Gareth
Guru
- Location
- Norwich, Norfolk, UK
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 ), 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.
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 ), 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.