[roxnroots]

I keep reading about dramatic increases in commodity prices for materials like oil, aluminum, etc. by the end of the year, if not sooner which could trigger some minor-to- moderate inflation. This crossed my mind since I've been thinking about possibly adding a Giant Anthem niner to the stable. Financially-speaking, I'd rather wait since I did a SS and an AM 26" rig last year (both of which I love) but now there's the threat of sustained higher bike prices for months or even years to come that could add perhaps hundreds of dollars to the purchase price.

So anybody else thinking about buying a new ride sooner than they might have otherwise because of this possibility?

 

[newnan3]

I heard this as well......Good thing I went ahead and got my new bike.

 

[markf]

specialized, trek, and i'm sure others, have already bumped prices for the 2011 models. 3 months ago MSRP on basically all bikes was a bit lower than it is now.

 

[skiahh]

Yes, prices will go higher. And soon... shoot, transportation costs alone have gone up dramatically in the last few weeks because of the new turmoil in the mid-east.

Plus as the economy recovers - if the higher oil prices don't tank tube that - we'll naturally see some inflation. Hopefully not dramatic, but some.

 

[lidarman]

Listening to Glen Beck?

Bikes are overpriced but not because of materials. They always have been.

It's because it's a specialized sport, like golf, baseball, skiing, etc...It's like a cartel.

You can get a great frame from Jenson or Pricepoint for nearly nothing. Not bad either. I got a Sette hardtail for my SS build for $79 and it's my fave bike. The components for more than a SS are hard to get cheap however.

But it could be cheaper than it is,,,,forget the threat of inflated energy and commodity prices. That's just an excuse in the bike world.

However, if we are actually going to hit peak oil soon, then yes, everything is going up....least you have a bike to ride...get a cheap one with a basket to carry the goodies from your local farm.

 

[icegeek]

I thought we already hit peak oil.

 

[socal_jack]

As long as Bernanke prints and pumps free money(via almost daily POMO monetization) thru the primary dealers; equities, commodities, oil, and PMs(real money) will continue to go parabolic with no improvement in the economy necessary. Our only real export is inflation via QE, but it's starting to come back at us now thru variety of paths.

 

[lidarman]

I thought we already hit peak oil.

We did, but the economy crash in 2008 wrecked the fun. Now we have to wait again. Pain, wait for it...pain...wait for ti....the pessimists say we passed it. The optimists say it's 30 years away.

The EIA sees worst case 2026, their best case is 2060. Some say it's here. One thing it true, everyone sees a peak.

But do we listen to Al Bartlette, who says when the bacteria sees 3% effect when there are only a few doublings left before doom to go?

I'm on the denial path myself.

 

[jmctav23]

surely prices for CF bikes won't go up as well then right?

 

[MK_]

[...]

Thanks for the link!

_MK

 

[Noclutch]

I think the cost of our bicycles is going to be the least of our concerns in the near future....
Yes thanks for the link with more links.

 

[2wheelsoul]

I still wonder how in the heck a bicycle with, lets say for example, has 100 moving parts and a CRF450 has 1000 yet the CRF450 is cheaper ($7000 Specialized vs $6500 CRF).

This defies logic. Every single component of a CRF is more complex and requires longer manufacturing timelines than its contemporary on the mtn bike.

A mtn bike should not have to cost more than $4000 based on the CRF comparison....in my opinion.

I remember seeing the first $7,000 ad a few years ago. This year some Scott bike I saw was $9,800. Insane.

 

[kestrel242]

I still wonder how in the heck a bicycle with, lets say for example, has 100 moving parts and a CRF450 has 1000 yet the CRF450 is cheaper ($7000 Specialized vs $6500 CRF).

Smaller economies of scale for mountain bikes is part of it. Also, Honda literally does not make a dirtbike equivalent of the high-end mountain bikes you mention here (see below).

This defies logic. Every single component of a CRF is more complex and requires longer manufacturing timelines than its contemporary on the mtn bike.

No. When you paint such a broad brush ("Every single component") it's almost impossible to not be wrong. I'm going to sidestep discussion on why and talk about comparing apples to apples though:

Honda is consciously building to a price point with their competitors well in mind. Specialized and Scott already have bikes built to a competitive price point. The ones you're citing to are taking a (more or less) cost-no-object philosophy.

Had Honda used that philosophy on the CRF450, they could probably bring it in well under 200lbs, but you can bet it wouldn't be price-competitive with the competition.

Now Honda could make a special edition CRF like that, but how many people would pay double the CRF's price just to knock off say 30-50lbs off its weight and then trash it in the desert? Some people certainly would, but apparently not nearly enough to justify the business case (read: expenses and liabilities) for such a thing.

 

[Blksocks]

Have the ability to take out a loan for a bike,

 

[roxnroots]

Have the ability to take out a loan for a bike,

Yeah, will we look back at the present as the good ol' days when we could actually buy a rig without signing papers to take out a loan, let alone adding in the costs of the obligatory upgrades, bling, and gear that go along with it?

We could be talking to the "young-uns" years in the future telling them about a time you could save most of the money you needed for a bike, float the balance a a credit card able to be paid in full at the end of the month and walk out the door with a nice ride. If we're headed for a future of $6,000, $8,000, even $10,000 mountain bikes - actual loans might become reality - then can separate mtb insurance separate from your homeowner's policy be far behind?

 

[Malone]

I work part time at a Trek / Giant store in Wisconsin and got this email from the boss a couple weeks ago:

"We just received word from our manufacturers that there will be a price increase on all 2011 bikes beginning March 1st. If you are thinking about purchasing a new bike for this coming cycling season, now is the time! Take home your new bike before the end of February to avoid the increased prices."

I'm not sure how much it is, typically bikes go up $20-50 every year just for inflation.

Tim

 

[Blksocks]

Yeah, will we look back at the present as the good ol' days when we could actually buy a rig without signing papers to take out a loan, let alone adding in the costs of the obligatory upgrades, bling, and gear that go along with it?

We could be talking to the "young-uns" years in the future telling them about a time you could save most of the money you needed for a bike, float the balance a a credit card able to be paid in full at the end of the month and walk out the door with a nice ride. If we're headed for a future of $6,000, $8,000, even $10,000 mountain bikes - actual loans might become reality - then can separate mtb insurance separate from your homeowner's policy be far behind?

Sir, sign here, here, here, and here, oh yea, here, here, and okay, last one, here! :ciappa: