I really need to stop spending

joelsim

I know I'm a noob to the cycling commute this year and therefore obviously some kit needs to be purchased, but for some reason I can't stop spending, even though I'm skint at the moment. Pretty much all of what I have bought has been on a deal of some sort, typically half price or thereabouts, but still.. my credit card man is rubbing his hands and I've never been one for using a credit card before!

So far have bought.

Boardman Hybrid Pro
Conti gator hardshells
Shimano clipless
DHB shoes
2 pairs of padded lycra shorts
2 Rapha long sleeved polos
3 Rapha base layers
1 Icebreaker base layer
2 On-one merino tops
Gore Oxygen bib tights
Gore Vista tights
Rapha beanie
2 sets of Cat Eye lights
2 Knog lights
Altura windproof yellow jacket
Catlike helmet
Endura Venturi jacket
Endura overtrousers
2 good locks
Track pump
Spare tube
Puncture repair kit
2 bottles, one insulated for coffees in winter

And that's just the stuff I can remember off the top of my head.

Help, I'm turning into the cycling Imelda Marcos!

Kieran_Burns

You wasted your money on the overtrousers. I bought a pair years ago and never wore them.

Cafewanda

I really wouldn't worry about it at the moment, I'm in the same boat :shock:

Mind you, the sales are always the best times to buy stuff you should have bought the previous year/need for the coming year/fancy the look of 8)

In any event, we are doing out bit for the economy

jonginge

This happens.

About to pull the trigger on stuff I don't *really* need

davis

Helpful financial advice from KB there. And, with the money you should have saved, you should've bought some mitts, and some gloves for the colder weather.

sketchley

You need N+1 to go with all that extra gear. A nice road bike would be good.

sketchley

You also need more spare tubes, one is not enough, and different tyres for the winter. Spare wheels are good......

Kieran_Burns

and thermal socks



We're not helping here are we?

Kieran_Burns

Plus, I can't see glasses - they help keep the cold off in winter, as does a buff - best thing to buy for Winter cycling as far as keeping your face / head / ears warm.

davis

Oh yes, definitely a buff. Merino's the only way to go really, and you'd probably want a couple. Might need some panniers to put on that N+1 to carry all this clobber, and some mudguards to keep all of it dry

Kieran_Burns

Overshoes or winter SPD shoes as well, don't forget them.

king_jeffers

Cafewanda wrote:

I really wouldn't worry about it at the moment, I'm in the same boat :shock:

+1 started cycling early this year and seemingly have been on a spending spree ever since. Clothes; jackets, base layers, shorts, shoes, upgrades; tyres, handle bars, peddles, also computer, lights & more lights, packs (now have 4 of them!) its been none stop. This is before I start looking at getting a road bike later this year Totally got the bug.

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Overshoes or winter SPD shoes as well, don't forget them.

I'm looking at those now

essex-commuter

Assuming you are married...you will need a new wife soon too.

davis

You're probably going to need quite a tool collection so that you can do the maintenance yourself (money-saving, y'see), so get yourself over to Park Tools and find what you require. You'll need a whip, chain breaker, cassette locknut tool, cable cutters, BB tool, a selection of decent allen keys, a torque wrench, and 11 different kinds of grease to start with.

Wallace1492

davis wrote:

You're probably going to need quite a tool collection so that you can do the maintenance yourself (money-saving, y'see), so get yourself over to Park Tools and find what you require. You'll need a whip, chain breaker, cassette locknut tool, cable cutters, BB tool, a selection of decent allen keys, a torque wrench, and 11 different kinds of grease to start with.

And a workstand, don't forget the workstand..... saves you money you know!!

dhope

Uh huh, this all sounds essential.

If it's not then I've wasted a lot of money :oops:

bails87

I think I spend more money on food when cycling than I do on fuel when driving to work! And that's before we start counting the bike itself, tools, workstand, shoes, pedals, lights, saddles, tyres, mudguards, BC membership, bags, locks, pumps....

Saves money y'know.

davis

I completely forgot: You're going to have to start building your own wheels too: shop-bought ones are so expensive. All you need are a few more tools, a truing stand and a dishing gauge. You can buy Roger Musson's which tells you how to do it cheaply.

veronese68

All essential stuff. I'm struggling with cutting back on spending because I'm already tight as a number of proverbial things. But all of the above, and more, is essential. Can't skimp on any of that.

king_jeffers

Don't forget the security!

Kieran_Burns

My God. You've missed out a cycle computer. Can't do without a cycle computer!


(waits for the rest of the computer list to pop up...)

bails87

And the cost of moving to a new house, with space to keep the bikes inside.

And a new car, big enough to fit a bike in.

This is all essential stuff that will save money in the long run.

iPete

I'm going into my 3rd Winter and its taken me 2 years of constant buying to have everything I 'need' and stop buying!!


I've been going a week now, so far so good

rrice

GT 85 and Muc Off is also much cheaper when bought by the pallet load - don't forget that.

Headhuunter

See, call me a stingy b'stard but I have slowly built up my kit. When I 1st started commuting I had an old hybrid my dad put together and I used to ride with trackie bottoms tucked into footy socks and standard cotton T shirts and rucksack. Bit by bit I have upgraded when I have seen things in the sales, I don't think I have ever paid full RRP for anything I own. I still commute in cotton sleevless T shirts for that urban look and save my "proper" cycling gear for "proper" club rides. I never buy overpriced Rapha or Castelli stuff and I'm still solvent!

NGale

somehow I manage to survive on a few essentials when it comes to cycling, I do however have a thing about jerseys and have gathered a rather large collection :shock:

Runoutofgears

My cycling expenditure initially was well under control, I bought a bike on the cycle to work scheme and I very much had a make do attitude. Things started to go wrong when I became more enthusiastic, I would no longer accept riding in tee shirts and jeans, I had to have cycling specific gear, then the need for more than one bike started, this then developed over the years to upgrading components from what I once thought was great for the next range up. Then just when I thought I’d reached a plateau, I find myself replacing stuff that is genuinely worn out, I guess there is no shame in this but it’s still a cost.

I’ve given up making excuses for the receipts which appear in my home accounts, my “Accountant “ is Mrs ROOG!

The up-shot of all my enthusiastic cycling is that I am now much healthier than I was 5 years ago and that is excuse enough for me. Oddly my Gym kit expenses, (not including the fees), shorts, running shoes, tee shirts etc have been minimal. Best not mention this to the accountant!

If I were to offer any advice to the OP, I would say make do and enjoy your cycling, the vast majority of the extra expense is fluff!

veronese68

bails87 wrote:

I think I spend more money on food when cycling than I do on fuel when driving to work! And that's before we start counting the bike itself, tools, workstand, shoes, pedals, lights, saddles, tyres, mudguards, BC membership, bags, locks, pumps....

Saves money y'know.

This is true. If I bought sandwiches (rather than wife made) the extra spending would have been more than the fuel I put in my Ducati.

joelsim

Well in addition to the 'potential' monthly saving of £250, I also quit smoking which gives me a further £200 to play with.

I know I still need a few things ie
- winter socks
- overshoes
- gloves
- buff

Probably got everything else. I have bought Cyclemeter for my iPhone so a computer could be a present I guess, no immediate need for one.

BTW thanks for all the suggestions too, it's nice to know I'm in good company.

Now, where's the next sale item coming from.

Finally, on to glasses. I bought some, which is the only item I haven't got a good deal on. Team issue Rapha Condor Sharp Havik 2 glasses. Got into a bidding war on eBay. I haven't worn them.

Clever Pun

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Plus, I can't see glasses - they help keep the cold off in winter, as does a buff - best thing to buy for Winter cycling as far as keeping your face / head / ears warm.

rapha neck warmer > buff
Reassuringly expensive too

don't bother with overshoes (except for summer)
winter boots are much better

MonkeyMonster

Glasses wise - bolle safety specs for 7-8 quid each.