http://www.roadcycler.com/2008/09/bike-market-booming-but-about-to-see-some-difficult-times/ Cycling News, Gear, Nutrition and More... Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:00:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.roadcycler.com/2008/09/bike-market-booming-but-about-to-see-some-difficult-times/comment-page-1/#comment-14636 Tyler Cooper Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:43:58 +0000 http://www.roadcycler.com/?p=510#comment-14636 Vinnie, I couldn't agree more. The raw materials market, especially steel has hit rock bottom just months after hitting record highs, though carbon fiber is roughly the same. I think what you will find in a 2010 lineup is a reduction in SKU's. Even in a bad economy, there will always be a market for high end models, just as there will always be a market for a Porsche. Because of the low steel prices, I also think you will see innovative new bike companies who's sole mission is to market high quality, low cost bikes (such as Handsome Cycles). I also see a massive (and long time coming) shift to single speed bikes. Surly bikes still have waiting lists for certain frames. Time will tell... Vinnie, I couldn’t agree more. The raw materials market, especially steel has hit rock bottom just months after hitting record highs, though carbon fiber is roughly the same. I think what you will find in a 2010 lineup is a reduction in SKU’s. Even in a bad economy, there will always be a market for high end models, just as there will always be a market for a Porsche. Because of the low steel prices, I also think you will see innovative new bike companies who’s sole mission is to market high quality, low cost bikes (such as Handsome Cycles). I also see a massive (and long time coming) shift to single speed bikes. Surly bikes still have waiting lists for certain frames. Time will tell…

]]> http://www.roadcycler.com/2008/09/bike-market-booming-but-about-to-see-some-difficult-times/comment-page-1/#comment-14632 Vinnie Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:53:34 +0000 http://www.roadcycler.com/?p=510#comment-14632 This article made a lot of sense when it was originally posted, but what about now? The US is in a strong recession as is much of Europe, unemployment in the US is at near record levels, raw material prices have tanked and grocery prices continue to spiral upward. Folks are losing their homes, their cars, their jobs, and their stock and retirement investments are vanishing. It seems to me that if the bike manufacturers still raise their already over priced product 10 to 15% they will be pricing themselves out of the market. This article made a lot of sense when it was originally posted, but what about now? The US is in a strong recession as is much of Europe, unemployment in the US is at near record levels, raw material prices have tanked and grocery prices continue to spiral upward. Folks are losing their homes, their cars, their jobs, and their stock and retirement investments are vanishing. It seems to me that if the bike manufacturers still raise their already over priced product 10 to 15% they will be pricing themselves out of the market.

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