Help with setting my budget

What he ^^^^^^^^^ said.

I've been using the same pair of old trainers for more than 5 years and before that I used to run in them. Mainly held together with mud and horse sh1t but...
Funnily enough Asics as well. They didn't fit nicely for running (I have Puma shaped feet) but work fine for riding.

HELMET - I picked up a cheapo in Lidl for a tenner but does for job for XC duties. Generally a good idea to keep checking on lidl website if they are doing cycling deals, someone usually mentions it on here. Same for Aldi. You don't need to spend silly money. max £20

CLOTHING - as above but decathlon do some cheap bits. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-10828-cycling I would recommend getting some lycra padded shorts (under £10), even if worn under other shorts to make riding more comfortable. Sports direct also do them but not same quality as aldi/decathlon. Non-specific clothing is great as it's generally cheaper. Waterproof trousers? Army Surplus is a good shout on ebay (£15), light and breathable and don't cost £100. I would highly recommend gloves for when you come off, again look around for deals in the main stores mentioned already.

MULTI-TOOL Asda do a kit for about £6 and it's served me fine. Although just some allen keys will do. We have a http://www.buyology.co.uk/our-stores near us and they do cheap tools, i.e. adjustable spanners

SPARE TUBES - internet searching really. Supermarkets etc tend to be schrader valve types.

OILS/OTHER MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS - some sort of chain lube (£3-5), worth getting now than running the chain dry. Some general grease for doing maintenance. Some will use castrol LM from halfords for a fiver, others suggest using teflon based such as TF2.

PUMP Asda do cheap track pumps. If you already have a footpump, i.e. for a car then if you are getting a hoodoo you will need a presta valve adapter. A recommend a decent metal one for a couple of quid.

TYRE LEVERS - comes with bell multi tool from asda

CO2 CARTRIDGE - get a cheap pocket pump for taking out with you.

DERAILLEUR HANGER/SRAM POWERLINK - hanger when you've got a spare tenner and in halfords. Powerlink... I couldn't do without, cheapest for a few was on ebay

hydration pack - Tesco do one which I find adequate for £13. I had a problem with it tasting funny but rinsing it out with cheap vodka worked. I now put squash in it and that helps.

cycling shoes - for flats I suggest going TK Max or somewhere that does cheap flat skate shoes. £20?

chain checker (measuring tool) - I would get one to check your chain for stretch, saves money long term as you should only have to replace the chain and not chain/cassette if you left it too long. (about a fiver)

other stuff?
A shock pump might be a good idea but see if you can get halfords to set up for fork for you or borrow one off a friend.
This time of year mud guards etc are a good idea. Make your own with an old inner tube to make a similar one as a neoguard. Could make your own muckynutz fender or splash out on £6 to £9, just don't tell CWNT!
Glasses as mentioned
Maintenance books - just look it up online and use youtube. Get stuck? Post it on the tech section for someone to re-direct you back to parktools


If you are getting the hoodoo, I found the pedals rather crap, decent wellgos can be had for around £20 if you want to change them.


I hope that helps and obviously some stuff can be bought at a later date and in dribs and drabs. I tend to use chainreactions as a base cost and try and better it.

Pedals most definitely. the difference is huge. Subscribe to what mountainbike and you get a deal on Superstar Nano's I think I saw. If its the case then I'm gonna check it out. Depends if you buy the mags or not of course.

All good advice.

Most things you need you can get cheaply - Aldi often sell cycling stuff - and it will do the job.

You can start out with a few basic things - then get what you want/need when you find the limitations of what you have. The only cycling-specific clothing you need is a helmet and some shorts. All helmets have to meet the same safety standards so get one that fits well, and that you are happy to wear - that could be a £25 lid or a £100 lid. Shorts are vital for comfort - but all you need are the padded liners.

Shoes and pedals go together... it is well worth getting decent flats (it will cost less than spds and spd shoes) - MG1s are £30 odd, and will give you good grip with skate style shoes. Whatever shoes you wear need to have the right soles - I tried my walking shoes (trainer style 'approach' shoes) but the soles were too hard and they were lethal: no grip at all.

A hydration pack is very handy if you regularly ride for more than a couple of hours as you just run out of water otherwise... but to start with a bottle will do fine.

And if you are feeling adventurous get a couple of £10 XML torches... another £15 for charger, cells and mounts and you can go night riding on the cheap too.

Have fun, and stick up another post when you've spent £1,000... it's very easy to do.

My tip for cleaning is to get two of these - you can get them very cheap from pound shops. Wash the bike with water. Put some cleaner on the chain (I use FS1 diluted, but muc-off or whatever) and then hold the chain between two the brushes with one hand while you spin the cranks a few times. Rinse with water. Dry with a rag (or it will be rusty next time you use it) and give it a bit of lube.