Mountain Biking on the Affordable Side

For anyone that is new to the mtn biking, or even the 15 year veteran, the cost of this sport can start to wear on your wallet. $20 here $50 there a few hundred everywhere!

What’s even more disheartening are the prices of basic things a person needs to get into biking. Some helmets can cost $30 and up. Pumps, hydration packs, gloves and clothing can all add up.

Now that we’re done looking at how expensive things can be. Let’s look at some alternatives that might ease the burden of expensive gear on your budget.

Shopping

Most guys hate shopping, right. But when it comes to bikes or anything bike related, we all wake up and go into the shopping mode. You know what I am talking about, the mode that will lead you to all the best deals and knowledge on where to get them.

You pretty much have a few choices for your bike stuff. Online, such as the bike retailers on the web, Supergo, JensonUSA, PricePoint, Nashbar, and many more. Don’t for get about the largest online marketplace, Ebay!

The great thing about shopping online is the ability to look at prices from different stores all at the same time. Some of them even offer discount coupons, free shipping or other online promotions.

However, there’s always a draw back to shopping online. You don’t get to see what you’re buying. Nor do you get to try them out. This is where your local bike shop (LBS) has an advantage.

Your LBS is there to give you the best possible service. You can try out anything there. Test out bikes, see if a shirt, shorts and helmet fits you and you can bring your bike in to have it repaired.

What I like about an LBS is that once you build a relationship with the shop owner and the mechanics, they will hook you up all the time. Whether it’s a free repair job, inside news on new arrivals, and even discounts, they will take care of you. An LBS, in my opinion has a lot more to offer than an online retailer.

It’s really up to you, some times you can get some great deals on line that an LBS can’t do, or sometimes an LBS can get you what you need with quality service.

Bikes

What ever you do, DO NOT and I mean DO NOT go to a Dept. Store such as Wally World or any large stores for your bike. It’s easy to get tempted to buy one of these bikes because they all look so good and in fact some of them have the same frame designs that their more expensive cousins that you can find at a local bike shop.

However, just keep in mind that you do get what you pay for. The Wally World bikes are not properly assembled nor do they have the quality to withstand the abuse your trail will dish out.

Read my article on How to Buy a Bike. Take some pointers from it and learn how to objectively shop for a bike. The article will show you how to research your bike as well as figuring out which is right for your budget and where to get the bike from (online or a shop).

Clothing

As much as I would like to buy a really cool team jersey, I just can’t justify spending up to $70 for a shirt. What about those expensive baggy mtn bike shorts? Some are up to $40 to start!

Here’s an affordable alternative. Go to Wal-Mart or Target and get a polyester/wicking shirt for as low as $10.

Then if you want to have some cool looking shorts, buy a pair of inexpensive lycra cycling shorts from PricePoint and wear them underneath some board shorts or any old pair of shorts that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty.

But if you’re into custom made jerseys, well you’re in luck! There is a small company in Southern California called JustFur that is owned by Ann Palmer that made some custom made jerseys for my team. Each jersey was made with a dry wicking fabric and it hosted our team name as well as our sponsors.

The great thing about Justfur.net is you can send Ann your team logo or your sponsor’s logo and she can print them onto your jerseys for about $30 each. The more you order the cheaper the shirts become. Don’t be afraid to contact her ann@justfur.net, she will hook you up!

My goal through this article was to infect you with my bluecollarmtb.com mentality that mtn biking shouldn’t be expensive, but affordable so that the average guy can be successful at it.

Hopefully this has helped you get some quick ideas on how to get some things on the affordable side. I’ve always bought my jerseys from Wal-Mart or Target. I wear my $14 tights underneath my $3 shorts that I got from Wal-Mart as well and even my helmet was only $16, my full-suspension Giant Warp only set me back $450.

Keep Riding!