this post was submitted on 16 May 2024
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They're putting out bikes that are well into nice used car territory, it's absurd. Shit, some of them are even brand new car prices. A lot of these manufacturers are smoking crack.
Cycling is still widely seen as a luxury or hobby, and hobbyists are wiling to pay top dollar so of course companies are going to exploit that.
Second hand market ftw!
I've seen this argument a lot, and I don't understand it. Few people are buying those high end bikes, and no one is forced to buy one. Using that as justification that the prices are out of control is just weird to me.
There is an argument about prices to be made. I just looked up the base model Specialized Allez with 8 speed Claris, and it retails for $1200. A few years ago that would have been an ~$800 bike, I think (albeit likely with rim brakes instead of disc). I don't know what all is driving the prices, inflation is certainly a factor.
But that conveys the issue way better than complaining about super bikes that cost $15k. The barrier to entry for a newbie has gone up that much.
Price gouging and greed are driving up the prices of everything, I think the criticism is very fair at this point.