High end road ( super ) bikes are getting a bit pricey
Discussion
E65Ross said:
I love the fact high end bikes exist. There has never been more choice for bikes than now, I think.
Can't afford this bike? Then buy something else? No big deal, is it?
There’s no way I’d spend more than 10 grand on any single road bike, let alone an ‘off the shelf’ offering. I was having a good look at a couple of bikes in a Giant store quite close to me over the weekend. They had a propel advanced SL disc, for 9K. It was a very tidy piece of kit, but I just couldn’t enjoy something like that, because I like to go places, and see stuff, and occasionally use trains if needs be, and leave the bike while I walk about and do / see stuff. I would be nervous about leaving something that cost that much anywhere, for any length of time. The amount of times I’ve been chopped during events, or even just out on the roads would also mean I would be nervous about riding it during the odd organised event I ride as well. Can't afford this bike? Then buy something else? No big deal, is it?
Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
It’s a boring choice for the money. You’d be mad not to go down the custom route and spec something more exiting from the likes of Seven or Parlee
This is so wrong.I have a Project 1 9.9 Madone (although I run h1 fit with Enve 7.8s and a Quarq for about the same cost) and a Parlee ESX (so in a way directly compatible rather than say a Z-Zero).
The Madone is an absolute speed machine. The Parlee is outclassed for speed work and its main use is coffee shop posing (which most boutique makers bikes are), mine even benefits from being painted digi-cammo. The handling on the Parlee is very, very twitchy to the point of discomfort - and for a brand defined by ride comfort; again the Trek outclasses it. The only time the parlee is more exciting is on its twitchy edge (not when ridden hard). You really mean flash don't you.
The Madone's main failing is Trek spawned it.
Aero bikes by their nature are uncompromising (or comfort compromised). I don't think any of the smaller / boutique manufacturers have yet to build a better Aero machine than the bigger houses.
It's nothing new really.
Back in 2014 I heard about the launch of the Trek Émonda SLR 10 which was priced at £11,000.
SRAM Red 22 and Tune Skyline wheels topping off a bike weighing a claimed 4.65kg. Lots of purpose designed ultra-light finishing kit branded with the Bontrager name. I thought it was mad at the time, then when I saw one in a local shop I thought it was even more mad.
https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/trek-emonda-slr-10....
Then, six or eight months later, I ended up being persuaded (almost strong-armed) into trying a ride on an SL 5. That had a somewhat more reasonable sub-£2,000 price tag. But it was green, so I went up to a red SL6 at £2,300.
I wasn't (or at least I don't think I was consciously) aware of being influenced by the expensive headliner in the range. In the end it was the comfort and handling of the bike that sold it to me. And it's still a far more accomplished bicycle than I'll ever need, after nearly 4 years and nearly 11,000 miles.
The daft thing about seeing the SLR10 "in the carbon" was that although it was clearly a higher-spec bike than the one I ended up buying, it certainly didn't seem to be obvious as to where the extra £8,700 had been spent, nor how the circa. 2 kg had been shaved off the complete bike weight. But yes, while it's good that these development mules are made available to buy, the benefits of trickle-down technological advances from the pro peleton will reach our level for far less cash one day, so long as they're worth having and aren't banned by the UCI before they reach us.
I like seeing top-end bikes out on the road, and whatever the capabilities of the rider I respect their choice to spend their money on them, but even if I were a lottery millionaire I don't really think I'd be willing to spend that sort of cash on one bike. Although if anyone wants to donate that sort of money to me we can try to run the experiment to see how long I hold out...
Back in 2014 I heard about the launch of the Trek Émonda SLR 10 which was priced at £11,000.
SRAM Red 22 and Tune Skyline wheels topping off a bike weighing a claimed 4.65kg. Lots of purpose designed ultra-light finishing kit branded with the Bontrager name. I thought it was mad at the time, then when I saw one in a local shop I thought it was even more mad.
https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/trek-emonda-slr-10....
Then, six or eight months later, I ended up being persuaded (almost strong-armed) into trying a ride on an SL 5. That had a somewhat more reasonable sub-£2,000 price tag. But it was green, so I went up to a red SL6 at £2,300.
I wasn't (or at least I don't think I was consciously) aware of being influenced by the expensive headliner in the range. In the end it was the comfort and handling of the bike that sold it to me. And it's still a far more accomplished bicycle than I'll ever need, after nearly 4 years and nearly 11,000 miles.
The daft thing about seeing the SLR10 "in the carbon" was that although it was clearly a higher-spec bike than the one I ended up buying, it certainly didn't seem to be obvious as to where the extra £8,700 had been spent, nor how the circa. 2 kg had been shaved off the complete bike weight. But yes, while it's good that these development mules are made available to buy, the benefits of trickle-down technological advances from the pro peleton will reach our level for far less cash one day, so long as they're worth having and aren't banned by the UCI before they reach us.
I like seeing top-end bikes out on the road, and whatever the capabilities of the rider I respect their choice to spend their money on them, but even if I were a lottery millionaire I don't really think I'd be willing to spend that sort of cash on one bike. Although if anyone wants to donate that sort of money to me we can try to run the experiment to see how long I hold out...
GOATever said:
E65Ross said:
I love the fact high end bikes exist. There has never been more choice for bikes than now, I think.
Can't afford this bike? Then buy something else? No big deal, is it?
There’s no way I’d spend more than 10 grand on any single road bike, let alone an ‘off the shelf’ offering. I was having a good look at a couple of bikes in a Giant store quite close to me over the weekend. They had a propel advanced SL disc, for 9K. It was a very tidy piece of kit, but I just couldn’t enjoy something like that, because I like to go places, and see stuff, and occasionally use trains if needs be, and leave the bike while I walk about and do / see stuff. I would be nervous about leaving something that cost that much anywhere, for any length of time. The amount of times I’ve been chopped during events, or even just out on the roads would also mean I would be nervous about riding it during the odd organised event I ride as well. Can't afford this bike? Then buy something else? No big deal, is it?
Life's too short to not buy things you want, and to use them. I almost died 4 years ago with a brain tumour. I'm genuinely lucky to be where I am today. I can't run (my old passion) but I can cycle.... It means a lot to me. I spend a lot of money and time on it. I love it, and I don't mind spending a lot of money on it. If people want to spend £12k on a bike, then fair play, we don't know their stories. If they want it, they can afford it, then great..
If they aren't Chris Froome it they enjoy riding it, so what? If they're a bit porky and not fast but ENJOY it, who are we to judge?
I may be getting you confused with another poster (and forgive me if it's the case) but I think it was you who seems to have a bee in their bonnet about people spending lots of cycling when you can get other stuff cheaper. Just let people enjoy what they spend their own money on
E65Ross said:
I may be getting you confused with another poster
Yes you are, I know who you mean, I can’t remember his handle.E65Ross said:
(and forgive me if it's the case) but I think it was you who seems to have a bee in their bonnet about people spending lots of cycling.
Nope, that’s the other guy. I agree with you, I’m just saying I couldn’t do it.I specced up my perfect build based on a new BMC Time Machine disc frame with Dura Ace Di2 and Enve wheels. Came to £16k. If I had more cash I'd have no trouble deciding to spend that despite the fact it's probably little faster than the bike I've ended up building (Giant Trinity with Ultegra Di2 and some Planet X wheel I already had!) that's costing £3.5kish. Im definitely not worried if someone blows me away on a 10 mile TT riding something they put together for under £1k.
Its madness isn't it. I have since stumbled across a few sites where you can easily spec a bike that is over, in some cases, well over 10 grand.
I hate the comments from those not in the know about cycling as to why things cost so much and how much lunacy it all is, and I tend to explain that you get what you pay for, the current lightweight mechanical bike options are expensive for a reason. But I am starting to wonder whether it has all gone too far now. Does DI2 really have to cost 1800 - 2k? Do the wheel options have to cost so much? Frames, really 3 or 4k + for a carbon frame?
When you look at the fact that each year there are bikes discounted to around 50% off to make way for the latest models, it gives an indication that there must be HUGE margins in play.
I hate the comments from those not in the know about cycling as to why things cost so much and how much lunacy it all is, and I tend to explain that you get what you pay for, the current lightweight mechanical bike options are expensive for a reason. But I am starting to wonder whether it has all gone too far now. Does DI2 really have to cost 1800 - 2k? Do the wheel options have to cost so much? Frames, really 3 or 4k + for a carbon frame?
When you look at the fact that each year there are bikes discounted to around 50% off to make way for the latest models, it gives an indication that there must be HUGE margins in play.
5 or 6 years ago, you’d be hard pushed to find s bike for £9k. Now, every manufacturer makes a £10k+ bike. It’s also much harder to buy a top end frame on its own as the manufacturers want to sell full bikes, and those that can be bought are ridiculously expensive. The s-works tarmac frame alone is just under £4K.
Thornaby said:
5 or 6 years ago, you’d be hard pushed to find s bike for £9k. Now, every manufacturer makes a £10k+ bike. It’s also much harder to buy a top end frame on its own as the manufacturers want to sell full bikes, and those that can be bought are ridiculously expensive. The s-works tarmac frame alone is just under £4K.
Taking inflation and Brexit into account, £9k is probably about the same as a 10k or. More bike now. You can still get bikes on the cheap side of things too, and for a given amount (eg £5k) you'll get a better bike now than 5+ years ago too I think. Everyone knows, of course, that the real reason 10-12k bikes exist is so you can show the other half how cheap your 4k bike actually was. :-)
Personally I'd be happy with the new Cannondale SuperSix, but the current bike (advanced propel) isnt old enough yet to be classed as "oh that old thing?"
Personally I'd be happy with the new Cannondale SuperSix, but the current bike (advanced propel) isnt old enough yet to be classed as "oh that old thing?"
Thornaby said:
I don’t think frame technology has advanced massively in the past 5 years. Certainly not enough to justify doubling the price of a frame set
I think a lot more time and money has gone into aerodynamic research. I'm not sure if frame prices have doubled, have they?Canyon Aeroad frame can be had for about £2500, they weren't £1250 5 years ago, that's for sure.
Dizeee said:
But there lies a model that first made me realise how expensive things have become. The Aerod used to start at 2500 ish and had plenty of choice between 3 and 4.5k. Now they are all betwen 4 and 6 k... massive price increase.
You can get a version of the Aeroad for £2449.https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/aeroad/2019/aero...
Dizeee said:
But there lies a model that first made me realise how expensive things have become. The Aerod used to start at 2500 ish and had plenty of choice between 3 and 4.5k. Now they are all betwen 4 and 6 k... massive price increase.
They have also just introduced a cheaper model at £2,500 though when they split the Aerod lines between SL and SLX. Something that seems to set the Aeroad apart is that even the base models come with deep rims. Some of the other manufactures don't even give you those on their "base" aero bikes and as a result they look ridiculousThe other point to note is if there is no value in a newer bike just hold off upgrading. I bought the base Canyon Ultimate back in 2017 with 105, I've since added 50mm carbon rims to it so it owes me about £2,000. If I bought another new Canyon now I would have to spend about £3,000 to get something notably better, so I will keep my current bike until that changes
Edited by flight147z on Sunday 20th January 10:45
E65Ross said:
True, but with 105 and rim brakes.... Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff