Here's my break down of the costs involved in getting started as a hardcore commuter:
Gary Fisher Cronus: $650
Jandd Commuter Panniers (pair): $190
Jandd Rain Covers (pair): $50
Rear-wheel Rack (disc brake model): $65
Panaracer HighRoad V (pair): $18
Nashbar Self-Sealing tube (pair): $10
basic cyclocomputer: $35
Two Planet Bike Rear lights: $42
Planet Bike Headlight: $15
Water Bottle & Rack: Free because I bought everything at the same bike shop.
Service Plan for the bike: $150/3-years
OnGuard Bulldog U & Cable Lock: $50
Tire pump: $25
Trek MTB Bike Shoes: $75
Nike bright orange raincoat: $75
SKS Front Fender: $40
Total spent to be a complete fred: $1,490.
I still need better fenders, probably another $30.
How long does this work out for an ROI? Well, my alternate is an F350 Diesel. At current prices, $4.25/gal of diesel, and 30 gallon tank, roughly 12 tankfulls. I used to fill up twice a month with normal driving, so 6 months at current diesel costs is roughly the ROI. I find myself filling up every 4-5 weeks now. I fully expect the frequency of tanks filled to drop as I ramp up commuting and errands on the bike. Getting a trailer for hauling groceries and such may be a next step. I still can't haul wood mulch, tree logs, and other heavy stuff on the bike, nevermind towing cars to places.
Things avoided are: lower insurance rates because I drive less than 20,000 miles a year, no gym club membership because I get 30km of workout a day, and better health.
What's increased? The time it takes to commute has increased threefold. My 20 minute commute to work by truck is now roughly an hour on the bike. I expect to cut that down with my fancy new tires. My food bill has increased. I eat three full meals a day and still seem to be losing weight; I'm not complaining. My body shape has changed, but I suspect at some point I'll be putting on pounds as muscle mass increases. Still, my food bill hasn't increased to anywhere near the cost of fuel for my truck.
If I were to start over, I'd go with a cheaper bike with decent components. The bike purchase is 56% of my costs for commuting. If you can find a bike with all of this stuff, spending $1200 may be worth it, rather than building it up. Heck, craigslist has good deals on base bikes all the time, just go find one.
Friday, April 4, 2008
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3 comments:
interesting article - I just used a simple excel spreadsheet to estimate costs savings of biking to work - I need to drive on the highway 15 miles in order to get to a non-mountainous route for biking, but still less driving overall. If just looking at fuel savings, since I already have a bike, I would save about $240/year. That is if I could do the drive/bike method every day. However living in CT, there are days when not even my car can get me to work, so I really could only hope to bike 3 days a week 4 months a year, so the money savings would be negligible. I also figured the food cost of biking, figuring I would need more calories in my lunch and breakfast to fuel my rides to and fro.
Thus, the only reason for me to start biking to work is to feel good about doing so!
I bet you can bike more than 4 months a year. You'd be surprised how well studded tires stick in the winter. This assumes you aren't on a high-traffic road, which is probably more dangerous on a bike than in a car. If for no other reason, the people will swerve out of the way.
And hey, as I'm finding, hills suck at first, but over time, you adjust and they become far easier.
I don't really ride for the cost savings or to hug trees; sure those are side benefits. I ride for the exercise and the great shape it keeps me in. I don't have to sit at a gym and stare at the same wall while working out. I have around 6 different routes I can take for some variety; just differing lengths of a commute.
Thanks for commenting!
I've seen cheaper locks on a few other sites that are just a good as the Onguard Bulldog U & Cable Lock. You can check out Bike Locks or even your local craigslist for better prices. If you are into using "used" bike locks, then the site I gave is decently cheap, but with great customer service.
I thought it was a little funny that I own about 2/3 of the items listed, and I just use my bike to get to class and back. But I'm kind of a bike nerd :)
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