Are modern day race bikes overpriced?

ccull123 · 28-04-2011 07:44PM #1

Hi all,

Just browsing in bike shop today and left wondering are bikes overpriced or have they come down in the recession. I was looking at the felt z85 2011 model. The price was 1200.00 euro. Just wondering what your views are in genral?

Russman · 28-04-2011 07:49PM

I think that, while bike to work has been successful, the shops are building in a margin for the middlemen that have sprung up on the back of the scheme. Companies need to realise there is little or no admin required to run the scheme but somehow the default thinking is that its complicated and they're as well off to get a 3rd party to do it for them.

I bought a Z85 recently and when the shop knew I wasn't using one of these middlemen they were happy to knock a good chunk of the €1,200 price, got it for €1,050

ccull123 · 28-04-2011 07:51PM

How you find the bike? Riding position comfortable? Where did you pick it up?

Russman · 28-04-2011 08:00PM

I love the bike, very comfortable. Granted I probably wouldn't know any better anyway, I've never been on a high end machine so have no point of reference. Fit is very important, I had a similar model last year but it was a size too big and I never really liked it, this one was a proper fit and I really found it comfortable.
Pity about the crash yesterday !

Bought it in Wheelworx, they couldn't have been more helpful or friendlier to be honest.

langdang · 28-04-2011 08:41PM

Relative to what/when?

If you take the reasoning that 30years ago a far smaller percentage of the population had a "race" bike, then they aren't overpriced now are they?;):D

ccull123 · 28-04-2011 09:33PM

Relative to a few years ago I suppose.. And whilst ur right bout more people cycling I don't believe it's because purchasing a high spec racer is more accessible!! Just feel that since the "bike to work" has taken off shops/manufacturers have upped the prices!

xz · 28-04-2011 09:35PM

Yes they are, but we still shell out for them

But I am surprised that you cannot get finance on a bike, as you would with a car, even given the state of Financial Institutions in this country, I for one, would definitely pay more for my bike if I could spread the cost, AFAIK, you can in the UK and other Eurozone countries, so why not here?
And just to clarify......this would be in between the 5 year gap before I could avail of the bike to work scheme again

gman2k · 28-04-2011 09:50PM

Compared to 15, 20 years ago, todays bikes are very 'cheap'.
I don't mean in terms of technology or advances in frame materials etc, a top end bike 20 years ago was huge money as a percentage of salary etc.
Recession here notwithstanding, they are still cheap!

However..... you will see big price increases over the next 12-18 months way ahead of inflation, due to material, labour, energy and associated manufacturing costs increasing in the producing countries.
I have already been warned by one LBS that grouppo prices will be rising by 20-25% shortly (especially Shimano)

spyderski · 28-04-2011 10:18PM

Bikes are relatively cheaper today than say 20 years ago. I bought a shimano 600 equipped Cannondale in 1993, think it cost £1,600, which is over € 2,000. when adjusted for inflation, its probably near €3,000. You could buy a similar carbon Six with 105/ultegra for €7/800 less today. Still have the C'Dale btw.:)

Beasty · 28-04-2011 11:04PM

xz wrote: »

But I am surprised that you cannot get finance on a bike, as you would with a car,

Cars are manufactured by multinational companies, sold via dealer networks and priced at a level that lends itself to financing (either via the dealer/manufacturers own arrangements, or third party financing companies). Very importantly they can be repossesed in case of default.

Bikes have none of these characteristics, and the best you can hope for is employer financing via the BTW scheme, or with an unsecured loan from a bank or other financial institution

Lumen · 28-04-2011 11:22PM

I think my first bike, a Raleigh Burner, was about £130 (sterling) in about 1984.

That's about £325 in 2008 money, probably £360 now.

The last kids bike I bought was £250, and it's much better engineered than that old Raleigh was.

As far as race bikes are concerned, you can get a fantastic one for under €1000 that's loads better than anything available twenty years ago.

I don't think bikes have become more expensive, I just think many people have more money to spend than they used to.

apologies for sterling, I'm still buying bikes from the UK

gman2k · 29-04-2011 06:57AM

xz wrote: »

But I am surprised that you cannot get finance on a bike

Trek used to offer Finance in Ireland, I bought my frame MTB frame that way in 1995.
AFAIK it was 0% over twelve months. £450 punts was a lot of money back in 1995 when adjusted to today via inflation:eek:

Are modern day race bikes overpriced?

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