General Cycling Discussion - LBS Depression

So, I went to a store specializing in outdoor sports. Cycling, hiking, climbing, etc. Looked at the bikes and left. Then, I went to a store specializing in bikes. And left.

Why are all the wicked cool things at the LBS so expensive?

I guess I'm more disappointed than depressed? I don't know. I want the fast shiny things with two wheels on the wall that cost 3k+ but my wife would probably kill me! "One bike is enough" :cry:

Oh well.

Heh, $3k? Maybe we can help you find something functionally equivalent for less?

Well it's not necessarily the 3k bike that I want. I really just want a road bike with 105s around 1.5k. However, a lot of some other things are out of my price range. I know I can find them cheaper online but I have troubles spending money on biking stuff with a family. Sacrifices are to be made somewhere if you know what I mean.

But then again, I do just fine with what I'm running with.

your local bike shop has to (usually) pay for rent, utilities, building upkeep, employee salary, etc. your local bike shop sells one thing (bicycle stuff) and is a "specialty store." we think "they just sold a $1200 bike!" but they had to pay to have that bike to sell, etc etc. so the local bike shop must mark up stuff incredibly much (my local bike shop marks up literally about 100%. ) just to pay all the bills and make some sort of profit. bicycle shops do not do a thriving business on a daily basis. this is (some of the reason) why they are more expensive.

your local bike shop has to (usually) pay for rent, utilities, building upkeep, employee salary, etc. your local bike shop sells one thing (bicycle stuff) and is a "specialty store." we think "they just sold a $1200 bike!" but they had to pay to have that bike to sell, etc etc. so the local bike shop must mark up stuff incredibly much (my local bike shop marks up literally about 100%. ) just to pay all the bills and make some sort of profit. bicycle shops do not do a thriving business on a daily basis. this is (some of the reason) why they are more expensive.

I understand that a business has to markup items to make ends meet. That's all fine and dandy with me.

I just wanted to whine about how I wouldn't mind getting something and now is not the right time for me to get it. There is a lot of things I could use but the budget doesn't really support this hobby. Then again, all things come in time.

I understand that a business has to markup items to make ends meet. That's all fine and dandy with me.

I just wanted to whine about how I wouldn't mind getting something and now is not the right time for me to get it. There is a lot of things I could use but the budget doesn't really support this hobby. Then again, all things come in time.

There should be plenty of road bikes with 105s for $1500.00. Giant Defy, Jamis, Specialized and Trek all have entry level road bikes at or lower than that price range. 3k should get you ultegra and full CF. Look at Performance as well.

100% markup at the LBS? Got to be kidding. It's not the jewelry business!!!

Christmas is just around the corner, and lots of places hire extra staff for the Christmas rush. In September, start looking for a part-time job in your local shopping centre. If you're fortunate, you might be able to pick up a job from the beginning of Oct to the end of Dec. The going rate for these sorts of jobs in the part of Canada where I lived and worked was about $10/hour. Put in about 24-25 hours per week, and you should be able to save up $3000.

Lots of people I know in Canada do exactly that in order to pay for trips to Mexico and Cuba etc. in January and February ... you could do that to afford a nice bicycle. :)

If your bike is your main means of transportation, 3k is definitely a worthwhile investment. If your bike is for weekend riding only in fair weather, then some more contemplating maybe needed in opting for a bike with a 3k price tag.

100% markup at the LBS? Got to be kidding. It's not the jewelry business!!!Most of the bikes are much less of a mark up than 100%. Remember the bike shop does not add in shipping and prep after the fact of the purchase like auto and motorcycle dealers do. The accessories do get marked up 100%. But that still leaves a small profit margin when all of the overhead is taken care of.

The people that are making the big profits, are the big manufacturers that figured out what people like to buy.


Compare the wicked cool motorcycle and car prices to the wicked cool bicycle prices and then you will understand what a great deal you are getting.

Look on CraigsList for the bike you want. I seldom buy brand new bikes, let somebody else get the new shiny one, you can get the good deal and ride away smiling.

Bike shop business is brutal as are most small business ventures these days. 100% mark up may sound like a lot, but in reality it isn't. And you would probably be horrified if you knew what the mark up was on a lot of the little stuff that comes from big box stores. I promise you WM has stuff on their shelves that the markup is close to 300% and you see people hauling it out of there by the cart load. They sell some items at little mark up and make up for it on the volume.

Aaron:)

Well it's not necessarily the 3k bike that I want. I really just want a road bike with 105s around 1.5k.
Felt F75 -- 105 and $1469 MSRP. I've been thinking about getting one as road bike #2.
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2010-Product-Catalog/Road/F-Series/F75.aspx

Re-Cycle.

If you don't HAVE to have a new one, you may be able to find a good used bike you like that is close to what you are looking for. You may even help someone who needs the money. Just a thought.

"One bike is enough..." only works if you have only one bike. After I bought my second bike (used), I never heard those words anymore. :D

Jerry H

I've only purchased one used bike in my life, being that my selection of local used bikes to choose from is pathetic. Trying to find the right bike to fit me, my needs, doesn't look like a cobbled mass of parts, or been rode hard and put away wet one too many times, is an endeavor that I stopped participating in.

After having unfavorable results of purchasing bicycles online, I feel that I'm money ahead buying a new bike at the LBS, regardless of their mark up.

I think I'm going to try out a bicycle co op here in the future to get a road bike. Never know what one can find there. And if I don't like the feel of the drops, etc. I'm not out that much money. At the same time new things are always fun to buy.

You just need to make more money.

You just need to make more money.

You know. My wife tells me the same thing....

Step 1 educate yourself on older bikes.
Step 2 find deals on said bikes.
Step 3 flip or part out on Craigslist or Ebay
step 4 reinvest proceeds into the bike you want, but buy used.
step 5 ride it like you stole it.
bikes pay for bikes repeat mantra until it is internalized :D
works for other hobbies too.

You just need to make more money.


You know. My wife tells me the same thing....

I have an ex-wife that told me that...now I have my money and she has hers.

Aaron :)

Well it's not necessarily the 3k bike that I want. I really just want a road bike with 105s around 1.5k.

My Specialized Allez was well under that. Yes, it's a 2009 when the 2010's were on the LBS floor, but it's what I want, with 105's, for a ton less.

There are deals to be had, you just have to find them.

+1 on Craigslist. I just sold my wife's old (unused, less than 1000 miles) Giant OCR1 for $600. From 5' away you could not tell the bike wasn't new. There are very good deals out there if you keep looking.

Well it's not necessarily the 3k bike that I want. I really just want a road bike with 105s around 1.5k. However, a lot of some other things are out of my price range. I know I can find them cheaper online but I have troubles spending money on biking stuff with a family. Sacrifices are to be made somewhere if you know what I mean.

But then again, I do just fine with what I'm running with.


Ebay is your friend.