Wear & Tear
I bike pretty much everyday. And biking is great. Until it’s not. Then I have to come to terms with reality.
Yes, I biked so much I basically wore out my bike.
While I’m flattered to be stronger than metal (apparently,) repairs are always easy to put off. Biking is free, right? Nope. Because if it’s free, you’re doing it wrong.
And risking your safety! So plan to put some money into your bike if you rely on it. For under $100 you could get the basics covered: lube, chain,wheels, lights, brakes. Still cheaper than a car or subway.
But if that’s too much cash you could always fix things this way:
No, seriously, go to your local bike shop and get things squared away! It’s worth it.
I used to do all my own maintenance and then bikes got so advanced, all the “fun stuff” came in non-repairable sets. All it took was great peace of mind at the start; like the “Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance.” If you’re in a hurry or frustrated, you’ll just screw it up. Plus, the only time my bike needed work was when the nearest shop was either closed or the next town away. I either fixed it, or put up my tent and fixed it later.
The only bikeshop in my town is seriously incompetent. after 60 bucks to get all my problems “solved” they forgot to tighten the nut to keep my wheel on. Now I’m basically limited to whatever my knowledgeable friends know how to fix.
Funny, after cycling for 14 years nearly daily for 8 months per year, and having only less than 5 flats, I’ve had 5 flats in last 3 years. 🙁 Must the road conditions.
Bike costs at least are less than car costs in the long run.