Sticker Shock
06-25-18, 05:58 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Sticker Shock
I have been in the bike biz a lot of years and at one time was a Longbikes dealer, and then a Rans dealer, but that was years ago. I am now a part time wrench and am looking at a bent for a cross country ride. What I have run into is a serious case of sticker shock. The good ones are much more expensive than I recall them being when selling them. What gives? What is it I don't understand here?
06-26-18, 08:51 AM
#3
Senior Member
There was a short time when manufacturers were moving production overseas when prices were pretty low. Then all the darned Asian workers wanted raises or something, because prices started going up again! You'd think something as simple to produce as an aluminum stick frame could result in a bike that didn't cost $2400, wouldn't you???
06-26-18, 10:27 AM
#4
Senior Member
Have you priced a DF lately? They ain't cheap either. ('Course I remember when $550 for a brand new full Campy milled and drilled Colnago Super was CRAZY expensive...)
06-26-18, 11:47 AM
#5
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My first full Campy bike was $900 in 1984 so a couple grand for a decent bent isn't all that far out of line.
What seems to be missing is lower end, reliable, reasonably priced, starter bents.
Edit: the bike in my avatar was purchased in August, 1982 for $728, a chunk of change in 1982 but it was a very nice machine, not a beginner bike.
What seems to be missing is lower end, reliable, reasonably priced, starter bents.
Edit: the bike in my avatar was purchased in August, 1982 for $728, a chunk of change in 1982 but it was a very nice machine, not a beginner bike.
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06-26-18, 12:02 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
I guess I am just too far out of the loop on bents to have not experienced sticker shock. Sun has them at just above a grand, however I am not interested in entry level frames, and have been looking at Longbikes and Linear. Simply priced out of the market for now. Will have to find a used frame. Only need the frame/seat/steering. A little bummed, but willing to keep looking.
06-26-18, 05:13 PM
#8
Registered User
It's still a buyer's market for used bents though. Look around and you'll soon see reasonable numbers.
06-26-18, 06:40 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
Used Linear and Longbikes seem to be difficult to find. Long wheel base models only. Any good sources for one?
06-27-18, 07:52 AM
#13
Senior Member
06-27-18, 01:56 PM
#14
Senior Member
I hardly see any bents on the road in our area. And there are not many for sale either on the usual sites like FB marketplace, CL, 4Miles, Offerup... I think they are not that popular anymore.
My local bike store has a 2011 Catbike Musashi for sale. They had it in their store for months now. Not in bad shape but it has some big scratches on one side. Looks like the previous owner hit the pavement at least once. And they are still asking $1K.
My local bike store has a 2011 Catbike Musashi for sale. They had it in their store for months now. Not in bad shape but it has some big scratches on one side. Looks like the previous owner hit the pavement at least once. And they are still asking $1K.
06-27-18, 05:27 PM
#15
Senior Member
For the last few years, 90% of bent sales have been trikes. My *newest* bent is about 8 years old and I see nothing for sale that would be better than what I've got.
06-28-18, 05:39 AM
#16
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Dont see a lot of incentive for two-wheel recumbent manufacturers to new invest in new models when they aren’t selling.
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06-28-18, 11:56 AM
#17
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The number of recumbents you see may have more to do with availability than anything else. The nearest recumbent shop to Las Vegas in many hours away in Phoenix or SocCal. In spite of that, there are quite a few trike riders in the valley.
06-28-18, 03:31 PM
#18
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There are good deals to be had for a used recumbent, especially 2-wheel ones.
06-28-18, 08:57 PM
#19
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To replace my bent and trike with new ones pretty much the same, it would cost me $1200 more than I paid for them.
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