Why are bicycles so expensive?

Really, did Speccy have legions of engineers that needed to develop an engine to operate at 18,000rpm?

The fast that WSB guys can then take that stock engine and actually have to detune it to make it usable on the track because of an over agressive power delivery is telling you something.

WTF are you on about?

Your example is vastly floored because you used an example of a ‘race ready’ bike against one of the best mountain bikes in the world. For that to stack up you need to compare like for like – ie Moto GP vs World Cup MTB, or ‘race ready’ motorbike vs an equivalent MTB.

Engine tech is totally irrelevant. Is there a team of people designing the S-Works bikes? Hell yeah. What about similar teams designing each of the components? Yes. Is it technology designed to be the best in the world? Yes. Ergo it stacks up against Moto GP in this example, as folk seem hell bent on making that comparison.

Your example is vastly floored because you used an example of a ‘race ready’ bike against one of the best mountain bikes in the world. For that to stack up you need to compare like for like – ie Moto GP vs World Cup MTB, or ‘race ready’ motorbike vs an equivalent MTB.

Firstly how many man hours did it take to design? Secondly what were the costs of the materials? A lot **** lower than designing a 7k KTM MX bike I should imagine.

I’d not be so sure. Particularly as bikes change very regularly.

I’d not be so sure. Particularly as bikes change very regularly.

Ummm, maybe that’s because the design times are quicker and cheaper.

I’m really not sure why this is descending into a “top of the line MTB vs mid range motorbike R&D time” debate, but you seem hellbent on sending it there.

I really don’t think you can assume that a motorbike is that much ‘better’.

Developing superbikes costs a fortune and hence new models are slower to develop.

And we’re back on superbikes, I thought it was 7k MX bikes?! 😕

Why don’t you piss off to midrangemotorbikeworld with those opinions!?

No, I’ll piss off to superstocktrackbikeworld.

To think that a 1000 quid Boardman has somehow had the equivalent R&D research an Aprillia RSV4 or S1000RR had is hilarious.

The people who get uptight when their sport is criticized are the same ones who came in from road biking and playing golf to spend 5 grand on nothing more than a status symbol.

These uber-expensive superbikes will still then only go a couple of seconds a lap faster than a superstock bike.

Well an uber expensive specilzed will only be a couple of second slower than the next model down the range what’s your point (ok specialized are sh1te anyway but it’s not the point really).
You seems to forget that saddly (well all IMHO) pushbikes are re-invented every two years or so, while the core of a KTM MX bike for example barely changes from year to year.

So why are they reinvented every few years Juan? Have you thought that might have something to do with the really low development costs and the fact that they’ve worked out they can produce frames that are 200g lighter, for little R&D work and then sell them to rich status orientated idiots as the next big thing?

2009 S-Works Epic – £4500
2012 S-Works Epic – £7200

If this is purely the value of the pound dying, why haven’t all consumer electronic prices exploded? 17% inflation per year? Looking forward to next years £8500 range.

Well an uber expensive specilzed will only be a couple of second slower than the next model down the range what’s your point (ok specialized are sh1te anyway but it’s not the point really).
You seems to forget that saddly (well all IMHO) pushbikes are re-invented every two years or so, while the core of a KTM MX bike for example barely changes from year to year.

depends who is actually pedalling it

rich status orientated idiots

there is a market for this kind of thing though

Is it not just about perception? I like riding my bike and see the value in spending a few quid more on a bike. Someone who just wants a bike to get around probably wouldn’t spend a lot so would see the £500 bikes available as expensive. A world cup rider would think a £2k bike a bit cheap as they’re used to much more expensive machines.

At the end of the day it’s only expensive if you think it is and one man’s expensive is another man’s cheap. Handily there’s equipment to suit every pocket so we all get to choose.

Here’s a thing, we should put weight limits on DH bikes like they do in the motorcycle world.

On these bikes the geometry is now effectively sorted and so is the suspension. Do you think the highly status orientated downhilling industry will settle for not being able to make “the next big thing” once they’ve run out of new performance ideas.

No instead of spending the time developing a bike and then selling that for 5-10 years they will design a new frame every two years with some slight change in frame stiffness or some bollocks and then they’ll carry on charging you a small fortune.

The only time I will spend 5k on a bike is if either I was racing at a high level or if a manufacturer comes out with a sub 29lb bike with electronically adjustable suspension that can alter the travel and geometry from a 200mm downhill bike to a 120mm trail bike. Scott have almost got there.

Then I can chuck out all my other bikes.

So why are they reinvented every few years Juan

Probably for the same reason the new gsxr is always better than the so perfect previous GSXR…
MARKETING mostly

£1300.

it’s a titus ‘escarpe’ (apparently), i think it’s jolly handsome, and it’ll cost you less than 2 years Gym membership.

bargain.

Still if it wasn’t for rich, audi driving, golfing, rogaine and viagra abusing, 29er riding, lycra clad snobs at trail centres riding 26lb carbon bikes I wouldn’t be having as much fun when I overtake them on the climbs and descents using a 2k 30lb NP Mega.

Still if it wasn’t for rich, audi driving, golfing, rogaine and viagra abusing, In-line four DOHC riding, fully leathered clad snobs on moutain roads riding race replica carbon bikes I wouldn’t be having as much fun when I overtake them a 2k 1987 thumper.

FTFY

2009 S-Works Epic – £4500
2012 S-Works Epic – £7200

If this is purely the value of the pound dying, why haven’t all consumer electronic prices exploded? 17% inflation per year? Looking forward to next years £8500 range

i hope they sell NONE of them (for taking the pi*s) … you can buy a frickin car for 7200 😐

It’s a nice feeling isn’t it Juan. I know a lot of motor bikers with stupidly fast and expensive bikes but most of them seem to know how to ride them fast and well. I’ve never felt the status culture was quite as bad in motorbiking. I could just be blind though.

I think it’s the high risk of serious death and injury that puts the walting ponces off.