As a hobby and transportation means, cycling is seeing increased popularity worldwide for its health benefits and convenience.
However, like most people, you are probably wondering if you will have to deplete your bank account to get into cycling, or you can take it up for little to nothing.
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So, How Expensive Is Cycling as A Hobby?
Cycling as a hobby is as expensive as you want it to be. It does not have to be an expensive hobby, with most cyclists getting started for just a few hundred dollars or less. The cost of a commuter/city bike or good budget hybrid goes for around $500 for a brand-new bike. You might also need some extra hundred dollars in accessories and equipment you don’t have as a beginner cyclist.
While this is already expensive for some individuals, it is very little compared to other hobbies, from autos to photography.
Of course, you can save money by purchasing a secondhand bike if possible. With some research via knowledgeable friends and luck, you can find a used or good bike for as low as $100 to $200.
If money is not an issue, cycling as a hobby can cost over $10 000 on a bike and extra thousand dollars more on accessories and apparel, not to mention travel and training if that is your interest. Of course, only a few recreational cyclists want to buy bicycles in this price range. These high prices of the bicycles result from cutting-edge features that you won’t notice outside particular racing scenarios.
What Is the Cost of Bike Maintenance?
Bicycles are simple machines where you can do most of the maintenance aspects.
The good thing is that you can ride thousands of miles without the need to replace any part.
Buying spare parts can be costly depending on your bike model, but it does not have to. Accessories and upgrades can be a high and unforeseen expense.
It is fun to learn and experiment with cycling equipment; hence you might end up spending more on gear than the bike itself.
Of course, there is no need to do so, but it is a devious way the price of this cheap hobby can go high quickly.
Hence, we recommend you enjoy cycling with what you have and look to people and places for enjoyment, not parts.
How To Save Money When Getting into Cycling as A Hobby
While cycling can be an expensive hobby, the reality is it can be more affordable than you think.
By following the tips below, you can save money while you enjoy your cycling hobby.
1. Understand The Right Time To Buy Your Bike
There are many reasons for riding a bike, such as working out, relieving stress, and commuting.
However, you don’t want to use all your savings to buy a high-end bicycle when a mid-priced bike can effectively serve the purpose.
However, if you insist on buying a high-rated bicycle, consider buying at the beginning of the winter season when the bike and gear are available at the cheapest price.
Also, consider purchasing other cycling gear such as a helmet, a bar bag, or a standard dry bag around this time.
2. Learn To Perform Simple Repairs Yourself
Owning a bicycle requires knowing how to do simple repairs by yourself to help save on the overall cost.
Therefore, when getting started cycling as a hobby on a budget, consider learning to replace and fix a tire, replace broken bike chain, fix brakes, reattach slipped chain, etc.
More so, in case you get an emergency when cycling, you will be more confident knowing you can fix it regardless of where it occurs.
3. Keep Your Bike Safe And Secure
While you can surely wear a plain t-shirt when cycling, one thing you should be sure to invest in is a decent lock.
You hence need to keep your bike safe by getting a quality lock. Losing your bicycle means you have to purchase another, and the unplanned expenditure can take a major toll on your savings.
If you stop by any place, never leave your bike without locking it. If there is no area, you can lock it; consider bringing it in.
Advantages Of Cycling as A Hobby?
Cycling is an active hobby that can readily enhance your fitness level with little environmental impact. It encourages situational and coordination awareness.
The hobby is psychologically unique as it offers a sense of autonomy and freedom.
You can easily enjoy it with the need for formal licensing or training, complex infrastructure, or hard-to-get equipment.
Mountain bikes might cost another extra couple hundred dollars for similar quality bikes mainly because the quality suspension is not cheap.
Cycling as a hobby provides the convenience of individual activity as well as easily enjoyable as a group. You can use it as a meditative or social activity.
Additionally, cycling as a hobby is a perfect way of experiencing familiar surroundings differently.
You will explore more than you can on foot but without an enclosure, high speed, and the isolation of driving in a car.
You can also ride to work daily which will save you money while reducing the harmful emissions, all while benefiting your overall health.
Disadvantages Of Cycling as A Hobby?
While cycling comes with lots of benefits, it also has some shortcomings.
First, cycling exposes you to climatic conditions such as extreme high or low temperatures and rain. This might limit how long and where you can ride.
Cycling needs some preparation and planning, depending on the weather.
These climatic conditions will determine your attire and the bike you choose to ride in case of severe rain or snow.
Cycling has a higher speed than hobbies on foot which may increase your risk of injury if anything goes wrong.
As a cyclist, you might sometimes require navigating car traffic, which exposes you to serious risks of accidents.
While you can take precautions by avoiding busy roads and riding slowly, most hobbyist riders are not the case.
Is Cycling Every Day Okay?
It is completely okay and healthful to cycle daily as long as you give yourself enough time for recovery.
For instance, most cyclers ride to work about five days every week and head for recreational cycling on the weekend.
However, individuals in active occupations, whether from physical jobs or sports, might find it harder to ride a bike daily in addition to all the physical workouts.
You might also have time constraints, particularly if you have a busy schedule.
If this is your case, commuting to work with your bike will allow you to cycle without the need for too much extra time.
If you start feeling obstinately sore, or your legs start to feel weak rather than strong, then consider taking some time off.
People have different recovery rates, which are affected by different factors, including; diet, baseline fitness, rest, and genes.
For occasional cyclists looking to cycle more regularly, you should consider adding shorter and regular rides to your schedule.
This allows your body to adapt to quicker recovery without being worn out.
Bottom Line
Cycling is a healthful and fulfilling hobby, a practical means of transportation, and an exciting sport. Some people even use it as a way of earning a living.
That said, cycling as a hobby has the potential of being an expensive hobby, but it does not have to be.
Go for a cheap start-up bike you can afford, and you are up and rolling!