Stages Power Meters lay off entire workforce

[Frosty]

While this may not be directly related to Stages, it would apply to the industry in general. And it's been discussed on another thread.

Supply chains have been disrupted in the last 4 years due to Covid, the Russia/Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East. Shipping lines are coming around the Southern tip of Africa instead of through the Suez Canal to avoid the tensions in the Middle East, Durban harbour isn't the greatest port, and many shipping lines are skipping Durban as a result. Container prices went up about 300% in the pandemic times, and while they've come down, they haven't returned to pre-covid levels. It doesn't justify these higher prices, but it's certainly worth knowing/understanding all the inputs to costing, many of which we assume we know.

The terms greedflation and shrinkflation come to mind. Google it, if you don't know what it means.
Perhaps some links in the supply chain have increased their price based on the last 4 years, and not reduced the prices since input costs have stabilised (like shipping). 

[_David_]

11 minutes ago, Irvin85 said:

This just proofs the point that we are being severely overcharged if they are able to sell a bike with a 50% discount and still make money.  

And that's not cool. It feels like we're getting ripped off, not just overcharged. Instead of hiking prices, we should be making cycling affordable and accessible to everyone. 

[Mook]

8 minutes ago, _David_ said:

And that's not cool. It feels like we're getting ripped off, not just overcharged. Instead of hiking prices, we should be making cycling affordable and accessible to everyone. 

Like the phrase some Yankee once coined: "It's not about the bike"

What happened to good ol' cycling simply for the hell of it 🤷‍♂️

[droo]

10 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

So it turns out Stages owes Giant a ton of cash and Giant is sueing Stages to settle the unpaid invoices totalling $13million ish.

Four of Stages top execs have now joined Giant so lets wait for the technology to re-emerge under the Giant brand. Giant already builds the Stages bike computer and all the indoor bikes.

Already happened, Giant branded Ultegra PMs have been around for a while. And substantially cheaper than the Stages ones.

[DieselnDust]

7 minutes ago, droo said:

Already happened, Giant branded Ultegra PMs have been around for a while. And substantially cheaper than the Stages ones.

Thanks Droo, is it listed in their site?

[droo]

1 minute ago, DieselnDust said:

Thanks Droo, is it listed in their site?

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/power-pro-power-meter-ultegra-r8000-2020

There's a newer one as well, can't find it on the Giant site though.

[GHOST FACE]

15 minutes ago, droo said:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/power-pro-power-meter-ultegra-r8000-2020

There's a newer one as well, can't find it on the Giant site though.

There's the Power Halo but it only fit's Sram cranks. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/power-halo-power-meter-2022

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, droo said:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/power-pro-power-meter-ultegra-r8000-2020

There's a newer one as well, can't find it on the Giant site though.

That’s the same Stages Gen3 based unit on the Giant Australia website👍

[shaper]

13 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

So it turns out Stages owes Giant a ton of cash and Giant is sueing Stages to settle the unpaid invoices totalling $13million ish.

Four of Stages top execs have now joined Giant so lets wait for the technology to re-emerge under the Giant brand. Giant already builds the Stages bike computer and all the indoor bikes.

https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2024/04/24/stages-cycling-executives-join-giant-after-suit-and-apparent-shut-down

[Danger Dassie]

Maybe it’ll pop up in Decathlon

[IceCreamMan]

1 hour ago, shaper said:

https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2024/04/24/stages-cycling-executives-join-giant-after-suit-and-apparent-shut-down

Mmmm , a little more to the story than initially thought. 

[ChrisF]

4 hours ago, _David_ said:

And that's not cool. It feels like we're getting ripped off, not just overcharged. Instead of hiking prices, we should be making cycling affordable and accessible to everyone. 

 

Uhmmm ...

 

@Jewbacca

 

But is cycling not affordable ?

 

Look at the wide range of semi decent bikes at places like Sportsmanswarehouse.

 

Decent, and still not expensive, models in Giant and various other brands ....

 

 

BUT ... we have champagne taste on box wine budget ....

[Jewbacca]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

Uhmmm ...

 

@Jewbacca

 

But is cycling not affordable ?

 

Look at the wide range of semi decent bikes at places like Sportsmanswarehouse.

 

Decent, and still not expensive, models in Giant and various other brands ....

 

 

BUT ... we have champagne taste on box wine budget ....

hahahahaha I got 3 lines into this response and then thought, 'Nah, let them eat cake!'

There IS affordable cycling for everyone. Just bearing in mind not everyone wants to shred the gnar, ride tech trails or race road bikes.

People look at Deore or NX as being 'the lowest point' of component entry but they are realistically the lowest of the best.

There is tons of old stuff or off brand stuff that works for an 'average' person 

But yeah nah.... LET THEM EAT CAKE!

[betaboy]

Riding used to be just that… riding/,racing whatever. They main focus was about been out there. We spent a lot of time chatting more about roads and routes than wasting time on figuring out the latest sauce pan they will finally make a molehill out that darn mountain. You either had a 41 or 39 at best… that’s it, and we all sucked it up. Today we are overly obsessed with equipment, there is always an upgrade somewhere. We created this monster and now it’s eating us and our wallets. I remember rides been organised with good folks who in most cases was purely doing it to benefit charities. We see less of that today and entry fees are becoming silly. What’s next? Wesbank HP for a season pass? 🤭 Cycling is getting overly complicated with too much tech, guys are giving up good rides because of battery life? Something is very wrong with this picture me thinks. Is every ride now just about numbers? Is watching the rands not enough on the JSE? 🤭

We are falling further away from the joys of just pedalling our bikes… I suggest a “ride nake day”.. you strip the bike of power meters, cadence and speed and gps and tire gauges and lights and radars.. and all you do is ride, and your entry for the day benefits some real people in need, not funding that municipalities Christmas party! 😂

okay. I’m done.🤭🤓✅

[splat]

On 4/24/2024 at 6:06 AM, DJuice said:

Spez UK have a upto 50% sale.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/surprise-specialized-sale-slashes-hundreds-of-bikes-and-accessories-by-50/

 

Trek UK are doing the same thing: 

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/trekfest-sale/ 

[IceCreamMan]

25 minutes ago, splat said:

Trek UK are doing the same thing: 

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/trekfest-sale/ 

During Covid a mate of mine bought a high end Trek e bike, paid 5700 for it. Demand was there and well the pricing milked the scenario. After Covid and when supply was restored the same bike was a grand less. 
 

short term profit over long term sustainability has its consequences.