South Industries announce XCR Rims and Wheels

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Here’s something crazy:

https://off.road.cc/content/news/the-terra-clx-ii-is-rovals-lightest-gravel-wheelset-12319

£2500 gravel wheels from Roval. 

[michaelbiker]

I ride the previous version of these - the SLS3 with 240 hubs. They are amazing and really well built. Tough as nails. 40k is a lot higher considering landed these would roll in at under R30k for a “pro level” wheelset.

https://r2-bike.com/Wheelset-29-XC-DT-Swiss-240-EXP-Straightpull-Center-Lock-Hubs-Duke-Lucky-Jack-SLS4-6Ters-30-28-Carbon-Rims-Shimano-Micro-Spline-Sapim-CX-Ray

I looked at South industries when I bought these 18 months ago and couldn’t justify the difference. 

[Stretched@Birth]

On 4/26/2023 at 11:07 AM, nick_the_wheelbuilder said:

I definitely can't argue that prices have become silly.
I've seen prices on wheel parts go up 30%-40%+ over the past 7 years.

I used to be able to build a premium alloy set for R10k. That's now R14k....

Same with bikes, right? What's the price of a top-of-the-range racing MTB? R200k+?

If your MTB costs R90k (not unrealistic these days) and you spend R30k on wheels, that's only a third of the value of the bike.

Did your entry-mid-range alloy hardtail cost R40k? Is it reasonable to spend R10-15k on wheels?

It's a fascinating discussion because everyone has a different perspective on the value for money you get on cycling equipment.

Have you seen that PRIME energy drink? R400 for a can.
Is it good value? Hell no, but they're selling like hot-cakes.

Your 30% - 40% example is a 6.5% increase per annum, which is a little below CPI.  I do however think that your base line R10k was not as far back as 7 years.  Probably between March 2020 (Pre COVID) and now. 

Prices have gone crazy, I built a bike, not top of the range spec, but decent spec for my needs, at around R35k, when it was stolen and I had to re-price the build for insurance, it was just over R50k, that was in less than a year.

My new (to me) bike has carbon rims, I think they hold me back, as I'm scared to ding them, especially when I'm lazy to check tire pressure and go out with under inflated tires like I did yesterday... 

As for Prime - that's a different debate.  I think clever marketing, where they've created this hype with school kids selling a sip of the stuff at R100 per sip.  1 May it launches at Checkers for R39 per liter, lots of people will buy it to see what the hype is about, boosting sales and quickly recovering their initial investment to get stock out to all of the outlets...  Apparently it tastes like watered down Energade!

[babse]

36 minutes ago, michaelbiker said:

I ride the previous version of these - the SLS3 with 240 hubs. They are amazing and really well built. Tough as nails. 40k is a lot higher considering landed these would roll in at under R30k for a “pro level” wheelset.

https://r2-bike.com/Wheelset-29-XC-DT-Swiss-240-EXP-Straightpull-Center-Lock-Hubs-Duke-Lucky-Jack-SLS4-6Ters-30-28-Carbon-Rims-Shimano-Micro-Spline-Sapim-CX-Ray

I looked at South industries when I bought these 18 months ago and couldn’t justify the difference. 

but did those wheels win the Red jersey at the Tour de France of mountain biking?

[michaelbiker]

47 minutes ago, babse said:

but did those wheels win the Red jersey at the Tour de France of mountain biking?

I know your comment was sarcastic, and not that it makes much different for us but in reference to this article a lot of high profile XC and Enduro riders use them including PFP, Tom Pidcock, Matthias Fluckinger, Titouan Carod etc.

https://www.facebook.com/dukeracingwheels/photos/a.133062816770399/5402741963135765/?type=3

[dasilvarsa]

35 minutes ago, michaelbiker said:

I know your comment was sarcastic, and not that it makes much different for us but in reference to this article a lot of high profile XC and Enduro riders use them including PFP, Tom Pidcock, Matthias Fluckinger, Titouan Carod etc.

https://www.facebook.com/dukeracingwheels/photos/a.133062816770399/5402741963135765/?type=3

While the CEO relaxes Poolside, Sipping Single Malt, and Polishing his New Golf Clubs.