Well, I see plenty of new bikes in shops for $1700 and less. Now maybe the margins are so low that a shop can't make it on those, not even with selling repairs, gear and accessories as well. But if the industry has a pricing structure that forces a shop to sell $10,000+ bikes to survive, then I think it is the industry that is at fault, not the consumer who refuses to pay more than $2000.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, West Texas
John Wood <redlodgebike@intergate.com> wrote: Jerry, as a shop owner who will be closing his doors this spring, I'm thankful to those that are willing to support their local shop, especially those willing to spend top dollar, regardless of whether we think they "deserve" it. If the world were populated only by people with your attitude, there would be no such thing as a local bike shop.
John Wood soon to be defunct Hellroaring Cycle and Ski Red Lodge, MT USA
Well, the newest bikes I have are a new Bates and an Arthur Caygill Artisan, both custom ordered new in the last 5 years. But both are very much KOF frames built with classic components. The most "modern" bikes I have are a pair of 1997 Bianchi TSX/UL's, celeste for me and midnight blue for my wife, bought when Bianchi was clearing out these, the last lugged steel frames they ever built. One was from a local Bianchi dealer LBS (no longer in business), the other mail order from Circle Cycle in SF (Do they still exist?). Mine is built with C-Record, hers with circa 1998 Campy Chorus. This Chorus gruppo was ordered new from Bob Lickton and is the most modern components I have ever dealt with. I think the frames were each $400-$500 new, and the Chorus gruppo was around $1000 including wheels custom built by Lickton's. So if you throw it bars, stem, tires, bottles, cages, etc., maybe my wife's Bianchi was all of $1700 brand new. I don't see any new off-the-peg bikes today I would pay more than that for, let alone $23,000. Now, a custom made Sachs or Baylis or Fattic or Weigle or Gordon, etc. frame would be about $1000 more than that entire bike, and that I could see paying, except one is usually talking a year or two or three wait. Just cannot see paying $23,000 or even $10,000 for what is stiil just an off-the-peg bike, not even if you get free Courvoisier, Shiraz and cappucino. I'd rather order a custom Weigle, buy my own bottle of Courvoisier, and pocket $7500 in change.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, West Texas