hybridbkrdr

Maybe this is the last of my polls. lol So someone commented the way manufacturers do things is either they have the same Shimano parts the next year and raise the price or they substitute some things with lower-cost components like FSA or Truvativ cranks for example and keep the same price. I'm not implying that Shimano always has the best components but let's say in general they could choose lower-cost components.

In other words, would you prefer a price hike and have the same quality or pay the same price and have some slightly cheaper components?

Koyote

What is the point of this poll? Why do you want to know?

PeteHski

Most manufacturers offer a hierarchy of model builds anyway. So with price inflation you either pay the extra for the same spec or drop down a build level. Simples

chaadster

It doesn’t really matter to me, as I’m not buying the same bike in successive years, so I just want what I want when I’m buying it, and what that company does with that model in the next year is of no consequence to me.

SpedFast

How about cheaper components at a cheaper price?

Clyde1820

However it all pans out with given manufacturers, this coming year or two is going to be harsh, I suspect. The price of aluminum has gone up 50%+ since the start of this mess. Magnesium is up more than double. Steel, up 50%.

I'm sure that the makers are going to do both: drop quality at a given price point, as well as jack up pricing on same-quality stuff. 5-10% increases to the costs of source components is one thing; 50% or more, though, gets hard to "hide" in creative juggling and minor tweaks.

Get ready for some price hikes on most new stuff that has such raws as the key portions of such parts.

Nicely, I don't regularly get new components or bikes. So other than a handful of fix-it items I'm generally good to go for the coming several years. Hopefully I won't get it stolen or hit a tree (or anything similar), for awhile.

Iride01 

If I can afford all the same components, that's likely what I'm going to get unless the color and aesthetic appeal of the other bike just grabs me more.

I've been mix and match on some bikes and all the same on other bikes. Can't really say that it made a difference. Just somewhere in the back of my mind voices keep whispering that with one component maker, it was all made to work together to provide the best experience. So I tend to listen to those little voices, though I've never been able to see or feel a difference.

shelbyfv

Yay! Does this mean you finally have your bike mfg company up and running? FWIW, I expect prices to go up each year.

datlas 

Life is full of trade-offs. You should know this.

indyfabz

I buy what I want.

GamblerGORD53

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, then expecting a different result. LOL.

GhostRider62

No idea. I haven't bought a complete bicycle for over 40 years. I buy the frame and each part is selected individually. I am thinking of substituting an Ultegra 12 speed crank for what I really want, the Dura Ace crank. So....Yes?

livedarklions

What part? What substitute? What price differences?

What a silly question. There's no general principle involved unless you're always opting for the most expensive or cheapest solution. This is always going to come down to the specifics of the parts and the amount of the price differentials and what trade-offs you decide are worth it and which are not.

pdlamb

Some of this, and some of "I buy what I can get." Especially when something breaks and I need a replacement to keep riding.

livedarklions

And as a general rule, the more scarce the part, the higher the price hike. Pretty good chance you'd be paying the higher price AND waiting an unacceptable amount of time for the part.

The answer to the question is going to be so context specific that the question itself is essentially meaningless in general terms.

indyfabz

As a practical matter these days, yes. But I haven't really needed anything. My 2016 road bike still has all its original parts (except for tires and one spoke). I have not bought a road bike off the shelf since probably 1990. Every one after that has been custom speced. Two of the frames were custom built. My two Surly LHTs were off the shelf abd speced adequately for what I used them for, although I did change a few things over the years, like seat posts, saddles and the middle chainring size on the second one.

livedarklions

On the other hand, if your horse needs a kidney transplant, don't try using a cheaper organ. Trust me on this one.

pdlamb

I was thinking about the front derailer spring that rusted out on me this summer, but I take your point. (Darn thing gave out after only 12 years.) Indefinite back order vs. ship immediately? I took what was in the warehouse.

hybridbkrdr

No, it's an idea for the next few years.
There was a period of time I looked at the Norco Valence (even though I never bought it) that one year it had Shimano cranks etc. and the next year I saw a few substitutions. I wasn't pleased with that and figured I'd have to change some parts if I bought the bike. (In any case, even after buying a gravel bike for longer distances I keep thinking I prefer hybrids with larger tires for any distance anyway.)

SpedFast

Did you check on their warranty? haha

70sSanO

It all depends on how well you maintain the bike. If a person tends to neglect maintenance, always go for a cheaper component.

If someone does the maintenance before it impacts performance and longevity, spend more on better components.

It is pretty much moot what components are being used with a bent hanger, stretched chain, worn out cassette, gummed up cables, and surface rust.

John