If you are thinking of getting a bike. . .

[bike4ever]

If you have been considering getting a new bike, you might want to pull the plug before the '09's hit. Our basic first price point mountain bike just went from $329 ('08) to $429 ('09). Ouch - you totally need to get shopping.

[ehirsch83]

I second that! Our first price points for comfort hybrids did the same thing!(330-to almost 500!!)

[Blueberry]

Wow! That's a &$%& huge price increase. Is it because of materials, or demand?

CA

[Pax]

Wow! That's a &$%& huge price increase. Is it because of materials, or demand?

CA

I was guessing shipping costs from Asia?

[SouthernBelle]

Probably the value of the dollar against other currencies plus in some cases the cost of carbon.

[Grog]

All of the above!

[amy]

Oh goodie! Is that excuse enough to buy TWO more??

[sundial]

Drat! That means tires, rims, everything. :rolleyes:

[TrekJeni]

Geoff says the same thing -
Lowest price point for hybrid went from $289 up to $339. All the more reason to buy that new Gary Fisher Hi Fi 29er Pro NOW! :D:D:D I rode it at the Trek demo a few weeks ago and realized I just had to have it.
TrekJeni

[WindingRoad]

Across the board prices are expected to go up about 30%. Our shop has had about one hundred dollar hikes on most of the entry level hybrids, comfort bikes and mountain bikes too. The higher end bikes will be hit the hardest. It stinks but unfortunately will probably get worse before it gets better.

[elk]

Girls...don't DO that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TxDoc]

Sorry Elk... but hey now we all have an excuse to shop... ;)
yes, all pro shops are recommending everyone to buy now because every 2009 model will be much more expensive - and I've heard a couple of people saying that they may raise the prices of some '08 models as well. Besides, components will be more expensive so if you like custom builds that will really go up.
Time to go shopping ladies!
:D

[NoNo]

I told my boss this and he yelled at me. Said something about I should be using the money to pay off my credit card. But if I planned on getting it anyway, I should do it when it's the lowest price! Right? Help me feel justified!:p Going to the shop tonight to check out a Jamis, since I hear such great things about them on here.

[KnottedYet]

It's *good* for credit card balances to go up and down.... really.... It's healthy for them, kind of like doing push-ups.

You don't want your Visa to be weak and out of shape, right? ;)

More bikes, more better!
(Hey, I'm only up to 5, I've got some catching up to do before 09!)

[NoNo]

More bikes, more better!

I just found my new slogan!:D

[sundial]

It's *good* for credit card balances to go up and down.... really.... It's healthy for them, kind of like doing push-ups.
http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0194.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net) http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0194.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net)

[Possegal]

It's *good* for credit card balances to go up and down.... really.... It's healthy for them, kind of like doing push-ups.


well then mine has been doing planks for way too long. :)

[Skierchickie]

Hey, my Visa just did a bike push-up tonight! It just has to hold it until the bill comes (I know I couldn't do it, but I have confidence in the power of plastic). It's a Jamis Xenith Pro, and is she (the first bike I've ever had that was definitely a she, despite her non-WSD design) SCHWEEEEEET! :D

Now, who can I find around here to buy my Trek 5200? Big triathlon here this weekend - guess I'll slap a for sale sign on it and take it for a ride on the car. That would sure take some of the sting out of this purchase.

Sounds like Jamis is going up 20%, according to the shop.

[elk]

so should i get my DH that new 07 Volpe ??
now I'm all awash w/anxiety...:p

[TxDoc]

Oh goodie! Is that excuse enough to buy TWO more??
Oh, two! this sounds sooo tempting... :D

[smilingcat]

credit card needs exercise???

maybe so.

I keep one card as a back up in case of emergency. It's never used. stays in my safe deposit box. It's been flat lined since the day I got the card. just the other day, I got a letter from Chase bank. "due to inactivity of the card... WE ARE CANCELLING YOUR ACCOUNT!" Suprise that :D Sure, I'm a bad girl for not using the card :p.

a LBS who carries the Look has a 12 month interest free credit for buying anything over $$. Financially, this makes sense since I do have the money and I can earn about 5%/year. Instead of spending it now I can earn the 5% then pay off the bike on 1 day before the end of 12 month.This way, it will be interest free loan. :cool:

Same thing with car dealers. It piqued my interest. interest free for xx month, and $3,000 less on sticker... Again borrow interest free and let my money make interest income then when the note starts bearing interest, pay it off. :cool: :D

Still, I really can't justify spending money on Look 595?? Or buying another car. I have a car and just had it serviced. It still runs like a charm at 200,200 some odd miles. I think I can squeeze another 75,000 miles out of it. Then its to the scrap metal yard to be recycled.

I need to get back on my bike....:o
Smilingcat

[NoNo]

Sadly, I'm flip-flopping on my previous stance. Got home last night to find my lease renewal in the mail from my landlord. Rent's going up $75/mo:( Considering I still have one more credit card to pay off, it doesn't seem right to spend the money on a bike right now. Rent's up, car insurance is up, and I have to believe it's going to cost more to heat the place this winter. That's a lot of spare change to try to find under the cushions. Oh well, I'll just have to ride the bike I have and be content with that. Damn, I hate when I'm responsible!

[CarbonCandy]

I second that! Our first price points for comfort hybrids did the same thing!(330-to almost 500!!)

+1
two years ago, our base fx was 419. I believe its now 520 :eek:


I was guessing shipping costs from Asia?

oil affects: shipping, steel, aluminum, rubber..

what do these things add up to?

Bikes.

[ilima]

How much do you think these prices reflect actual costs vs. jacking up the prices because of increasing demand? 30% increases seem like jacked-up pricing to me, at least in part.

At the low end it seems crucial to keep the cost down to get people to buy from their LBS instead of Wal-Mart. Those folks that buy at the LBS and then get good service may be buyers of better bikes down the road. People also sometimes get 'branded.' Buy a Trek commuter, then get a Trek road bike, etc.

[Grog]

How much do you think these prices reflect actual costs vs. jacking up the prices because of increasing demand? 30% increases seem like jacked-up pricing to me, at least in part.

My guess is that this "part" is quite low.

Commodities have gone up big time recently. As others pointed out, bikes are made of energy-intensive materials (steel, aluminum) and require transportation from far away (or high labour costs if they are made nearby). Energy certainly has gone up 30% in the last 12-18 months... Demand is part of the equation, but only a small part I am sure.