Originally Posted by
Eric F
Is that just cost of raw materials? If so, there are a lot more factors that are included in the cost to produce a product and deliver it to market.
There are carbon framesets you can buy new for $500. There are groupsets that cost $150. There are all carbon trispoke wheelsets that cost $500. And that includes the profit.
Substituting some more carbon or titanium does not raise labor costs 1000%. A hard to lay up frameset might take at most twice the labor time. Nothing actually requires meticulous added labor and none of the materials are anything but standard industrial stuff.
A $14k Aethis maybe cost Merida and Shimano a grand at most. A pair of handmade shoes probably takes more labor hours.
Aside from luxury price points, the main thing that raises the price is all the middlemen that each add a margin.