The Expense of Mountain Biking

[Wes84]

Me and a mate of mine, a devoted MTBer and MTB tech junkie were talking over the weekend. We couldn't help but fall on the topic of the sheer cost and ongoing expense of what the sport of mountain biking has become.

Don't get me wrong, I have, I am and I would any day pay the price for this sport I love so much.

 

We have come to justify that paying R500+ for a mountain bike tire is "ok" and surely it is, it has to be. But what other option do we really have? Is there any other option or will we all be sitting on Chinese carbon and home made mods in the end?

Edited October 18, 2013 by Der Meister

[Sidewinder.]

*expense *mountain

[Wes84]

just saw that, how do I edit ?

[P.A.K.]

just saw that, how do I edit ?

Click "Edit" on your first post and then click "Use Full Editor". Quick quick! Go do it!

[RocknRolla]

It is very expensive if you get caught up in the marketing hype, and if your competetiveness extends beyond racing.

 

I have a singlespeed with v-brakes, tube tyres and maxxis larsen tyres. I have spent almost nothing on two tubes some lube (car oil) in the last year.

 

My personal opinion is that we are getting shafted on tyres. I cannot justify spending more than R500 for tubeless tyre (good luck finding one)

[rouxtjie]

Me and a mate of mine, a devoted MTBer and MTB tech junkie where talking over the weekend. We couldn't help but fall on the topic of the sheer cost and ongoing expense of what the sport of mountain biking has become.

Don't get me wrong, I have, I am and I would any day pay the price for this sport I love so much.

 

We have come to justify that paying R500+ for a mountain bike tire is "ok" and surely it is, it has to be. But what other option do we really have? Is there any other option or will we all be sitting on Chinese carbon and home made mods in the end?

By its nature mtb'ing is expensive due to moving parts being exposed to the elements and mud. There are some ways of having just as much at a fraction of the price.

[DR ◣◢]

Try the mystical sport of Curdling instead.

[Wes84]

By its nature mtb'ing is expensive due to moving parts being exposed to the elements and mud. There are some ways of having just as much at a fraction of the price.

 

In terms of "having just as much", this brings me to exactly my question:” How much is enough? Enough depends not any more on what your needs are but how much money you have.

So how do we get more for less?

[Wes84]

Try the mystical sport of Curdling instead.

 

Amazingly you know what this is... hobby?

[rouxtjie]

 

In terms of "having just as much", this brings me to exactly my question:” How much is enough? Enough depends not any more on what your needs are but how much money you have.

So how do we get more for less?

Well for me its an easy one...do I have a smile on my face after the ride...if I don't, I have to ask myself the question why to fook am I doing this to myself...I don't want to hate life on my mtb, its me time and I will be damned if I am not enjoying every minute of it.

 

I hate riding alone...it sucks donkeyballz...I have nice group of tjommies and we ride every weekend. We have tons of laughs and great fun. I would rather ride on a farmgate with them, than by myself on 100k bike.

[Cycho]

I'd rather not actually work out how much I spend on my bikes etc! But working in a high stress / exceptionally draining environment daily (The day job specialises in fixing the human misery of the younger generation), it is worth every cent for my sanity and the escape it provides!

[Tumbleweed]

Try the mystical sport of Curdling instead.

 

I know Masterchef, etc are competitions but I have never heard of competitive curdling?

 

Curling, maybe?

[kingalton]

Its crazy expensive..

 

I do most of my training now on my road bike, I couldn't handle the cost of replacing bearings, tyres, chain rings, cassettes etc.. the mud and dust kills the parts..

 

road riding was always more dangerous, but i go out with Velo club in the mornings and i would rather brave the traffic then brave savages with guns on the MTB...

[DR ◣◢]

I know Masterchef, etc are competitions but I have never heard of competitive curdling?

 

Curling, maybe?

 

Stupid Autocorrect. lol. Competitive milk curdling. "Go lumpy your ******* bastard, GOOOOOOO"

[Mileage]

I'd rather not actually work out how much I spend on my bikes etc! But working in a high stress / exceptionally draining environment daily (The day job specialises in fixing the human misery of the younger generation), it is worth every cent for my sanity and the escape it provides!

 

You Teach??

[DR ◣◢]

How are you guys spending so much on maintenance?

 

This year I spent:

- R100 on a new XT chain (clever shopping)

- R60 on new cables

- R100 on a brake bleed

- R1100 on new tyres (wanted them vs needed them)

- R100 on rags, lube and grease

 

Total for the year - R1460 / 10 months - R146 per month since Jan.

 

Even if I had to do a BB and cassette replacement I would still be in for under R2500 for the year. I ride with XT/XTR on my Morewood and Saint/SLX/XTR on my Jamis. All expensive parts that last long.

 

Nothing stops you from running SLX or Deore bits on the drivetrain. You can really enjoy the sport without spending a fortune.