The big bike brands are building their bikes overseas to save costs, but they sell them here and price them as if they are made here. They aren't passing that savings on to the consumers.
Lol but that’s not what it’s meant to achieve. The goal is to make ridiculous amounts of profits. If Trek didn’t care about profits they would still be making bikes in Wisconsin.
I tried to buy something from my local bike shop recently. Told them I’d wait gave them my number never heard from them again. Sometimes bike shops close because of bad service.
The issue with bike prices is specific to greed and thinking the consumer is stupid. Tell me again why an ebike is cheaper when alll the same parts and materials are on both then add the motor,battery, display, cords and tell me it costs less. They tipped their hand. We know they have been using greedflation to manipulate prices.
This is why I made the choice to be a collection and return workshop only. With zero interest in bike sales. I'll be offering local area same day parts delivery in future, but for now I'm happy with just fixing bikes. Manufacturers can sell their own bikes, but they'll always need to be fixed. I have nothing bad to say about the UK parts distributors, always available on the phone, a great website and next day delivery is all I need from them.
When I was a kid I used to love going into the local bike shop and just walking around admiring all of those beautiful works of art. After school and on Saturday I would ride my old Murray 10 speed to the shop just to walk through and browse the store. I'd walk in and the smell of all that fresh rubber would fill my nostrils. The bikes were shiny and colorful. All of the great ones were there: the Cannondales, the Nishikis, the Treks, the Panasonics, the Raleighs, etc. The small staff all knew me by my name and always made me feel right at home in spite of knowing that I couldn't afford any of those beautiful bicycles. After I graduated from high school I joined the Navy and finally started making a living and saving up my money. One week when I was home on leave I went back to the shop to see my old friends and buy a new bike. It was a Nishiki mountain bike that happened to be the same color as my brand new 4x4 Toyota pickup truck. The guys at the shop were so proud of me that that they all pitched in their own money and gave me a substantial discount on my first bike. I couldn't hold back my tears. I couldn't believe they thought that much of me to do that for me. Are there still shops out there like this?
In reality the average price margin seems 300 times higher than the original cost. Also U.S. Citizens are now paying exorbitant shipping and tariff fees attached to the price.
Another aspect of the modern consumer is the flow of information through internet and social media. I've been cycling for 40 years and am highly aware of new products coming into the industry. I can read and research heavily before I ever get close to a buying decision. Then, what I want to purchase, is usually not available at my local retailer. They tell me we can order it... but so can I at 75% of their cost. I have even seen this recently all the way to a higher price road bike. They don't want to take the risk to stock it, I have to pay before they will order. In that scenario you are basically put in a direct to consumer buying model. It's a difficult situation for the consumer and the retailer.
100% which then the decision as a manufacturer is to either tough it out for the cause of being the industry team player and struggle to gain ground, or just go online and be the company against local bike shops.... It's a losing scenario either way
My local shop is a Kona dealer, over the last year they went from stopping orders with Kona to being ecstatic to carry Kona because they've got a unique line and enthusiastic salespeople that make them feel heard, they're excited just to have a manufacturer that advocates for their success, that's all it takes, Q, Merida, Giant, and trek might be in for some lean times as the shop owners start turning to alternative brands to fill their shelves.
@@evo1cycling all the d2c stuff, to me, seems like a short-sighted money grab, yes companies stand to make more in the short term, but the cost is losing the shops that organize group rides, support local trail systems, and ultimately act as lobbyists for bike infrastructure at the local level, the people that build the culture you can sell to.
Very Good Points… I worked in bike the industry for the past 8 I feel your pain and no longer work in the industry because of many reasons but mostly because of lack of growth and money and chaos.
Recently, I went into my LBS to buy some items, but was told 'our distributor doesn't handle that.' I was polite and left, but thinking, 'Don't you realize I can get anything I want from Amazon?' And it's happened to other shops in town! The bookstore, the toy store, the health food place. Unreal that Shops are so slow to pick up on this!
Most of my local bike shops have been terrible to deal with not picking up the phone,not replying to voicemail or Email and,on top of it all, treating us like low life... They are hungry now and will be for a while. they have managed to upset me. So, be hungry, eat the stale breadcrums on the floor !! 😤
Yes I have noticed distributors are discontinuing items only to replace them with in-house brands. Maybe going direct to the brands is the way, it’s just tough to make shipping. Also I do need to stop ordering for customers asap. 😊
It’s more work but working with brands directly would probably bring back enough margin to even hire someone to handle that workload. Just think back to when most shops had a lot of staff and then the distributors came in and pretty much eliminated that role.
I like quality bikes with old school standards. I ride reliable rigid steel single-speed 29ers with mechanical disc brakes. I do my own maintenance. Skip complicated & expensive.
@1:50 You don't have to accept anything. That is just how it is. 🤔The division of labor is key to success of any industry. Customers want choice. Imagine each bike manufacturer had their own bike shop network that would only stock their product range. That doesn't sound very appealing, unless you are Cube, Carver, Specialized or Kalkoff, etc. fanboy. Even then, bike manufacturer don't make drivetrains. Shimano is successful for a reason. 🤷♂
The big bike brands are building their bikes overseas to save costs, but they sell them here and price them as if they are made here. They aren't passing that savings on to the consumers.
Exactly!
Lol but that’s not what it’s meant to achieve. The goal is to make ridiculous amounts of profits. If Trek didn’t care about profits they would still be making bikes in Wisconsin.
Most annoying place in the world - a bike shop
It can be for sure!
3 local shops, 2 of them are horrible. Thank God for #3!
Unless your buying a new bike for 12k there interested in you then
I tried to buy something from my local bike shop recently. Told them I’d wait gave them my number never heard from them again. Sometimes bike shops close because of bad service.
You can have the best shop, products, and bikes… but bad service and bad people will always cause it to fail. That sucks to hear
The issue with bike prices is specific to greed and thinking the consumer is stupid. Tell me again why an ebike is cheaper when alll the same parts and materials are on both then add the motor,battery, display, cords and tell me it costs less. They tipped their hand. We know they have been using greedflation to manipulate prices.
Lots of greed out there, the bike shops know that status quo is not sustainable so their reaction is "to go for bust".
This is why I made the choice to be a collection and return workshop only. With zero interest in bike sales. I'll be offering local area same day parts delivery in future, but for now I'm happy with just fixing bikes. Manufacturers can sell their own bikes, but they'll always need to be fixed.
I have nothing bad to say about the UK parts distributors, always available on the phone, a great website and next day delivery is all I need from them.
I have heard the UK actually runs well, the US could take some notes
You have valid points, but not everyone fixes or maintains their own bike(s) so service is a huge factor for a successful bike shop.
When I was a kid I used to love going into the local bike shop and just walking around admiring all of those beautiful works of art. After school and on Saturday I would ride my old Murray 10 speed to the shop just to walk through and browse the store. I'd walk in and the smell of all that fresh rubber would fill my nostrils. The bikes were shiny and colorful. All of the great ones were there: the Cannondales, the Nishikis, the Treks, the Panasonics, the Raleighs, etc. The small staff all knew me by my name and always made me feel right at home in spite of knowing that I couldn't afford any of those beautiful bicycles.
After I graduated from high school I joined the Navy and finally started making a living and saving up my money. One week when I was home on leave I went back to the shop to see my old friends and buy a new bike. It was a Nishiki mountain bike that happened to be the same color as my brand new 4x4 Toyota pickup truck.
The guys at the shop were so proud of me that that they all pitched in their own money and gave me a substantial discount on my first bike. I couldn't hold back my tears. I couldn't believe they thought that much of me to do that for me.
Are there still shops out there like this?
Few and Far between, but still a few! Love this stroy!
No...
In reality the average price margin seems 300 times higher than the original cost. Also U.S. Citizens are now paying exorbitant shipping and tariff fees attached to the price.
Another aspect of the modern consumer is the flow of information through internet and social media. I've been cycling for 40 years and am highly aware of new products coming into the industry. I can read and research heavily before I ever get close to a buying decision. Then, what I want to purchase, is usually not available at my local retailer. They tell me we can order it... but so can I at 75% of their cost. I have even seen this recently all the way to a higher price road bike. They don't want to take the risk to stock it, I have to pay before they will order. In that scenario you are basically put in a direct to consumer buying model. It's a difficult situation for the consumer and the retailer.
100% which then the decision as a manufacturer is to either tough it out for the cause of being the industry team player and struggle to gain ground, or just go online and be the company against local bike shops.... It's a losing scenario either way
My local shop is a Kona dealer, over the last year they went from stopping orders with Kona to being ecstatic to carry Kona because they've got a unique line and enthusiastic salespeople that make them feel heard, they're excited just to have a manufacturer that advocates for their success, that's all it takes, Q, Merida, Giant, and trek might be in for some lean times as the shop owners start turning to alternative brands to fill their shelves.
This is so true! Kona making their comeback has probably been the best thing to happen in the industry in a long time
@@evo1cycling all the d2c stuff, to me, seems like a short-sighted money grab, yes companies stand to make more in the short term, but the cost is losing the shops that organize group rides, support local trail systems, and ultimately act as lobbyists for bike infrastructure at the local level, the people that build the culture you can sell to.
Very Good Points… I worked in bike the industry for the past 8 I feel your pain and no longer work in the industry because of many reasons but mostly because of lack of growth and money and chaos.
It really has gotten chaotic lately, the vibe has changed ALOT
Recently, I went into my LBS to buy some items, but was told 'our distributor doesn't handle that.' I was polite and left, but thinking, 'Don't you realize I can get anything I want from Amazon?' And it's happened to other shops in town! The bookstore, the toy store, the health food place. Unreal that Shops are so slow to pick up on this!
Most of my local bike shops have been terrible to deal with not picking up the phone,not replying to voicemail or Email and,on top of it all, treating us like low life...
They are hungry now and will be for a while. they have managed to upset me. So, be hungry, eat the stale breadcrums on the floor !! 😤
Yes I have noticed distributors are discontinuing items only to replace them with in-house brands. Maybe going direct to the brands is the way, it’s just tough to make shipping.
Also I do need to stop ordering for customers asap. 😊
It’s more work but working with brands directly would probably bring back enough margin to even hire someone to handle that workload. Just think back to when most shops had a lot of staff and then the distributors came in and pretty much eliminated that role.
I like quality bikes with old school standards. I ride reliable rigid steel single-speed 29ers with mechanical disc brakes. I do my own maintenance. Skip complicated & expensive.
Some of the best bikes I’ve ever ridden, they just feel so raw and I think make people better riders who are more in tune.
So somebody put your product in place of Muc-Off? That’s friggin dope.
Didn’t know how bad it really is 😮
Many people don't, and if shops speak out or try to do anything outside of the norm they are punished.
bikes were always supposed to be affordable and clean energy transport thats not bad for environment. that has been completely ruined.
100% they are now disposable and built to last a few years
It's funny you quoted Tommy Boy 😂
Top 5 all time favorite movie for sure!
How big of the market are Trike sales?
That is a great question, I’m actually reviewing a trike right now 🤣
@1:50 You don't have to accept anything. That is just how it is. 🤔The division of labor is key to success of any industry. Customers want choice. Imagine each bike manufacturer had their own bike shop network that would only stock their product range. That doesn't sound very appealing, unless you are Cube, Carver, Specialized or Kalkoff, etc. fanboy. Even then, bike manufacturer don't make drivetrains. Shimano is successful for a reason. 🤷♂
What bike is to your left 👀
Just a little marketplace free find… currently debating on if it’s worth building or not
Nice tool box
Only $250 per week for the next 35 years 😅