The Great Bike Shortage

L'Enfer du Nord · 29-06-2009 02:57PM #1

So the paper work on the bike to work scheme finally came through for me. I rang the bike shop and they are out of stock for the bike I wanted (Lapierre RCR 300) and probably can't get it in my size. They told me that there's a serious shortage of bikes around the 1000 euro range. They also do Giant, so I asked about that and was told that there was no chance of getting a Giant for under 1000 in Ireland now. I may have to wait until September.

A pain for me, I suppose I should be heartened by the success of the scheme but on the other hand it’s kind of ridiculous that you can barely get a mid range bike i.e. more than 500 less than 1000 for most of the summer.

The Felt 30 Speed 30 was mentioned by the bike bike shop as a possibility
-
http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog-canada/speed/speed/09-speed-30.aspx

Anyone have an opinion on it? I didn't ask the price - I can only find it on Felts Swiss and Canadian sites for some reason (Does this make it a safe but boring bike!?).

FrankGrimes · 29-06-2009 03:38PM

That's a bummer alright though the interest in bikes is probably good news overall, though it does make you wonder what sort of volumes of inventory and lead-times the distributors and shops in Ireland were previously working to and what sort of changes they made to anticipate the increased demand or at least react to it once it came. My worry is that as the supply doesn't appear to be scaling inline with the demand, the consumer is missing out on the savings that would usually be associated with a significant increase in demand due to competition across the supplier base.

My workplace has signed up with www.bike2work.ie so there are plenty of shops to choose from (I had a bike already so haven't gone through the process). Are you limited to a single shop or can you deal with any other shops through the work scheme?

Idleater · 29-06-2009 04:07PM

Simple solution is to up the budget and buy a €1500 bike.

You are still (probably) getting €510 off it and you can probably arrange to pay it over a couple of months in work (effectively an interest free loan).

jinka · 29-06-2009 05:15PM

I wouldnt believe the bike shop.Lets your fingers do the walking and ring around. They can be got alright. They will always try and sell a bike they have in stock before ordering from a wholesaler. I do believe Specialized are pretty low though.

kona · 29-06-2009 06:16PM

jinka wrote: »

I wouldnt believe the bike shop.Lets your fingers do the walking and ring around. They can be got alright. They will always try and sell a bike they have in stock before ordering from a wholesaler. I do believe Specialized are pretty low though.

I would, there isnt enough bike! I think bike shops got caught on the hop with the recession, they didnt expect Cycle2 work to explode as spectacularly.

Bikes are fashionable now:cool:, I draw this conclusion ater I saw a snotty nosed neighbour ditch her soft top mercedes for a bike last wednesday when it was sunny:)

Jenroche · 29-06-2009 06:19PM

There's probably been a run on them now what with the good weather and all.

Jen ;->

kona · 29-06-2009 06:20PM

Jenroche wrote: »

There's probably been a run on them now what with the good weather and all.

Jen ;->

dont jinx it:D:(

DirkVoodoo · 29-06-2009 06:22PM

Saw a lot of obvious "cycle to workers" over the last week: Shiny new Lapierre road bikes with 2200/sora, brand new helmet and shorts, no jersey or clipless pedals.

Good to see, but too darn freddish for my liking

Junior · 29-06-2009 06:26PM

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Saw a lot of obvious "cycle to workers" over the last week: Shiny new Lapierre road bikes with 2200/sora, brand new helmet and shorts, no jersey or clipless pedals.

Good to see, but too darn freddish for my liking

aye and to top it all they've gone and outlawed hand guns now as well so there's no chance of 'bumping' them off .. I think I'm going to go buy a Principia just to be different

abcdggs · 30-06-2009 01:30AM

please do, it's horrendously beatiful.

just out of interest, you can get half off a bike up to ~500 euro. so if i hypothetically bought a 3000 bike under c2w i could get 500 off it?

white apples · 30-06-2009 01:47AM

jinka wrote: »

I wouldnt believe the bike shop.Lets your fingers do the walking and ring around. They can be got alright. They will always try and sell a bike they have in stock before ordering from a wholesaler. I do believe Specialized are pretty low though.

I've been waiting about a month on a Specialized that I was supposed to get within 2 to 3 days, put a deposit down n all. Head is wrecked.

Idleater · 30-06-2009 06:58AM

abcdggs wrote: »

just out of interest, you can get half off a bike up to ~500 euro. so if i hypothetically bought a 3000 bike under c2w i could get 500 off it?

Yup, that's what i'm doing, but technically you should be cycling that bike to work or per rules of the scheme.
I already have 2 bikes, duraace and mtb, so i'm diversifying and going fs mtb.
And yes, the bike shops have sold almost everything from manufacturers who had not been expecting such sales in europe.

blorg · 30-06-2009 08:27AM

abcdggs wrote: »

just out of interest, you can get half off a bike up to ~500 euro. so if i hypothetically bought a 3000 bike under c2w i could get 500 off it?

Yes. The actually using it to cycle to work is unlikely to be strictly monitored or enforced, (it certainly isn't in the UK) you just have to state your intent.

L'Enfer du Nord · 30-06-2009 08:27AM

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Saw a lot of obvious "cycle to workers" over the last week: Shiny new Lapierre road bikes with 2200/sora, brand new helmet and shorts, no jersey or clipless pedals.

Good to see, but too darn freddish for my liking

Hmm...
I already have a road bike, (plus a couple of other bikes in different locations). I have a 3 km cycle to work - through heavy traffic with lots of turns and traffic lights. I really never pick up any speed as a result. In the circumstances I'd feel even more ridiculous than usual in a pair of bib-shorts etc.

This would be more my speed

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/fashion/02FITNESS.html?_r=1&ref=fashion

rubadub · 30-06-2009 08:56AM

Has anybody noticed chancers in shops upping the price, most people would not have a clue what the price should be.

Has any shop made a move to be helpful to businesses accounts departments? i.e. sort out all the details and hand it to them on a plate, it would be well in their interests, especially for smaller companies where only one person might want it. Still think it is crazy they didn't just scrap VAT on all bikes.

daymobrew · 30-06-2009 09:16AM

white apples wrote: »

I've been waiting about a month on a Specialized that I was supposed to get within 2 to 3 days, put a deposit down n all. Head is wrecked.

My wife is waiting for a Specialized Vita Elite. Her company were slow to approve the scheme so now she has to wait until some time in August for the 2010 model.
Right now the poor thing is using her 2000 Specialized Rockhopper (with slicks) for her 5km trip.

petethedrummer · 30-06-2009 09:32AM

rubadub wrote: »

Has anybody noticed chancers in shops upping the price, most people would not have a clue what the price should be.

There were chancers before the C2W scheme and there will be after.

rubadub wrote: »

Has any shop made a move to be helpful to businesses accounts departments? i.e. sort out all the details and hand it to them on a plate, it would be well in their interests, especially for smaller companies where only one person might want it. Still think it is crazy they didn't just scrap VAT on all bikes.

The scheme is not that difficult to comprehend. Anyone in an accounts department should be able to understand it. And there's loads of information available on the web.

Colmhayden76 · 30-06-2009 10:07AM

I have talked to a couple of bike shops about this shortage and what it comes down to is the irish distributers of the bikes order x amount of each model per year. This means that due to certain distibuters not ordering enough the bike companies production runs won't cover the world wide demand. It always strikes me as funny though that come October you will see on uk web sites bikes suposedly out of stock since june for sale at reduced prices.

You see even cycling is involved in the global economic thingy:D:D

On the plus side my LBS had 3 of 2010's Spesh bikes in over the week end for customers.(though this could mean that the drought could start as early as march next year!)

kona · 30-06-2009 11:06AM

rubadub wrote: »

Has anybody noticed chancers in shops upping the price, most people would not have a clue what the price should be.

Has any shop made a move to be helpful to businesses accounts departments? i.e. sort out all the details and hand it to them on a plate, it would be well in their interests, especially for smaller companies where only one person might want it. Still think it is crazy they didn't just scrap VAT on all bikes.

Halfords have a suit going around different businesses setting it up etc AFAIK.

kona · 30-06-2009 11:07AM

Colmhayden76 wrote: »

I have talked to a couple of bike shops about this shortage and what it comes down to is the irish distributers of the bikes order x amount of each model per year. This means that due to certain distibuters not ordering enough the bike companies production runs won't cover the world wide demand.

Thats exactley whats happening. Although Id say they will source from other markets.
So much or the 2009 models being sold off...there wont be any.:(

DirkVoodoo · 30-06-2009 05:03PM

L'Enfer du Nord wrote: »

Hmm...
I already have a road bike, (plus a couple of other bikes in different locations). I have a 3 km cycle to work - through heavy traffic with lots of turns and traffic lights. I really never pick up any speed as a result. In the circumstances I'd feel even more ridiculous than usual in a pair of bib-shorts etc.

This would be more my speed

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/fashion/02FITNESS.html?_r=1&ref=fashion

Nah you can just tell they are new to cycling, the bikes are pretty much the biggest giveaway. I don't wear lycra commuting. I have a nice pair of "Rafa shorts": 3/4 length shorts by royal. Comfy enough. I actually tend to look more like a mountain biker/hipster on my commutes.

white apples · 30-06-2009 09:11PM

Colmhayden76 wrote: »

On the plus side my LBS had 3 of 2010's Spesh bikes in over the week end for customers.(though this could mean that the drought could start as early as march next year!)

Can I ask where your LBS is?

Soccerchipie · 12-07-2009 12:03PM

You are dead-on with the greedy chancers upping the prices in the bike shops..... even the suppliers are getting in on the act by forcing retaillers to sell at list prices to keep the margins high.... they are making a killing on the bike to work scheme..... A serious amount of price fixing going on between retaillers... particularly Stagg cycles in Lucan and Hollingsworth (bikez.ie) which saw the price of a Specialized Definite jump from €900 to €1275 over a weekend when I looked for a price-match..... Robbers!!:mad:

Idleater · 12-07-2009 03:09PM

Soccerchipie wrote: »

which saw the price of a Specialized Definite jump from €900 to €1275 over a weekend when I looked for a price-match..... Robbers!!:mad:

I think that is specialized themselves. They had some promo £-€ equivalence deal which was supposed to last for "April" but they continued it to the end of June. Therefore the prices are ineffect "back to normal" now so you might want to check your facts.

Also, Specialized set the prices (in this case), not the shops. A bit like Apple, where you pay the same for an ipod in a shop as you do online and across the eurozone.

Soccerchipie · 12-07-2009 03:26PM

nereid wrote: »

I think that is specialized themselves. They had some promo £-€ equivalence deal which was supposed to last for "April" but they continued it to the end of June. Therefore the prices are ineffect "back to normal" now so you might want to check your facts.

Also, Specialized set the prices (in this case), not the shops. A bit like Apple, where you pay the same for an ipod in a shop as you do online and across the eurozone.

Sorry.... Should have read Kellys Definite... not Specialized. Just on that point in relation to specialized £=€ promotion.... is it still ongoing..... Stagg cycles Lucan still have it advertised on their website
http://www.staggcycles.com/
..... but I sincerly doubt that they will honour it.

Soccerchipie · 12-07-2009 03:32PM

nereid wrote: »

I think that is specialized themselves. They had some promo £-€ equivalence deal which was supposed to last for "April" but they continued it to the end of June. Therefore the prices are ineffect "back to normal" now so you might want to check your facts.

Also, Specialized set the prices (in this case), not the shops. A bit like Apple, where you pay the same for an ipod in a shop as you do online and across the eurozone.

True.... Bike companys do have a trade price for retailers and a "RECOMMENDED" retail price for retailers to sell at..... this is a recommended price which includes approx 40-60% mark up from the trade price...
This gives the retailers some scope to create a little competition in the market.... but if the supplier is insisting that the RRP is adhered to..... its price fixing!!

Idleater · 12-07-2009 03:49PM

Soccerchipie wrote: »

This gives the retailers some scope to create a little competition in the market.... but if the supplier is insisting that the RRP is adhered to..... its price fixing!!

Have you even looked at Apple's pricing policy? That hasn't been brought into question has it? If and when it does then yes, it should make these MSRP's a bit more obvious.

In relation to your other question, I believe the prices are upped on all new stock orders. I.e. ones not already in shops still have the existing prices. However, there is such a lack of availability on any 2009 stuff that you are ordering new 2010 bikes anyway regardless.

I was looking at Giant and Specialized and can't get any of the models I wanted till end August at the earliest. 2010 stuff at 2010 prices is where it's at I'm afraid, unless you find a shop with a "display model" for sale.

Don't know which model you are looking at, but I happened by 53degrees North in Blanch and they had a nice display of specialized bikes.

L.

kona · 12-07-2009 05:56PM

Soccerchipie wrote: »

You are dead-on with the greedy chancers upping the prices in the bike shops..... even the suppliers are getting in on the act by forcing retaillers to sell at list prices to keep the margins high.... they are making a killing on the bike to work scheme..... A serious amount of price fixing going on between retaillers... particularly Stagg cycles in Lucan and Hollingsworth (bikez.ie) which saw the price of a Specialized Definite jump from €900 to €1275 over a weekend when I looked for a price-match..... Robbers!!:mad:

Plenty of other shops in europe you can buy from.

Bike shops dont just raise the prices for the craic,you may have been misquoted, possibly for a older model or a lesser spec.

You should have put a deposit on it;)

Soccerchipie · 13-07-2009 12:01PM

kona wrote: »

Plenty of other shops in europe you can buy from.

Bike shops dont just raise the prices for the craic,you may have been misquoted, possibly for a older model or a lesser spec.

You should have put a deposit on it;)

I would have bought it there and then.... online..... bikez.ie (Hollingsworths) latest model... picture and description... on both Kellys Definite and Kellys Phanatic.... Unlikely that both bikes were incorrectly priced.... and both bikes increased in price by €300.
I couldn't buy it there and then as my company has partnered with Stagg and eurocycle for the bike2work scheme..... so I went looking for Stagg to match hollingsworth price..(€900 for the Kellys Definite)... The price was matched alright....Staggs price..... €1275 by Hollingsworth.... What a scam:mad:

kona · 13-07-2009 12:12PM

Soccerchipie wrote: »

I would have bought it there and then.... online..... bikez.ie (Hollingsworths) latest model... picture and description... on both Kellys Definite and Kellys Phanatic.... Unlikely that both bikes were incorrectly priced.... and both bikes increased in price by €300.
I couldn't buy it there and then as my company has partnered with Stagg and eurocycle for the bike2work scheme..... so I went looking for Stagg to match hollingsworth price..(€900 for the Kellys Definite)... The price was matched alright....Staggs price..... €1275 by Hollingsworth.... What a scam:mad:

How does your work run the scheme, do they transfer funds by Electronic transfer, by a gift card, or by business cheque?

Soccerchipie · 13-07-2009 12:18PM

kona wrote: »

How does your work run the scheme, do they transfer funds by Electronic transfer, by a gift card, or by business cheque?

You may purchase a bicycle / pedelec from Stagg Cycles in Lucan or Eurocycles

Step 1. Go to one of the above shops and choose your bike / pedelec. The maximum total (for bike and accessories) is €1,000

Step 2. Get a quote /order from the shop

Step 3. Complete the enclosed Bike2Work application form and have it approved by your Manager.

Step 4. Complete and sign the Acknowledgement and Waiver
Step 5. Bring the approved application form, waiver and quote from the cycle shop to Finance.

Step 6. Arrange for Purchase Order to be raised by the person in your department with responsibility for Purchase Orders.
Step 7. Company will pay for the bike / accessories

Step 8. Finance will notify you that you may collect a voucher from them.

Step 9. Bring your voucher to the shop and collect your bike / pedelec / accessories!

Step 10. The net cost of the purchase ie less relief for tax, PRSI and levies will be taken in one deduction from the next payroll run.

The Great Bike Shortage

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