If you are thinking of getting a bike. . .

[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.

[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!

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...

[TxDoc]

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

Oh, two! this sounds sooo tempting...

[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 Sure, I'm a bad girl for not using the card .

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.

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.

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....
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

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.