A sharp rise in the cost of biking?
Discussion
Put simply, the exchange rate and the increase in the cost of raw materials has forced everyone to re-evaluate the consumer retail prices.
Many companies absorbed the price increases last year, I know as a kitchenware company we absorbed a 20% rise - however businesses cannot continue to run at a reduced margin, and therefore the consumer cost has risen.
Its a difficult line to tread - you need to ensure that the margins are worthwhile, especially to ensure continual reinvestment in R+D, however you run the risk of annoying the customer sufficiently to lose sales moreover the margins you'd kept in check.
I have noticed already, expecially on one or two bikes, a sharp reduction in build quality - and I have a strong suspicion that those who increase their prices don't have that lost build quality.
Its pants certainly, but a sign of the times.
Bear in mind that Hope face the same problems as anyone else - they still have to buy the raw materials, and thats what is killing everything.
Many companies absorbed the price increases last year, I know as a kitchenware company we absorbed a 20% rise - however businesses cannot continue to run at a reduced margin, and therefore the consumer cost has risen.
Its a difficult line to tread - you need to ensure that the margins are worthwhile, especially to ensure continual reinvestment in R+D, however you run the risk of annoying the customer sufficiently to lose sales moreover the margins you'd kept in check.
I have noticed already, expecially on one or two bikes, a sharp reduction in build quality - and I have a strong suspicion that those who increase their prices don't have that lost build quality.
Its pants certainly, but a sign of the times.
Bear in mind that Hope face the same problems as anyone else - they still have to buy the raw materials, and thats what is killing everything.
Bought a new BB for a set of HTii cranks the other day. 
Was discussing this with the owner of teh LBS on Saturday. Most shimano goods have gone sky high, an example being that a shimano slx rear hub is now more expensive than a Pro II.
Talking of Hope, the chap told me that, being british, this is one of the very few component manufacturers that has not hiked their prices. Time to buy British methinks
Talking of Hope, the chap told me that, being british, this is one of the very few component manufacturers that has not hiked their prices. Time to buy British methinks
Shimano put their UK prices up on 1st Feb by 33%
Canon UK have raised prices twice already in 2009 and a third increase is expected.
Its the value of the yen against the pound/euro that's at the root.
so if you think you need some consumables/spares for 2009 like chains/cassettes/tyres get them now if you can find them in stock at 2008 prices. They are only going to go up.
Many 2009 bikes look very poor value against discounted 2008 models
Canon UK have raised prices twice already in 2009 and a third increase is expected.
Its the value of the yen against the pound/euro that's at the root.
so if you think you need some consumables/spares for 2009 like chains/cassettes/tyres get them now if you can find them in stock at 2008 prices. They are only going to go up.
Many 2009 bikes look very poor value against discounted 2008 models
It also poses another, er, poser.
Do you really need XTR? etc?
Yes, yes, I've got the posh blingy stuff on my bike.
But you only have to look at just how good some of the more affordable kit (See the SLX group, the Speciliazed Pitch, recent RS forks) is to see that the quality and value is still right up there.
People may jsut be a little bit more selective about what they buy, hopefully it will sort the good from the guff (theres a lot of s
te available for bikes) and the strong products will survive and prices will even out.
Do you really need XTR? etc?
Yes, yes, I've got the posh blingy stuff on my bike.
But you only have to look at just how good some of the more affordable kit (See the SLX group, the Speciliazed Pitch, recent RS forks) is to see that the quality and value is still right up there.
People may jsut be a little bit more selective about what they buy, hopefully it will sort the good from the guff (theres a lot of s
te available for bikes) and the strong products will survive and prices will even out. I think I'll drop a groupset, I might have anyway, as you say, SLX is such a balanced range. I won't be buying so much "unneeded but nice to have" stuff though; I do fear for bike shops, particularly some of these out of the way, high end destination shops/trail centres.
Edited by Beyond Rational on Wednesday 25th February 19:07
It is a worry for bike shops. But, as said earlier, it sorts the wheat from the chaff. Theres a lot of rubbish shops about.
My work is doing well, with many other shops in the area apparently struggling or already under.
Good customer service with a smile, quality workshop/repair work and knowledgeable and eager staff will see you through.
Noticeably more people going for'fix it' rather than 'replace it' in the past 6 months or so. Makes sense to me.
My work is doing well, with many other shops in the area apparently struggling or already under.
Good customer service with a smile, quality workshop/repair work and knowledgeable and eager staff will see you through.
Noticeably more people going for'fix it' rather than 'replace it' in the past 6 months or so. Makes sense to me.
I was just wondering (brought on by the pedals thread) how the hell Shimano M520 SPDs were over £30 on Wiggle/CRC whereas they've been around £20 or under for at least the past year and a bit from other places (Merlin comes to mind). I had to get a Shimano freehub body this week and paid £24 because all the older stock (same part) at £15 had sold out. That's a bit of a jump and all starts adding up when you need a lot of bits. The prices on the Shimano cranks are crazy!
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