A brief analysis of bike prices before and after the industry's boom and bust, and what this means for you
? Or are these larger brands offering very competitive prices simply able to manage economies of scale better because they simply have more capital?We talk a lot about how much bikes cost – because it’s important to you, the reader, and to customers and potential enthusiasts. Those who aren’t entrenched in the cycling industry often scoff when told the price of road bikes – I know I’ve definitely had to take off a zero when telling a non-cycling friend how much my shiny new wheels cost.
Bikes like the Specialized Allez, that you could pick up for £600 in 2014, now cost in the region of £1,000. Admittedly, that’s actually a discount on last year’s price of £1,100, but it’s still a 66% increase on something that according to thein for review in 2019, costing £10,000. For your money you got Shimano’s 11-speed Dura-Ace Di2, Bontrager Aeolus XXX 6 carbon wheels and carbon finishing kit.
I could be argued that brands should be mindful of not falling into the trap of assuming that every customer wants the best. Some just want a bike to get started on, and by pricing them out we run the risk of deterring newcomers. Of course, inflation is what it is, and if you’re still imagining 1990s Halfords bike pricing when you’re looking at new bikes, then you’re always going to be disappointed.