Let's have your hacks, tips and money saving ideas for beginners.

[PeteXXX]

Don’t dump all of those plastic food containers straight into the recycling bin.
Save a few to keep the nuts and bolts in when you take summat apart.
Also useful if you have to soak any parts in degreaser.

 

[biggs682]

made my hands sweat as it kept the moisture in

Same here

 

[Cycleops]

Calling @raleighnut !

 

[raleighnut]

Calling @raleighnut !

View attachment 392660

 

[MontyVeda]

Keep ‘em coming guys, I’m sure there are loads more.

Don't waste money on driving lessons, cars, tax, fuel, parts or repairs and buy a bike instead. If you ever need a car, contact someone who already owns one... there's plenty about.

 

[ADarkDraconis]

Went for a long ride along the trails today and the bike got caked in mud. Our hose is unhooked for the winter so it won't freeze, so I filled up the watering can with warm water from inside the house and gave her a good washing (an old rag for the worst of it and then just sprinkled the watering can gently over the grime.) The little streams from the rosette were better than using a bucket.

 

[ChrisEyles]

One of the best ways to learn to maintain everything on your bike(s) is to buy the cheapest clunker you can find on ebay/gumtree, strip it right down, and rebuild it. You will learn loads and won't stress too much about messing things up... Errr in all conscience I should probably warn that it can get addictive though!

 

[gazza_d]

Old inner tubes can be useful things. Use strips under velcro straps etc to protect paintwork.

They can also be used to make covers for bar ends. http://cyclingsouthtyne.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/bike-hack-repurpose-inner-tubes-as-bar.html?m=1

 

[DCBassman]

I've tried a few ways to keep hands warm , it the one part of winter riding I could do without

I've two pairs of gloves I've used in the cold. Newer set bought by my son, neoprene-like with metallic tip for phone screens. Warm hands, but very sweaty.
Other set is an old set of cheap skiing gloves. Not so good in the wet, otherwise much better than the 'real' ones.

 

[Reynard]

Don't go out and buy a full set of cycling clothing from the get-go - buy according to need. It's easiest to start out with clothes you may well have to hand: football shirt / running shirt, fleece, jogging bottoms, basic waterproof cagoule, lightweight walking shoes etc and build from there.

A lot of (cheaper) non-cycling sportswear can be incorporated into your everyday kit - running and football stuff for instance makes for good (wicking) base layers, while skiing thermals make nice mid layers when it's cold.

 

[greenmark]

Cut the brake and gear outer cables with a spare piece of inner cable inside, so you don't squash the outer cable. Use a decent pair of sharp cable cutters too...

Just did that - thanks for the advice to cut cables. Not sure how it helps so I'm off outside to see if riding with them cut is any better.

 

[alicat]

A lot of (cheaper) non-cycling sportswear can be incorporated into your everyday kit - running and football stuff for instance makes for good (wicking) base layers, while skiing thermals make nice mid layers when it's cold.

Yep, that's so right. A jersey with pockets in the back is all you need to start off with.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Do not buy cycling gear for winter. Get mountaineering gear, far more effective and cheaper.

 

[Abody.EGY]

Long shoehorn can be very useful to keep dogs away while bikepacking, Specially in Asia.

 

[ADarkDraconis]

Yep, that's so right. A jersey with pockets in the back is all you need to start off with.

Or a regular jacket with pockets, or any type of clothes with a backpack/saddlebag/fanny pack. Not everyone needs or wants jerseys, many people cycle in everyday clothing.