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No such thing as a rip off. Just don't buy it!
Just to join in with the spirit of things though, ranting about cost you don't like---- parking costs for locals in the FoD!
Buy from Germany? Thus supporting National Socialism.
[i]Buy from Germany? Thus supporting National Socialism.[/i]
Eh?
Does Shimano support Japanese Imperialism?
all bike greases/oils, original brake pads, chain devices, chainrings that aren't shimano steel ones, official shock service kits (orings and washers cost how much?), shorts, high end helmets, lights that aren't made in china. a lot of bars/stems/seatposts are overpriced tubes. high end hardtail frames/bikes (it's two triangles guys just get the geometry right and don't break).
not complaining about costs of things like XTR/XX as you subsidise the rest of us when we buy Deore/SLX. it's essentials like replacement frame pivots (Trek want £7 for a plastic top hat bush and be glad you can get it at all!) that p*ss me off.
edit: forgot mucky nuts fender bender made me feel pretty stupid for buying what looked like a plastic pants outline even at £7 but well done them.
I have it on good authority that 10% of the price of every Brooks saddle is given straight to David Cameron and then used to purchase lingerie for SamCam.
Crikey Shimano funds blossom trees in Kyoto and saucy underwear for Geisha girls in Tokyo
the whole sport in general is way overpriced compared to anything else out there.
Orange plows all their profits back into R&D to develop new logos and welding variations on the same models
I think a lot of it is down to people not looking into their purchases more if they're unhappy with the price of things.
* A lot of bike parts are generic parts that you can get cheaply from a motor-factors / local parts shop.
* A lot of specific bike parts can be got cheaply via ebay, bike discount / rose, lidl / aldi.
* How 'premium' you want your purchase to be? Do you really need an XT cassette or will a Deore one do?
* Look into alternatives; e.g. don't spend £12 on 240ml of float fluid but £5 on 500ml of 75W-90 synthetic gear oil instead.
Obviously there are some parts that you have no option to get the manufacturers part at full RRP (maxles and cleats are the only things I can think of for now). There are also parts specific to your particular bike that are genuine rip-offs, but how often do you need to replace these?
If you insist on spending £200 on a new goretex jacket and moan about it afterwards then you're an idiot. If you're happy to spend £200 on a new goretex jacket then good for you - I wouldn't as (a) I can't afford it (b) if I could I would rather spend £200 on something else (c) would rip it in a week anyway.
Although generally speaking MTB'ing is overpriced, no, bike parts aren't.
^ if you can't afford to break it/lose it, don't buy it? yeah i've been guilty of this in the past.
some stuff is a ripoff as you know there's a huge margin, other stuff because performs less well than cheaper alternatives (titanium chainrings anyone?). though the machining etc might be very nice that's your choice to buy Bike Jewellery rather than something that does the job.
hmm not sure how MTBing can be overpriced but bike parts not be? you mean clothes, car parks cost too much? one of the things i like about the sport is once you've bought the stuff it pretty much feels "free" to go ride.. apart from trips and tuition of course 😮
Paying more for lighter weight components is often like paying extra for low calorie food. Clever trick.
+1 £50 for maxle!?!
The price of a lot of clothes is frankly ludicrous, though obviously I can and do just buy cheap alternatives.
Looking through MBUK or whatever though, £80 for a pair of shorts, jerseys that are routinely priced at like £60, gloves at £30-40 etc.
hmm not sure how MTBing can be overpriced but bike parts not be?
Only in the sense that two / three or so years ago you could get a really well-specced FS for ~£1500, now the entry level equivalent is £2000/£2500 whilst parts prices have kept relatively level.
I know things cost more but I think manufacturers are pushing the 'well, its inflation' line a bit too far. But then again people still pay up no matter the price, and as you say once you buy a bike, thats it really for a few years until wheels / etc actually NEED replacing.
And for what you get in return from biking, it is relatively expensive. Rock climbing friends are horrified when I tell them what things cost - they're still using fairly old (5 years old) clothing / equipment which is still in great nick, and they seem to get the same excitement from it as I do from biking. But they do go abroad on climbing holidays a lot, so I guess its all relative 🙂
fork service, works out at about £80 per hour.
Only in the sense that two / three or so years ago you could get a really well-specced FS for ~£1500, now the entry level equivalent is £2000/£2500 whilst parts prices have kept relatively level.
and what was exchange rate then and now, such is life.
Most Saddles
Some Lock-on grips
OEM pads
Clothing
Dropper posts. How the fug can a dropper post be half the cost of a fork? I guess us punters have to support the warranty costs on a product with terrible reliabilty.
cost of entry for an Enduro Race.
£60 to get timed on a couple of descents at a trail centre Vs (understandably inconsistent, but still fun) Strava free version.
Specialized epic 29ers- wonder what the profit margin is on these bad boys?
Fox forks- as above
Shimano xtr casettes- why such a big jump over xt?
Avid exilr brake pads- another sram rip off
Avid bleed kits- must have cost all of £2.50 to make
Kanza, cos that's (sort of) what a dropper post is...
Crotchrocket, you're assuming the timing at enduros is accurate??
Kanza, cos that's (sort of) what a dropper post is...
Well if your talking a suntour xc maybe yep, but they are 80 quid right? with remote lock out.
Glossy bike magazines repeating the same articles again and again as a cover for being one big advert.
Dirt mag: Article- Lapierre put us up, water us and then kindly let us review their latest bikes.
😆
Camelback rucksacks. £70 for a bag with a bladder? Alpkit Gordon does the same *and* is waterproof for £25.
I've spent half my life trying to justify the amount I spend on bike shizzle.
Of course it's all worth it people 😉
Now when can I get hold of 2013 bikes or some new fangled tech.. the only way I can improve is with some new sh*t.
Just to join in with the spirit of things though, ranting about cost you don't like---- parking costs for locals in the FoD!
If you need to 'drive' to the FoD, you are [u]not[/u] local.
I always think its funny when people rant about trail centre parking prices when they have driven past countless "free" trails in the countryside.
Mountain biking is expensive, the brand and businesses and there to make money off us.
I hate handing over cash for stuff, but sometimes its worth it when you are out on abike
but I very occasionally want to drop a wheel in to Dave on the way home .
[quote=Singlespeed Shep]I always think its funny when people rant about trail centre parking prices when they have driven past countless "free" trails in the countryside.
Or have had a day's entertainment (possibly for 3 or 4 people) on trails that cost money and effort to maintain.. for £5/£8.
Sounds more like a bargain than a rip off to me!
Keep going guys, this is some good free entertainment!!
£60 to get timed on a couple of descents at a trail centre Vs (understandably inconsistent, but still fun) Strava free version.
5 + qualifying? Ever heard of insurance, prizes, staff costs?
Or have had a day's entertainment (possibly for 3 or 4 people) on trails that cost money and effort to maintain.. for £5/£8.
One of the best points so far - Not much in this world that lasts a few hours and costs £5.
I imagine that you think that bike shops should hold all stock and sell at a loss and work for free, everyone is just out there to make a quick buck and that stuff just magics it way into existence for nothing.
Cost and Value are very different things, I saw someone complaining that a camel back costs £70 - mine has lasted 7 years and only just broke a zip last week. At pence per ride I'm quite happy.
Meh, it's only money.
Or have had a day's entertainment (possibly for 3 or 4 people) on trails that cost money and effort to maintain.. for £5/£8.Sounds more like a bargain than a rip off to me!
yeah agree with that to, I look at a seasons pass at dalby as a bargain. especially if you do two trail building seasons and get one for free.
+ other one for event entry.
Mucho £ for not very much in many cases.
I only do those which offer a reasonable amount in exchange for entry and/or give a big chunk of proceeds to charity. eg: Brownbacks and Rough Ride.
Don't think there's much I would consider a 'rip off', as I buy 95% of kit second hand....
Yes it's expensive, but the customer dictates what they're willing to pay by voting with their wallet - not the manuf. dictating how much things will cost...
So you only have yourselves to blame 😉
Yes, middle aged men with too much disposable income are the culprits.
Santa Cruz mech hangers must be handmade from fairies tears by Unicorns, or something. 35 quid for a little piece of bendy metal!! You're having a ****ing giraffe!!!
The price of roadie replica kit doesn't half make me laugh. Someone, somewhere mustn't be able to believe their luck, that so many [s]delusional, gullible idiots[/s] people are prepared to pay that amount of money to look like a total spod!!! 😆
How can you have too much disposable income?
Press fit BB's ..... I feel violated when I hand my £30-£40 over on a regular basis .... I'm such a slag
If the middle aged men with lots of disposable income [i]still[/i] hand over their cash, despite the high price, can you blame the manuf. for keeping the prices high?
[quote=mikewsmith]
5 + qualifying? Ever heard of insurance, prizes, staff costs?
Heard of them and what they are likely to be. The problem for them is: I just don't value them, hence regarded as a rip off.
& TBH other events have been better VFM: heaven of the south cotswolds was excellent VFM (and for charidy). Ride in the day & evening entertainment of a band and SCS.
The price of roadie replica kit doesn't half make me laugh. Someone, somewhere mustn't be able to believe their luck, that so many delusional, gullible idiots people are prepared to pay that amount of money to look like a total spod!!!
I get your point on looking like a spod. but team kit is often cheaper than the regular jersey.
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If the middle aged men with lots of disposable income still hand over their cash, despite the high price, can you blame the manuf. for keeping the prices high?
Boom. I can't afford a ferrari but I can afford top end bike stuff. What's a shame is its driving up the prices for kids and meaning we are all getting targeted more by thieving chavs.
BB30 bearing 'kits'. 2 cartridge bearings and 2 snap rings for £25-£30.
Apparently Muc-Off is 5hite. So you won't be wanting any for free then.
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😉