Managing the Financial Barriers to Mountain Biking

          It’s no secret that mountain biking comes with a high sticker price, which serves as a barrier to entry for some folks. While most bikers believe it’s totally worth the cost, it’s important to find ways to bike without breaking the bank. Here are six tips to help you learn to mountain bike on a budget:

Buy secondhand gear

          While not all gear is pleasant to buy second-hand (think stinky shoes or helmets that have taken a hit), secondhand hardgoods such as bikes, tools, and parts can save riders a pretty penny. Luckily for us, cyclists have been buying and selling their secondhand goods for years so there are already networks set up within the community to browse what’s up for grabs. Check out Pink Bike’s BuySell page for deals on used bikes, parts, and some softgoods. Take a moment to see what’s trending and going on in the forum while your at it for an insider scoop on mountain bike community comings and goings. Other sites such as GearTrade, REI’s garage sale, and Steep N Cheap often have good deals as well and are absolutely worth a look. For a more local option, locate a second-hand outdoor gear store in your area! This avenue is great for supporting your local economy as well as getting a great deal on gently used gear, plus you can often try things on! If all else fails, Facebook Marketplace is your friend too.

          For all the online options, make sure your buyer or seller is reputable before sharing any personal information. Also, it can be helpful to ask to check out the gear for quality assurance before committing to purchase if the seller is in your area.

Networking

          Friends in high places can have a great effect on how much you pay for gear. Many bike shops and brands give their employees great friends and family discounts. Practicing good trail etiquette, being friendly at trailheads, going to local mountain bike events, and visiting your local shops could land you in the favor of folks with good, shareable discounts. Am I encouraging you to find bike buddies just for the discounts? No.,but you’ll find that mountain bikers are often generous and willing to lend a helping hand. Be nice to folks in your local bike community, and one of them might help you out. If you prefer a more solitary existence and are knowledgeable about biking, maybe you could pick up a shift at your local shop and get the employee discount for yourself.

Invest in good quality gear

           This seems a little counterproductive, but if you’re in it for the long haul, invest a little more money in good quality gear that will last. It’s much cheaper (and more convenient) to buy one good quality piece of gear that will last you years, than to consistently replace something that breaks often and easily. Sometimes, you have to bite the bullet upfront. It’s better for your wallet, and the planet too.

Learn how to fix things yourself

          One of the biggest costs in mountain biking, after you’ve already bought all the gear, spent money on skills clinics, and bought into your local bike organization, is getting your bike fixed. Parts are one thing, but labor is a whole other ball game when it comes to the cost of maintenance and repairs. Learning to fix your own bike can shave off significant labor costs, and you’ll have a new skill! Even learning a couple smaller, common repairs, and investing in a basic bike repair kit can save you time and money. Plus, the magic of the internet makes the learning process super accessible and easy. Google, Youtube, blogs, PinkBike, and even TikTok can be great resources. Make sure to do your research thoroughly before making any major repairs yourself.

Take advantage of sales and off-season pricing

           During bike season, bike parts, gear, and soft goods can be super expensive. The demand is highest during spring and summer, when folks are getting ready to start their season or shaking off their gear after winter to find something wrong. If you plan ahead, you can take advantage of end-of-season sales, during which companies are selling off their old product to make room for next year’s shiny, new models. Sometimes, bike shops offer end of season maintenance and repair deals as well. It might require a little more patience, but it’s much friendlier on the budget. High time for these deals is late fall, when the season is winding down for winter.

Take it slow

          There is little more crippling for your bank account than medical bills. We try to avoid them as much as possible, but in action sports like mountain biking, falling and injury are part of the game. For beginners, taking it slow can be the key to avoiding this unpleasant and unpredictable cost. If it’s your first day out, or even your first month, maybe don’t try the black diamond trail with the six-foot drop at the end. If you’re looking to learn how to hit features like that, or even just the basics, without injury, invest in a skills clinic to help you progress in a safe and step-by-step way. Even masters of their craft can benefit from skills clinics, to avoid the medical bills if you want to learn something new.