Cycling industry is pricing out their own customers.

[Jake1]

I know businesses need to turn a profit; but they do not need to make a boat payment of profit on every sale.
I went to get some inner tubes the other day. I buy in bulk (6 to 10; I also supply other cyclists) so this is a once in a couple of years task. I buy standard tubes; presta, 48mm stem, 700c x 25mm to 28mm. Common sizes so I assume that shops would both have them in sufficient quantities and at a reasonable price. My normal cost 2 years ago: $3-$4; expecting another $1 increase.
First bike shop: $8
Second shop: $10
Third shop: $12 (also a Trek dealer)
Fourth shop: $13 (also a Trek dealer)
I wanted 10 tubes. No shop offered any discount for buying 10 or more; most shops were not aware if they even had enough to cover my order. Most available at one shop 11 tubes.
Eventually found tubes at a none-bike shop for $5/ea. Only had 4 available.

Most shops do not realize that they could make plenty of money selling at volume as opposed to overpricing their bikes, consumables, and service/repair fees.
One shop was readily willing to charge over $50 per hub bearing, and nearly $100 for bottom bracket bearing services (same whether loose or sealed bearing design). One would expect with costs that high that the work being performed is very technical and time consuming (2 hubs and b. bracket service approx. 1 hour total per shop's own staff). One would also assume that for the cost you would have highly and formally trained technicians/mechanics performing said services. Upon asking the "knowledgeable" staff some basic questions I was confronted by staff who could not answer any questions without conferring with "Joe" whom inevitably was never onsite.

So for a very basic service of my $250 bike: 2 tubes@: $25, bar wrap $25 (middle cost; range $13 to $40), bearing service only (no parts): $200. Thus, basic service and consumables = $250 (forget about about tires!). If I could buy a new quality bike for $250 I would; but why even spend $100 when there is nothing wrong with my present ride.
The ignorant consumer thinks they are getting a deal, the rich consumer does not care; but the young, homeless, and others with limited means are not just being priced out of purchasing a bike, but are being priced out of even maintaining their beater. Shops are openly telling (I witnessed this firsthand) a customer that their bike is too far gone and needs to be replaced versus being serviced (actually needed about $50 of parts and 30 minutes labor) which the customer was told would be over $200 service and parts on an essentially functional bike.
It has become a complete joke forcing people online for any sort of reasonable deal on bikes (questionable quality; lack of customer service) and parts.
One shop had a cheesy boat anchor beach cruiser for nearly $500 (one speed, one brake, no accessories). Just go to Wallyworld and buy a new bike everytime the previous one breaks. It will still be cheaper than buying the cheapest bike shop bike.

Salvation Army and Goodwill are now my bike shops! Bikes, parts, and consumables at a price that actually makes sense.

See you in another 2 years!

[GirishH]

@Jake1, truly interesting and sad observation..

This expensive repair is what forced me to "learn" basic bike maintenance techniques. Still not a professional but getting there..

Interestingly, we got a very good bike at a church's "collection" day. We had gone to donate some old clothes and such. We saw a bike that barely needed any work and folks requested for some nominal donation. I forget the brand, but it's good brand with almost no rust. And, this was in the Boston area. My friend stilll uses it after some 8 years. Haven't spent anymore than the nominal donation..

And, I am a big fan of Goodwill stores. Truly a a great service they are doing to the society and the world..

(11-30-2024, 12:18 PM)Jake1 Wrote:  I know businesses need to turn a profit; but they do not need to make a boat payment of profit on every sale.
I went to get some inner tubes the other day. I buy in bulk (6 to 10; I also supply other cyclists) so this is a once in a couple of years task. I buy standard tubes; presta, 48mm stem, 700c x 25mm to 28mm. Common sizes so I assume that shops would both have them in sufficient quantities and at a reasonable price. My normal cost 2 years ago: $3-$4; expecting another $1 increase.
First bike shop: $8
Second shop: $10
Third shop: $12 (also a Trek dealer)
Fourth shop: $13 (also a Trek dealer)
I wanted 10 tubes. No shop offered any discount for buying 10 or more; most shops were not aware if they even had enough to cover my order. Most available at one shop 11 tubes.
Eventually found tubes at a none-bike shop for $5/ea. Only had 4 available.

Most shops do not realize that they could make plenty of money selling at volume as opposed to overpricing their bikes, consumables, and service/repair fees.
One shop was readily willing to charge over $50 per hub bearing, and nearly $100 for bottom bracket bearing services (same whether loose or sealed bearing design). One would expect with costs that high that the work being performed is very technical and time consuming (2 hubs and b. bracket service approx. 1 hour total per shop's own staff). One would also assume that for the cost you would have highly and formally trained technicians/mechanics performing said services. Upon asking the "knowledgeable" staff some basic questions I was confronted by staff who could not answer any questions without conferring with "Joe" whom inevitably was never onsite.

So for a very basic service of my $250 bike: 2 tubes@: $25, bar wrap $25 (middle cost; range $13 to $40), bearing service only (no parts): $200. Thus, basic service and consumables = $250 (forget about about tires!). If I could buy a new quality bike for $250 I would; but why even spend $100 when there is nothing wrong with my present ride.
The ignorant consumer thinks they are getting a deal, the rich consumer does not care; but the young, homeless, and others with limited means are not just being priced out of purchasing a bike, but are being priced out of even maintaining their beater. Shops are openly telling (I witnessed this firsthand) a customer that their bike is too far gone and needs to be replaced versus being serviced (actually needed about $50 of parts and 30 minutes labor) which the customer was told would be over $200 service and parts on an essentially functional bike.
It has become a complete joke forcing people online for any sort of reasonable deal on bikes (questionable quality; lack of customer service) and parts.
One shop had a cheesy boat anchor beach cruiser for nearly $500 (one speed, one brake, no accessories). Just go to Wallyworld and buy a new bike everytime the previous one breaks. It will still be cheaper than buying the cheapest bike shop bike.

Salvation Army and Goodwill are now my bike shops! Bikes, parts, and consumables at a price that actually makes sense.

See you in another 2 years!

[meamoantonio]

wow prices have become crazy, is this in the US? tubes in my country only cost $5-$6 $7 for premium shops with high rent.

[JeffAP]

My local store has gotten pretty expensive compared to online retailers. But I still support them, I'd hate to see them close up.

[rydabent]

The price of everything has gone nuts. Two hamburgers, fries and a Coke these days cost about $18.

---

Growing up on a farm and working for 50 years as a mechanical tech, makes working on a bike simple. None of the usual parts replacement or lube is rocket science. The only thing I havent done is build a wheel.

Everyone can save a huge amount of money if they learn to maintain their own bikes.

[Bweighmaster]

Bike stores are for rich uppity types that does'nt know a presta from a schrader ..
Or, don't know there is an adapter . Thinking about opening my own business ..
Nope , Not really . I'll just work on my own, or others that I meet on the ride ....

[Jake1]

(12-01-2024, 10:46 AM)meamoantonio Wrote:  wow prices have become crazy, is this in the US? tubes in my country only cost $5-$6 $7 for premium shops with high rent.

Yes, US shop prices. I was happy to buy $5 tubes at a non bike shop where I would have expected the higher prices. Fancy bike shops are gouging their customers, and the staff is generally ignorant of bicycles except prices and features of the new bikes (Treks) they are selling. Trek staffer was oblivious when I asked a simple question; response was "I need to wait until "Joe" is in the shop".

(12-02-2024, 12:22 AM)JeffAP Wrote:  My local store has gotten pretty expensive compared to online retailers. But I still support them, I'd hate to see them close up.

I went to 4 shops. I cannot support a business that does not support me as a cyclist, and pricing is not the only issue. Not one bike shop is open prior to 9am (college town; 8 bike shops in a 3 mile radius from the campus) on any day of the week; some closing as early as 5pm on weekdays. The cyclists/cycling commuters I know are out biking well before that time and need support earlier in the day. Bike shops have become nothing more than generic stores that do not properly serve a rather unique community. People need access to parts and supplies (reasonably priced) at times when others are still in bed. Trek and other big brands have been the biggest problem in cycling having become nothing more than a revenue generating machine without any real care about cycling compared to what they started as and what they are now. I will not ride a Trek (just Taiwanese Giant bikes/easy-bake-oven frames with Trek's name on them; just like Scott, Specialized, Colnago, ad nauseum). Bike companies who actually make frames are few and far between, and upon speaking with Scott it was obvious that they did not want to admit to where their frames were produced when directly asked and none of those big bile neands advertise that their frames are "made with pride" in Asia. Even Colnago has to boast about a bike frame they actually make in Italy now since having their frames made by Asian manufacturers.

[Flowrider]

It's tough because prices have sky rocketed so I've gone second hand.

But how do you know how well the bike has been looked after and what it's been through?

Is there a hair line crack in the frame?

I take my time looking and wait.

Wait for someone bought the bike with good intentions but didn't ride it much.

Not perfect way of buying but....

[froze]

Most assuredly prices have gone through the roof for bike parts and accessories, and it's not because of inflation, it's because they're gouging us.

Continental has a tire for $120 for a skinny 25c. Look, there is no way that tire even has 1% of the technology and materials used to make a car tire, and you can find car tires less than that! That's just one example, I don't have the space or time to go on a huge rant, but I know most of you know what I'm talking about. Cycling shorts are now over $100 and into the $300 for maybe $10 worth of materials and labor for the best shorts.

So we have to become creative to keep cycling. I only buy closeouts, or deeply slashed sale prices. I found a set of Vittoria Open Pave CG III for $40 for the pair so I got 2 pairs two years ago, then this year I found a pair Specialized S-Works Turbo Pro tires for just $35 for the pair but they only had the one pair left.

Then due the cost of cycling shorts, I decided to try for next season a pair of Sponeed Cycling Shorts, the upgraded version to see how they'll do. Those are on Amazon and they got very high reviews from over 19,000 reviews, those cost $50 but I got them for $40 on sale.

Anyway, if you don't want to get sucked into high prices that the industry is trying to shove down our throats then you just have to be smarter about what you buy.

Now I will say this, I don't think bike mechanics are getting paid well enough, at least where I live they don't, they barely make more than someone working at McDonalds! They average $19 an hour, but that's average, that means some make less and some make more, but for someone to make just the average of $34,000 a year before taxes is not much money for todays world. I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for labor, but it's the parts that are killing us. I always tip my bicycle mechanics, but not my auto mechanics, auto shops have a shop rate of $120 an hour even though the mechanic themselves only get an $21 an hour for a beginner, but a master mechanic will only make $38 an hour, add another $12 for benefits, so the shop is taking most of the hourly rate they charge us and not giving it to the employees. Auto shops also charge a lot for certain parts, sparkplugs will cost $60 each, but I can get the exact same plug at any auto parts store for $15!!

[meamoantonio]

(12-03-2024, 12:10 PM)Jake1 Wrote:  

(12-01-2024, 10:46 AM)meamoantonio Wrote:  wow prices have become crazy, is this in the US? tubes in my country only cost $5-$6 $7 for premium shops with high rent.

Yes, US shop prices. I was happy to buy $5 tubes at a non bike shop where I would have expected the higher prices. Fancy bike shops are gouging their customers, and the staff is generally ignorant of bicycles except prices and features of the new bikes (Treks) they are selling. Trek staffer was oblivious when I asked a simple question; response was "I need to wait until "Joe" is in the shop".

(12-02-2024, 12:22 AM)JeffAP Wrote:  My local store has gotten pretty expensive compared to online retailers. But I still support them, I'd hate to see them close up.

I went to 4 shops. I cannot support a business that does not support me as a cyclist, and pricing is not the only issue. Not one bike shop is open prior to 9am (college town; 8 bike shops in a 3 mile radius from the campus) on any day of the week; some closing as early as 5pm on weekdays. The cyclists/cycling commuters I know are out biking well before that time and need support earlier in the day. Bike shops have become nothing more than generic stores that do not properly serve a rather unique community. People need access to parts and supplies (reasonably priced) at times when others are still in bed. Trek and other big brands have been the biggest problem in cycling having become nothing more than a revenue generating machine without any real care about cycling compared to what they started as and what they are now. I will not ride a Trek (just Taiwanese Giant bikes/easy-bake-oven frames with Trek's name on them; just like Scott, Specialized, Colnago, ad nauseum). Bike companies who actually make frames are few and far between, and upon speaking with Scott it was obvious that they did not want to admit to where their frames were produced when directly asked and none of those big bile neands advertise that their frames are "made with pride" in Asia. Even Colnago has to boast about a bike frame they actually make in Italy now since having their frames made by Asian manufacturers.

Colnago's race bikes since transitioning to carbon have always been in Asia, as a matter of fact, most Carbon supply is sourced from China and the premium cycling manufacturing is based in Taiwan but Colnago does have their own manufacturing in Italy if you purchase their C line specifically. Titanium on the other hand for brands like Lynskey, Litespeed and other Ti manufacturers are actually all homegrown and made in the US.

btw I think there is a huge market gap for a real bike shop in your area, although money is hard for these stores nowadays, if you put the right F&B concept beside it to supplement income and the ride kinds of events it could sponsor and spearhead, I think a proper bike shop would flourish in your area. So basically real bike shops now need to be an umbrella company that has their hands dipped in Retail, F&B and Event Management. I think this is the only real way for a proper Bike Shop to flourish nowadays.