Originally Posted by
smd4
A top-of-the-line Kestrel 4000 with full Dura Ace sold for $2,700 in 1989. Adjusting for inflation, that would be $6,757.10 today.
For the Kestrel with Campy C-Record, the price today would only be $7,507.00.
And the Kestrel came with pedals...
A Specialized Tacoma SL8 with Dura Ace Di2 sells today for $14,000.00. A Pinarello with Campy Super Record is $17,250.00. Pedals extra.
I don't know enough about modern bikes to even know if these models are the top of the line. Are they? Or are the top of the line models even more? Are you really getting $10,000.00 worth of "better performance?"
Have bike prices gone up? Sure seems like it to me.
Just like the high end auto makers, people will pay for status and exclusivity. For example, Porsche is making record profits in the multi-billions. Yes they make nice cars, but the profit margin is so high, the question is if the buyer is getting the value in the vehicle itself versus the less tangible benefits. Of course some have so much money, it really doesn’t matter.