I only spent 125 dollars this year mountain biking!!

[maluckey1]

When I got into this sport, money poured out of my wallet as fast as the blood flowed from my trail wounds. This year I'm finally good enough to rarely crash, and I'm happy with my gear, so both blood and money stopped flowing. Lifes good for now, and I figured that I'd share

Here's what I spent the 125 bucks on:

1. A rear tire (on sale)
2. A used rear shift lever because I wanted to switch to 1 x 12
3. 2 doses of tire sealant, worth about 3 bucks and about 5 dollars' worth of chain lube.

This spring, I plan to upgrade my rear derailleur, and sell my old one, and keep up with regular maintenance. I might make it through the year with less spent than this year, which means more money for beer!

M

 

[dullard]

Opposite here. I just got into mountain biking 9 months ago. Mountain is a big stretch of the term in the great plains states--I should say hilly trail biking over lots of tree roots.
1. Two bikes. Nothing fancy, just beginner bikes (they were the only relatively cheap ones available at the time during the bike shortage): https://www.rei.com/product/159855/co-op-cycles-drt-12-bike
2. Two helmets
3. Two pumps (garage and travel)
4. Several tubes (I found that I excel at popping them)
5. Hitch for vehicle
6. Bike rack for vehicle
7. Replacement shift cable for wife's bike. I need one too but haven't bothered yet.
8. Padded seat for wife. Padded shorts for both of us.

Probably approaching $4k spent (although technically the money was spent in 2021, so I might be able to stay under $125 this year).

 

[maluckey1]

I didn't add the initial cost of the bike/helmet/glove/shoes/shorts OR cost of the bike, since that was 2018 riding season, so if you subtract the cost of the bikes and initial gear, you did pretty well. Most newer riders get into the whole gear-junkie thing, and spend more time looking for bike mods than improving skillsets. If you seriously get into the sport, having a pickup truck to throw the bike and muddy gear in the back is priceless. I couldn't live without mine.

I guess if I prorate the initial cost over four years of riding (I rode all of 2018-2022 so far) then I'm at around 135 dollars per month. The local gym is 60 dollars per-month and I have to deal with powder-puffs, roid-jocks and posers, so the premium is totally worth it. I haven't seen the inside of a gym in 6 years, and I don't miss it a bit. In fact, I've never been fitter (other than occasional injuries) .

 

[highland145]

Machined oak with high grade petroleum binders. Cost about....zero.

I did buy 2 cables and had spokes fixed but under $50 for 2021. Prior to that....probably could have 2 more bikes with what I've replaced over the last 8 years. Durable parts don't seem to exist. Obviously, I'm not replacing the front suspension.

 

[BoomerD]

Machined oak with high grade petroleum binders. Cost about....zero.

I did buy 2 cables and had spokes fixed but under $50 for 2021. Prior to that....probably could have 2 more bikes with what I've replaced over the last 8 years. Durable parts don't seem to exist. Obviously, I'm not replacing the front suspension.

Yew jest mite be a redneck...

 

[dullard]

Machined oak with high grade petroleum binders. Cost about....zero.

So, are you just disabling broken suspension?

 

[highland145]

So, are you just disabling broken suspension?

I'm disabling the suspension I never wanted which just so happens to have a broken lockout (the empty hole on top). I stopped trail riding years ago but couldn't find a MTB without the suspension so I ended up with this one. I've had it locked out from day one. Last year, the knob broke off. I've already replaced most every part, more than once, and I'm not spending unnecessary $$ on this POS Gary Fisher. When I break the frame I'll look at a new one.



@BoomerD and/or a cheap bastard.

 

[maluckey1]

I'm disabling the suspension I never wanted which just so happens to have a broken lockout (the empty hole on top). I stopped trail riding years ago but couldn't find a MTB without the suspension so I ended up with this one. I've had it locked out from day one. Last year, the knob broke off. I've already replaced most every part, more than once, and I'm not spending unnecessary $$ on this POS Gary Fisher. When I break the frame I'll look at a new one.



@BoomerD and/or a cheap bastard.

Ummmmmmm....rigid front forks are still a thing. More than a few single-speed guys on my local trails also ride with rigid forks. I call them masochists; they call themselves purists. I guess it's a matter of purpose and point of view? I have noticed a trend of those guys, in that they often have glorious beards and a decent travel van. They also tend to be the modern hippie types

M

 

[highland145]

Ummmmmmm....rigid front forks are still a thing. More than a few single-speed guys on my local trails also ride with rigid forks. I call them masochists; they call themselves purists. I guess it's a matter of purpose and point of view? I have noticed a trend of those guys, in that they often have glorious beards and a decent travel van. They also tend to be the modern hippie types

M

Having had 4 knee surgeries, no way I would think of riding trails without suspension if I were to think about it at all. Active suspension on surface streets is just irritating.

 

[maluckey1]

Having had 4 knee surgeries, no way I would think of riding trails without suspension if I were to think about it at all. Active suspension on surface streets is just irritating.

Ahhhh! WIth bad knees I can totally see where you're coming from now.

My own permanent injuries are my feet. Broken them many times, now they're mostly bone spurs and fused joints. I can still ride flat pedals and that's all that matters. When they get bad enough that I can no longer ride, I'll trade in my 510's for sandals and grow a beard.

 

[KentState]

I think that's going to be my budget this year. Last year was a little crazy and probably was about $12k but damn do I love it. Started with a hardtail which was upgrade with a dropper, tubeless tires, grips and pedals. Ended with a full suspension carbon bike, hitch installed on car, Kuat rack, Garmin bike computer, helmets, gloves, pads, Osprey backpack and a bunch of clothes.

 

[maluckey1]

I think that's going to be my budget this year. Last year was a little crazy and probably was about $12k but damn do I love it. Started with a hardtail which was upgrade with a dropper, tubeless tires, grips and pedals. Ended with a full suspension carbon bike, hitch installed on car, Kuat rack, Garmin bike computer, helmets, gloves, pads, Osprey backpack and a bunch of clothes.

That was about my total budget for startup years back (including a less expensive bike for the wife). BTW I like the Kuat racks! I have one on the daily driver car.

I'm more of the bike-bum type (good since I spent my budget on the bike), so a couple pairs of Club Ride Shorts and misc. brewery T-shirts and 510's are my clothing. I use my 2003, Army-issued Camelback HAWG for my backpack. I use my phone instead of a Garmin (I'm trail/AM mainly) but I DID go spendy on the helmet. I got an IXS Trigger MIPS (full face DH rated), since I'm "pretty" and like my face arranged just the way it is.

It's good to realize that finding mods/gear and upgrading eventually gets to be just fixing broken parts. I'm loving it. I just came back in from washing the seemingly 10 pounds of mud off the bike and re-lubing the chain. Time for a cool beer and then light the grill.

M

 

[KentState]

That was about my total budget for startup years back (including a less expensive bike for the wife). BTW I like the Kuat racks! I have one on the daily driver car.

I'm more of the bike-bum type (good since I spent my budget on the bike), so a couple pairs of Club Ride Shorts and misc. brewery T-shirts and 510's are my clothing. I use my 2003, Army-issued Camelback HAWG for my backpack. I use my phone instead of a Garmin (I'm trail/AM mainly) but I DID go spendy on the helmet. I got an IXS Trigger MIPS (full face DH rated), since I'm "pretty" and like my face arranged just the way it is.

It's good to realize that finding mods/gear and upgrading eventually gets to be just fixing broken parts. I'm loving it. I just came back in from washing the seemingly 10 pounds of mud off the bike and re-lubing the chain. Time for a cool beer and then light the grill.

M

I would say that the POC pads and helmet for me was the big spend on clothing. I went with one of their MIPS Tectal Race Spins because like you, I want to keep my skull in one piece. The biggest reason for the Garmin was to not destroy my phone but I did use my iPhone 11 Pro Max for most of the season. I just want it to warm up a little bit here and the trails to dry a little. I don't mind getting muddy but the cold just hurts my lungs as I always seem to be super congested this time of year. Overall, I went from around 220 lbs at the start of summer down to 168lbs now. I figured it was money well spent.

My bike at the start of the year, Trek Supercaliber 8, is now my wife's and the Trek Fuel EX is mine.

 

[maluckey1]

The Fuel EX is a solid platform. I noticed the XR4 tires (good choice). I run either the SE4 or SE5 depending on what my state of mind is. I tried the XR4, but my bodyweight and riding style didn't mix well with it. I weigh in a 225 Kitted up, and I'm fairly aggressive in the chunk and jumps/drops

Does your wife ride with you, or is she like my wife, and does her own thing once we hit the trail?

 

[dullard]

Does your wife ride with you, or is she like my wife, and does her own thing once we hit the trail?

My wife rides behind me. She likes to see me be the guinea pig. In general, I do more of the features and I do them faster. She often takes the path that goes around the features and doesn't like to go as fast as I do. So, I just wait at the top of the next hill until she catches up. That lets us discuss things and gives me a chance to catch my breath after the uphill section.

 

[maluckey1]

That's how it started with my wife, but after her first big crash she got spooked, now sticks to pavement and green rated trails. After my first big crash, I rode the 8 miles to the trailhead, drove to the emergency room for 16 stitches, then straight to the local bike shop for parts and new gloves and pads.

Different strokes I guess. I ride for the exhilaration, adrenaline and the feeling of "beating the trail" using personal grit. She rides for fun and exercise. There's not much overlap other than the ride to the trails and the beers and hot wings afterwards!.

 

[KentState]

My wife rides behind me. She likes to see me be the guinea pig. In general, I do more of the features and I do them faster. She often takes the path that goes around the features and doesn't like to go as fast as I do. So, I just wait at the top of the next hill until she catches up. That lets us discuss things and gives me a chance to catch my breath after the uphill section.

That’s how we are. Helps her build confidence seeing me do the section in front of her. We are in our 40s so nothing too crazy but it’s good for staying in shape if you don’t crash.

 

[KentState]

The Fuel EX is a solid platform. I noticed the XR4 tires (good choice). I run either the SE4 or SE5 depending on what my state of mind is. I tried the XR4, but my bodyweight and riding style didn't mix well with it. I weigh in a 225 Kitted up, and I'm fairly aggressive in the chunk and jumps/drops

Does your wife ride with you, or is she like my wife, and does her own thing once we hit the trail?

The XR4 came on it. Was going to swap them for Maxxis tires but the shop convinced me to give them a chance. The do loose traction at times but it was worth getting mileage out of them.

Btw, REI is having a small sale on 510 shoes. I picked up another pair of the Freerider PrimeBlue for 40% off. I know not everyone likes that particular style but they work for me.

Five Ten Freerider Primeblue Mountain Bike Shoes - Men's | REI Co-op

With uppers sourced from Parley Ocean Plastic™, the versatile Five Ten Freerider Primeblue mountain bike shoes help you tread a little lighter on the environment while charging hard on the trails.

www.rei.com

 

[highland145]

@maluckey1. I'm your mod part guy. A tin can and a string is all the gps tracker you need.

 

[Zorba]

Let me know if you have any luck selling your used gear, I've never had any luck selling or even giving away used components.

 

[pmv]

Not many mountains around here, but back when I was (plain vanilla) cycling regularly I went through a period of repeatedly getting punctures - like once a week - which required buying relatively-expensive new inner tubes one-at-a-time each time. Eventually I found a source of cheap ones - the pound shop had some and I bought their entire stock, spending £50 at one go. _Immediately_ I stopped getting any punctures, didn't have a single one in the next year of regularly cycling, and all 50 of them are still sitting in the cupboard, unused.

 

[highland145]

Let me know if you have any luck selling your used gear, I've never had any luck selling or even giving away used components.

Old people like Boomer don't know better. Hey, a TI55...woot.

 

[maluckey1]

The XR4 came on it. Was going to swap them for Maxxis tires but the shop convinced me to give them a chance. The do loose traction at times but it was worth getting mileage out of them.

Btw, REI is having a small sale on 510 shoes. I picked up another pair of the Freerider PrimeBlue for 40% off. I know not everyone likes that particular style but they work for me.

Five Ten Freerider Primeblue Mountain Bike Shoes - Men's | REI Co-op

With uppers sourced from Parley Ocean Plastic™, the versatile Five Ten Freerider Primeblue mountain bike shoes help you tread a little lighter on the environment while charging hard on the trails.

www.rei.com

The XR4, SE4 and SE5 are awesome all-around tires. The guys at your shop are dead-on. Good tip on the 510's! My Danny MacAskill 510's are getting worn out.

Let me know if you have any luck selling your used gear, I've never had any luck selling or even giving away used components.

Never have an issue selling used gear. Just lucky (check the username?) I guess. Maybe it's because I set the price too low to resist, and I ALWAYS maintain my gear, and locals know that.

Not many mountains around here, but back when I was (plain vanilla) cycling regularly I went through a period of repeatedly getting punctures - like once a week - which required buying relatively-expensive new inner tubes one-at-a-time each time. Eventually I found a source of cheap ones - the pound shop had some and I bought their entire stock, spending £50 at one go. _Immediately_ I stopped getting any punctures, didn't have a single one in the next year of regularly cycling, and all 50 of them are still sitting in the cupboard, unused.

Nowadays you use an enduro tire and sealant, and all byt the gnarliest trails are O.K.

Old people like Boomer don't know better. Hey, a TI55...woot.

A TI-55 II It got me through high school Physics! I recently sold a TI-55 II for 35 bucks with the carrying case and manual. That's more than I paid for it new.

 

[Zorba]

Never have an issue selling used gear. Just lucky (check the username?) I guess. Maybe it's because I set the price too low to resist, and I ALWAYS maintain my gear, and locals know that.

Where are you at? My just be my limited market.

 

[maluckey1]

@Zorba,

United States of America. I hear that getting parts in some countries is EXPENSIVE and scarce, but here? Not so much.