Other Am I the only one that feels this way?

[Cavi]

So, 2 years ago I made the move to a Emtb. I converted a FS Kona i had with a mid drive kit. I loved it, and over a year time I swapped from a BBSHD motor to a torque sensing motor. Loved the bike but out of curiosity i rented a Levo. Honestly If I did not have the money I would have still been content with my conversion, however the levo was great plus new geometry. So I went on the hunt for a Levo last may. i knew I wanted to upgrade components over time, so I could get exactly what I wanted and not feel the financial impact as hard all at once. I managed to find a new left over 2019 and got it for $4200. This was alot of money for me but still within my range. Since then prices have gone crazy and now the new levo Gen 3 is 13000 on the low end and 18000 on the high end. I just sold my BMW X1, 2018 model with 50000 on it for 18000.
At this point with those prices i am now feeling like I have gone from comfortable middle class to Poor or destitute as there is no way I will ever be able to justify that kind of money for a bike.
I see many on this site and on FB showing off their new gen 3 and I wonder if I am the problem. Am i missing something that made a Emtb jump from the 4-8000 range to now 13000 -18000 range. Even the new Kenevo SL, it is close to twice the price of the Levo SL. Lets be honest, different geometry, and maybe some slightly more expensive components. We all know these companies do not pay what we do for the components, so maybe they are adding 1000 in components, and I say maybe.... So what am I missing? Do you think if I show my boss the new bike prices he will suddenly up my salary as a sort of cost of living raise, or did I just join the ranks of the poor?

 

[rod9301]

They are taking advantage.

But wait a year or so, they will reduce the prices

 

[Steyoner]

Even the new Kenevo SL, it is close to twice the price of the Levo SL.

where have you seen that? they have the exact same price all the 3 version of them, the s-works , the expert and pro version .

 

[Zimmerframe]

So what am I missing? Do you think if I show my boss the new bike prices he will suddenly up my salary as a sort of cost of living raise, or did I just join the ranks of the poor?

There are expensive bikes and there are cheaper bikes. Same with cars, houses, all sorts of things.

At the moment we only have the high end Gen3's for instance. Whilst they look expensive, they're actually not that much more expensive than the previous gens - the prices are listed in post 2 of the gen3 thread for comparison. Our view is skewed a bit though as we only see the top of the range models with crazy priced parts on them.

Top of the range everyone's bikes are expensive be it Trek Rails, Santa's even KTM's or Haibikes :

You just have to work out what you actually want and buy that bike, rather than just buying the latest and greatest - which is no doubt better, but will it make any difference to your riding and enjoyment ? If we already have bikes, they're probably pretty good, not that old in the scheme of things and probably not much slower in most circumstances. Invariably it's how the suspension is setup on your bike which will make more difference.

I've been looking for something else for a while, but wanted XT drivetrain, XT Brakes, DT Swiss Wheels and wasn't willing to buy something where I had to change these as it seemed ridiculous. So just bought a Focus Jam2 6.9 Nine and so far, it's the dogs danglies.

 

[Mikerb]

Early adopters will buy whatever is new almost regardless of price. For them the value is having the latest and greatest. We will see if that translates to the mass market but as you intimate, that is highly unlikely. Of course the market is distorted by lack of supply as well. Things could look very different in a year or 18 months time.
In April 2019 my Levo Comp was £5k and I got 10% discount for paying cash coupled with free choice of pedals and a few other extras. The bike has given me zero issues and I have sorted all the upgrades it needed to be right for me........... and still has 2 years warranty on the motor..........so am I likely to be tempted by a v3 Levo? No way!!

 

[Dirtnvert]

The specialized and santa cruz bikes are awesome no doubt. Would i buy one? Not a chance when there are a lot of bikes that will do everything they do at half, or less, the price. Cube, orbea, husqavarna, ktm, kona, yt, commencal for starters. That new saracen looks great and sounds like its available.
Buy yourself a 5yr old honda pilot or yota 4runner and that new saracen and know youll get everywhere a beamer and levo will and more. Probably less maintenance on both accounts too and some extra cake for a trip or 3

 

[Mina08]

people are buying on credit, buy 2nd hand there is loads available

 

[Helynt Melyn]

Aren’t they priced for Ride to Work schemes?

 

[flash]

My local trails on saturday were not even half as busy as they were last year. Demand will normalise and supply will likely catch up and overshoot and discounts will be back.

Specialized will have to get real on the prices and it wont be long before we are back to 30% off end of season bikes.

As soon as holidays and other sports are back on the menu then a glut of barely used bikes will also be on the market.

Not seeing that trend here. Numbers are less than peak but certainly more than pre pandemic (not including this weekend which is a long weekend. trails are packed.). I know a few people who have taken either MTB or EMTB up or slid across from another discipline and are hooked. Stores are still empty of eBikes.

We're still not allowed overseas travel, apart from the bubble, so some extra disposable income for many.

I expect we'll see some sort of a drop and some normality. But not this year, I expect.

Gordon

 

[flash]

Aren’t they priced for Ride to Work schemes?

We don't have that here and a Levo SWorks is AUD24K!!

Gordon