While I'm in the market for a new gravel bike I'm seeing a lot of posts about spares and component availability etc. There's been quite a few threads on here about the state of the bike market during Covid/post-Brexit I'm also finding I'm scratching around a bit for some bits, lots of low stock/out of stock when idly browsing for parts from previously good/easy sources. Even buying some mudguards was a challenge a few weeks back.
My main MTB is a 29r non-boost FS so rear shock and fork in need of the occasional service and maybe the odd set of bearings. My other bike is a 26r and I have all the gear to run it rigid if needed but a bit of a spare tyre shortage.
There's a few on here much more knowledgeable on the market than I am and am just wondering how hard is it really to get service items/get stuff fixed? I'm not into panic buying heaps in advance but equally the idea of a bike laid up for weeks or more waiting for bits doesn't appeal either!
If things like shock and suspension parts are routinely in short supply for the foreseeable then it might lead me down a different n+1 route (fast rigid 29r for example)
Depends on what parts your looking for, plentiful stock of some chainrings, for example, but none for the near future in a different tooth count. We've had a spate of bikes delivered in the past, missing headsets, chainsets etc, and currently seeing stuff with no 29" tyres fitted. Seems as one supply is being sorted, another is temporarily drying up, but the situation does seem to be easing.
From the this mornings news I'd say this could get really bad. Currently the problems are Covid increasing demand. We now add port chaos and that's before BREXIT
Honda (car) factory in Swindon shutting down today as they’ve run out of parts to build cars!
I’m not panic buying bike parts just in case though...
Best get online and order some more toilet roll though...
Thanks. Think I'll carry on down the gravel route but grab a couple of extra spare tyres for the old hardtail. Certainly not going to stock pile loads of stuff but I have exhausted the non rubbish stuff in the tyre pile now and after shredding a tyre on the good bike last week I should have at least one or two spares as we have several 26 bikes used for sport and transport.
I don't care too much what I ride so long as I can still get out there.
It will stabilise for a while in the new year as the first replenishments come through. Then expect a lean spring / summer before a glut at the end of 21.
If things like shock and suspension parts are routinely in short supply for the foreseeable then it might lead me down a different n+1 route (fast rigid 29r for example)
Not as across-the-board as that I don't expect and it will get better into next year so if the bike's running well now I wouldn't worry. Just intermittent supply across product ranges. Can't get one tyre brand/model so use another, that kind of thing. It's all enough to put me off more complex bikes with proprietary parts from non-UK based/distributed brands, but that's how I felt before 2020.