Bicycle Accessories Bags
How much would it cost to get serious about bicycle touring?
I love bicycle rides and travelling. Yet, my bicycle is a typical “toy” K-mart mountain bike from when I was a teen. Now, as a young adult I want to get serious about biking and work towards touring.
How much would it cost to buy a bike? bicycle clothing, good helmet, shoes? Bags and other accessories?
And what would be the total cost? I’m looking for entry level quality products, that is products that are “serious” but not top of the line expensive.
Can I buy everything I need for my first tour for around $1000?
BEST ANSWER given for the most complete answer
The short answer is that it is not possible to purchase all of the gear you need for under $1000.00.
How much more you really need to spend depends on the type of touring you want to do.
For example, if you want to be able to go on self-sufficient tours you are going to need a very different kit than to do what some people call credit card tours (pulling out the plastic to stay in hotels and eat in restraunts.)
For self-sufficient touring, you pretty much need it all and you want it light. As you probably know, light and inexpensive are fundmentally incompatible. In any case, you are going to want super, lightweight, backpacking style tent, sleeping bag, stove, cook kit, etc. You’ll need tools, spare tubes, a spare tire, etc. You’ll need changes of clothes, towel, toiletries, etc. Of course, you’ll be hauling food, as well. So, you’ll also want front and rear racks and front and rear panniers to haul your stuff. With this kind of load on your bike, you’ll also want a strong, but lightweight bike…
Staying in hotels and eating prepared food on a credit card tour requires a lot less stuff. No doubt, though, you’ll still have clothes, tools and some food to carry around. Thus, at the very least, you’ll need a rear rack and panniers.
Regardless of the type of touring you want to do, I can say with some certainty you aren’t going to want a K-Mart style mountain bike. Mountain bikes, in general, don’t provide adequate numbers of hand positions. This will lead to fatigue over a multi-day tour. You’ll be much better off with a road type machine with drop bars. A touring rig will have bosses for mounting racks and fenders. Unlike a race oriented bike, it will also have “gentle” geometry that leads to a very stable ride.
I woud expect to budget $2000.00 for a decent quality bike.
Front and rear racks $100-$200.
Front and rear panniers $200-$400.
Helmet $50-$100.
Multi-tool $25.
Tire Irons $5.
Pump $25.
Flashlight $25.
Shorts $50 – $100 each
Jersey $50 – $100 each
Socks $10 each
Rain suit $100.
Backpacking tent $200-$400.
Ground Pad $50-$150.
Backpacking sleeping bag $150-$300.
Backpacking stove and fuel: $100-$200
Cooking/eating gear $25.
Mountain biking shoes (unlike road shoes, these are easy to walk in and are better for touring.) $75-$300.
Mountain biking pedals $50-100.
and, so on…
Keep in mind, many people are willing to lend out camping/backpacking stuff as long as you are responsible and they know you’ll bring it back in good shape. So, you don’t have to get everything right now. Also, if you keep an eye on Craigslist you may be able to pick up some good used equipment.
Hope this helps.
Planning a Bike Tour : Bike Tours: Attaching Bags
|
|
Danica Studio Travel Kit, 10 Speed $17.94 Danica Studio is an inspiring collection of fashion-forward table linens, aprons, cushions, doormats, mugs, and bags of every shape and size. It’s all here in coordinating collections that speak to the design aficionado in all of us. This travel kit features a navy blue canvas exterior with bicycle theme and retro stripe. Extremely convenient: zips open along top and is roomy enough for plenty of … |
|
|
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Large Insulated Cooler Bag 2675 $9.99 Ice cream won’t melt and milk won’t curdle when you place your perishables in this insulated market bag! It holds twice the amount of regular grocery bags, and keeps contents up to three times colder. Tests show that on an 88° day, the inside temperature of a paper bag filled with cold foods is about 65° – with the insulated bag, it’s a frosty 20°. Also retains the hot temps of take-out foods. … |
|
|
Super BrightT 14 LED Flashlight w/ Bicycle Clip $9.49 This incredible dual functioning Super BrightT 14 LED Flashlight is the perfect accessory for your next outdoor adventure. You’ll be able to use this amazing flashlight as a hand held or mounted to your bicycle to light your way.The Super BrightT 14 LED Flashlight is waterproof by design and can stand up to the toughest trail conditions with its durable aluminum construction.With 14 Super Bright L… |
|
|
My First Abus Lock w/ Keys and Bag Red Car $4.99 … |
|
|
Chrome 2011 Utility Pouch – Bag Accessory (Black) $18.99 Protect your small stuff with our tough utility pouch. Made in the USA. We used the tough materials from our bags to build our ultra-sturdy utility pouch, which is the ideal size for any personal items, a bike pump, tools, or an extra tube, and slips easily into our messenger bags….. |
|
|
Skip Hop Swipe Baby Wipes Case $7.99 Skip Hop SwipeWhen you need a baby wipe on the double, Swipe delivers. Its secure-snap lid keeps wipes moist and ready for any mess, and the Quick-draw opening makes for super-easy, one-handed access. … |
|
|
Walker Basket with Beverage Holder Tray – Walker Accessory $12.99 The durable plastic-coated wire walker basket can be attached to most walkers and hospital bed rails. Adjustable hook-n-loop straps secure walker basket in place making this a more stable mobility product than a walker bag. The walker basket comes with a plastic insert tray that has one large compartment, and a round compartment for mug, can or glass. Other items shown in picture are for display p… |
|
|
Ventra Pack 2-in-1 Chest Pack / Slim Shoulder Sling Messenger Bag $64.95 VentraPack positions frequently used accessories within sight so you don’t waste time un-strapping and removing your backpack to find your camera, sun-block, etc. while on the move. A zipper releases a drop-down work surface with a map window and comprehensive organizer to store items internally; optional modular exterior pouches are available to hold larger contents. How it works: VentraPack’s 4 … |
|
|
ChargerCity 360° Swivel Adjustment for New Apple iPad iPad 2 3 Kindle Fire Nook Color Universal Tablet Handle Bar Mic Microphone Stand Exercise Machine Shopping Cart Wheelchair Golf Push Cart Strap Lock Mount (Fits aany shape handle bar from .75 to 1.5) $27.99 Need a cost efficient mounting Solution for your tablet? ChargerCity Universal tablet mount offers an easy solution for mounting your tablet on to a microphone stand, golf cart, wheelchair or any standard size round bar .75″ to 1.5″. This adapter mounts to your existing shopping cart, bicycle, wheelchair or golf push cart, .75″-1.5″ Allowing you to place your iPad 2 tablet on various places and f… |
|
|
iShot® Mounts — The New iPad – iPad 2 – iPad 3 – Universal Tablet Complete Microphone Music Stand Adapter Mount – Shopping Cart Bicycle Wheelchair Golf Push Cart Exercise Elliptical Machine Mount – With Device Clip & Works with Most Cases, Sleeves and Screen Protectors $24.15 Wouldn’t you love to mount your device on your Studio Mic Stand and read your Music Note Sheet hands-free at any angle? Wouldn’t you love to mount your device on your shopping cart and read your recipe list right from the source instead of wasting time writing everything down on paper? Wouldn’t you love to mount your device on a Bicycle, Wheelchair or Golf Push Cart without having to spend a fortu… |