For the most this is not a cheap hobby. A typical bike is about $400-$500 which can be just about a typical American's weekly salary for an entry bike, If you upgrade to 29er's, carbon or FS bikes they can be as expensive as 4-5k for a bike. People don't make that in a month. So with the cost of living going through the roof and our bills getting higher and higher. What type of funds did you use to buy your bike.
I charged mine to the "game" ... Visa game that is for my Giant 29er.
The latest bike, a Tallboy LTc, I sold off a bunch of MX stuff and sports memorabilia to pay for the bike. My last bike, I paid for with a "0% for a year" credit card and paid it off before the year was up. That is my standard routine and how I buy most expensive stuff, even though I have the cash to buy them outright.
Cash. I had special ordered my '12 Jamis Dragon from the LBS after months of research, paid half down on ordering, and the other half two weeks later when it came in.
I put all my purchases on my Citi Bank cash dividend card or Discovery cash back card and pay it off end of every month. After about 3-4 years I will have 2k to 3k in those cash back accounts and buy a new frame. I have some really nice parts that can be handed down. I have bought my last two frames this way.
My first bike was a Falcon Black Diamond. I met a couple of guys who were starting a bike shop near my apartment. I talked my way into a part time job as a mechanic. They offered me one of the new bikes at a steep discount and let me pay for it in hours wrenching. That was good for me because I had absolutely no money for a bike.
I don't remember the year exactly. It was in the 1970's. No one remembers those years very well.
When my grandmother passed she left all her grandchildren a little money. I used it to buy my Turner 5spot. I think of her every time I ride it. I'm pretty sure she would have strongly disagreed with me buying a bike that cost that much. Oh well.
I'm much luckier but in a reverse situation. I love my grandmother, too. She's still with us at age 97. Lucky me. Lucky all of us grandchildren.
But her limited social security and Medicaid doesn't pay for vitamins, supplements and healthier foods. So I give her a good chunk of money every month. Needless to say, her legacy is not about money because she doesn't have any. I hope to support her for many more years to come. Please don't leave us yet, grandma!
Now, when my new bike arrives (ordered last week), I'm pretty sure she would be happy to see that I have enough to treat myself.
I bought all of my 3 bicycles in parts and assembled them by myself. For the payment, I save 10% of my monthly wage to this activity. And at the end of the year I am able to buy a complete bike with only top level parts.
I started to do this 4 years ago, and in 2 or 3 months I will be able to buy my forth bicycle (third titanium !)
If I don't have the cash, I save money until I get the needed amount. That always surprise and impress my wife, and with that saving I am still able to save money for buying a future house and invite my fiancee to the restaurant.
And for me I prefer buying a bicycle in parts rather than buying a complete bike that you will have to change the wheels, stem and handlebars. It finally does not cost more.
That always surprise and impress my wife, and with that saving I am still able to save money for buying a future house and invite my fiancee to the restaurant.
"If I don't have the cash, I save money until I get the needed amount. That always surprise and impress my wife, and with that saving I am still able to save money for buying a future house and invite my fiancee to the restaurant"
Something is wrong with this sentence but I'm having trouble figuring it out? :nono:
I had my co-worker buy it for me!! I wasn't in the market, well I knew the time was coming. I wanted to upgrade to a 29er and a facebook friend posted up a Voodoo Dambala for $700. Didn't have the cash at the time, so my co-worker gave me a 0% loan. What a guy!!
1) Do you really need the newest model? The newest model costs more obviously so you can save some $$ by buing a few model years back and still have a decent bike.
2) Can't afford the whole bike? Buy it one part at a time. Takes longer but in the end, you get the bike you want with the parts you want.
3) Look for deals on classifieds and the internet. I got a $800 Marz. 66 RC2 fork brand new for $399 on sale back in 2008. Brand new Avid Juicy 3 hydros for $60 on a local classified.
In the end, I built up a nice 2006 Yeti AS-X (back in 2008) for about $2,100 where a brand new one at the time was around $4,000 or so.
road bikes i always bought new from saving money from jobs. since just got into mtb, decided i would go used and see what was out there. paid cash. now the fun begins.....riding!!!
Type of funds -- charged it on my Mastercard, but then paid it off. Because it was a bigger purchase, about 3k with the bells and whistles and sales tax of roughly $200, I had to transfer from savings to checking for about half of it.
My LBS offers a credit program on their expensive bikes through GE Capital. I imagine it's not cheap, don't know what kind of rates they would offer.
Saved money. Married a smart software engineer. Bring my lunch to work most days. Be happy driving a 99 toyota carolla.( depreciating asset). Ride my crosscheck to work, saving gas. Be happier riding one of my 3 mt bikes. Befriend a bike mechanic who loves ipa's and homemade bacon. ( will trade used/ takeoff parts for said items)
I saved my money and paid cash, actually debit card but you get the picture. I didn't want to blow a ton of money since I'd been a away from riding for a while so I purchased an "unbranded" bike online. Aside from wishing I'd gotten the next size smaller the bike has been great. Reba, X9 and Elixir 5's for around a grand shipped to my door I can't complain. Next bike will be done the same way.
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