I ride between 150 - 250 kms per week. Off the top of my head the following represents my spend for the previous year. Unlike what the title says I won’t attach dollars to it because I figure whether you buy budget or bougie is entirely up to you.
Consumables … the stuff that wears out (or went missing).
1 set new tires
tubeless sealant for new tires
fluid for 3 sealant top-ups
6-12 cannisters co2
2 emergency tubes
1 pkg tire plugs/bacon
1 pkg valve cores
2 bottles wet lube
1 bottle dry lube
1 bottle degreaser
1 chain
1 pkg quick links
1 flashing rear light (previous kacked out)
1 front light (previous kacked out)
numerous batteries for power meter and HRM strap
4 maybe 5 sets organic brake pads
hydrogen peroxide to clean rotors
sandpaper to clean rotors
bag of rags
pedal wrench
replacement set allen keys
Knog bike bell (ding ding)
headset bearings
1 helmet (crash replacement)
1 pair shoes (previous wore out)
1 set winter shoe covers (previous ripped)
1 pair wooly shoe liners
1 replacement winter jacket
1 replacement rain jacket
1 pair winter bibs
1 pair over-tights for extra winter warmth
1 summer long sleeve jersey (sun protection)
1 bottle durable water repellant spray
2 sets mesh base-layer
2 maybe 3 pair socks
1 neck warmer/tube
1 head sock
Stuff I didn’t need but wanted …
power meter pedals - two sided
bike case
cool mini-pump
arm warmers
2 pair summer bibs (since claimed by my son)
entry fee / hotel rooms / travel to 3 out of town events/races
two overseas flights to ride bike in cool places with lodging food etc etc
6 maybe 8 additional nights at destinations within driving distance to ride bikes in cool places
local/day travel to ride in cool places close to home
cafe drinks/snacks pretty much every ride
drink powders
energy bars … 2 per ride?
subscription to Rouleur magazine
subscription to Strava
subscription to Veloviewer
subscription to GCN+ (was that in the last 12 months? maybe maybe not)
a decent bike for my wife with all the stuff that comes with it (best purchase of them all)
Obviously your mileage will vary but I dunno … I’d say my list probably isn’t so different from many recreational enthusiasts. Curious though, how others might comment.
Oh boy, I don’t know if I’m ready to open that bag of worms. I spent way too much. Or just the right amount.
2 full bikes and a set of carbon wheels were the biggies. Other than that, new bibs and jerseys like every year. Consumables like tires, chains, brake pads, sealant, tire plugs, bar tape, bottom brackets. I’ve pretty much gotten rid of all my CO2 and switched to the mini e-pumps so that’s good. Some new tools. I bought the Silca wax system which is super nice.
Dollar wise I have no clue but probably way more than I would guess. I don’t think I regret buying anything.
Edit: Oh and I bought the Zwift Ride. Maybe $15-20k on bike related stuff total if I had to guess. Bikes, parts, food, races, gear, travel.
Wow. That’s a lot of stuff. Off the top of my head, a new mtb was the big one for '24, along with accoutrements like a pm, pedals, frame bag, etc… My previous mtb was 9 years old. IIRC, I got one pair of bibs, one jersey, one pair mtb shoes. Oh yeah, wireless Blips for the gravel bike. I probably should count a new pair of inexpensive earbuds I got for the times I throw caution to wind and ride with them. I’m sure there’s other small stuff I don’t recall atm. The road bike has been gathering dust.
No idea the actual amount . It was a big spending year. Knowing that tariffs were coming I bought a lot of spares. I also built a Chinese based gravel bike. Hopefully prices will come down. “They never do”
I bought a lower tiered diverge in 2021 and put maybe a few hundred miles on it a year until early 2024. I decided to stop running and pick up biking, and all the expenses that came along with it. Started off with Garmin dual sided power pedals, prof. Bike fit, new stem, 0mm seat post, aero bars, new tires, etc.
Slowly added more bibs, jerseys, helmet, winter attire, custom geometry titanium bike with their artist series paint scheme, all sram red brakes, xplr 13 drivetrain, enve clip on aero bars with wireless blips, etc.
I know the rough total, and my wife has a general idea. When I bought my new bike she asked how much it’d be.. I said it would be 5 digits, and she said, “as long as the first digit doesn’t start with a 2.” I found a keeper..
I can’t even comprehend the amount of organization it takes to keep track of this.
Off the top of my head, between myself and my partner (she’s an Ironman), we bought two bikes and two trainers, at least shipping container worth of spare parts, tools, nutrition, clothing, etc., and took 8-10 camp/race trips. So, enough that I don’t want to work on the accounting aspect of it Can’t take it with me, may as well enjoy doing what we love.
