reasonable costs for starting out

[Lori]

I want to ask a question for the average joe who cant afford the thousands and thousands that apparently need to be spent on a bike. I have an Alpine?, it was given to me, not in great condition but I can fix it up for about R1000. I havent cycled before, not sure if I will enjoy it and most certainly cant afford more than that for a bike. Is it worth it to fix up an ok road bike, to see if I like the sport, then at a later stage upgrade to something a bit more pricey?

[AndreZA]

Okay, you've got the bike. Now you will need:

 

Helmet = R400

 

Gloves = R90

 

Shoes = R400 (there are some nice new ones in the classified section. You will need pedals aswell then R400)

 

Shorts = R230 (not good quality and not gonna last long and might even be worst then not riding with padded shorts at all)

 

Shirt = R150

 

 

 

 

 

Mampara2009-04-29 00:42:44

[Eugene]

There is nothing wrong with that bike. Use that bike to see if you enjoy the sport. Just make sure that the size is correct as you will be uncomfortable and will probably hate riding if the size is wrong.

 

If you do enjoy it (I'm sure you'll get hooked like all of us), believe me, you will find the money for a better, more modern bike. There are plenty of real bargains to be had right here on the Hub.

 

 

[Daxiet]

To start with and to keep costs low while your decide if cycling is for you. Simply start by getting a decent set of cycling shorts (R400-R450), if you skimp here you will hate riding because of the abuse from your seat.

 

You can ride with normal running shoes/cross traininers on the good old fashioned pedals. Initially you won't want to be stuck to your bike by cleats, once you're more comfortable, you can look at clipless pedals and shoes.

 

Ensure however when you ride with normal shoes that you focus on your foot placement, ideally the balls of your feet should be over the axle of the pedal. This will make sure bridging to cleats doesn't change your foot placement too much.

 

Cycling shirts are nice to have, but you can do without it.

Gloves ensure comfort, again if you're uncomfortable you will hate cycling. Plus they save your hands in a fall.

 

I'm not going to delve too much into the helmet, but safe to say if you want to take part in any events you need one. Plus if you're going to venture out to where other cyclists will see you and you want to avoid their sudden concern for your head, make sure you have a helmet.

 

Merida make an entry level helmet that last about 100hrs riding then the sponging inside starts to break away, etc. But the cheapest helmets I have seen that are worth putting on your head are around R450.

 

So that said you should set aside about R1000.00 for accessories beyond the bike.

 

[Master216]

All your life savings should be enough......

[Lori]

yip - seems like thats the way its heading Master. Pitty its such an expensive sport to take up..

[Mackie]

Spend as much as you can without causing a divorce or break up...but push it as far as you can.

[crasher]

Hi Lori

 

I just started a few weeks ago

Here is my experience so far

After the bike

 

I bought pedals and shoes at the time of sale

 

Helmet could not find the one I wanted anywhere so Bought one on net still waiting for it to arrive (but that would of been number 2 purchase)

 

Next I got gloves (good investment after 5 falls all minor except one over the bars)hands still perfect (sore wrists though)

 

Then I needed a water bottle

 

Then I needed the carrier to hold it on the bike

 

Then I needed a computer so I could see my speed and how far I was riding ( this was a want maybe not need starting out)

 

Then I needed a pump spare tube and tyre levers

 

AAhhh but then needed a little under saddle carrier to stick this in

 

Then I needed chain lube  got some squirt after prowling posts on this forum

 

thats roughly about R4500

 

 

 

As finances allow I will get shorts next and then a couple of tops and hopefully I will be ok with that for a while...unfortunately I have been infected with a virus that the only cure seems to be regular visits to bike shops to bloody buy stuff!!!!!

 

But im loving riding my bike so its all worth it

 

Cheers

 

Crasher

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Justify]

Sounds like finance is a really big issue.

 

If it's just a matter of seeing if you like the sport, I'd say get a helmet (safety is always NB) and a decent pair of cycling pants for comfort.

 

If, after that you don't like the dynamics of the sport, you can flog the helmet and walk away alive and not bankrupt

 

 

 

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Yo Lori, I just started last month and blew twice my budget on my bike.  No money left so I'm doing the rest on budget.

 

1) Cage and bottle (about R80 here combined).  Number one on list as you will drink a lot of fluids.

 

2) Get a good pump (Giant about R80) and spare tube (R40) and patch 'n solution (R15).

 

3) Get toe clips (R28 for Giant) - makes cycling uphill so much better. I'm using some old shoes I not worn for 4 years to cycle.

 

4) Safety: Get the most expensive helmet you can afford. If your buying 2nd hand then take a cycling buddie with you. Seldom people sell helmets if they are not damaged.

 

5) Cycling pants (R250 @ Mr Price Sports). Nice to have but only when doing more than 7km.

 

Lights (R70 rear and R250 for front) are a must if you commute / cycle in traffic.

 

Computer is great as it gives you motivation. Cheapest are the best to start of with (R150).

 

Your local bike shop (LBS) are the usually the cheapest for spares. Ask around and speak to a couple. Find one you like and take it from there.

 

 

But remember, enjoy.

 

[Saffa_G]

Guys, I got awesome tubes at Cyclelab for my MTB last week, Less than R30

[Polkie]

What make?

 

[Saffa_G]

Haha, thats the best part.  The box saysGiant, but when I opened all four boxes, they are Kenda's   Obviously outsourced?  But i like Kenda anyways

 

Jus two days before a little cycle shop in Garsontein, at the Pick n pay, KFC, Crawdaddys center wanted to charge me R65 for the same tubes ....EACH

 

Ahhh, the nerve

 

[Saffa_G]

By the way i had this wonderful experience at Cyclelab Centurion

[cat-i]

 

yip - seems like thats the way its heading Master. Pitty its such an expensive sport to take up..

 

doesn't have to be.

 

it's not about the bike - it's about you loving it, and then you can spend your smoking-money, movie-money, gym-subscription and whatever other people do on weekends, on stuff for the bike, and on coffee for your coffeerides.

 

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Yup, the Giant tubes are KENDA. Just checked mine I bought from my LBS last month.