This commuting lark is meant to save money!

nich

But it's not, at least not this month :shock:

I've finally started to freshen up my poorly old allez, and treated it to some new kit.

New front/rear tires, front/rear brake calipers, new lock, a bottle cage holder thing, and some mudgards.

Now after a few weeks of commuting I'm finding my gloves are disintegrating - my sweat is pretty powerful 8)

Along with that my clothing is starting to stink, so might invest in some merino stuff, plus my socks have developed holes in them (probably the acid-like sweat again!)

On top of that I'm getting a fair bit of chain-slip now, so probably need a new chain 'n cassette.

And finally I've started worrying that my bike will suddenly disappear or break down on me, so I want to get some slicks for my old mtb to have as a backup

Meh.
Must Win Lottery!

owenlars

Ahhh....that hoary old theory about cycling to work being cheaper.

Savings: train fare, gymn membership

Costs: spare parts, best bike, wet weather bike, snow bike, lights, clothes, helmet, computer............etc

Go figure!

But we love it!

rolf_f

owenlars wrote:

Go figure!

But we love it!

Please, let's not 'Go figure' - it's a horrendous phrase!!

If I count my new bike in the commuting costs, on that alone I need to spend nothing in the next 5 years for my old Metro Card costs to catch up..... :oops:

will3

You only really start raking in the savings when you

a) get your cycling spending under control
b) run one less car (supposing you're running one in the first place)

rolf_f

will3 wrote:

b) run one less car (supposing you're running one in the first place)

But the vast majority of my driving this year has been two trips to Tenbury Wells in connection with buying my bike and weekend trips out to nice places to start bike rides from. If I didn't cycle, I'd drive a lot less

davis

Don't forget the massive increase in your food budget. I'm eating enough food to be measured in wheelbarrows.

Headhuunter

Most cycling related costs, I mean the big ones, are when you start up by buying the bike, helmet, lights, locks etc etc. Once you have all the basics you don't HAVE to keep spending. A lot of people do of course, keeping Wiggle, CRC etc in business, but it's possible to cycle very cheaply, especially if all you're doing is commuting. Whereas car costs tend to be constant and continuous - petrol, insurance, tax. As do rail or Tube costs (£100 per month nearly if you live in zone 2 in London).

Kallaen

Well it might be that it can be abit expensive. But atleast for me the travelling from place to place gets a breece, something I want to do. I WANT to commute, I don't hate it like I do will in a car. In the car I just want to ride the bike...

The Rookie

I track all my cyclicng costs versus my saving (car to work) and am currently out just £60......

Nich I have some 26" slicks for sale.......PM me, either 1" conti's or 1.95" PF resistant bronx (not light though!)

Simon

Headhuunter

I don't understand what you lot spend all your money on! I barely buy as much as an inner tube month on month! Occasionally, perhaps once a year the bike may need a service, or some work but other than that what NECESSITIES are you spending on?

SimonLyons

Keeping spending under control when commuting.

If you find any piece of equipment which wears out you like (tyres,lubricants,clothing) and its cheap/on offer buy several.
Get your commuting clothes from Aldi/Lidl when they have it in.
Do your own basic maintenance for easy things - changing chains, cassettes, cables + tyres.
Use puncture repair kits on your old inner tubes.

iPete

I'm probably pretty even, 7 months of not paying £220 a month for the train, although its pretty close, was a Wiggle platinum member many many months ago!

Seasonal clothing is costing me and upgrades and parts for a summer tour but to be honest, I can't put a price on the improvements in my fitness!

soy_sauce

SimonLyons wrote:

Keeping spending under control when commuting.

If you find any piece of equipment which wears out you like (tyres,lubricants,clothing) and its cheap/on offer buy several.
Get your commuting clothes from Aldi/Lidl when they have it in.
Do your own basic maintenance for easy things - changing chains, cassettes, cables + tyres.
Use puncture repair kits on your old inner tubes.

+1

wear old clothing or shop in Sport Direct for cheap exercise clothing for commuting instead of buying cycling specific clothing, commuting is just a way of get to and from work, so its doesn't matter what you are wearing when cycling to and from work. that should save you alot since cycling specific clothing are always over price.

Headhuunter

soy_sauce wrote:

SimonLyons wrote:

Keeping spending under control when commuting.

If you find any piece of equipment which wears out you like (tyres,lubricants,clothing) and its cheap/on offer buy several.
Get your commuting clothes from Aldi/Lidl when they have it in.
Do your own basic maintenance for easy things - changing chains, cassettes, cables + tyres.
Use puncture repair kits on your old inner tubes.

+1

wear old clothing or shop in Sport Direct for cheap exerise clothing for commuting instead of buying cycling specific clothing, commuting is just a way of get to and from work, so its doesn't matter what you are wearing when cycling to and from work. that should save you alot since cycling specific clothing are always over price.

Exactly. I have cycling specific clothing from internet sites like Wiggle, CRC and JE James (I often stock up when they have sales on), however my commute is mostly made up of old multi pack cotton T shirts, cheap zip up sports tops etc. I mean it's just a 6 mile ride in and another 6 miles out, you really don't need to look like a pro TDF rider for that! I only use my cycle specific gear on club runs at weekends.

tailwindhome

Rolf F wrote:

owenlars wrote:

Go figure!

But we love it!

Please, let's not 'Go figure' - it's a horrendous phrase!!

Just do the math!

craker

Headhuunter wrote:

Exactly. I have cycling specific clothing from internet sites like Wiggle, CRC and JE James (I often stock up when they have sales on), however my commute is mostly made up of old multi pack cotton T shirts, cheap zip up sports tops etc. I mean it's just a 6 mile ride in and another 6 miles out, you really don't need to look like a pro TDF rider for that! I only use my cycle specific gear on club runs at weekends.

...well, you want to be riding with the right clothes on. On a windy day I don't want to be commuting in cotton so I'd probably end up driving.

[/justifys expensive new cycling top for commuting]

asprilla

This morning I saw a woman who saves money by cycling; judging by the rasping scaping noises coming from her completely brown drive train she's never spend money on maintenence.

She also wears exactly the same kit every day. Grim (unless like me she's got a young baby and consequently gets her kit washed every day).

Kieran_Burns

Do people take into account the savings gained from not paying for Gym membership?

My cycle commute is my main way of keeping fit, I have no Gym membership (and never intend to get any) so I use my commute as an alternative.

kurako

Asprilla wrote:

She also wears exactly the same kit every day. Grim (unless like me she's got a young baby and consequently gets her kit washed every day).

Your baby washes your kit for you? :shock:

Headhuunter

mr_si wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Exactly. I have cycling specific clothing from internet sites like Wiggle, CRC and JE James (I often stock up when they have sales on), however my commute is mostly made up of old multi pack cotton T shirts, cheap zip up sports tops etc. I mean it's just a 6 mile ride in and another 6 miles out, you really don't need to look like a pro TDF rider for that! I only use my cycle specific gear on club runs at weekends.

...well, you want to be riding with the right clothes on. On a windy day I don't want to be commuting in cotton so I'd probably end up driving.

[/justifys expensive new cycling top for commuting]

Yeah, I have to say, on a windy day I just put a cheap multipack long sleeve T shirt on, a multipack short sleeve T shirt over that and a cheap tracksuit type top on that. As I said, it's only a 6 mile ride so really not worth investing in merino wool base layers and breatheable, wickable fabrics and all that malarky. the ride takes me about 20 mins, I sweat a bit, then take it all off and have a shower. Job done.

davmaggs

Whilst rusty chains make me wince it might well be the case that we're oversold on costly maintainence. The lazy get away with doing nothing on a bike for years, and some of them probably do clock up a few miles.

Replacing parts like chains and cogs is probably oversold for commuting. Tightening cables and do little jobs yourself like brake pads doesn't take skill, but can lengthen the time between servicing.

Many of the online comments here are about replacing entire parts just because some milage target has been hit. I always wonder if its really needed or just feels nice.

asprilla

Kurako wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

She also wears exactly the same kit every day. Grim (unless like me she's got a young baby and consequently gets her kit washed every day).

Your baby washes your kit for you? :shock:

Child labour, it's the way forward.

Headhuunter

davmaggs wrote:

Whilst rusty chains make me wince it might well be the case that we're oversold on costly maintainence. The lazy get away with doing nothing on a bike for years, and some of them probably do clock up a few miles.

Replacing parts like chains and cogs is probably oversold for commuting. Tightening cables and do little jobs yourself like brake pads doesn't take skill, but can lengthen the time between servicing.

Many of the online comments here are about replacing entire parts just because some milage target has been hit. I always wonder if its really needed or just feels nice.

That's another way I save money. Just make sure you keep up with little bits of maintanence yourself, keep the moving parts lubricated etc. Bike shops are like car servicing placves, they replace perfectly good parts sometimes. My boss who also cycles in and hasn't a clue about bikes, recently dropped his bike off at Cycle Surgery for a service. He bought the bike about last Sept, rode it to work (about 4-5 miles round trip) until early Dec at which point it was too cold for him. He then stored the bike in the basement at home and didn't touch it until April. He took it for a service and Cycle Surgery replaced cabling and I think the chain and some other parts and charged him £40-50 for the pleasure. What a waste of time and money!

Mike400

My main expense (after buying the bike/panniers/shoes/lights/lid etc) has been chains / cassttes but after some tips here http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12699178 I reckon I can get waaay more miles outta them

I do a round trip of 20 miles, 5 days a week, all year round. Only started last June so im yet to complete a full year but I managed all winter, and must say thats when the maintenance costs really made themselves known.

Apart from the chains / cassettes mentioned ive changed the rear gear cable once, the rear tyre once and went through 4 inner tubes.

Ive started patching my inners too so that should cut that down a bit!

Other than that I use cheap cycling clothes I find on sale online (as has been said its only commuting!), and all the wee things like chain lube / degreaser etc

My train fare was only £70ish a month beforehand so I dont have loads to save but because my bike is so cheap to run I certainly see that £70 in my wallet

I built my bike from a mix of bits and in the process learned the skills to maintain myself as well as buying all the specialist tools at the start (like cassette socket, BB socket etc)

Maybe for next year Ill keep a log of what I spend, just out of interest!

Headhuunter

Mike400 wrote:

My main expense (after buying the bike/panniers/shoes/lights/lid etc) has been chains / cassttes but after some tips here http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12699178 I reckon I can get waaay more miles outta them

I do a round trip of 20 miles, 5 days a week, all year round. Only started last June so im yet to complete a full year but I managed all winter, and must say thats when the maintenance costs really made themselves known.

Apart from the chains / cassettes mentioned ive changed the rear gear cable once, the rear tyre once and went through 4 inner tubes.

Ive started patching my inners too so that should cut that down a bit!

Other than that I use cheap cycling clothes I find on sale online (as has been said its only commuting!), and all the wee things like chain lube / degreaser etc

My train fare was only £70ish a month beforehand so I dont have loads to save but because my bike is so cheap to run I certainly see that £70 in my wallet

I built my bike from a mix of bits and in the process learned the skills to maintain myself as well as buying all the specialist tools at the start (like cassette socket, BB socket etc)

Maybe for next year Ill keep a log of what I spend, just out of interest!

I went through winter as well, if you make sure things are well oiled and perhaps put a layer of grease round the top and bottom of places like the headset, axles, you cut down on wear and tear to some extent and try to find time to clean the bike and get all that road salt and grime off it.

Mike400

Headhuunter wrote:

I went through winter as well, if you make sure things are well oiled and perhaps put a layer of grease round the top and bottom of places like the headset, axles, you cut down on wear and tear to some extent and try to find time to clean the bike and get all that road salt and grime off it.

Think thats the main thing - getting home in the dark with the wind and the rain pelting down, the last thing you want to do is give the bike a quick clean - the temptation is just to sling it in the shed and get into a nice hot shower!

My dad has had the same bike for 40 years, the only thing he has ever changed has been the tyres......ok it rides like a dog but works well enough for the pootling about he does on it

Headhuunter

Mike400 wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

I went through winter as well, if you make sure things are well oiled and perhaps put a layer of grease round the top and bottom of places like the headset, axles, you cut down on wear and tear to some extent and try to find time to clean the bike and get all that road salt and grime off it.

Think thats the main thing - getting home in the dark with the wind and the rain pelting down, the last thing you want to do is give the bike a quick clean - the temptation is just to sling it in the shed and get into a nice hot shower!

My dad has had the same bike for 40 years, the only thing he has ever changed has been the tyres......ok it rides like a dog but works well enough for the pootling about he does on it

Yeah, I tended to give the bike a clean up at weekends rather than in the evening after work. Wow, 40 years without replacing anything other than the tyres is pretty amazing!

Plumby Baby

I lost three stone from commuting to work in the last 6 months. Can't put a price on that.

Blacktemplar

I guess there's (at least) two phases to the cost/saving equation, particularly for us noobs;

Phase 1
Tyre kicking, catalogue collection and online catatonia, followed by the purchase of a new steed and every concievable accessory / item of clothing required for the fickle Scottish weather (I mean, snow in May, I ask you...). Hugely expensive but satifying in a quite naughty way.

Phase 2
The daily commute. Accompanied by occasional doe-eyed lavatory-based perusal of the latest glossy magazines and catalogues, but largely stable/sensible costs except for consumables like tyres, inner tubes that resemble a patchwork quilt, and emergency Mars bars. (Note: I collect gloves like my wife collects shoes - you can never have too many pairs)

For me, savings amount to about £70 a month in fuel on my 25-mile round trip. So in a year I'll have covered the startup costs and will be onto "pure" savings.

Like Plumby Baby I've lost a fair bit of weight and feel a darned sight better (when I can walk) than I have done in years - something you definitely can't put a price on.

Wallace1492

Blacktemplar wrote:

I guess there's (at least) two phases to the cost/saving equation, particularly for us noobs;

Phase 1
Tyre kicking, catalogue collection and online catatonia, followed by the purchase of a new steed and every concievable accessory / item of clothing required for the fickle Scottish weather (I mean, snow in May, I ask you...). Hugely expensive but satifying in a quite naughty way.

Phase 2
The daily commute. Accompanied by occasional doe-eyed lavatory-based perusal of the latest glossy magazines and catalogues, but largely stable/sensible costs except for consumables like tyres, inner tubes that resemble a patchwork quilt, and emergency Mars bars. (Note: I collect gloves like my wife collects shoes - you can never have too many pairs)

For me, savings amount to about £70 a month in fuel on my 25-mile round trip. So in a year I'll have covered the startup costs and will be onto "pure" savings.

Like Plumby Baby I've lost a fair bit of weight and feel a darned sight better (when I can walk) than I have done in years - something you definitely can't put a price on.

Jeez, another Weedgie!! What side of the city do you commute on?

FeynmanC

Just had to fork out £130 for 3 new tyres for the car but I can't cycle in at the mo as the new meds they've put me on are used for treating angina (I don't have angina) and leave me with a low level headache and lack of stamina. Not good on a 25 mile ride, each way

Fingers crossed the side effects will start to subside shortly.