Every spring I start hearing from people thinking about buying a bicycle who have 'sticker shock' based on the price of new and used bikes.The cost of what’s perceived by some to be an ‘entry-level’ bicycle is one of the primary reasons many people choose to run or walk for exercise or recreation instead of cycling.
Although there are good low-cost bikes on the market, the cycling industry’s marketing gurus have done a great job of pushing the message that $800-$1,000 is actually a bargain for a decent-quality, entry-level road or mountain bike.
Move up to what many people in the industry consider to be a medium-range bike, and you’ll see price tags of $1,500-$3,000 or higher.
The marketing hype suggests that even if you just ride for recreation, you should be on an ultralight bike with trickle-down-from-pro-level components such as 10- or 11-speed integrated shifting and braking, front and rear suspension on mountain bikes and deep-section aero wheels.
Conversely, there are cycling troglodytes like myself who understand that, while professional racers may need featherweight bikes with twice as many gears as an over-the-road 18-wheeler, it is possible and even enjoyable to pedal down the road or trail on an affordable non-pro bicycle.
If you look closely at the bikes that I own (and ride a lot — and race), you’ll notice some ‘antique’ parts such as 9-speed shifters, a 20-year old square taper crank on my road bike and wheels that were less than $150 a pair when new.
Contrary to what the marketing says, there are many cyclists who manage to roll down the road just fine using older or moderately priced components.
One of my all-time favorite bikes has been a ‘Frankenbike” that I built up years ago using an old Mongoose mountain bike frame and castoff components from other bicycles.It has a rigid steel fork purchased online for less than $50, antiquated 7-speed Shimano top-mount thumb shifters mounted on the tops of road handlebars, 26-inch mountain bike wheels sporting $15 semi-slick ‘city’ tires, and cantilever brakes that date back to when my (now adult) kids were in kindergarten.
This decidedly low-end bike has completed the week long 550-mile Ride the Rockies cycling tour through the Colorado mountains, won a state cyclocross championship in 2003 and has been loaned out countless times to new cyclists for group rides, duathlons and triathlons.
A beginner cyclist used this bike (minus the fenders and rear rack) to train for and complete Saturday’s Tour de Burma.
If you’re interested in cycling but don’t have a lot of disposable income, there are several options that can get you into the sport without having to cash in your retirement fund.
Start at your local bike shop by clearly articulating what your bike budget is and what type of riding you want to do. Chances are that most shops will be able to show you some lower-cost bicycles that will meet your needs.
You can also find used bike bargains on websites such as Craigslist, eBay or Texas Bicycle Buy/Sell/Trade page on Facebook. Be sure to enlist the help of a knowledgeable cycling friend if you decide to go this route.
If you are mechanically inclined, consider buying a used frame on one of these sites and then ‘building’ your own bike using new or used parts. Doing this will also ensure that you understand how the various bike parts work and — more importantly — you’ll learn the skills needed to do most of your own maintenance and repairs in the future.
The key point to remember is that enjoyable cycling depends more on having a dependable and properly fitted bike than having something that reflects what elite cyclists ride.
Remember — you can start pedaling without maxing out the credit card.
Upcoming Events
June 21: Stop, Drop and Roll, roadlizards.org
July 4: Christoval VFD 5K, roadlizards.org/events/christoval-vfd-5k/
July 12: Lake Nasworthy Triathlon, roadlizards.org
July 26: Goodfellow Triathlon, roadlizards.org
Aug. 10: San Angelo Olympic and sprint distance triathlon, SpringCreekPark
awesome post, i agree bike prices put people off but then they are lots cheaper than a car in most cases! i get mine cheaper as i use the Bike Deals website which saves me hundreds
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