Well I’ve made a fairly strong effort to spend less money on the bike but it didn’t go so well…
Under £10 – Diagonal snips. Got a cheap set off Amazon, and immediately realised I’d been a d*ck for not getting them earlier. All I use them for is trimming zip ties, but once you get a zip tie flush so it doesn’t scratch you / rip apart your sponge when you wash the bike it will be a tiny revelation in your life! It’s likely to be a sad reflection on myself (?) but this is the happiest £7 has ever made me!
Under £15 – Zwift membership. Before anyone asks, yes I would prefer to ride my bike properly. However, 3 kids, a full time job, plus the fact a trip to the nearest places to get in a proper ride makes said trip a 5hr endevour makes the chances to get out slim pickings. Cue lack of fitness and motivation, particularly when my riding mates all live on hills, get out all the time, and are FAR stronger climbers. Step in Zwift and I’ve gone from cycling maybe 30km/month to nearly 400km/month. Its hard work. It isn’t going to blow you away with how much fun it is (although I’ve not done any racing on it which I imagine is better). But it is interesting enough to fill that void,and when I do get out I’ll be stronger and able to enjoy myself more! Winning…
Under £25 – Epic Bleed Pike service kit. Far cheaper than sending it off for servicing and pretty easy – just unscrew a load of stuff and put it back the way you took it out… Bled a LOT of air out of the damper, and it feels better as a result. I just did the damper as I didn’t have time to do a lowers and was about to go to Revs the next day so didn’t want to mess too much, but it still made a nourishment difference.
Under £50 – Revolution Bike Park uplift tickets. Every time I go this place scares the life of our me. It is hard and, quite frankly, terrifying. However, by the end of the day when you have beaten your demons and feel like a riding god you’ll find it hard to wipe that smile from your face for days… Very friendly place too. If anyone remembers Richard Hammond driving A Bowler Wildcat on Top Gear it’s the biking equivalent.
£600 – Wahoo Kickr Core. As Zwift above. Expensive but nice and a necessary evil. I wish it wasn’t so expensive, but it is getting use 4 or 5 days a week unlike most stuff I buy!