Is the bike industry in trouble?

Never used rollers, but I do have a Kurt Kinetic. (Why ride inside in SoCal?) and a C2 which I do not use often enough.
 
I haven't ever really been on the look out for a new bike of any kind since I got my gravel about 2-years ago now or my niece's Strider bike.
But, I still read about the new bikes on all the usual sites and see the prices still sitting way up there. I'm just curious if the whole industry is still in a flex and they just have to keep releasing what they'd already been working on?
Or, has there been a sense of normalcy that's set in?
 
HBkites said:
I'm not in the mark for a new bike, but I see plenty of sales on IG.
I'm not sure what kind of behavior from manufacturers are you looking for...
Should they stop producing "new" bikes?
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I'm not looking for anything, just curious why the prices remain so high with what appears to be little demand. I'll bet Kai Rysddal has something to say about it, he's a fellow bike nerd and, I think an econ reporter. I've just noticed, even on here, there are fewer new bike days than there used to be.
 
HBkites said:
I'm not in the mark for a new bike, but I see plenty of sales on IG.
I'm not sure what kind of behavior from manufacturers are you looking for...
Should they stop producing "new" bikes?
Click to expand...

So when Covid depleted all the available bikes, the manufacturers could not keep up due to the supply chain. So there is no bikes but the shops still had to do their preorders/orders every year. So these bikes that have been backordered for 2-3 years finally come in on top of the current models that come in also. There is a huge surplus of bikes.

On top of that, shops that paid wholesale for these bikes, are getting screwed by these corporations, because they are selling a direct to consumer model now and sell everything just above wholesale. So customers come in and want the same price that they see on the company’s website. So now the shop is now working on a razor thin margin. So the shop I work at has 700-800 bikes on the floor and the only sold ones that come in are from D2C sales.

So the bike industry as a whole is suffering badly. Every shop I’ve been to lately, has been slow sales wise and are doing minimal ordering unless it’s a special order sold bike.
 
Danmtchl said:
So when Covid depleted all the available bikes, the manufacturers could not keep up due to the supply chain. So there is no bikes but the shops still had to do their preorders/orders every year. So these bikes that have been backordered for 2-3 years finally come in on top of the current models that come in also. There is a huge surplus of bikes.

On top of that, shops that paid wholesale for these bikes, are getting screwed by these corporations, because they are selling a direct to consumer model now and sell everything just above wholesale. So customers come in and want the same price that they see on the company’s website. So now the shop is now working on a razor thin margin. So the shop I work at has 700-800 bikes on the floor and the only sold ones that come in are from D2C sales.

So the bike industry as a whole is suffering badly. Every shop I’ve been to lately, has been slow sales wise and are doing minimal ordering unless it’s a special order sold bike.
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I struggle to have much sympathy for bike shops.
 
Danmtchl said:
When they close one by one and everything is online, you may change your mind.
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Perhaps. Or not. I already buy almost everything other than groceries online. I never buy bike parts at a shop unless I absolutely need it immediately, because I know the shop will be more expensive.

Online can be stupid fast ... I ordered a leaf blower today on Amazon and it was delivered in less than two hours. New record for me. Once that is the norm, I will be done with stores forever. :laugh:
 
I'm not at all happy with the computer age eliminating retail locations.

Heck, I even still walk into the bank, right past the ATM machine(s) that is/are inside the bank blocking some teller stations, just to go and TALK TO A LIVE PERSON. And in all honesty, I hope my effort is helping them keep their jobs. There is so many things wrong with humanity, I hope this one little action helps to preserve the way it was, the way it should be...
 
I have rarely run into an issue with bike shops, so I do feel bad for them if they are struggling.

When I needed help removing that stupid tire insert, the LBS was there (which they did for free). When I needed to warranty an AXS derailleur, the LBS was there. When I want to check out a bike in person first, the LBS is there (which saved me some money on bad decisions).

My old LBS didn't have an issue with people ordering online parts. He understood that he just can't match the pricing, so he only carried minimal stock of mostly low end parts for people on Walmart bikes, because people aren't going to order a $10 derailleur if he has a $13 one in stock. He would happily install parts for you that you bought online, wasn't an issue.

I also haven't used Amazon in at least 5 years. I use Jensons, but they basically are my LBS being 15 minutes from my home and where I go ride.
 
Sasquatch9billion said:
I still really enjoy going to shops. Especially the more interesting ones with their own identity and vibe.
Normally any time I travel I like to pop into a shop and at least buy a tee or a sticker.
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I am the same way with a bike or surf shop, I will go right in and check it out I will buy socks, a waterbottle or a T-shirt, sometimes all three just to support them.
 
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SnakeCharmer said:
I'm not at all happy with the computer age eliminating retail locations.

Heck, I even still walk into the bank, right past the ATM machine(s) that is/are inside the bank blocking some teller stations, just to go and TALK TO A LIVE PERSON. And in all honesty, I hope my effort is helping them keep their jobs. There is so many things wrong with humanity, I hope this one little action helps to preserve the way it was, the way it should be...
Click to expand...

This is my story to the tee. I go into the bank, go through the live person checkout at the grocery store etc. Lowe's is now self check out only, no longer a fun place to shop. But I too go online for quite a few things, so that makes me par of the problem.
 
SnakeCharmer said:
I'm not at all happy with the computer age eliminating retail locations.

Heck, I even still walk into the bank, right past the ATM machine(s) that is/are inside the bank blocking some teller stations, just to go and TALK TO A LIVE PERSON. And in all honesty, I hope my effort is helping them keep their jobs. There is so many things wrong with humanity, I hope this one little action helps to preserve the way it was, the way it should be...
Click to expand...
I too very much enjoy interacting with people as a retail experience. My wife does drive through and pre-orders. I can't stand that. I like to go in and talk to someone. I usually can make them smile, which makes me smile. I also have an uncanny knack for getting treated really well at bike shops, surf shops, ski shops etc. Yay me!
 
13,500 earth dollars for a non-electric (well, sort of) mountain bike. I don't know who/what is in trouble here, but this is definitely troubling.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/s-works-stumpjumper-15-ltd/p/4278252?color=5444076-4278252
93325-02_SJ-15-SW-LTD-FJDMET-DLMMET_HERO-PDP.webp
 
I just had an epiphany (yes, it was painful).

Bikes - for me - are in much the same category as firearms. I have weird bikes/calibers that the vast majority don't, and so stuff is hard to source and I am forced to do much of it myself.

So I make it up as I go along, but at least on the firearm side I have reloading manuals to help. On the bike side, I just kinda do what I can get away with, like putting larger-than-officially-sanctioned cassettes on my rear wheel. And riding it, though others don't ride what I do.

So I will continue down this primrose path until I no longer can. I still have a few rides I want to do, and will. Somehow.

But I will never pay $13K for a bike. :laugh:

And electronic shifting just seems...kinda pornographic.
 
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Danimal said:
This is my story to the tee. I go into the bank, go through the live person checkout at the grocery store etc. Lowe's is now self check out only, no longer a fun place to shop. But I too go online for quite a few things, so that makes me par of the problem.
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While Lowe's is mostly self checkout, there will always be someone nearby ( plus the cameras watching you ) to make sure that all items in the cart are being scanned and remove any security devices. If purchasing copper wire or high value tools, electrical and electronic items someone will have to unlock the cage and transport the items to the register only allowing possession after payment. just saying
 
Y-not said:
If I'm paying $13k for a bike, it will be KTM 500 Dual Sport.
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I did one ride on my 2010 KTM 530 Dual Sport this past 4th of July. It was a 110 mile ride in Richfield, Utah with my motorcycle club. That makes it around a total of 350 miles in the last 4 years I've ridden my D.S. It's fair to say I don't enjoy dirt biking like I used to. I'd rather ride my Mtn. bikes.
Bike shops? I've spent enough money in new bikes and bike repair. I learned along the way to do most bike repairs myself. How ever I don't know how to lace a rim- 8 years of Mtn. biking I have had 2 flats, no broken chains, no broken spokes and no walks of shame out of the mountains. Knock on wood.
I won't be buying any new bikes- It's going to take a while to wear out what I'm riding now.
 
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Y-not said:
If I'm paying $13k for a bike, it will be KTM 500 Dual Sport.
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I paid $1,500 for a 1983 GL1100 (Honda Gold Wing). In 1988-ish. Less than that for the Honda XL350, Yamaha DT-175, Yamaha XS-1100 (I called that my 'Excessive 11' - could loft the front wheel throug 4th gear). I think the most I ever paid for a motorcyle was $2,000 for a (1977?) Yamaha XS-650 Twin.

I gave up motorcycles years ago. 3 asphalt kisses was more than enough, Dirt encounters were less painful, but more numerous.
 
DangerDirtyD said:
Meanwhile, Jenson USA endures and The Lost Co emerges. CrazyBearBikes.com seems to be getting by, although the adventure brokerage is limited to predetermined planned rides, some of which are out of state or need a boat to access.
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I used to buy a lot of stuff from Lost Co when he was running his business from a mobile van. I even had my own personal discount code, no taxes and free shipping. Unless it's changed, the shop in Bellingham was very meh and blah. I was in and out of there in 3 minutes. Fanatik right across town is one of the better shops I've been in anywhere.
 
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