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Bikes cost as much or more than televisions these days almost across the board. Obviously the cheapest bikes cost less than the most expensive televisions, but

Bikes cost as much or more than televisions these days almost across the board. Obviously the cheapest bikes cost less than the most expensive televisions, but a decent 50" flat panel is around 600$ USD now and an entry level road bike is maybe 750-800$?

JWLong 10y ago
The bikes that the average truck-loader comes in contact with cost $120.
- legodt 10y ago
  Doubtful. The largest mail order bike companies are rather upscale. Look at Canyon, Planet X, Rose, Bikes direct, and others for a sampling of the most popular mail deliver bike companies. These aren't fly-by-night sketchy retailers either, Canyon bikes are ridden by many pro teams despite not having a storefront presence.
  - JWLong 10y ago
    Absolutely, but I was speaking to the experience of the loaders. Edit: Sorry, I should have made that clearer in my previous comment.
    - mikeash 10y ago
      You mean the fully assembled ones they ride or see others riding, right? It took me a bit to figure out you meant that and not the ones in the boxes they handle. That might be the confusion.
  - jononor 10y ago
    Majority of bikes we sold at our shop cost around 200-300 USD for us to purchase (retail price would be around 2x that). This was in expensive Norway, and there were plenty of generic sports stores that sold bikes at down to 1/2 of what we did. So for to-retailer price in US, that 120 USD does not seem too crazy. Don't forget that "good bikes" are actually very rare, especially if counted in volume (not price).
    - Symbiote 10y ago
      $120 would be the sale price of the bicycle, but presumably without sales tax since Americans don't include it when discussing price. You can buy an adult mountain bike for £80 including 20% VAT in the UK. That's $100. I've used one like this, it lasted less than 6 months of daily use before the sprockets, wheels, bearings and brakes were ruined. http://www.tesco.com/direct/north-gear-rxt-mens-adults-mountain-bike-1926-frame-w-18-speed-shimano-gears/250-1419.prd?skuId=250-1419# http://www.tesco.com/direct/north-gear-rxt-mens-adults-mount...
kalleboo 10y ago
The US's bizarre bike culture never stops surprising me. I guess since it's so impractical, it gets treated as a lifestyle instead of a method of transportation. I bought the most expensive bike of my life last month (automatic hub-powered LED lights!) and despite having to customize the saddle pole and handlebars to fit me, it was $250 (with a 2 year insurance and maintenance plan). $800 for an entry-level road bike???
- verbify 10y ago
  It's not just the US. People here in London would happily spend four figures on their (ultralight aerodynamic) bike. My perspective: I used to be like you and spend around $250. The bikes would break more easily (although maybe with an insurance/maintenance plan I would have been happier). Meanwhile, everyone else spends four figures a year on transportation (driving costs about £1000 a year, the tube costs the same). I figured if I would buy an expensive bike once it would justify the cost over many years. I bought a folding bike (a brompton) rather than a road bike - it cost around £900. They last for decades if treated right. So the cost, divided over the years of use, is negligible compared to other modes of transport.

JWLong 10y ago

The bikes that the average truck-loader comes in contact with cost $120.

legodt 10y ago
Doubtful. The largest mail order bike companies are rather upscale. Look at Canyon, Planet X, Rose, Bikes direct, and others for a sampling of the most popular mail deliver bike companies. These aren't fly-by-night sketchy retailers either, Canyon bikes are ridden by many pro teams despite not having a storefront presence.
- JWLong 10y ago
  Absolutely, but I was speaking to the experience of the loaders. Edit: Sorry, I should have made that clearer in my previous comment.
  - mikeash 10y ago
    You mean the fully assembled ones they ride or see others riding, right? It took me a bit to figure out you meant that and not the ones in the boxes they handle. That might be the confusion.
- jononor 10y ago
  Majority of bikes we sold at our shop cost around 200-300 USD for us to purchase (retail price would be around 2x that). This was in expensive Norway, and there were plenty of generic sports stores that sold bikes at down to 1/2 of what we did. So for to-retailer price in US, that 120 USD does not seem too crazy. Don't forget that "good bikes" are actually very rare, especially if counted in volume (not price).
  - Symbiote 10y ago
    $120 would be the sale price of the bicycle, but presumably without sales tax since Americans don't include it when discussing price. You can buy an adult mountain bike for £80 including 20% VAT in the UK. That's $100. I've used one like this, it lasted less than 6 months of daily use before the sprockets, wheels, bearings and brakes were ruined. http://www.tesco.com/direct/north-gear-rxt-mens-adults-mountain-bike-1926-frame-w-18-speed-shimano-gears/250-1419.prd?skuId=250-1419# http://www.tesco.com/direct/north-gear-rxt-mens-adults-mount...

kalleboo 10y ago

The US's bizarre bike culture never stops surprising me. I guess since it's so impractical, it gets treated as a lifestyle instead of a method of transportation. I bought the most expensive bike of my life last month (automatic hub-powered LED lights!) and despite having to customize the saddle pole and handlebars to fit me, it was $250 (with a 2 year insurance and maintenance plan). $800 for an entry-level road bike???

verbify 10y ago
It's not just the US. People here in London would happily spend four figures on their (ultralight aerodynamic) bike. My perspective: I used to be like you and spend around $250. The bikes would break more easily (although maybe with an insurance/maintenance plan I would have been happier). Meanwhile, everyone else spends four figures a year on transportation (driving costs about £1000 a year, the tube costs the same). I figured if I would buy an expensive bike once it would justify the cost over many years. I bought a folding bike (a brompton) rather than a road bike - it cost around £900. They last for decades if treated right. So the cost, divided over the years of use, is negligible compared to other modes of transport.