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Daily Commuting Tip - Hail to the Cheap
Posted: 15th October 2009 | Eddie Allen
More: Daily Commuting Tips Archive
Getting into cycle commuting doesn't have to spell doom for your bank balance. Despite the hype you read in the magazines and the spiel you'll hear in the bike shops, you can get on the road for next to nothing, if you know where to look, what to look for and what to avoid.
Love the bike you're with
Don't run out and buy a super-flash new bike just because the magazines tell you that you need one. For short commutes, pretty much any bike will do. That old 10 speed racer, shopping bike or bargain mountain bike you've already got will do the job just fine.
Clothes - use your head, not your wallet
You don't need a whole stack of new cycling clothes either. Just look pragmatically at what you've got in your wardrobe and ask yourself, ‘Can I ride a bike in this?' In terms of bike commuting, this means pretty much anything that allows you to move freely and won't get caught in the chain is fine and dandy. Don't believe me? Check out Copenhagen Cycle Chic, a visual document of what people wear in one of cycling's European strongholds.
Don't diss the supermarkets
There are some great bargains to be had at the big supermarkets, who are all clamouring for that ‘cycling-boom' buck. Things like LED lights, pumps, patch kits and panniers can be had for peanuts. And the good news is that quality is improving all the time.
Wear things out
If you're riding an MTB with knobblies and want to feel the freedom of riding on slicks, don't just junk the tyres you've got. Wear ‘em out and replace then replace them. They're a long time in the landfill. Don't be tempted to change stuff on your bike out of boredom or just in case. Get the full service life out of everything you use.
Used but not abused
Secondhand bikes, if bought carefully, are great commuter bikes - low key, cheap to buy and deeply unattractive to thieves. Ebay, local papers, Freecycle etc are good places to look. If you're a bike novice, always take along someone knowledgeable to check the bike over. Ones to look for are old road bikes, touring bikes and 3-speed roadsters, which make stylish and bulletproof commuters. Bike recycling schemes (local community initiatives that renovate stolen-recovery or dumped bikes and then sell them back to the community) can also be a top way of getting on the road cheap, and soothing your conscience in one fell swoop.
Preventative Maintenance
Once you've got your cheap-but-good bike, don't neglect it. Keep it clean and well oiled. A fortnightly wash, dry and oil is all you really need to do, combined with regular checks for things wearing out or coming loose. Don't go overboard and don't be tempted to buy expensive bike degreasers and lubes. Car shampoo is great for cleaning bikes and can be purchased in large quantities for small prices. Similarly a good water dispersing agent like WD40 and a light oil such as 3-in1 is entirely appropriate for the demands of the cheap and cheerful commuter bike. Both of these items can be bought on-the-cheap at High Street hardware shops.
Is there one thing that you should spend good money on?
The best upgrade for a cheap bike is good set of tyres. I've transformed the ride of a cheap entry level MTB with a good set of slick tyres, which roll well, grip well and resist punctures. Again, don't go overboard on high spec, folding tyres - but a good puncture resistant set of hoops is a good investment.
What cheap stuff should I avoid?
Really cheap pumps are a waste of time and money and will leave you stranded and miserable. Even if you're shopping in the supermarket cycling section, look for an aluminium barrelled pump with a locking head. These two features really make the difference. At bargain basement prices avoid gimmicky features like pressure gauges and the like. Really cheap cable locks are also a complete waste of money and effort. Even if your bike isn't worth much, your convenience is, so at least spend enough to get a robust cable or shackle lock.
