Have bike makers gone mad?

[bzbvh5]

I saw this on Cycling News and had to comment.

I have to admit that I am amazed at how quickly, almost absurdly quickly, that prices for bikes and components have gone through the roof of late. A case in point:

A 2009 Hyundai Accent lists (no discounts mind you) for $12,745.

A new Pinarello Prince, with Super Record group and set of Zipp 404 hoops in a package discout from a reputable dealer costs $11,420.61.

Like I tell my friends. The bikes we ride are high tech racing machines straight from the factory. You can go to the bike store and get a bike just like the pros ride without too much trouble. Try to buy a race car from your local Hyundai dealer. Try to win a car race in a Hyundai. Race car engine (engine only) for a superstock for the local dirt track Saturday night racer, $17,000.

[ti_boi]

I saw this on Cycling News and had to comment.

I have to admit that I am amazed at how quickly, almost absurdly quickly, that prices for bikes and components have gone through the roof of late. A case in point:

A 2009 Hyundai Accent lists (no discounts mind you) for $12,745.

A new Pinarello Prince, with Super Record group and set of Zipp 404 hoops in a package discout from a reputable dealer costs $11,420.61.

Like I tell my friends. The bikes we ride are high tech racing machines straight from the factory. You can go to the bike store and get a bike just like the pros ride without too much trouble. Try to buy a race car from your local Hyundai dealer. Try to win a car race in a Hyundai. Race car engine (engine only) for a superstock for the local dirt track Saturday night racer, $17,000.


That Tiburon can kick some tail tho.

[Blue Jays]

So what are you essentially driving at? :confused:
A top-of-the-line worldclass racebike is therefore more within reach than is a top-of-the-line worldclass racecar.

[Pete Serotta]

saw a gold hand made watch (mechanical) for 43K....Value in the eye of the beholder.....as is their budget.... I will stick with my HSG!!!! :cool:

[toaster]

Couldn't you say that $12,745 is a lot of money for a Hyundai Accent?

If you had $25,490 to spend and you bought both the Hyundai and the Pinarello Prince with the Super Record and the Zipp 404's which would you be most proud of?

...just sayin'.

[Flat Out]

Sorry, it's an apples-to-oranges comparison. YOU are the engine on your bike. The car equivalent of a bike would be a frame, body, wheels, seat, brakes, and gearbox. That's it. The rest is up to you.

[ahumblecycler]

I say law of economics. If cyclists will pay that much then more power to the companies. Personally, I go for yesterday's stuff (e.g., DA 7800, 2008 clothing and helmets).

And my three bikes is 2.5 times the value of my car :) I should add that I have only put 92 miles on my car over the last 3.5 weeks :bike:

[Tom]

The bike's going to last way longer and be a lot cheaper to run.

[flickwet]

Would be proud of the bike, the Hyundai? not so much.

[nahtnoj]

Considerable progress has been made in both areas.

The Accent (a friend has one) is well put together and beyond decent as a daily transportation appliance. Just like a $500 hybrid goes about its business with consistency, durability and little fanfare.

But comparing it to a Prince? A more apt car comparison might be a Gallardo LP560. Flashly, but will be old news in relatively short order.

[Ahneida Ride]

Relax .... It's all fed reserve (non redeemable) notes anyway ...

Private corporation shopping coupons ... :bike:

[Pete Serotta]

Just as I gave for the wrap....off to ride my Bedford with the great leather wrap.... :bike: :)

Relax .... It's all fed reserve (non redeemable) notes anyway ...

Private corporation shopping coupons ... :bike:

[Climb01742]

there are million dollar cars (see bugatti). for me, the highest priced of anything gets me to look but not buy. crazy prices are just oddities, yes?

[sg8357]

A new Pinarello Prince, with Super Record group and set of Zipp 404 hoops in a package discout from a reputable dealer costs $11,420.61.[/I].

I'll take a Marcelo with SR and regular wheels for $6690.
In the real world I'd be happy with the Chorus version for $1k less.

Dario or Martek, tough choice. :)

Scott G.

[caleb]

there are million dollar cars (see bugatti). for me, the highest priced of anything gets me to look but not buy. crazy prices are just oddities, yes?

The difference is, I think, that the top of the bicycle market is being sold as a consumer good for the general public while cars at the top of the heap are not.

So.. I think there are at least two questions at work:

1) Why have top end bikes increased in price at such a rapid rate (i.e. 100% in a few years)?

2) Why are bicycles being successfully sold for 10k+ in a recession environment, seemingly independent of the general financial climate? Granted, Cadence in NYC has gone under, which might be a sign that the market is weakening and that the success of such marketing is declining.

[tylercheung]

sadly, though - there's probably way more engineering (mechanical, electrical, computational, chemical) that goes into the hyundai than the pinarello. They also probably make a lot more of them too (which affects the price...).

Hyundai's are top notch nowadays, I think they regularly beat out Toyota and Honda for reliability. Korean engineering has improved by leaps and bounds...case in point being Samsung and LG.