The Duck Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Started to notice recently that prices of various things have been becoming reasonable again. Thought it was topic worthy.After a few months of prices of all new frames and some components to match getting a little bit out of control, its nice to see things going back to the way they were. Dare I say, possibly better than they were?For a little while, marked (in my mind) by the release of the new Control frame, there wasn't really a healthy choice of frames for under £400. Which for somebody like me is too much really. I think the old range of Deng frames (and some others) that were all £300 give or take £20, hit the marketing nail on the head. Bumping prices up to £400 (I know, rising material costs etc but...) wasn't a particularly smooth move. Recently, the new Onza Pro Series frames, Atomz Premier range and now the Because 'Simple' range have marked a little rational pricing coming back on the scene. All undoubtedly up-to-date geometry, not heavy, and well designed and manufactured frames, that are even aesthetically pleasing. Very cool stuff in my opinion. The only thing I can really see any of them being faulted on, its the Because's 116mm spacing and looking at it, tendency to flex. Nothing that can't be sorted out with a booster though. For sub £150, you can't really argue with it.Not too sure why I felt the need to say any of this, but its nice to see I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukasMcNeal Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Im glad about this too, but what I dont get is why the 26 because frame is more than the 20? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 I dont get is why the 26 because frame is more than the 20?More tubing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duck Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Other way round isn't it? 20" is more expensive.That I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshlyd1 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 I have noticed this change too Personally i think it is too kick off the sport more nearer the summer and so people with a high demand for a bike for the summer can have a bit spare Also more people buy bikes/componants this time in the year Its all for the best Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigman Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Keep an eye out in the future too, Might just be some more affordable Rockman frames being developed.......Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukasMcNeal Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Other way round isn't it? 20" is more expensive.That I don't know.dammit thats what I meant!More tubing Other way lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale-Hill Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Keep an eye out in the future too, Might just be some more affordable Rockman frames being developed.......AdamSweet!Yeah I noticed this too. Much better IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshlyd1 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 I love all the rockman bikes I will get one soonSorry to change the subject but adam how many burger did you eat a dj and how many bails lolJosh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass-Pie Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Keep an eye out in the future too, Might just be some more affordable Rockman frames being developed.......AdamUnfortunately I personal think it is going to be short lived. I’ve worked in the Cycle industry on and off for 11 years and I’ve also worked in Far Eastern Manufacturing, and seen this happen in other industries. The cycle industry on average saw a 15%-25% increase this year across the board on bikes and components the biggest one being Shimano. A number of manufactures put their prices up 3 times in the last year. 2010 is set to have another price increase. The smaller companies are going to struggle with price because of their lack of buying power against the larger companies and the increased cost of manufacturing and raw materials not to mention the week dollar. Personal! Cycling is going to get more expensive, and for specialist companies to keep their prices reasonable they are going to have to decrease their profit margins which then has a knock on affect to the company and the quality of the product, then onto the distributors and retailers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duck Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 One way to look at it I suppose... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Unfortunately I personal think it is going to be short lived. I’ve worked in the Cycle industry on and off for 11 years and I’ve also worked in Far Eastern Manufacturing, and seen this happen in other industries. The cycle industry on average saw a 15%-25% increase this year across the board on bikes and components the biggest one being Shimano. A number of manufactures put their prices up 3 times in the last year. 2010 is set to have another price increase. The smaller companies are going to struggle with price because of their lack of buying power against the larger companies and the increased cost of manufacturing and raw materials not to mention the week dollar. Personal! Cycling is going to get more expensive, and for specialist companies to keep their prices reasonable they are going to have to decrease their profit margins which then has a knock on affect to the company and the quality of the product, then onto the distributors and retailers.You realise Bigman is sponsored by Rockman bikes and therefore knows whats going on with them, as in hes probably got it on good knowledge that rockman are developing an entry level bike, hes just tantalising us. b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross McArthur Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Another company with reasonable frames for the money is ZHI. £180 for a nice looking horizontal 135mm frame with modern geo. Cant go wrong there.Ashton, if the frames ever come out, should be offering a decent price for frame and fork! £250 ive heard.Price of metals yada yada, the way I look at it is, if you can sell more of the cheap frames you'll make more money than selling fewer of the more expensive ones.£900 frame, whos going to buy that!I'm Pro cheap frames. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Vandart Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Another company with reasonable frames for the money is ZHI. £180 for a nice looking horizontal 135mm frame with modern geo. Cant go wrong there.Ashton, if the frames ever come out, should be offering a decent price for frame and fork! £250 ive heard.Price of metals yada yada, the way I look at it is, if you can sell more of the cheap frames you'll make more money than selling fewer of the more expensive ones.£900 frame, whos going to buy that!I'm Pro cheap frames.+1 Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat Smith!! Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Another company with reasonable frames for the money is ZHI. £180 for a nice looking horizontal 135mm frame with modern geo. Cant go wrong there.Ashton, if the frames ever come out, should be offering a decent price for frame and fork! £250 ive heard.Price of metals yada yada, the way I look at it is, if you can sell more of the cheap frames you'll make more money than selling fewer of the more expensive ones.£900 frame, whos going to buy that!I'm Pro cheap frames.Ayeayeeeeeee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigjames Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Personally i think that trials frames should be marketed around the £250 mark, i think this is a reasonable price to pay for a quality frame, with next to no warranty that on average will last somebody only 6-12 months. Of course there will always be the high end frames about that will be more. But for the majority i think £250 is a fair price.Nice to hear about the rockman frames Ads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass-Pie Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 You realise Bigman is sponsored by Rockman bikes and therefore knows whats going on with them, as in hes probably got it on good knowledge that rockman are developing an entry level bike, hes just tantalising us. bOk bad one to quote I was more commenting on the state of things to come in the next year. If Rockman are developing a more economical frame then all the best to them.Personally i think that trials frames should be marketed around the £250 mark, i think this is a reasonable price to pay for a quality frame, with next to no warranty that on average will last somebody only 6-12 months. Of course there will always be the high end frames about that will be more. But for the majority i think £250 is a fair price.Nice to hear about the rockman frames Ads I think the same price wise for a street, DJ, or trails frame £250, I've started to calm down on my off road riding because of the cost involved to replace half my drive chain every year is getting silly, but now I've started riding trials again so I'm not financially better off if I end up replacing my frame every 12-18 months.Ok lets put it this way this is the way things are and gonig to be for the next year. Ok the begining of 2009 saw an exchange rate of about $2 to £1, then the arse fell out of the £ at the end of the 2009 session, So bikes were 27% more expensive to make/import. Distributors absorbed alot of this increase which saw only about a 15% increase in retail price, give or take Mr, Browns 2.5% reduction in tax which was a waste of time. 2010 now on the other hand compainies are already predicting that prices could increase between 20-40% on top of the price of 2009 which on average are 20% more expencive than 2008. Now these are all predictions if the pound suddenly turns around and goes back up everyones happy and its not going to be all doom and gloom. To a certain extent we as trails riders dont very often buy fully built bikes and for the most part its all specialist gear coming from small compainies. So our bikes arent going to get more expensive because of another thrid party company increasing there prices like if you a perchased moutain bike and its kitted out with shimano parts the price of the bike increased because shimano put there prices up.Sorry if I've waffeled on but the one thing is clear that bikes and cycling in general is gonig to be more expensive next year, but I'll guess will find out for definate when the new 2010 stuff gets released from Augest onwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhazedRezza Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 (edited) Unfortunately I personal think it is going to be short lived. I’ve worked in the Cycle industry on and off for 11 years and I’ve also worked in Far Eastern Manufacturing, and seen this happen in other industries. The cycle industry on average saw a 15%-25% increase this year across the board on bikes and components the biggest one being Shimano. A number of manufactures put their prices up 3 times in the last year. 2010 is set to have another price increase. The smaller companies are going to struggle with price because of their lack of buying power against the larger companies and the increased cost of manufacturing and raw materials not to mention the week dollar. Personal! Cycling is going to get more expensive, and for specialist companies to keep their prices reasonable they are going to have to decrease their profit margins which then has a knock on affect to the company and the quality of the product, then onto the distributors and retailers.Sorry matey but.....Raw materials have come down incredibly in the past months (I know, I but them!)A biger part of the reason everything keeps going up in price is the fact that it needs to be transported around the world.This means Fuel - ultimatley - OIL.Yeah sure - materials did drastically rise in price for a short while, but it swings in roundabouts! Scrapage was also at record highs as well.I think too many of the larger enginnering companies (in all industries) have used and flogged this excuse to th death. Decline and downturn of economic profits and trade, is, the main reason for all industries to look at thier "get rich quick" pricing.Look at the British government and motor industrie's approach - offering £2500 scrapage allowance on old used cars not worth £100It could'nt carry on forever - seriously! Edited June 9, 2009 by PhazedRezza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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