[Closed] The price of bicycles and “moving up”

What will the new bike allow you to do the old one doesn’t?

Who "taught" you to piss your money away exactly?

I'd suggest it was mostly mags and websites funded by bicycle company's advertising money? And/or other bike enthusiasts caught in their own little spirals of aimless consumer lust and self justification, it helps people to feel ok about buying stuff if they feel like other people are doing the same...

I'm not going to be buying a new bike any time soon, a few parts maybe mostly those that need replacing, and typically the cheaper versions. I have enough (more than enough) for my needs.

Perhaps treat yourself to a fresh set of cables/chain/cassette and perhaps some tyres? And put the rest towards a family holiday or just brace yourself for the heating bills.

But yeah bicycle prices seem too high right now, much like cars you wouldn't choose to buy one if you don't have to.

I've reached the point of riding in the rain and mud is just not viable when drive train wear is taken into account along with 1) high prices 2) low stock.

Actually considering a second groupset as spar as that seems to be the only way to get a cassette.

I also want to upgrade road & off road drop bar bikes to hydro disks. But again cost and stock levels are a barrier.

Finding the same with tyres, used to be able to get a pair of tyres for £50 maybe less if lucky, now that's one tyre. When and bought some more sealant a few weeks ago the shop had tyres marked at £80!

Edit: oh for what it's worth I'm still of the school, good shifters/ average mech.
So xt shifters with slx mech, is usually what I've run on the MTB.
I've 105 shifters on the drop bar bikes but that's a strange mix of xt 9speed mechs with 10speed shifter all bought years ago.

I know someone like that. He can afford to though. Top of the range stuff all the time then replaces with the next top of the range stuff.
He must've lost a fortune selling his old gear on.
I struggle to buy anything new, not financially, I just hate spending money on anything that isn't in the bargain bucket!
Must be the Yorkshire part of me.

I always buy a frame and build up from new/nearly new/discounted parts.

It almost always ends up cheaper than a whole bike even when discounted. I also get EXACTLY what I’m looking for.

My Carbonda was <£2k all in, all new with the exception on the Chris King hubs.

<£2k for a Carbon frame, fork, wheels, CK headset/hubs/BB, GRX Di2 gearing on RX4 brakes, and Bontrager XXX finishing kit. That was March/April 2020 - height of lockdown.

I know a couple of people who seem to have a bottomless pit of money when it comes to bikes. Some years, 3 or 4 high end bikes a year.  I don’t think it’s on the never, never, they are just considerably richer than me.

If you can really afford then then why not.

What’s wrong with 105/Deore? It works “almost” as well as something costing x2, x3, x4 as much. The performance isn’t that many times more though.

I’m a firm believer of it’s all about the ride, not about what you’re riding.

Is this really where we are

Yes.

Or is just the era of short supply and things will return to normal in time?

When have prices ever came down, on anything?

I'm also priced out of posh bikes but I'm not even bothered any more. There's too much other stuff competing for my money and there's other things to enjoy. It is disappointing that mid range bikes seem to be unreasonably expensive.

When I bought my gravel bike last year I got a steel frame with a Sora group set and mechanical brakes. I was thinking I was “slumming it” as I was used to XT/Ultegra level kit but a) I couldn’t afford it at the time b) nothing else was available and c) I didn’t know if I’d like the gravel bike style.

Not being able to source or be able to afford to upgrade to GRX made me think I’ll just use the Sora until it wears out then upgrade. And you know what, yeah its 3x9 but it works faultlessly , I got the brakes to be better with some bigger discs and I’ve ended up most of the time not even thinking about it.

The low level group sets by Shimano are just amazing nowadays, and as long as you aren’t blinded by the need to have the latest tech they are perfectly ok for nearly all the riding most of us do. Serious racing? Yeah you might benefit from slightly snappier shifting or less weight but for most of us the low end stuff is great.

I don’t know what the lower end SRAM stuff is like but I’ve heard it’s pretty poor, I don’t like their shifters so never used SRAM myself.

A lot of improvements on bike stuff seem to involve spending lots of money to save a pointlessly small (if you’re an amateur) amount of weight. However, more expensive tyres and suspension tends to work better and some more expensive gear lasts longer and is more maintainable (Hope brakes for instance) so costs less in the long run.

I know little about road bikes and other than tiny weight savings I can’t see the point of spending huge amounts but I’m curious to be educated otherwise. I imagine good tyres are still worth spending on.

I’m at the point where my triggers broom trail bike is so good I would be looking at £6k plus to purchase something I would consider an ‘improvement’

Various scratches and old standards and I’d be extremely lucky to get 1.5k for the current bike.

I’m on team self build all the way now.

The low level group sets by Shimano are just amazing nowadays

105 and lower cranks are far superior to Dura ace and Ultegra in that they aren't made of cheese.

The low level group sets by Shimano are just amazing nowadays, and as long as you aren’t blinded by the need to have the latest tech they are perfectly ok for nearly all the riding most of us do.

Trickle down is definitely a thing. Modern 105 is superb. If you're not chasing the latest groupset every year then doing the likes of 10 speed Ultegra to 11 speed 105 is an upgrade anyway.

Isn’t there some kind of diminishing return that sets in?

I imagine if I spent the time and effort needed to buy an amazing bike on training I’d get much better gains than buying spiffy components.

When I got my last full sus bike I wondered whether to go carbon or Al. I went for Al reckoning it was cheaper and already significantly more modern than the bike it replaced. Figured it was ‘good enough’. It continues to be so.

Plus, what you get for your money even with the current inflation/BREXIT/COVID/ complications these days is so much better than back in the day is there much need to go top end?

I’ve always been taught to “move up” e.g. upgrade as you can afford it. Maybe this advice is wrong, but my bike history is a long line of one component or bike better than the last and selling to help fund an upgrade.

Has it increased your enjoyment of pedalling or made you better?

I can't remember the last time I bought a bike for any other reason than it looks nice. Nice looking things make me smile.

Trickle down is definitely a thing. Modern 105 is superb. If you’re not chasing the latest groupset every year then doing the likes of 10 speed Ultegra to 11 speed 105 is an upgrade anyway.

This is true but the other benefit of trickle down technology used to be lower prices for better performance. Now mid range bikes keep going up as the manufacturers try to find where the upper limit for the top tier stuff really is.

I know it's a complicated mess of global circumstances and not just a bike industry conspiracy but it's still a bummer.

The best thing to do is to stop worrying about what Groupset you've got and what your frame is made of and just carry on enjoying riding your bike!

Its all 99% marketing and 1% incremental performance upgrades anyway

£2700 for an Alu Deore bike… Wtf.

When I started MTB Deore stuff was considered entry-level/budget. The prices don't seem to reflect that any more. Colleague spent £500 on a Ghost hardtail from CRC recently. It honestly felt horrible, flexing all over the place, like it would struggle to stay in one piece along the local farm tracks.

There’s definitely a sweet spot, whereby, to move up a groupset costs massively more, but offers relatively few extra benefits.
I’d wager this would be deore/105.
I have 105 on my road/turbo bike, it’s flawless.
I have deore/slx/xt on the mtbs, all flawless.
I don’t bother replacing something till it’s totally worn out, and there’s no point worrying about saving 20 grams when i weigh 125kg.
I see plenty of people out on bikes that are 1 step up from a bso, but tbh, they look like they’re having just as much fun as me.
Maybe they’re the ones doing it right.

Maybe it matters more for road bikes where weight is more if an issue, but latest Deore is so ridiculously good quality that being honest, does anyone, NEED to go for higher end? Hard to justify top end stuff if you objectively look at cost to benefit ratios

Look at different brands. The mark-up on fashionable brands is huge. Vitus, Ribble, Dolan, , Cube, Canyon etc. all make good bikes and you get a lot more for your money.

Look at where the benefits lie. The differences between group sets is marginal. Yes electronic stuff is nice and XT is light but deore still works fine. It won't stop you riding.

I've got a couple of very nice bikes but riding through the slop on the Scandal I still really enjoy the ride and don't worry about knackering it. I could probably buy a new one for the price of dropping my full suss off for bearings and drive chain at the shop!

What will the new bike allow you to do the old one doesn’t?

Be shiny and new 😀

Wasn't it just a case of boys with their toys and a healthy disposable income? Now that bike value/availability has changed a little for the worse there's a bit less to spend on the side for the fancy bits.
That said, for new bikes, there are still good value set ups without too excessive lead out times. I'm looking into buying a Spectral al6 in size M for the offspring, it should be with us within 3 months and will cost me 200€ more than the bike I bought for myself direct from a manufacturer with similar spec 4 years ago.

I just do the frame thing and build up to how I want it. Recently ditched all my AXS stuff from my bikes and with the money got a new 22 Patrol frame and went Advent X on the other few frames (even a gravel bike). On drivetrains and droppers I will never go big money again up here in Scotland.
Been very impressed with brandX and advent X so far. Also tyre wise. Dropped Maxxis for MSC and never looked back. The Hotseat works really well. Better than the Shorty/Dhr2 setup I was using around Dunkeld/Aberfeldy and Pitlochry.

Econo options and riding every other day it makes sense. Over the summer will just pack a spare Advent X mech in the toolbox. I did put money into suspension and brakes.

Some good posts. I’ve lost the point of my op now but I think it’s about the cost of bikes and parts. I just calculated that the £1250 I paid for an SLX Treq Liquid in 2002 is £2166 now, add brexit etc and the better nature of parts and maybe that Giant is comparable.

The points above are correct needs some perspective about exactly how much enjoyment £3k would bring whilst shutting any sense of entitlement into a locked drawer.

I just calculated that the £1250 I paid for an SLX Treq Liquid in 2002 is £2166 now, add brexit etc and the better nature of parts and maybe that Giant is comparable.

Brexit added a chunk to the European brands but if we are talking the big American brands and components then
Don’t forget how the pound to dollar conversion has changed over the last few decades.

Save your money and rejoice in the fact that an average groupset perfectly setup adjusted and maintained may feel better than a high end groupset that is neglected. The skills needed to set up a road bike to absolute perfection are easily learnt and very satisfying. Barring the advent of electronics - that no-one actually really needs, shifting on road group sets hasn't moved on that far from the arguably pinnacle of smooth shift quality of the 7800 series group sets that were current from back when Armstrong was doping his way to victory.

The hobby is meant to be riding bikes not shopping.

Plus the family are around now but won’t be one day. Go for a nice holiday. Dream of a crazy bike when they are no longer your financial responsibility

Just got in from a quick recovery ride on my 10 speed aluminium gravel bike with mechanical discs. I could afford more but and maybe one day I’ll upgrade. But it does the job

I keep my bikes, newest is a FS that's 6 years old. The other 3 are about 30 years old... two road bikes, one Ultegra and one Dura Ace, and a rigid MTB with XT and LX components.

The FS has SRAM X9.

I don't get this 'swapping bikes', especially road bikes.

I remember when I first started and the low end group sets were rubbish. 300LX was on £300 entry level bikes, and it was ok for entry level riding. You had to go all the way up to Deore DX to get something durable and reliable for extended riding - back then it was only XT higher in the range. Very different to nowadays.

Just built this up taken me 4 months to get the parts I needed at reasonable prices  last 3 bikes have been frame only options I find it more cost affective and more satisfying does help when your daughter works in the trade 🙂

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I can't really afford to buy new bikes, and yeah, forking out £3k for a mid range MTB is just not justifiable for me in terms of other commitments to the family.

The last few bikes I've had, I've put together using mostly used frames and parts. I've recently put together a steel FS bike for a total cost of £1700 with a nice spec ... RS Pikes, Hunt wheels, XT brakes, SLX drivetrain ... but sold 2 bikes, some other stuff, and asked for money for Xmas & birthday, so the net 'hit' to the family budget was around £200.

So, riding decent stuff doesn't HAVE to cost a small mortgage.

I've promised myself a dream bike when I hit 10% body fat as otherwise saving weight is useless (thus ensuring I don't need to spend more as it isn't going to happen), as noted by others my gx hardtail and 105 gravel bike are fine, can keep up with mates on 7k dreambike and not too worried about crashing/scratching them. Also heavier bikes must make me stronger right? For the moment only climbing UK hills not Apline climbs so bikes suit my needs cycling to work and not getting out on the mtb much due to family and living in Manchester. I'd probably spend more if I lived in peaks/lakes/wales/Scotland with awesome rides on my doorstep, prefer to spend on family hols.

I have a lot of fairly expensive road bikes, and a number of relatively cheap ones. Stick the expensive wheels on the cheaper bike and it’s just as good.

When I buy expensive stuff it’s because it’s nice to have, but functionally it’s no better than mid range. Well set up tiagra shifts every bit as well as my di2/etap set ups

Just built this up taken me 4 months to get the parts

That Evol is cool. How does it ride? You get a lot of bike for your money there. Looks really capable.

The switch from rim brakes to disc on road bikes has surely had an effect on the starting price?

Unless you're racing; why do you need to upgrade / buy anything but comfort, contact points and tyres, and replace wear parts? Your experience will be much the same.

All of riding is a luxury good. If your income allows you can have slightly more of a luxury good. If it doesn't, then you can't. Not sure the fact that my bikes drip carbon, xtr, and titanium makes me any happier though - if anything the rampant consumerism leaves me feeling dirty. There is nothing particular about "todays' world" (much as I find that fetishistic term tiresome) in it.

To 99.9% of the population a £1000 bike is a ludicrous amount of money to spend. It’s all relative.

I don’t spend big money on bikes because I don’t have that level of disposable income. If I did, I probably would. As I said earlier, I know of people who seem to be able to drop tend of thousands a year on bikes without batting an eyelid.

But I’d say if you’re choosing between stuff for the family and a drivetrain upgrade, then you can’t afford it.

But I’d say if you’re choosing between stuff for the family and a drivetrain upgrade, then you can’t afford it.

As I said, I don't think I worded my OP well - I'm not choosing between the two, I just don't think its justified to spend £3k+ on a 105 to Ultegra upgrade when there's other things that can be done with the cash, at the same time bemoaning at the price of bikes/components these days.

@kryton57

I think you might be misunderstanding him. If you think that "there are other things that can be done with the cash", by default you are not in a position to choose both - you can't afford it.

The other thing you're bemoaning is the "price of components"; and honestly, I think this is just poor decision-making. You can have these things, you just have to be patient and canny and buy secondhand or in sales.

As an example: my main mountain bike atm is a carbon trance with carbon wheels, xx1, dvo, carbon saddles, ti bolts - the lot. After I sold and swapped out parts to get it how I want, I think my total base outlay on the bike has been about £1700 (2100 secondhand minus the bits I've sold and made money on). I sold the bike before it (a gen 1 evil following that was knackered) for £2600. So I've actually made nearly £1000 just there and at the same time got a bike that is 5 years newer, nicer, 3lbs lighter etc. The Following was put together with parts from an Intense Spider 29 Carbon, which I bought on STW for £700. I then sold the Intense frame for more than I paid for the following so that was money neutral as well.

I genuinely think if I did the maths, all of my bikes (four atm) would be at least money neutral, if not have made me money. So why begrudge it? Just be patient and flexible.

I was slightly shocked the other day when I saw that a Trek Remedy 8 was now £3.4k as opposed to £2.7k for exactly the same spec between 2020 and 2022 models (as far as I could tell). Bloody hell.

My endurance style road bike was two grand, I think they are 2.2k now. The wheels are heavy, so I could spend a bit more on those but apart from that there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of it. There's no point in upgrading anything else.

The more expensive bikes are aero racing machines and less comfortable. If I were racing seriously then maybe I'd buy myself a few tenths of a mph in a sprint.

Point is that yes, bikes are more expensive but cheaper bikes are far better than they used to be. So just relax and realise that you could spend a serious chunk of money and make absolutely no difference to your life. Especially not on road bikes!

I think you might be misunderstanding him. If you think that “there are other things that can be done with the cash”, by default you are not in a position to choose both – you can’t afford it.

I wish people would stop judging my financial position. Trust me, I can afford it. I just don’t want to, I don’t think the value is justified and would prefer to use my money wisely.

I don’t think the value is justified and would prefer to use my money wisely

Well do that then