Money saving tips for parents
Firstly the bad news - your child has chosen a potentially expensive hobby.
The good news is that you don't have to break the bank to have plenty of two wheeled fun.
Here are our top tips for keeping the wheels rolling cheaply.
1) Local Bike Shop.
This might not be the cheapest place to go for bike bits, but as you build a relationship with them you'll soon get frequent flyer discounts Club members get 10% off with their Pilgrim Flyers cards. British cycling members get additional discounts at Halfords. Club members also get free British Cycling membership for the first 12 months. Your local bike shop is a good place for advice, and will sort you out at 4pm on a Friday when you are racing the next day....probably.
This might not be the cheapest place to go for bike bits, but as you build a relationship with them you'll soon get frequent flyer discounts Club members get 10% off with their Pilgrim Flyers cards. British cycling members get additional discounts at Halfords. Club members also get free British Cycling membership for the first 12 months. Your local bike shop is a good place for advice, and will sort you out at 4pm on a Friday when you are racing the next day....probably.
2) Local independent bike mechanic.
Usually a cheaper hourly rate than your local bike shop, and will be happy to fit those bits you bought online. Waiting time is usually good, and it feels good to support the little bloke. See Complete Cycle Works, Bikewise, RSF suspension tuning etc.
Usually a cheaper hourly rate than your local bike shop, and will be happy to fit those bits you bought online. Waiting time is usually good, and it feels good to support the little bloke. See Complete Cycle Works, Bikewise, RSF suspension tuning etc.
3) Do a maintenance course.
The CTC run all levels of maintenance courses across the UK, so that you can have a crack at most bits of spannering yourself. See Bikespace for examples, or just buy the Haynes Bike Book.
The CTC run all levels of maintenance courses across the UK, so that you can have a crack at most bits of spannering yourself. See Bikespace for examples, or just buy the Haynes Bike Book.
4) Look after what you've got.
Keep your bike clean and lubed, check your chain length regularly and sort out problems promptly and you'll avoid big repair bills.
Buing a chain wear indicator will tell you when you need to change your chain, and save you money in the long run.
Keep your bike clean and lubed, check your chain length regularly and sort out problems promptly and you'll avoid big repair bills.
Buing a chain wear indicator will tell you when you need to change your chain, and save you money in the long run.
5) Online shopping.
Responsible for killing off local bike shops, putting people out of work and generally the source of all things evil, but we all do it.
Favourites are: Planet-x, Chain Reaction Cycles, Wiggle, Pro Bike Kit, Cycling Bargains.
Responsible for killing off local bike shops, putting people out of work and generally the source of all things evil, but we all do it.
Favourites are: Planet-x, Chain Reaction Cycles, Wiggle, Pro Bike Kit, Cycling Bargains.
6) Second hand.
Buy from someone you trust, or someone we know. Look at all the 2nd hand cycling kit facebook pages, of which Buy and Sell Cycling kit in the South West is one. See if folk have spares in their garage. Bikespace have loads of reconditioned bikes. Bikesoup is a second hand bike market website. Ebay works too, if you know what you're looking for.
Buy from someone you trust, or someone we know. Look at all the 2nd hand cycling kit facebook pages, of which Buy and Sell Cycling kit in the South West is one. See if folk have spares in their garage. Bikespace have loads of reconditioned bikes. Bikesoup is a second hand bike market website. Ebay works too, if you know what you're looking for.
7) Aldi / Lidl.
Regular bike bargains to be had, the quality is getting better and better.
Regular bike bargains to be had, the quality is getting better and better.
8) Share the love.
If you spot a cycling bargain, tell everyone else. What goes around comes around and all that.
If you spot a cycling bargain, tell everyone else. What goes around comes around and all that.
9) Above all, never fear - you can't buy either skill or fitness.
Don't believe the hype, don't get fooled by all those 'must have' bits of kit.
Hard work, time and commitment always, always top trump the man with the deep pockets.
Don't believe the hype, don't get fooled by all those 'must have' bits of kit.
Hard work, time and commitment always, always top trump the man with the deep pockets.