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.
” A little oil, top up tires weekly, check for loose fittings, monitor brake pad wear – that’s about it.”
Mostly true — but if you ride every single day, you’ll definitely need to replace your chain at least every other year — ideally before it has worn out your rear cog(s) and definitely before it has worn out your chainring(s). Hubs, too — if you ride every day, you do need to pay attention to the play in the bearings. If the wheel’s getting wobbly, and you don’t want to buy a new one, it’s time to clean out the bearing races, maybe replace the bearings themselves, and definitely adjust the cones. Fortunately, all this stuff’s pretty easy to do.
I don’t do my own bike repairs. What would take me all weekend, my excellent local bike shop can do in an hour. I do have both of my rides maintained. I feel this is my way to support the local economy
I’ve been been shown how to change a flat…um at least 4 times over last 20 yrs. And then watching my dearie, change tires. I’m not going to pretend: I guess I could learn to do it especially stick it back into the forks, which even my more mechanically inclined partner has to wiggle it in…
Make no mistake: I’m so grateful I live within a 20 min. walk of 3 different bike stores that can do repairs.
Oy….over the last 2 months at different times for different reasons I’ve had to drop at least $170.00 for bike part replacements, repairst for: a complete replacement of my V-brake (the spring broke, plus other wear), cable replacements, 1 Schwable flatless (;)) Marathon tire, 2 bike tubes.
Still it is all cheaper than running a car for same time period..for 1,020 km. of cycling that I’ve done.
I figured I’ve saved over $300,00.00 in today’s currency over the last 30 yrs. of living a car-free life:
My story: http://thirdwavecyclingblog.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/30-car-free-years-cycling-pumps-money-into-my-wallet/ So bike repairs and owning/using 4 bikes over the last 21 yrs. is all good. Above all, for my health.
Running cost for maintenance. Yes, why shouldn’t there be any? No serious cyclist would ever countersign “biking is free”, rather some even spend a lot more than on cars. You say it yourself, a bike should run smoothly, you put enough effort in it already, and that requires a straight drive train, and it should stop promptly, which requires brakes. Lights come in handy, too. The rest is luxury, and still, why not have luxury?
“Biking is free” is brother to “no car, no status”. Thanks, I rather have a bike my way, and am prepared to pay for it. (It’s still a lot cheaper!)
As a manager of a non profit community bike shop in Providence, RI I can wholly relate with this. People always bring in cheap wal mart bikes that they have had for a very short time with problems like the crank or BB has become loose, the wheels hubs need tightening or the brakes are broken and people don’t get that crappy/cheap bikes are exactly that crappy.