Opinion on Cost of bikes

[JXV]

The issues is that at the top end you are spending a heck of a lot on the R&D.

 

You need to compare the cost of the high end bicycles with the cost of F1 / MotoGP bikes if you want to compare. Where a huge investment goes into making something that tiny bit better, because there really is not much room for improvement.

 

When Wiggins (I think) did a WR attempt, the chain "cost" USD10,000 or something stupid. But that's not the cost of the chain, that's the cost of taking a SRAM Red or equivalent chain and making it more efficient, and then producing 1 or 2 or 3.

I don't buy any of that argument. None of it. I really can't see more R& D effort on our bikes than in motorcycles, camera equipment, cars etc. Opportunistic pricing, inefficient production, low volumes, way too many middlemen. This applies to both the frames and the components.

 

MTB Tyres - R500 to R800..... milage 2000km to 3000 km - really!

 

BFG A/ T on my cruiser cost R3k each but they carry over 500kg each at 120km/h and I routinely get 120 000 km on a set. On a Rands per km basis just way way cheaper.. and they go offroad too [emoji12]

 

Brake pads - really! OE KTM brake pads very similar to my XT pads, just bigger, are cheaper and last longer

 

Timing chain on my car engine runs over 200 000km. And so it goes......

[Shebeen]

I agree that you got to compare apples with apples, you can't look at the most expensive mtb and then a high end motor bike. I'm pretty sure the really naff offroad bikes on the xtr+ level get silly expensive for very little gain.

 

 

I couldn't bring myself to buy a new mtb when my die hard 9 year old Santa cruz needed replacing last year.

 

Bide your time and R20k can get you a damn nice bike on the second hand market. It's the ego driven pillocks who buy top of the range yadda yadda and then replace for the next model in 18mths time without really putting many kms into the bike that keep the whole shebang going.

 

I still think R20k is a kakload to spend on a toy, but que sera sera

[LOOK695]

Hopefully my bike still has many years of service going for it. With these crazy prices of cycling goods there is no upgrade in the near future

[EmptyB]

As and when xx1 components need replacing, they are being replaced with gx. It hasn't made a rats arse of a difference to my riding.....in fact, I think I prefer gx

[Riaan H]

20k doesn't even get you much these days. 30+ is really the benchmark and even then you don't get much.

I just got a quote for R34k for a Specialised Camber Comp with deore and SLX parts. Similar for a Giant Anthem X, also with nothing above SLX.

DS bikes are really expensive.

I bought a 2016 Camber Comp, which runs X7/GX and I must say, entry level it may be, but it's seriously capable !! Not feeling short-changed in the least.

[RocknRolla]

Not even ONE bell on that beautiful SS??

Had a cheap ass bell, think o took ot off my toddlers bike, and it broke...never bothered to replace.

I want one of those king dingaling things but R500 odd is way too much.

 

I have a very creaky seatpost... Dont need no bell.

[Eon du Plessis]

I bought a 2016 Camber Comp, which runs X7/GX and I must say, entry level it may be, but it's seriously capable !! Not feeling short-changed in the least.

Honestly, I'd be fine with Gx but I couldn't find anything with it at the bottom end of the price bracket, not that I looked super hard.

[eddy]

I agree that you got to compare apples with apples, you can't look at the most expensive mtb and then a high end motor bike.

Let us compare apples with apples. Identical apples in fact. Let's call those apples South African Rand, ZAR for short.

 

Now look at what you can buy at various size of Apple bags when you want to buy either an unpowered bicycle or a motorcycle.

 

Throughout the range where you can buy both, you get much more motorbike for your apples that you get bicycle.

 

Consider the number of components that have to be researched, designed, manufactured, assembled, etc. to build a motorbike. Contrast that with what is needed to assemble a bicycle, and the difference becomes clear.

[popcorn_skollie]

Someone once told me how certain bikes advertise component choices which at first glance (or to the untrained eye) make the bike seem like an incredible deal. The truth is most of the bike is specced to meet a price point. An XT rear derailleur is easy to spot and a quick way of implying that its a great bike. Those who don't really know much about this stuff are seemingly impressed that they can get an 'XT specced bike' for such a great price. 

 

This consumer is easy to tap into. People who are sold on words like XT, carbon, lockout, etc. I had a friend with a camber. He had it for a year before I explained to him that his front triangle was carbon and that he's rear triangle was alloy. 

Till this day I feel bad for the look on his face when I showed him the welds by the chain stays.  

[J∆kk∆ls]

I'm ready to spend money on a second hand steel road frame and slap on some mid level group set with alu rimed wheels. All this new bike tech is meant for pros. Plus if you are good and strong then a custom home build from quality second hand parts will deliver much happiness.

 

But none of this will happen till my current bikes are ready to sleep. I'm sick of this consumer BS "I need the latest, my bike is so last year" crap!

 

Your bike is fine and if you can't find happiness in the simple joy of riding then you will never be satisfied. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[BlackSnow]

Ag nee ouens...I just bought a Scalpel and now I read all of this. How the hell am I suppose to tell the bank manager (read wife) I need a 120mm travel training bike to preserve my race bike. Hmmmmm. Maybe a old school duel 26er.

[Toxic]

Ag nee ouens...I just bought a Scalpel second hand and now I read all of this. How the hell am I suppose to tell the bank manager (read wife) I need a 120mm travel training bike to preserve my race bike. Hmmmmm. Maybe a old school duel 26er.

Oeps.  But you will have an awesome time on the scalpel.  It is a really pleasure to ride.  Just remember the limits otherwise you will end up like me breaking it.  P.S I only weigh 72kg

 

I'am semi in the same boat as you with regards to get the bank manager's approval to buy another / other bike.  She recons I have a bike why do I need another / other bike....

[udxcob]

I realized this a good few years back and decided to go steel on all of my bikes and hand built them up.

The cycling industry is a total rip off

[Toxic]

I realized this a good few years back and decided to go steel on all of my bikes and hand built them up.

The cycling industry is a total rip off

So true.  Who make nice steel frames except Cotic ? 

[Knersboy]

To tell you the truth I don't really see the point of a carbon frame for someone like me who is not racing competitively. Generally the weight saving in about 200g but the frame price is double. If it is a full sus then the vibration damping effect of carbon is being taken care of by the suspension.

 

I am hoping that the recent tech leap in alloy frames we are seeing on the road (caad 12, specialized smart weld) will also start appearing on mtb frame sets

[Duane_Bosch]

If you'd like to depress yourself try this simple exercise.

 

Go to your LBS and price Dot brake fluid and fork oil. That's if they'll even sell it to you but that's a different argument.

 

Then. Go to a motorcycle store and price the same stuff.

 

 

You're going to be surprised. But not in a good way.