Reasonable budget for commuter bike
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
We are moving close to DH's work and he is very excited about selling one of our cars and buying a bike. The commute will be a little under 3 miles each way on a paved path. There is also a bus as backup.
He's talking about spending 2k, including new helmet and other gear. I think that is absurd. Our HHI is 80k but we will have no debt after the car is sold. In context, DH gives me sh*t when I spend money on preschool and kids' swimming lessons. I will be going to work soon (low salary, 1 in daycare) and I still think 2k on a bike is ridiculous. FWIW, I already own a hybrid Trek in good condition that he could use - he just doesn't want to. Am I out of line? I'm OK with him buying a bike - if we each have one, we can ride as a family - but I was thinking more like 500-600. He will be working at this office for at least a few years. |
Anonymous
| If he is commuting on the bike then that makes sense. I know it seems ridiculous to you but it's way of transportation to/from work. Imagine all the gas money and wear and tear you are saving. |
Anonymous
That's true, and it helps justify it. But when 500-600 gets the job done, and we have a tight budget and other needs (replacing a broken couch, paying for preschool/daycare) it just seems crazy. |
Anonymous
| Hmmm I see your point. Maybe be could look for a used version of the $2,000 bike he wants? |
Anonymous
|
Just bought a fantastic barely used bike on craigslist for $600.
2K is silly |
Anonymous
|
Your husband is being a gear head and he emphatically does NOT need to spend 2K. not not not.
That is a want, not a need. In the context which you present -- $80K HHI, Sahm, money being tight enough that you get grief for PRESCHOOL, ffs -- he is being unreasonable. And before you gear junkies respond to school me on value and quality ... I work at an outdoor goods store that sells bikes and has a bike shop. I own 4 bikes, ranging in value from $50 to $2100. Don't even start. NOTE to OP: While your H doesn't need to spend more than $600 (new) upfront for a commuter bike, he WILL need to regularly have this bike serviced for ~$80 a shot. Tune ups, mainly. But he'll need to replace tubes and stuff once in a while. Not that often, though, since his roundtrip commute is only 30 miles per week. |
Anonymous
|
DH here. I have commuted by bike since 1995. The bike I am currently using I bought around 1998. I bought it at a bike swap meet for ~$100. My commute is 8 miles each way so 16 miles a day. According to the computer on the bike my average speed is around 19 mph.
For a commuter bike my old clunker is just fine. Its plenty fast and has been perfectly reliably. I would not spend any money on a fancy bike until after you have commuted by bike for a few years. Its not for everyone and if you decide to commute by bus rather than bike, you have an expensive paper weight. 2k is not a big budget for getting set up for biking to work. Especially if you plan on riding year round. Clothes ~$500 (more if you spend extra on a nice jacket and gloves), shoes $100 lights $200, good bike tires $100. General bike repairs and maintence if you do it yourself $200 per year, sometimes more. Upsides of riding a clunker, its heavier than a new bike so more effort per mile so better workout, if it gets stolen knocked down or I fall not a big deal if it gets scratched / lost. I'd put the bulk of the budget into clothes because that has the biggest bearing on comfort while riding and will ensure he doesn't give up on commuting by bike. Then save for two years toward a nice bike. |
Anonymous
| +1 to what others have said, but also for not having the nicest, most expensive bike parked at the office (unless he is literally planning to park it in his office). |
Anonymous
| Get a nice used bike off craigslist. There are plenty out there under 2k |
Anonymous
+1. Only other suggestion I'd have is have him try commuting by bike for at least a month or two on your bike or a capital bikeshare bike (if close) before investing money into gear and a bike. I wasn't a biker when I started commuting 8 miles round trip for work, so I used a capital bikeshare bike for the first 2 months. It gave me time to 1) make sure I really was going to stick with biking for commuting before investing money, and 2) get a better sense of what I really needed and what I didn't. I figured out that my paved trail was actually quite bumpy, that I don't like fooling with lots of gears, and that my running tights aren't cutting it for biking every day . So have him do a trial period before you start investing real money.
|
Anonymous
|
Your husband is a fool if he thinks he needs to spend $2000 for a bike for a 3 mile commute.
I bought a bike brand new for $700 and have been using it to commute daily on trip that is 7 miles each way, with big hills going home (I commute from downtown to NW DC). Every now and then I get an itch for a new bike - and the guys in the bike shop tell me I';m crazy, there is no need to replace it. Tell your husband kudos for biking - but also, get a grip. |
Anonymous
|
He is biking to work.
He should be able to get the bike he wants - what is the big deal. $600 would get it done, but he should get exactly what he wants. |
Anonymous
I guess I'll go buy a GTR for going to work, because it's exactly what I want. |
Anonymous
| 6-700 bucks would buy a good reliable bike that would be perfect for commuting. Even less if used. I spend a ton of money on bikes, several are 5K plus, but I'd go cheap for a 3 mile commute. |
Anonymous
|
I agree that $600-$700 is much more reasonable. I commute 6 miles each way via bike and I bought it for $100 barely used on Craigslist 6 years ago. The model retails for about $600 and it's a great, reliable bike. Your DH won't want to park a $2000 bike by his office- much higher chance of getting stolen.
I agree with the PPs who said to think about maintenance and clothes as part of the budget, though, bc that stuff definitely can add up. |