might fall a bit short for a TT bike :biggrin:
 

Rhythm Thief

Legendary Member
Location
Ross on Wye
No, it doesn't. I get the most fun on bikes I've cobbled together from the bits box. I bought a Dawes Galaxy nearly twenty years ago - and it was old when I bought it - and I can't imagine I'd have had any more fun when cycling if I'd replaced it every few years. Admittedly, I've spent some money on it in the past, but nowhere near what I'd have spent if I'd been constantly looking for new things to replace it with.
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
Hmm if I had spent £10 on a cable lock I doubt I'd still actually have my bike here, and I'm obviously harder on brakes than you since I was going through new blocks every 3 months. But what is important is that you have done it and succeeded and enjoyed it.
 

Rhythm Thief

Legendary Member
Location
Ross on Wye
numbnuts said:
Cycling is as cheap or expensive as you make it, I bought a touring bike for £700 and have covered over 20,000 in 4 years, would have this been possible on a £99 bike from Asda....

No, but equally, it was possible without you having to buy the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 models of your bike to replace the one you bought.
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
I notice you are all talking money.

I have come to a point where to go on a 100 miler to some Beauty spot takes 8 hours.

5 hours to do a 100km. 11 hours to do a 200km.

Yesterday, I rode a Midland Mesh 100km. It took 5hrs 10. I came home to a big pile of ironing, which took 2 hours.

So, cycling is 'cheap as chips' for pleasure.
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
summerdays said:
Well the original question contains the word expensive:smile:

My time is expensive... :smile: It seems to shorten every passing year.

One may expend money buying the bike.

One expends time and effort riding it; and expends care preparing it for the ride.
 

tyred

Squire
Location
Ireland
No, it doesn't have to be expensive. There are people on here who have probably spent more on a set of shoes and pedals than I have spent on my six bikes, most of which were freebies in need of a little TLC.:smile:

To my shame, I take mor epleasure out of refurbishing old bikes than I do from actually riding them:blush:
 

andyfromotley

New Member
Nope Nope Nope, i get as much of a thrill from my 12 year old raliegh MTB(£150) as i do from my new £1k cannondale caad 9. They just do different things thats all.

I spent all of my childhood on bikes that i used to make up from spare parts. Fantastic and cheap as chips.
 

beachcaster

Active Member
Location
sussex
summerdays said:
Well the original question contains the word expensive:smile:

Compared to many sports activites...........its well cheap
After you have a bike...its next to nothing.

And I found its better with a bike !

Barry
 
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