Perceived cost of road bike and kit
Comments
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tomisitt wrote:I think the average person would be stunned to know that a decent bike can cost upwards of £3000
People know that bikes come in a range of prices.tomisitt wrote:Most people's experience with bikes is buying something for their kids, or buying themselves a BSO (bicycle shaped object) from somewhere like Halfords. They may spend a couple of hundred quid max on a BSO, £30 on a helmet, and that's that.
That might be that, if you're buying a bike for a short, flat commute. Alrght, throw in some lights, £14.99, Halfords' best.
People understand that if you're out on your bike doing long distances on a regular basis, sportives, tours, races and what not, you're going to be spending a lot more. I can't imagine anyone I know being under the impression that all bikes cost a couple of hundred pounds.0 -
A neighbour with a good job (must be four figure salary), 4 bed detached house, nice German cars and prolly drinks £20 bottles of red wine wanted some help to get a mountain bike.
He sent me a spread sheet of £100-150 junk. I found it tough to get him to buy a £280 bargain Saracen. He just could not contemplate how much bikes cost.0 -
I'm not sure that people do understand that you're spending a lot more. I don't think Joe Public, with no experience of cycling other than Halfords' BSOs, has any idea about the real cost of hobbyist cycling, and certainly has never heard of a sportive. I had my new wheels delivered to my office recently, and my co-workers couldn't believe I'd spent £600 on a pair of wheels..for a bike!!! I didn't dare tell them what the rest of the bike cost.0
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How did the subject of how much they cost come up?
Moving on a step from the topic of the original post, does it bother anyone?0 -
Slo Mo Jones wrote:
Moving on a step from the topic of the original post, does it bother anyone?
Do you mean, does the fact that people think decent bikes are a lot cheaper than they are, bother anyone?
For me, yes and no.
I think I would like people to understand they cost more for three reasons.
One, so that they have more understanding of bikes (and just things generally) and maybe develop an interest even.
Two, because I feel that (and this was the reason for the thread) if they think they are cheap they may be more likely to have a problem with people with expensive ones (of which there are a lot more than they would think).
So whereas they might currently think someone with a £2000 bike is a flash git, they would understand he is one of many people just enjoying a healthy value for money hobby.
Three, because a lot of newbies seem to be guided by this perception and then end up buying another bike 6 months later. Maybe thats not a bad thing though. We all like buying bikes and it gives someone a used bargain, and helps the economy.
The no was because I do not particularly want people to know what my bike cost.0 -
Slo Mo Jones wrote:tomisitt wrote:I think the average person would be stunned to know that a decent bike can cost upwards of £3000
People know that bikes come in a range of prices.tomisitt wrote:Most people's experience with bikes is buying something for their kids, or buying themselves a BSO (bicycle shaped object) from somewhere like Halfords. They may spend a couple of hundred quid max on a BSO, £30 on a helmet, and that's that.
That might be that, if you're buying a bike for a short, flat commute. Alrght, throw in some lights, £14.99, Halfords' best.
People understand that if you're out on your bike doing long distances on a regular basis, sportives, tours, races and what not, you're going to be spending a lot more. I can't imagine anyone I know being under the impression that all bikes cost a couple of hundred pounds.
I doubt that Joe Bloggs have much idea of cost, the subject came up with a few of my mates with some golfers and motorcyclists within the group, the price of tyres and how long they last raised eyebrows, but when I told them the cost of the wheels beer was spat across the table. When I ran through the cost of bars, stems and posts etc they just thought I was joking and with Sidi cycling shoes costing more than Sidi bike boots.....well.0 -
Interesting about the Sidi shoes/boots. Maybe us cyclists are a soft touch lol.
My cycle shoes are easily the most expensive footwear I own. Then again, they are easily the most technical.
I bought a pair of trainers in the 80's that might have come close taking account of inflation though ;-)
Thinking about it, they were made out of Kangaroo too!0 -
cheaterkiller wrote:A good pair of shorts for £150? Whats the advantage of one of those over something you can get for £30 in direct sports? I got decent enough skin tight stuff from them. Dont know about winter stuff tho, I only need crap that doesnt cause much drag.
Have you ever tried more expensive shorts? I've ridden in everything from Aldi shorts at £10 to Assos and Cervo Rosso at £100+. The Aldi shorts were poor. They didn't fit properly, were uncomfortable and a waste of money, however little. I've had cheaper shorts (craft, giordana, pearl izumi at £50) that were perfectly adequate for 3-4 hour rides but when looking at something that will keep me comfortable for all day rides and allow me to ride 400-500 km a week without causing skin damage and infection, I know which end of the spectrum I'll always look at!0 -
I think Joe Average is probably quite shocked by the idea of a road bike going over £2K. But who cares what he thinks!
Bike prices have gone a bit nuts though. Remember - a carbon Focus with near full Ultegra was £1K not that long ago.
One of my bikes is a £650 Giant and at the time it was a big outlay for me and I was (and am) very fond of it. My mate, who rode far less frequently, blew £1500 on a Cannondale and used to sniff at the Giant as a cheap bike (as others did). So I loved it when both bikes were propped up on a wall near Ventoux and all the roadies toddling by on their cleats all stopped to look at the Giant, cos it's a cracking looking bike, ho ho.
Photography is one of my hobbies. Very pricey at the upper end if you get into lenses. But you can get a great SLR and a few lenses for way less than a 'good' road bike. Running is so blissfully cheap. But then you've got £90 on new shoes every 500 miles or less...0
