Bike prices
- Thread starter PJ79LIZARD
- Start date
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vickster
Legendary Member
Ta.
Also, all the very costly R&D that goes into developing the top end materials and components will drip feed down through the ranges as the manufacturers need to recoup that investment (they won't do it by selling a hundred £8k bikes), so sooner or later we will all benefit
Also, all the very costly R&D that goes into developing the top end materials and components will drip feed down through the ranges as the manufacturers need to recoup that investment (they won't do it by selling a hundred £8k bikes), so sooner or later we will all benefit
As already said on this thread, top-end is top-end and it costs.
I've notced a couple of things in cycle prices over the past 20 years or so...
1. People who are 'new' to the pursuit and may only be involved for a few years go straight for high-end stuff in a way I don't recall that sort doing 20 years ago. I don't know why this is.
2. I suspect that in real terms prices are higher. In the early 80s a friend had a bespoke, high-end bike put together at Condor for about £350. At the time that was an absurd amount of money, but the bike was quite delicious. Most of us rode, but we all had standard Dawes, Raleigh or similar 5-speed or 10-speed stuff. At that time a school-leaver was earning maybe £70/80 per week. So... a posh Condor for 5 weeks' money for a school-leaver.
What would that machine cost now (updated to current spec). A condor ground-up bike can cost easily £4500-£5000, but I don't imagine many school-leavers are pulling in a grand a week.
3. Volumes for high-end stuff are greater now; Campagnolo transmissions were a rarity outside the full-on cycling community 20 or 30 years ago... now you see scores of them at every station car park. this should bring prices down, but it hasn't.
Cycling is 'sexy' in a way it really wasn't 30 years ago (apart from among a few die-hards). The market will charge what the market can bear. We are all willing to pay these barmy prices and as long as we are prices will continue as they are.
I don't like spending money and I save it where I can, but I do love to ride the smooth, swish, light bicycle that money buys me.
I'd like to resent it, but somehow I can't.
I've notced a couple of things in cycle prices over the past 20 years or so...
1. People who are 'new' to the pursuit and may only be involved for a few years go straight for high-end stuff in a way I don't recall that sort doing 20 years ago. I don't know why this is.
2. I suspect that in real terms prices are higher. In the early 80s a friend had a bespoke, high-end bike put together at Condor for about £350. At the time that was an absurd amount of money, but the bike was quite delicious. Most of us rode, but we all had standard Dawes, Raleigh or similar 5-speed or 10-speed stuff. At that time a school-leaver was earning maybe £70/80 per week. So... a posh Condor for 5 weeks' money for a school-leaver.
What would that machine cost now (updated to current spec). A condor ground-up bike can cost easily £4500-£5000, but I don't imagine many school-leavers are pulling in a grand a week.
3. Volumes for high-end stuff are greater now; Campagnolo transmissions were a rarity outside the full-on cycling community 20 or 30 years ago... now you see scores of them at every station car park. this should bring prices down, but it hasn't.
Cycling is 'sexy' in a way it really wasn't 30 years ago (apart from among a few die-hards). The market will charge what the market can bear. We are all willing to pay these barmy prices and as long as we are prices will continue as they are.
I don't like spending money and I save it where I can, but I do love to ride the smooth, swish, light bicycle that money buys me.
I'd like to resent it, but somehow I can't.
Hip Priest
Veteran
Like most recreational cyclists, an £8k bike is not affordable to me and not really necessary for my needs. I don't begrudge anyone who wants to (and can afford to) spend that sort of money though - good luck to them.
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
An 8k bike? What a great idea. The day you out climb/outsprint the owner of said machine on your 500 quid bike you'll feel a million dollars, never mind 8 grand.
In kayaking the saying "all the gear, no idea" is heard on a regular basis, £1000 boat, £400 paddle, £600 drysuit, £150 helmet, couldn't paddle a boat straight for 10 yards! Oh, hang on. That's me!
In kayaking the saying "all the gear, no idea" is heard on a regular basis, £1000 boat, £400 paddle, £600 drysuit, £150 helmet, couldn't paddle a boat straight for 10 yards! Oh, hang on. That's me!
snailracer
Über Member
In a free country, people have the right to buy what they want - and others have the right to say what they think about it.
BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
Its a great way of telling your wife that spending £2,000 on a bike isn't actually that much.
"Its less than a quarter of the price of this bike!"
I'm working hard on this theory at the moment.
"Its less than a quarter of the price of this bike!"
I'm working hard on this theory at the moment.
Brandane
Legendary Member
- Location
- Costa Clyde
A lot of it is down to peoples different perceptions. A mate of mine cannot believe that 2 years ago I spent £700 on a new Specialized Tricross. He still goes on about it whenever I see him! He is not a cyclist and spends a fair bit of time in his local pub. He probably gets through £700 across the bar of the pub in about 2 months.
After 2 years I still have the bike, have covered 5600 enjoyable miles on it in different parts of Britain and France, have lost 2 stone in weight and generally feel much fitter. It was the best bargain I ever had at £700.
I don't have the heart to tell my mate that I have added a Secteur Sport and a Trek 6500 MTB to the collection
.
After 2 years I still have the bike, have covered 5600 enjoyable miles on it in different parts of Britain and France, have lost 2 stone in weight and generally feel much fitter. It was the best bargain I ever had at £700
.I don't have the heart to tell my mate that I have added a Secteur Sport and a Trek 6500 MTB to the collection
.