Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Why are bike tires getting so expensive?

Search
Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Why are bike tires getting so expensive?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-01-23, 03:15 PM
  #1  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 427
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 220 Post(s)
Liked 31 Times in 17 Posts
Why are bike tires getting so expensive?

I got a little tear in one of my tires and shopping for a replacement. Thinking it would be a good time to upgrade to tubeless but was surprised by the price of these new type of tires. Wow some of them are over $100! I can get car tires for these prices. Most of the decent ones can be had for about $60 or so. I could go for cheaper but that would be no fun. Is money no object with this biking hobby?

I think I might go down in quality to save a few bucks. I'm not racing or anything just an average rider riding for exercise and fun...
RockiesDad is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 04:22 PM
  #2  
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,778
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3760 Post(s)
Liked 5,707 Times in 2,880 Posts
I haven't seen much difference from pre-pandemic pricing. Tubeless costs more in some models but not all. What size are you looking for?
shelbyfv is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 04:25 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 8,038
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7084 Post(s)
Liked 11,189 Times in 4,782 Posts
Originally Posted by RockiesDad
Wow some of them are over $100!
Show me these $100+ bike tires.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 04-01-23, 04:58 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
tyrion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,076

Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet

Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times in 972 Posts
I recently paid $200+ for 2 tires (and shipping) and thought it was kind of ridiculous and it took me some quality drinking to "pull the trigger", but - now that I've ridden them, I will do it again without hesitation. Tires can make such a difference in every ride.
tyrion is offline  
Likes For tyrion:
Old 04-01-23, 04:58 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,301

Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times in 240 Posts
They seem to be going up a bit, though mostly I just notice the discounts aren't quite as deep so they are selling closer to suggested price.
stevel610 is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 05:16 PM
  #6  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,489 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
Show me these $100+ bike tires.
There are few mountain bike tires made by Maxxis which cost over $ 100 here at my local bike shops. The average price for gravel tires is around $ 80 - 95 dollars. I just purchased a pair of WTB Raddlers in a 700 x 44 size a few weeks ago for $ 93 each so it cost me almost $ 200 for a pair. Last year I purchased a new set of studded winter tires which cost over $ 100 each so a little over $ 200 dollars for a pair after retail taxes are added.
wolfchild is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 05:19 PM
  #7  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,489 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
I haven't seen much difference from pre-pandemic pricing.
I have noticed a significant difference and not just for cycling related stuff but for everything else as well.
wolfchild is offline  
Likes For wolfchild:
Old 04-01-23, 05:20 PM
  #8  
The Wheezing Geezer
 
Fredo76's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Española, NM
Posts: 1,090

Bikes: 1976 Fredo Speciale, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr., Libertas mixte

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 422 Post(s)
Liked 975 Times in 466 Posts
Sew-ups cost as much as car tires in the '70s, and people couldn't believe it then, either.
Fredo76 is offline  
Likes For Fredo76:
Old 04-01-23, 05:22 PM
  #9  
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4,138
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2280 Post(s)
Liked 3,503 Times in 1,839 Posts
Bike tires require inflation.
















I'll be here all week.
Polaris OBark is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 05:27 PM
  #10  
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,778
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3760 Post(s)
Liked 5,707 Times in 2,880 Posts
US$19.00 but it's C$109.99 Ouch!

shelbyfv is offline  
Likes For shelbyfv:
Old 04-01-23, 05:28 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 8,038
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7084 Post(s)
Liked 11,189 Times in 4,782 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
There are few mountain bike tires made by Maxxis which cost over $ 100 here at my local bike shops. The average price for gravel tires is around $ 80 - 95 dollars. I just purchased a pair of WTB Raddlers in a 700 x 44 size a few weeks ago for $ 93 each so it cost me almost $ 200 for a pair. Last year I purchased a new set of studded winter tires which cost over $ 100 each so a little over $ 200 dollars for a pair after retail taxes are added.
I was asking the OP, who is located in the United States; $100 of your money is about $72 here in the US. But thanks for your input.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 04-01-23, 05:32 PM
  #12  
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,778
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3760 Post(s)
Liked 5,707 Times in 2,880 Posts
Originally Posted by tyrion
I recently paid $200+ for 2 tires (and shipping) and thought it was kind of ridiculous and it took me some quality drinking to "pull the trigger", but - now that I've ridden them, I will do it again without hesitation. Tires can make such a difference in every ride.
Rene Herse, right? $98 each?
shelbyfv is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 05:34 PM
  #13  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 678
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 348 Times in 195 Posts
The USA dollar is being dropped as the world-reserve currency, so you ain't seen nothing yet as far as inflation goes..........
beng1 is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 05:41 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,483
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18517 Post(s)
Liked 15,847 Times in 7,443 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
I was asking the OP, who is located in the United States; $100 of your money is about $72 here in the US. But thanks for your input.
Wow! Had no idea the Canadian peso had dropped that far. Last time I was there (2009) it was 1:1.
indyfabz is offline  
Likes For indyfabz:
Old 04-01-23, 05:41 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
tyrion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,076

Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet

Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times in 972 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Rene Herse, right? $98 each?
Yes. But I only paid $96 each, so it looks like a I made a good investment. They've already appreciated.
tyrion is offline  
Likes For tyrion:
Old 04-01-23, 05:48 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Seattle
Posts: 4,271
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1981 Post(s)
Liked 1,298 Times in 630 Posts
Originally Posted by RockiesDad
Why are bike tires getting so expensive?
Originally Posted by RockiesDad
I could go for cheaper but that would be no fun.
My guess would be that manufacturers are providing models at high price points because there are consumers who are interested in buying models at those price points.
HTupolev is offline  
Likes For HTupolev:
Old 04-01-23, 06:12 PM
  #17  
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4,138
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2280 Post(s)
Liked 3,503 Times in 1,839 Posts
Originally Posted by tyrion
Yes. But I only paid $96 each, so it looks like a I made a good investment. They've already appreciated.
I've appreciated mine, even before inflation.

That smell. That vulcanized rubber smell. I love the smell of Rene Herse tires in the morning, when you first open up that bag. That alone warrants the astronomical price.
Polaris OBark is offline  
Likes For Polaris OBark:
Old 04-01-23, 06:37 PM
  #18  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,489 Times in 1,286 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
US$19.00 but it's C$109.99 Ouch!

If you go on WTB website you will them listed at $ 65 US dollars per tire.
wolfchild is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 07:03 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,839
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1135 Post(s)
Liked 1,234 Times in 782 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
There are few mountain bike tires made by Maxxis which cost over $ 100 here at my local bike shops. The average price for gravel tires is around $ 80 - 95 dollars. I just purchased a pair of WTB Raddlers in a 700 x 44 size a few weeks ago for $ 93 each so it cost me almost $ 200 for a pair. Last year I purchased a new set of studded winter tires which cost over $ 100 each so a little over $ 200 dollars for a pair after retail taxes are added.
The average price for good gravel ties certainly doesn't have to be $95-100, but you do need to look around a little.
My most recent purchase both $60 or less, shipped:

Maxxis Rambler 650BX47mm $60 each
Vittoria Terreno Dry 700CX37mm $45 each
They're not poor/cheap tires, but discounted. I usually have two or three models of tires in mind when I'm looking based on reviews I've read, past experience, etc. And since without significant personal testing in a large number of conditions for a long time, I have no way of knowing which is "best" for me, so I just narrow it down and get what I can find on sale, road or gravel. Both of the above are serving me very well. I think that any day I could find one of the two or three tires i'm looking for at a good price.

Online sales on tires are almost non-stop. I have bought tires locally, but not recently. Aside from price, selection is very, very poor. If I need something immediately I will buy locally but try to avoid that for tires.

Last edited by Camilo; 04-01-23 at 07:23 PM.
Camilo is online now  
Likes For Camilo:
Old 04-01-23, 07:43 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
jaxgtr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,927

Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 782 Post(s)
Liked 1,814 Times in 1,041 Posts
I've been getting my Pirelli's from Lord Gun in Italy as they were always cheaper than anyone in the states and had faster shipping. Their pricing jumps around a lot which I am sure is due to lots of factors, but their P Zero Race TLR today is showing at $54, but these are the new 2023 versions. A couple of months ago, I ordered some and picked them up for $42, probably clearing out the existing stock, knowing they were going to drop the new versions. Lord Gun is right down the road from Pirelli warehouse. I also got some Pirelli gravel tires from them for about $35
__________________
Brian | 2023 Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS | 2023 Trek CheckPoint SL 7 AXS | 2016 Trek Emonda ALR | 2022 Trek FX Sport 5
Originally Posted by AEO
you should learn to embrace change, and mock it's failings every step of the way.



jaxgtr is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 08:07 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 8,038
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7084 Post(s)
Liked 11,189 Times in 4,782 Posts
I'm still waiting for anyone to show me tires that actually cost over $100 in the OP's home currency (US$). Until I see that, I'm calling BS on this entire thread.

Oh, and don't bother showing me some studded 5" fat bike tires; that's like claiming that groceries are more expensive and then citing the price of Kobe beef. Show me some tires that more than .1% of bf'ers might buy that actually cost more than $100.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 04-01-23, 08:11 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 8,038
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7084 Post(s)
Liked 11,189 Times in 4,782 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
I just purchased a pair of WTB Raddlers in a 700 x 44 size a few weeks ago for $ 93 each so it cost me almost $ 200 for a pair.
Here they are for under $83 each (cd) with free shipping, which is about $122 US for the pair. And that's for the SG2 version, which is the more expensive option.

Apparently you overpaid.

Last edited by Koyote; 04-01-23 at 09:01 PM.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 04-01-23, 08:45 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,696
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1262 Post(s)
Liked 1,363 Times in 694 Posts
Originally Posted by HTupolev
My guess would be that manufacturers are providing models at high price points because there are consumers who are interested in buying models at those price points.
I also understand manufactures are making cheap models because some consumers are not interested in performance or quality.
Atlas Shrugged is online now  
Old 04-01-23, 08:45 PM
  #24  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 427
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 220 Post(s)
Liked 31 Times in 17 Posts
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR Road Tire at BikeTiresDirect
Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TdF LTD Road Tire [C2225125] at BikeTiresDirect

Here are some examples...
RockiesDad is offline  
Old 04-01-23, 08:49 PM
  #25  
Cantilever believer
 
RCMoeur's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,629
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 557 Post(s)
Liked 1,925 Times in 864 Posts
Originally Posted by Polaris OBark
I've appreciated mine, even before inflation.

That smell. That vulcanized rubber smell. I love the smell of Rene Herse tires in the morning, when you first open up that bag. That alone warrants the astronomical price.
<patrol car PA> DROP THE BAG. STEP AWAY FROM THE BOX. KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM.

Next morning's headline: "Bike Tire Huffing Up 78% - Will Authorities Do Something?"
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
RCMoeur is offline  
Likes For RCMoeur:


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.