Mountain biking can be an expensive sport/hobby but doesnt have to be. While many of the trails are free to use (or maybe only at the cost of some volunteer building time) the equipment certainly isnt. As with anything elses there are always cash saving tips. Here are some ways to save some ca$h.
Buy a used bike
Often you can get a used mountain bike that is ready to ride cheaper than you can by a brand new frame only! Check your local craigslist and facebook marketplace. Also dont be afraid to look a little farther away than you are comfortable with. The cash saving is often well worth the drive.
Last year I bought a use 2019 Salsa timberjack off facebook for $850. A new timberjack frame only cost $750 dollars…. I then used some spare parts laying around and upgraded some things on the bike since i had the parts but it didnt need them. The bike was certainly able to be ridden as bought. Cant beat a ready to go modern hardtail for that price.
Buy a Do-It-All bike
Consider looking for a bike that can be ridden on just about anything but the black diamonds at the downhill park. Maybe a mid travel (140mm front, 130mm rear suspension). Servicing mutiple bikes gets costly and very time consuming. If you can get away with a hardtail for the trails near you even better and cheaper!
Tires
No one seems to know why, but mountain bike tires cost more than car tires. Just putting cheap tires with bad tread on your bike is also a good way to get hurt. Instead use the same front and rear tire. Maybe they are both DHF’s or both are Rekon’s depending on the trails you ride. Then once the rear tire wears out (which it will first) only buy one new tire. Put the new tire on the front and move the front tire to the rear. A partially worn front tire will be a perfect rear tire. Repeat.
Become your own mechanic
Dont be scared, all the answers are on you tube. Watch a vidoe first to get a grasp of the task and to ensure you have the correct tools. No need to buy a full park tool kit right away (or ever). I suggest you buy (off brand) tools as needed. Eventually you will have almost every tool to fix anything on a bike. Take a look here at some must have tools to get started.
I recall when I did my first fork service being nervouse since you do take the whole fork apart. I had a fear of never getting it back together. With an online video and not rushing everything went fine. I would say fork service and replacing a spoke (more importantly truing the wheel afterwards) was initially intimidating. However, as with anything once you do it and succeed you build up your confidence and learn lots along the way. Always better the next time. Working on your own bike also proves valuable for trailside mainteance when needed. Your bike mechanic is rarely on the trail with you, they are too busy working!
Here are a couple more artciles maintenance related: Drivetrain Maintenance and SRAM GX Derailleur setup
Riding Glasses
There are benefits to the expensive brand name glasses, but I havent convinced myself they are worth >$100 more than just a pair of regular safety glasses from Home Depot. Start with safety glasses and see if you even wear them. You may not even like wearing glasses when riding (I don’t).
Carpool to the trailhead
This one probably isnt as big of a deal for your local trails but when you venture out farther (maybe 45 minute drive or more) commute with your riding buddies. Gas spent commuting to the trails can certainly be a cash saving with today’s gas prices.
Buy off Brand
Its hard/nearly impossible to buy off brand parts but two areas come to mind where you can:
- Clothing – There are many options for pants, shorts, and jersey’s that are off brand and significanty cheaper. Personally these pants and shorts I have been riding with for years. The price of these together are less than either of these would be individually from a name brand company.
- Tools – As mentioned above you dont need a Park Tool toolkit.
Shop Deals
Shop around for clearances, sales, old inventory etc. I often find mountain biking shoes on sale. I never spend more than $50 on a pair of namebrand shoes (Five Ten or Ride Concepts). If you dont care what color they are you can often save even more!.
Also just picked up up brand new Marzocchi Bomber z2 fork for $300 which are normally $500.
Search all the major online stores (Worldwide Cyclery, Jenson, etc.) before buying and don’t be in a rush. Everything eventually does go on sale so keep an eye on what you want overtime and make the purchase only when it goes on sale.
Beers
Don’t go out for beers afterwards……ok well maybe dont go out for beers after ever ride!
One final note: An item you do want to spend some money on is a helmet. Buy a helment thats meets the safety standards for the industry, type of riding you do (maybe you need a full face?) and from a known brand such as POC etc. You can often find deals on these as well so shop around. Dont cheap out on this and buy a Walmart helmet.
