A Guide to Road Biking on a Budget

Road biking on a budget is not just a dream, it’s a feasible and rewarding endeavor.

Road biking, in general, can be expensive. Some bikes are several thousand dollars if you want a decent ride. Clothing is expensive. Nutrition is expensive.

It almost makes you want to skip giving road biking a try, doesn’t it?

Please don’t give up on cycling!

You’d miss out on so much. It’s a great way to get healthier and have a good time while doing it. And it’s not as expensive as you might think it is. Road biking on a budget can be a journey of personal growth and health improvement.

I’ll show you how much you can save in this guide to road biking on a budget. Discovering these budget-friendly options will not only save you money but also give you a sense of accomplishment and empowerment.

Road Biking on a Budget Starts with a Road Bike

When purchasing a road bike, the first and most crucial step is to ensure it fits you perfectly. This is not just about comfort, but also about your safety on the road.

Go to a local bike shop and ask for a bike fit. Most will provide this for free. You might even be able to do it yourself by watching a YouTube video, though it would be better for a local bike shop to do it.

You can either buy a bike with the right fit at a local bike shop or try to find one used on an online marketplace. Beware of scams when it comes to online marketplaces. Never pay a little bit first. It would be better to be able to physically see and get the bike yourself.

Be careful with cheap bikes, such as those from well-known retail chain stores. They might seem affordable, but they’re manufactured poorly and will not last very long.

I recommend spending as much as you can on the actual road bike and then sticking to a lower budget on everything else.

You just want to ensure you choose a bike that’s the right size. Otherwise, it could lead to medical problems later on that have a significant price tag attached to them.

Budget-Friendly Cycling Apparel

Cycling apparel can be pretty expensive.

I’ve seen basic kits with jersey and bib shorts for $350 up to $800. That’s a lot of money for such a little fabric.

Luckily for you, there are plenty of cheaper options for cycling apparel.

For under $50, you can buy a simple pair of spandex bike shorts or bib shorts from The Black Bibs. They’re American-made, comfortable, and durable.

If you need it to be cheaper than that, Baleaf offers very inexpensive cycling apparel at very low prices.

To start, I recommend getting a bike jersey, bike shorts or bib shorts, a pair of tights, a cycling jacket, full-fingered gloves, and half-fingered gloves. These basic items will help you enjoy cycling all year long and can be purchased for a cheaper price.

You can get more cycling apparel as needed the more and more you get into road biking.

Cycling Gear and Accessories on the Cheap

You can also enjoy cheaper gear and accessories when road biking on a budget.

I would buy a good helmet. I spend at least $75 on my helmets, but you can get them a little cheaper than that, too. You just want to make sure they’re made for cycling. Protecting your head is very important for your safety and your budget.

Other than that, basic tooling and storage is all you need.

Get a front and backlight. Get a multi-tool, extra tube, portable air pump, and patch kit. Get a small saddle bag to store everything in.

You can get most of this on Amazon for a very low price.

Read the reviews and go with the items that are rated the best.

Maintaining Your Bike Cost Effectively

One of the key aspects of road biking on a budget is taking good care of your bike. Regular maintenance not only ensures a smooth ride but also saves you from costly repairs in the long run.

Maintain it regularly for the best results.

You can take it to the local bike shop to be tuned up and checked each year. That usually doesn’t cost a whole lot. It’s cheaper, though, if you learn how to do it yourself. Try to take care of your own inspections and maintenance to save money on cycling.

Check your tire pressure before each ride. By making sure the right amount of air is present, you can prevent a lot of maintenance issues.

Check anything that may need to be tightened up, including your chain.

Replace your chain when it needs to be replaced. I failed to do this recently, and I ended up having to pay over $700 for a new drivetrain. If I had changed out my chain, I wouldn’t have had to pay all that money.

You might think maintaining your bike means spending money, but you’re actually saving a lot of money by doing it.

Inexpensive Training and Activity Tracking

Skip paying for expensive training and coaching when road biking on a budget.

You really only need that if you road bike for competition. If you want to race and win races, then you’ll need to get a coach. If not, then save money and let the internet be your cycling coach.

YouTube is all you need if you need help becoming a better cyclist. Well, YouTube and maybe some cycling buddies. You could even find group rides and learn from them. YouTube and other cyclists will point out tips and tactics to help you ride your bike better.

Most apps offer generous free versions for activity tracking. Strava even has a basic free version that includes everything you need to start tracking your road bike rides.

This is an area where you don’t have to spend any sort of money at all to stay ahead.

Budget-Friendly Hydration and Nutrition

Hydration and nutrition supplements can cost a lot of money.

I usually pay around $100 a month for a monthly supply of hydration tablets and various nutritional snacks for my cycling activities.

However, I could go cheaper.

Plain water is cheaper than sports drinks and hydration tablet additions. You could even take some pickle juice with you to replenish your hydration.

You can make your own snacks, take cheaper snacks like cheese and crackers, and pack your own lunch rather than stopping to eat at a restaurant.

It’s important to stay hydrated and fueled during your ride, but you don’t have to take out a loan to do it in the long run.

Cost Effective Cycling Routes and Trips

Road biking can be completely free in terms of where you ride.

The idea is to ride from where you live. Instead of packing your bike up in your vehicle and drinking to a location to start riding, why not start from your home?

Use Google Maps to create your own route starting from your house.

You could also plan a multi-day ride to start from your house rather than flying somewhere expensive to ride your bike.

Road biking on a budget is always possible when starting your ride from home and not using gas to get to where you need to start riding.

Cycling Can Save You Money Altogether

In all, road biking on a budget can be easily done with the tips above.

However, cycling as a whole can help you save a lot of money, altogether.

Use your bike to commute to work, go grocery shopping, or visit friends and family nearby. This will save you fuel and wear and tear on your vehicle.

Cycling is a very healthy activity in general. It will help you require fewer hospital visits and improve your overall health. Not using your health insurance will also help you save a lot of money.

Cycling typically costs less than a gym membership, too.

Cycling is good for your mind, saving you the costs of needing mental health services later in life.

Cycling saves you a lot and gives you even more.

Now, Over to You!

How has road biking on a budget helped you? In what ways do you save money when you bike? Tell me about it in the comments below.

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