drew3623

How much do you think the pro's bikes cost? Someone like Lance Armstrong's? A couple buddies and I at work is trying to figure this out.

AEO

probably $10,000 US

Busta Quad

They said $10k, but that may have been sans wheels.

Nick29

Well since Armstrong's bikes right now are custom painted (the Velonews article said ~31 hours worth of work), it'd be hard to put a price on them.

That aside, most teams use off the shelf frames now. I'd imagine if you started out with the cost of a team model bike and added the price of a SRM/Powertap/Quarq and whatever wheels they're using, you'd be pretty close.

haimtoeg

Another interesting question would be "how much did it cost to have Lance ride that bike?"

tkehler

I'd say about 10,000$.

But then you have to factor in the ultra-high theft insurance

CrimsonKarter21

I totally forgot what a pro was until you gave me the example of Lance Armstrong. Thanks!

travkat

As others have said 10K US is a pretty good starting point. A ton of that is due to SRMs and crazy expensive wheelsets.

spudlauncher

I remember in 2000 the Trek that Lance rode was retailing for US$6000 when they brought out a special "Armstrong" edition which was supposed to be exactly like Lances bike. Price tag; US$9000.
I forget exactly what the differences were but the wheels and saddle were different, the paint job was lighter....etc. Figure in the fact that 9 years have passed since then and you realise that you're not going to get far with 10 Gs.

Bear in mind that regardless of how many times they claim to the contrary, a lot of the components on these bikes are speciality items with sponsors stickers over them. For instance, does Armstrong (or any other pro for that matter) ride on Hutchinson tubular tires which cost about $90 each or does he ride on handmade Andre Dugast tubulars that cost $200 that have a Hutchinson logo stickered on them? Same with wheels, same with saddles.

All things considered my best guess would be US$15000 to US$18000 for a top pro level bike.

BikeDork02

Frames are stock from Trek. However paint, components, wheels, and the stuff they got on them (clothing, etc.) are all custom made to be as light as possible. They get as many more as they need. If they need a new set of shoes after a stage race, no problem. New Helmet cause yours is starting to stink? No problem. Want a low solids lightweight paint that still looks as good as the stock ones??? No problem. Want ceramic bearings in everything even if they require extra servicing?? No problem Want a custom der. cage made of stainless steel, but still on the best model?? No problem

My best estimate for a standard Astana bike (not lance's, that custom paint is priceless) is somewhat over $12k (Keep in mind the team issue seat cap is painted to match. That takes about 6 hours to paint, all the little holes have to still look good.)

Oh yea, thats not with wheels

schutz1904

in his interview w/ cnn, when he was saying the guy who stole was an idiot; he said it was fifteen thousand

captnfantastic

$2699.97

oddtanlines

The e-papers and zines were saying that Lance's stolen TT hottie was $10,000. But I have to think that his one-of-a-kind was much more than that. We had a prototype Raleigh racer in 1991 that was estimated at $10,000, and it wasn't anything like the one that was stolen. Just a guess.

patentcad

Incorrect. More like $8K-$12K, and that would include blingy wheels, SRMs etc. Possibly a tad higher if somebody's riding Lightweight or Lew ($4K+) wheels. My Cervelo S2 is essentially the same as those being ridden in the UCI peloton (sans power meter) and the list price on my bike with Zipps as I ride it would be about $8K. Add another $1500-$3000 with some kind of Power Meter (Quark, SRM, Powertap etc.).

You can generally get a discount at your LBS, assemble a few parts from eBay or PBK and bring it in for less money. My Powertap on a Zipp 404 Clincher that I use for racing sometimes cost $1100 on eBay slightly used vs. $2000 new. My Zipp 404s were mint, about a year old, $1100 (new they would have cost nearly $2K with tires with a discount from the LBS). You can also save a considerable sum buying new parts from PBK for 40% less than Colorado Cyclist or your LBS.

gsteinb

Keep in mind pros, and their teams, pay retail.

patentcad

I was under the distinct impression that UCI teams paid nothing, that they all got bikes from companies like Trek, Cannondale, etc. who want the exposure, and the gear and support from those bike companies is their form of sponsorship. Ditto for components, tires etc. That's wrong?

Domestic teams do often buy their gear. I was talking to Mike Norton a local guy who just retired as a domestic pro. He said that the domestic teams all ride clinchers because the tubulars are too pricey; they mostly fund their own gear, they don't get nearly as much support as the big time UCI teams who participate in the big races in Europe.

gsteinb

I was being sarcastic. You should go back to ignoring me. Seriously.

patentcad

Did you say something? By the way, sarcasm is far more effective when it's funny.

gsteinb

Got it. You know what's really funny? Your team with me in a Westwood jersey.

patentcad

Oh no, you're threatening my bike racing prowess. Not that.

spoke50

The theft of that thing increased it's value big time. The more this story is talked about today will continue to increase it's value. I invision it to be sold at some cancer charity auction for about $100,000.

mr_tom

According to ProCycling, SRM make so few powermeters that they rent them to teams, rather than give them away.

patentcad

This photo re-defines the phrase 'give me some head'.

merlinextraligh

You might be surprised. Multiple bikes for 30 riderson a team gets expensive. Lots of time the second bikes, and the bikes the domestiques, particularly on lesser teams are not the very top of the line. For example you'll see ultegra components on Shimano sponsered teams, and Chorus on Campagnolo teams.

And not everybody gets the best wheels.

All that said, most Pro tour level bikes can be replicated for $10,000 or less, even with the Power meter and carbon wheels.

varian72

Kinda wrong. CSC did not get a sponsorship from Shimano, but supposedly that's was Riis wanted them to use so they bought DA with their own cash. I actually saw some pic of a guy from Saxo with DA7800 so the low end riders are getting last years gear it appears.