2012 Bikes Price Increases Rip Off. Again!
slowallonian
Posts: 11
Every year it seems to get worse. Just seen Cannondale's new line-up and once again the price increase or lowering of spec, whichever way you want to look at it, clobbers us.
All the manufacturers are just as bad, but I don't see that they can all justify 10% price increases year on year?
It seems the best time to buy a bike is when you first think about it otherwise that nice frame with the 105 kit will be out of reach when the new range comes in. Surely cycling is one of the only things where someone can roll up on the very latest model and you can then feel all smug because you're sat on last years or the year before's model which is actually a better bike for the money?
I can probably answer my own question but are we mugs and slaves to fashion?!
All the manufacturers are just as bad, but I don't see that they can all justify 10% price increases year on year?
It seems the best time to buy a bike is when you first think about it otherwise that nice frame with the 105 kit will be out of reach when the new range comes in. Surely cycling is one of the only things where someone can roll up on the very latest model and you can then feel all smug because you're sat on last years or the year before's model which is actually a better bike for the money?
I can probably answer my own question but are we mugs and slaves to fashion?!
0
Posts
Most of them dont go on the forums, and dont know about the likes of Ribble or Planet X - or even Wiggle - they just go to the LBS and say "what can I get for £X".
So, since it's becoming so popular and there is so much relatively easy money to be made, prices will climb!
All the bright, shiny toys we love so much are made in foriegn parts, price rises are inevitable.
..But mostly the cycle industry getting away with what it can, fueled by masses of guilible consumers.
The government(s) put in a big arms order and the price rises for the rest of us as current stocks are used up.
Currency fluctuations, resources becoming scarcer and harder to mine, more enviromental restrictions meaning more costs when mining/processing, all that jazz all means that the prices rise.
Increases in costs for dealers over here add on a bit as well.
Then add on transportation cost increases due to fuel, protection, and we're stuffed lads/ladettes.
This initially leads to currency devaluation, which is very noticeable in bike prices.
There's also a general rise in commodity prices, but this is versus the dollar and the US are also printing money to devalue.
Investors are trading more in commodities due to the risks in trading in financial and company shares.
Rubber prices have risen lots, since it's an oil derivative. We've used man made rubber, not natural rubber since WW2.
Most retailers selling high value items (i.e. over £1000 RRP will usually have some room for negotiation. You'd be an idiot if you didn't at least ask for a discount when buying an expensive item as they will usually shave some of their margin to make sure that you don't just go to the shop round the corner. The secret to getting a good price is to not be in a hurry, I walked out of a car dealers last year when they wouldn't reduce their price to the level I was prepared to pay. Sure enough later that day I got a phone call from the dealer manager saying that they had sharperned their pencil and would offer a better price (slightly above what i'd hoped, but close enough).
Buy with your head, and let your head rule.
As someone above said, the 2012 models are aimed at newbies with more money than sense who roll into the LBS and say I have £X to spend, what've you got? The LBS salesperson proceeds to recommend them that shiny 2012 model which gives him top commission on the sale... I worked in a camera shop years ago and it worked that way then! It was amazing the number of people who just rolled into a shop without a clue and genuinely believed that the salesperson in front of them was about to offer them totally impartial, independent advice...
Erm.... CAAD9 105 bought in 2010 - RRP £1,299..... CAAD10 105 bought in 2011 - RRP £1,299 :?:
Are other models in the range significantly different? Haven't seen the 2012 prices yet.
Mark Twain
See above - CAAD10 105 available for under £1100 now....
Mark Twain
Many folks can't afford a flash bike as a cash purchase, and want to take an interest free finance option (rightly or wrongly - discuss how credit culture wrecked our economy
Simples.
Mark Twain
Pfft. You're still a salesman.
Don't admit to that.
They're the people who keep me sane. "Do you want this job that (will totally ruin your career) is an amazing opportunity?"
"Actually, that is interesting..".
RESULT.
He he, yes, that's true...!
Either you can't not buy a new bike under those circumstances, or I can't help myself! :roll:
A 2011 Caad10 was too good to miss out on!
Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
Increased popularity and demand should reduce prices not increase them, as manufacturers are able to benefit from increased economies of scale of production and more companies are attracted by increased sale volumes and enter the market. At least that's the theory in economics, however undoubtedly bike 2 work has had an effect on prices in the UK and exchange rates an even bigger effect...
True. In theory. But when the increase in demand is from a very rich demographic (middle-aged men with well paid jobs) then the manufacturers see the £££'s.
If anything all this shows that bike manufacturers are very astute to their market. It's no co-incidence that along with increasing demand from the above demographic, we've also seen more 'sportive' models with taller head tubes and compact chainset's becoming standard kit - things that make cycling easier for fat old men.
Equally their astuteness is a benefit as we're seeing many many features introduced which the market demands. E.g. carbon clinchers (they make no practical sense but the market demands them), super-light frames, cheap carbon frames, and the big one: online retail.
What's wrong with carbon clinchers and cheap carbon frames? OK perhaps someone going for a cheap carbon frame may be better off on a top end aluminium but not always...
If you read what i said, those are the positives that have come from astute manufacturers. People want carbon clinchers and cheap carbon frames. They are providing exactly that. The only real disadvantage is that prices are going up (although that's a bit of a generalisation).
All considered we're getting better bikes but in some cases we're paying a premium. There are still very competitively priced bikes out there. They may not have the branding you desire though (Ribble, P-X, Cube, Canyon, Verenti e.t.c).