Feb 24, 2010
How Shall I Budget My Mountain Bike Purchase?
I’m looking at buying a decent hard tail mountain bike for commuting, and probably for future off-road use. I have up to about £1500 to spend. It’s just occurred to me that there isn’t just the bike to buy; I’ll need tools, spares, lights, and lots of other kit. I’m a bit new to all this. What essentials do I need to buy, and how much of my budget should I use for each item?
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Your budget is more than enough to get a good bike and all you need for it.
As I said before on a different answer to one of your questions, think about a hybrid bike that will give you the performance you need.
Many good entry bikes come with lights, crud guards, panniers, etc. It is cheaper to get a bike with those extras than to by them one by one. So check around.
As far as extras you will need: Lock, pump, (lights if the bike does not have them when you buy it).
The other extras I would split in two categories:
1) Tools and bike stuff:
Get them as you know how to use them, no point in having something you do not know what to do with it and having to resort to a bike shop any way. Among this items I would recommend a spare inner tuber, tyre changers, Allen tool, different wrenches (for nuts). Most likely you already have some of this.
2) Extras for you:
Rain protection, sun glasses, to commute that should be about enough.
If you get to do a lot of off road riding; cycling shorts, gloves, and a helmet.
Prices vary according to what you want to purchase as far as brand names etc. is concern. No need to spend a bundle, but you can get very hype with this stuff too. Is like asking how much do you need to spend for tennis shoes, or a jacket.
You do not need to spend and get everything at once, as said, buy as you need the stuff and as you gain experience to know what will work and suit you better.
Enjoy!
if your not much of a cyclist do you really need to spend £1500 on a bike? you can get a very good bike for £200. all the other stuff wont set you back that much, maybe £50. go to a bike shop and talk with them about what you want, they should be able to give you a good idea of the sort of price to expect to spend
Essentials-Helment, floor pump, mini pump, tubes, tire levers, chain lube. Probably around $150 U.S. dollars (not sure about pounds)
Additional items: Multi tool, small saddle pack, gloves, sunglasses, water bottles, front and rear light (for commuting), hydration pack (camelbak), messenger bag, panniers, jerseys, padded bike shorts, clipless pedals, mtb shoes, socks, first aid kit…the list goes on and on. Enjoy the ride!
Yeah I would never buy a dept store kind of bike. I learned my lesson now I have a big scar on my elbow and some arthritis too.. They don’t tighten the bolts properly at Kmart and walmart and all those other stores.. Go to a local bike shop tell them your preferences, your likes and dislikes and they will find you the best bike for you. One guy the other day at the bike shop told me to take it for a ride see how the seat is if it hurts your behind you have to maybe change the height of the seat or it probably just isn’t right for you. I had a trek bike that hurt my a s s everyday I rode and I just accepted it and didn’t do anything about it. He told me you don’t have to deal with it. You can get a gel seat or maybe your seat is too high too low or its probably not the right bike for you. Test drive it like you would a car. If you are using it to commute you might want to invest in one of those air pumps that you can just put onto your bike they are really small and fit on the frame. In some areas headlights and taillights are the law.. I don’t know why its the law cuz when I was a kid we rode with no lights at all but oh well I am 29 now and I guess the times are changing. A bike lock the U-shaped ones I hear are the best ones to get. You don’t want to pay alot of money on a bike just to get out of work or wherever and find that your bike is missing. As far as a budget goes you can go and check it out for yourself at the shop. Each of the items I mentioned are around $20 here in America I don’t know where you are at and how the money is different there.
first of all get a damn good lock, there are too many theiving herberts around..
also get it security marked by the police… so if it is taken it’s easier to find.
if your leaving it anywhere, either remove the sadle or the front wheel
obvious run the lock thru the back wheel , frame , chain
so many people drive around without lights, as a driver thats crazy.. so yer lights are good. make sure your visable and a helmet also, yer it looks nerdy, but which is better that or a crack skull?
go to a local bike shop, tell them exactly what you want and they should be able to do you a deal, instead of buying a bike off the peg youll get a bike more suited to your needs