KTU

Just want to throw this out there - I'm still amazed by how silly it is bikes to cost this much. No matter what the material or components, i feel a high end road bike should not exceed $3000. A 09' Suzuki gsxr 600(sportbike) cost $10K, and it has ecu systems, engine, hundreds of mechanical parts etc. So why should a two wheels and a frame cost more than the motorcycle? Clearly the Suzuki has tons more engineering involved to build. I guess the bicycle companies charge big $$ because they can, not because its actually worth it.

APKjuniorFL

It's debatable, and certainly much more engineering goes into bicycles than most (possibly yourself) realize (i.e. wind tunnel testing, strength testing, materials design, etc). I don't think I would truly be able to notice the subtle differences between a $6k and $12k bike, but if you have the money to support the cycling economy, heck, go for it.

wanders

Hocam

When you design a motorcycle you don't count grams.

But yes, it is silly.

dewaday

So what should be the high end limit on commercial goods? A comprehensive list would help.

varian72

Your motorbike is a poor example, I think. They sell a hell of a lot more of the parts that go into that motorbike across lots of manufactures and applications(not only motorbikes use those parts) which keep costs way down.

A 12K bike uses parts that have relatively low production runs (mostly the frame and wheels, really) with high end manufacturing processes and only one application: Bikes.

That...and people pay those prices. Your disgust has no effect on the laws of demand.

Bob Ross

And I feel a 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath duplex with off-street parking and a doorman/concierge in the Upper West Side of Manhattan should not exceed $100,000.

Now we've both demonstrated that we're idiots.

MIN 

Motorcycle R&D is bigger but they sell more units to offset and the research is subsidized by race teams which trickles down to the lower models.

Hi end bikes are subsidized by Freds like you and me.

K-S2

I suppose this question must just be generic to all hobbies with a low barrier to entry and a wealthy group willing to pay for that last .01% of performance. Either way it seems to pop up all over bike forums and often.

Tri Bikes: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=530857

Jesus, people even complain about why popcorn costs so much! https://www.physorg.com/news122917253.html

Personally, I spend a fair amount of my income on bikes and bike-related purchases. Will a Zipp wheel or Felt bike make me as fast as Dave Zabriskie? Hell no. Will it make me feel a little more like a pro? Maybe. Either way, you generally do get an increase in quality the more you spend (although you are a victim of law of diminishing returns). If you didn't have high-end bike purchasers, you probably wouldn't have good & cost-effective mid-level bikes.

Most of these threads have the same conclusive point, and I hope we can nip it in the bud: Do what you want to do, spend what you want to spend, and don't belittle other people for doing it.

Jive Turkey

Don't be so sensitive.

He's not belittling anyone.

DScott

fixed.

mooxster

So do you think I spent too much money on my chefs knife also? I mean, I can go to Walmart and buy a set for 35$ so should I have done that instead of spending 350$ on one chefs knife?

Please tell us what items SHOULD cost in your estimation so we can go about our daily lives spending the correct amount of money.

K-S2

Maybe the wrong word - belittle - but calling people's purchasing actions silly comes off that way to me. I did type that in a bit of a huff, but it seems like I see this question on this board every couple weeks or so.

jrobe

"i feel a high end road bike should not exceed $3000"


That would be nice but a high end groupset (SRAM Red, Dura Ace. Record) is $2000-2500 alone. Then you still have to go buy your "two wheels and a frame.'

sced

How often is there a practical rationale for luxury items - cars that go 190, $200 sunglasses, $500 purses, $6000 stainless steel watches, 5000+ sq.ft. houses etc? It's all for ego gratification.

Jive Turkey

Agree.

People got upset b/c he questioned the cost and got all sensitive but others made good points about the amount of aero testsing done to these bikes that maybe will make the original poster think twice about his previously held notions about over-priced bikes.

celerystalksme

bingo

but whatever...i buy some luxury items that make ZERO sense. among my luxury purchases are my bikes.

JoelS

Buy what you want. Spend what you want. It's your money to spend. You earned it (hopefully), and have the right to dispose of it as you want. It's none of my business how much you spend on what.

KTU

I never said purchasing a $12k bike was silly, please read carefully people. I said A$12k bicycle was silly. No matter how many they sell or what ever, the fact still remains a frame and wheels shouldn't cost more than a motorcycle.

DScott

Oh, but the panty bunching value is inestimable!

DScott

StanSeven

WTF??? No it's not. People buy what they want and can afford. If I can afford a nice house with space for everything I like (separate bedrooms for the family, spare guest room, office, hobby room, den, garage for all the vehicles and bikes, etc.), why would I live in a 2 bedroom $100,000 house. Ego has nothing to do with it.

K-S2

That's kind of a cart-before-the-horse situation, though, isn't it? If the bike exists at that price, SOMEBODY's buying it. Regardless, my earlier post does come off a bit huffy, which wasn't my intention, and for that I apologize.

Either way, I just flat-out disagree with you.

rbart4506

I don't know about anyone else, but I do now my situation...

I own a Specialized 07 Roubaix and an 08 Tarmac, both Experts...

If I could I'd be riding the 09 Roubaix SL2, why?? Not because of status, but because the frame fits me to a tee and the ride quality would get me the quality that I dream of...Performance of a Tarmac and comfort of a Roubaix...

This move would not be done for status....It would be done because for the actual performance of the bike! And yes I notice the night and day difference between the Roubaix and Tarmac...

Some of us do this because we love the sport and want to get the most out of it that we can...

The Smokester

I consider some of this expensive stuff to be works of art and sometimes buy them in this spirit. (Don't have a $12k bike, though.)