Hom much money do you save cycling?

[dellzeqq]

I've probably made back two thirds of the cost of the Brompton that I bought last summer. And my hybrid paid for itself a long time ago.

The Colnago, on the other hand, is not a paying proposition....

 

[Halfmanhalfbike]

Do you save money cycling?

SAVE MONEY !!???&**! You poor deluded fool. The foul lie that cycling saves money has been made up by evil bike shops. I have at least 5 bright and shiny tools that I know I'll never use and a couple that I don't even know what they are for. I also have 4 seatbags that don't fit, 3 pannier racks that I don't use and many many many chains/inner tubes/brake pads. At least enough to last 25 times round the world.

So no, it doesn't save money

 

[HLaB]

I save quite a bit but then I spend it. My latest daft purchase was when my saddlebag wore out, I bought a replacement but decide it didn't hold my rearlight as good as my old topeak so I ordered a new one. In the meantime I decided I'd put my saddle forward by 5mm (bike fit recommended), then the clip wouldn't fit so I've just got a strapped Topeak one, I think I'm happy now

 

[palinurus]

If the only cycling I did was commuting I'd save a packet. It can be done pretty cheaply if required.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Guitars are certainly a huge money pit...I could probably afford the cycling if I sold the guitars

i sold all my boss effect pedals to buy retro cycling kit.

who cares now, when i can put the guitar through garageband on the mac and get all those effects again for nowt.

 

[Keith Oates]

When in Jiang Yin in China I bought a 'pub bike' which I used for shopping and going to the bar restaurants etc. Every time I used it I logged the trip and totalled up what it would have cost me had I used a taxi instead. The bike cost was written off in less than a year. The roadie and MTB were NOT so cost effective!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fnaar]

Don't think I save anything really... I buy an annual travel card, so if I cycle instead I'm not using summat I've paid for. But that doesn't stop me
And I'm making myself live longer, so I suppose I'll have to buy more food at some point

 

[gbb]

In my case ...no.
But thats because my commutes only short anyway. The only thing i notice is the petrol lasts longer than it used to. If you take into account the cost of the bike(s)..i doubt i save anything. Wouldnt change it for anything tho.

 

[Auntie Helen]

OK, so I'm a bit nerdy and have tracked all our financial expenditure, as well as car fuel expenditure and relevant mileage, for the last 12 years.

I decided I'd do a 'cost per mile' comparison between my car and my bike.

It made for rather frightening reading!

Car (petrol, automatic, quite large) - since 19 August 06 when I bought it
Total running costs (fuel, insurance, servicing, tax etc) - £8,047.53
Miles driven - 19,020
Cost per mile - 42p
Cost per mile incorporating car purchase price - 78p

Car 2 (husband's) - diesel automatic, smaller, since 15 December 2001 when we bought it
Total running costs (fuel, insurance, servicing, tax etc) - £16,519.35
Miles driven - 98,985
Cost per mile - 17p
Cost per mile incorporating car purchase price - 26p

Bicycle - Trice Q - recumbent trike - since mid-May 2008
Total running costs (accessories, maintenance, cycle clothing and shoes, etc) - £1,406
Miles cycled - 3,495
Cost per mile - 40p
Cost per mile incorporating trike purchase price - 95p

Clearly my husband's diesel car has been the best value by far, but my bike is only marginally cheaper per mile than my turbo petrol automatic car. Gulp!

 

[Mortiroloboy]

I don't save a single penny, I spend loads, just ask Mrs M

 

[Lardyboy]

Not a penny!

 

[gavintc]

It does not save me much if anything. But, I regard cycling as a hobby / pastime / sport and not an offset cost.

 

[threefingerjoe]

It does not save me much if anything. But, I regard cycling as a hobby / pastime / sport and not an offset cost.

BINGO! This gentleman wins the prize!

I think it's just a matter of perspective. Are you ONLY using the bike to commute? A practical commuter can be put together rather cheaply, and will pay for itself in short order.

For MOST of us, however, cycling is also a hobby. Yes, it can be expensive, but, as hobbies go, there are far more expensive ones. My fiddle cost me $3,000...more than either of my bikes, and even then, a musical instrument isn't a very expensive hobby. Golf can cost a small fortune. Ever price a fishing or ski boat? Do any of you restore antique automobiles?

If you use your bike for hobby-like purposes, then don't compare the cost against bus fare or automobile costs. If, however, you ARE one of those people who restore antique cars or build racing cars, then a comparison of what it costs you to buy, rebuild, maintain and drive THAT car to work aganst the cost of your bicycle would be in order.

 

[simoncc]

I save a lot of cash by travelling nearly everywhere by bike. 7/8 speed shimano kit on an old 531 touring frame makes for very economical riding and my best bikes are used only rarely and usually in nice weather.

My 10 yr old Ford Fiesta would be history by now if wasn't a keen cyclist but it is good for years yet due to its low mileage.

 

[Watt-O]

Auntie Helen's financial analysis has omitted the capital expenditure, so the calcualted running costs are invalid!