Is this perhaps the most blatant example of us being ripped off:http://www.rutlandcycling.com/6498/Shimano-Hydraulic-Disc-Brake-Bleeding-Kit.html?referrer=froogle1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid6498
I used an empty shampoo bottle,some windscreen washer tube and a syrigne from ebay for less than a fiver.
Any other good examples?
Bike Forum
[closed]
Most blatant rip off bike item.Your suggestions?
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Posted 3 years ago #
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Santa Cruz?
Posted 3 years ago # -
got to be grease.
coppaslip with a bike on the packet £5 - 200g with a car on £10 for 3kg
Posted 3 years ago # -
brake pads my car ones are cheaper
Posted 3 years ago # -
as mentioned yesterday - little bolts that hold the cover on to the brake lever - shimano £1 each, ebay £1.69 for 20...
Posted 3 years ago # -
Shimano cleats...............
[runs away back into his pit]
Posted 3 years ago # -
Shimano chainrings is another one we should add.How is it that an XT outer costs 44t £80 yet a 32t middle only £30?
Theres not 2.5 times as much material or machining in it.......Posted 3 years ago # -
Forks
Posted 3 years ago # -
Tyres. I could spend £80 for a pair on the MTB fairly easily, whilst a pair of superbike sized motorbike tyres is around £150.....
Oh, and anything with XTR or X0 written on it.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Camelbak bite valves. The cleaning kits are pretty pricety too, but no-one seems to sell a long skinny bottle brush.
Posted 3 years ago # -
pretty much everything really!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Thomthumb, 3kg of coppaslip! I presume you have a really huge toolbox?
Posted 3 years ago # -
How about this bottle brush? http://www.cookability.biz/kitchen-craft-bottle-brush/b_1279.htm?SRC=GB1
Posted 3 years ago # -
Jolly Green Giant - Member
How about this bottle brush? http://www.cookability.biz/kitchen-craft-bottle-brush/b_1279.htm?SRC=GB1You'll be hard pushed to get that up the tube though....
Posted 3 years ago # -
Avid rotors
I need a 185mm - rrp £40 !!
EDIT- Just noticed a 203mm, rrp is £48 !!!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Avid rotors
I need a 185mm - rrp £40 !!
haven't tried these yet, but i will be doing soon! http://www.mtb-direct.co.uk/cgi-bin/index.cgi?item=MERGE080515170751
Posted 3 years ago # -
Any kind of aftermarket handlebar mounting bracket.
Oil. Any kind will do but aren't the better known chain oils more expensive than Harrods olive oil or something?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yeah I've tried to bodge a hose brush before but the official item makes it sooo much easier.
pretty much everything really!
How you figure?
With a lot of cheap things there are clear economies of scale (like thomthumbs's coppaslip example above), they are mass market products or corners can be cut in the most hideous ways. (Think of the differences between a Halfords £80 special and what most of us ride).
I think we're quite lucky with bike parts - you can buy very solid reliable stuff for silly cheap, or spend a bit more on very nice stuff indeed from the Hopes, Thomsons and Paul Components of this world. The only things that I'd say come into the "rip-off" category are boutique items - like Yumeya - and the people who buy that don't care.
Posted 3 years ago # -
So many candidates.
Inner tubes are a good one though, don't they have a 500% mark-up?
And the DH ones are particularly expensive.
Posted 3 years ago # -
don't they have a 500% mark-up?
Not sure about the exact mark-up, it's pretty big but
a) It's probably all that's keeping some bike shops in business at the moment, and
b) How many do you get through a year?
Oh and
c) I wonder what the mark-up on tubeless kits and sealant is?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Shimano m970 outer chainring. Absolutely ridiculous!! You can buy a raceface deus xc chainset for not much more which is pretty much as good as the xtr...
Posted 3 years ago # -
Oil. Any kind will do but aren't the better known chain oils more expensive than Harrods olive oil or something?
Beer is more expensive than petrol. What's your point caller?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Re; bottle brushes,aplogies ,that was the wrong link.How about something like:http://www.cdaquatics.co.uk/aquarium-cleaning-brush-set-of-3-p-2068.html?utm_source=Google-Shopping&utm_medium=Free-listings&utm_campaign=All
Posted 3 years ago # -
petrol has a higher alcohol content than lager, and probably tastes nicer too.
Posted 3 years ago # -
On the economies of scale thing,there must be millions of Shimano equipped bikes in the world.
With them aving a virtual monoply on many parts,I can`t see why economies of scale come into it.Posted 3 years ago # -
Beer is more expensive than petrol. What's your point caller?
I'd run down to the nearest petrol station with a pint glass but even they have no smoking on their premises
petrol has a higher alcohol content than lager, and probably tastes nicer too.
Yes, I once tasted Stella. I've never tasted petrol but even a mans brownstar would taste nice than Stella..
(Edit) Just to add that Ive not tasted a mans brownstar eitherPosted 3 years ago # -
there must be millions of Shimano equipped bikes in the world
Yes but not all of those bikes are running XTR chainsets are they?
Posted 3 years ago # -
b) How many do you get through a year?
**** loads thats how many!
Patches are reasonably pricey considering the amount of rubber used (more fiddly to make I guess)Posted 3 years ago # -
This:
At £16.99 which looks strikingly similar to this:
For £4.99
Posted 3 years ago # -
Oh and those syntace handlebar cutting tools which are just adjustable pip cutters, but cost £60 instead of about £8
Posted 3 years ago # -
Where did you get pip cutters from Leon? I've been looking all over for some!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Must be many thousands running Shimano brakes though,which use the same mineral oil,the same hoses and small parts.
Posted 3 years ago # -
What about a pretty Lezyne track pump for £75.
Even Park can only manage to make one costing 50-odd quid!Posted 3 years ago # -
My favorite biking rant is crash helmets, £30-100 no trouble, Lidl £8.99 same construction technique, same part count, SAME SAFETY TEST (EN1078), & the Lidl is better ventilated than the Xen (have both), just a shame the Lidl doesnt look as nice.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I wasn't aware that Shimano hoses, oil or parts were particularly expensive. When I bought a set of XT disc brakes last year I had a full bottle of oil left over after installing, plus a couple of spare olives and fittings. And I think I assembled them correctly...
Posted 3 years ago #
Topic Closed
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