OK, somebody explain the high end bike schwag inflation phenomena to me
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Another thing that could of raised the price is the supply chain of carbon fiber. With Boeing and Airbus both building their new airplanes and a lot of them are carbon fiber that usually cuts down on the amount of material. Last I knew most of the Boeing 787 'Dreamliner' is mostly carbon fiber, including the main cabin. I believe the Airbus also uses a lot of carbon fiber for its new A380. I know by watching prices of carbon fiber that just the cost of the matt went up about 200%. That is my take on it.
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I think prices will keep increasing as long as the market will bear it - if you went to Interbike this year you saw countless iterations of high performance road wheetsets from Fulcrum and Mavic to Zipp and Time. There is evidently such a demand, although like you I found the price increases this year were really significant. That's why I opted for last year's Ksyrium ES's (also some good recommendations from you and other BFers)
I think the other impact is the devaluation of the dollar as many wheelsets are made in France and other overseas locations. Manufacturers may have taken the hit last year, but then had to have an "Exchange Rate" price increase.
I'm just really happy with closeouts...
I think the other impact is the devaluation of the dollar as many wheelsets are made in France and other overseas locations. Manufacturers may have taken the hit last year, but then had to have an "Exchange Rate" price increase.
I'm just really happy with closeouts...
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#30
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Can't explain the Zipps ... they're made in the US ... but all the stuff made in Europe is more expensive in the US becasue the US dollar is significantly weaker. 7 or 8 years ago it took less than 90 cents to buy a Euro ... today it takes $1.40.
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The explanation is Zipp is marketed using a value pricing model, not commodity cost pricing. Rising prices reduces competitive pressure on them, allowing them to raise prices as well. In fact, because they've built a brand around a price premium (whether justified or not doesn't matter), they're almost required to raise prices as well or erode the brand.
I'd look for Zipp to come out with a budget product line or brand to exploit the cost advantage. Positioned at 90% of the regular Zipp value at 35% lower MSRP, or some such. Then push these in volume they can't do with their current products without destroying the existing brand. Maybe under the SRAM name and channels.
I'd look for Zipp to come out with a budget product line or brand to exploit the cost advantage. Positioned at 90% of the regular Zipp value at 35% lower MSRP, or some such. Then push these in volume they can't do with their current products without destroying the existing brand. Maybe under the SRAM name and channels.
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I'd look for Zipp to come out with a budget product line or brand to exploit the cost advantage. Positioned at 90% of the regular Zipp value at 35% lower MSRP, or some such. Then push these in volume they can't do with their current products without destroying the existing brand. Maybe under the SRAM name and channels.
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#34
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And some guy named Lance will win 5.......no.........7 tours.
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Something was lost in translation, but I think I understand your point. That also reminds me that the aerospace industry is using increasingly huge amounts of CF - each new Airbus A380 uses a huge amount. This naturally raises CF prices for all users.
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So I'm at my LBS yesterday, and I learn the price of Zipp wheels all went up. Substantially. Again. Now 404's (tubular or clincher) are a whopping $2100 MSRP. That's up $200 from last year (I think it was $1900, correct me if I'm wrong). Weren't these wheels like $1500 a couple of years ago?
What's UP with that? Is the high end road bike schwag market that strong? That's remarkable. Between stupid prices on Zipps and PM's (the two high end accoutrements I have acquired or seek to acquire) it sort of defies ecomomic logic in an era of low inflation. I didn't think cycling was all that popular.
Discuss. I'd be real curious to hear Bike Direct's viewpoint on all this.
What's UP with that? Is the high end road bike schwag market that strong? That's remarkable. Between stupid prices on Zipps and PM's (the two high end accoutrements I have acquired or seek to acquire) it sort of defies ecomomic logic in an era of low inflation. I didn't think cycling was all that popular.
Discuss. I'd be real curious to hear Bike Direct's viewpoint on all this.
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You know when my wife bought a new purse recently, I asked her how much it cost, as I new "fine quality leather goods" are expensive. She told me that was not important because she wanted the purse and it would go with several outfits. Obviously forgetting that I balance the check book, I about fell out of my chair when I saw the cost.
Going by the 40% savings price Pcad paid, I think Pcad got the better deal.
Going by the 40% savings price Pcad paid, I think Pcad got the better deal.
#38
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Stop bloody whining, for christ's sake.
U.S. MSRP = Australian wholesale.
Shove that in your overpriced pipe and smoke it.
U.S. MSRP = Australian wholesale.
Shove that in your overpriced pipe and smoke it.
#39
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Carbon prices are a nice excuse that Zipp/Sram can use, but as others have mentioned the price is what it is because the market can bear it.
....that and negative drag costs a lot.
....that and negative drag costs a lot.
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#40
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Yeah, it reads weird. There are guys in Indy that specialize in Carbon Fiber parts for race cars. Zipp is competing with the race car companies for these specialists' time and work, so the price goes up.
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Not to worry my ocp friend of the Empire state.High zoot will still be affordable.
Just like bikes,the Chinese will sell those rims for peanuts here with major name brands slapped on them.
How will you snub these new aero-snobs when the "made in china" label is on the inside of the rim?
Just like bikes,the Chinese will sell those rims for peanuts here with major name brands slapped on them.
How will you snub these new aero-snobs when the "made in china" label is on the inside of the rim?
#42
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When my wife found out that I was trying to win a pair of 404's on ebay the other day, she placed our bathroom scale next to our computer and placed a note on it that said " the cost is $0.00 for the extra 10lbs that you can lose, this will also allow you to be faster than any 1200gram wheel set ever will".
God I love her.
God I love her.
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When my wife found out that I was trying to win a pair of 404's on ebay the other day, she placed our bathroom scale next to our computer and placed a note on it that said " the cost is $0.00 for the extra 10lbs that you can lose, this will also allow you to be faster than any 1200gram wheel set ever will".
God I love her.
God I love her.
Do she have a sister?
Az
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but pcad, they have the word "zipp" on them. that alone easily makes them worth over 5 times as much as the wheels BD is gonna sell.
#45
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dimples are expensive..
I waited and waited till this past summer and paid $1650 and was told that the price was $300 higher then a year ago... Zipp has raised prices by $550 is 2 years... and will probably continue this way as long as there are customers paying the price...
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SWAG = Souvenirs, Wearables and Gifts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swag_%28disambiguation%29
Several times now I've seen the term "schwag" used on this forum as it is being used in this thread.
Schwag or swag is free stuff given away as marketing promotions, not expensive goods of questionable real value.
-kevin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swag_%28disambiguation%29
Several times now I've seen the term "schwag" used on this forum as it is being used in this thread.
Schwag or swag is free stuff given away as marketing promotions, not expensive goods of questionable real value.
-kevin
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I was told basically it is across the whole spectrum of cycling,do to transportation cost, fuel cost and higher on going labor