e-bikes/bikes markets ... something wrong?

[unclezz]

Hello!

I still don't have an e-mtb but before going to the market for one I started looking also at the standard full suspension acoustic bikes. While doing so I noticed some points in common with basically all markets related to "transportation"...

Both e-bikes and standard bikes markets are almost completely out of stock. And if not out of stock in both cases the waiting time to get the bike is very long (months). The first question I would like to ask is: was this happening also in past years?

I am asking because I am noticing the same situation in a lot of markets (cars and motorbikes for example) and I started thinking that this is somehow a choise from makers. I mean, we all know that Covid-19 made productions going slower for a while, but I suspect that the production was kept low on purpose also because the expectation on order is expected to go down due to coming economic crisis.

I read here and there that for e-bikes specifically there is a huge demand increase... To me sounds very weird that for markets where you have to invest quite a high amount of money there is such an increase in people asking for expensive e-bikes or expensive bikes in general.

Does any of you have some numbers to compare with previous years?

 

[Jackware]

In the UK at least there has been a massive uptake in cycling, from those old beaters that have been left in the shed for years to people looking to spend on new bikes.
People who would normally spend regularly on meals, weekend shopping and holidays find themselves with unspent salaries (worked for or from being furloughed) so may consider expensive ebikes.
The UK government and maybe others have stated that cycling to work is a good way to avoid public transport.
I think most manufacturers build just enough stock to ensure a steady supply and reduce excess stock and those orders are placed way before the planned season, so any spike in demand will quickly deplete the year's stock.
That a economic crash is coming is unlikely to figure on a lot of peoples mind when society has a 'I want it now/pay later' mindset.
The manufacturers will be planning next season or the season after that stock based on this but this year's stock was already done.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Normally, when you get to the release of a new model, there will still be a few of the last model about. Manufacturers don't want to run out - the make bikes to sell bikes - as many as possible. When the new ones come out, you can normally expect a discount on the previous years bike to compensate for the specification or design changes over the new one. It's VERY rare for them all to be gone. Sometimes one colour might have sold more than expected and those have gone before the "next years" arrive - but they're generally pretty good and gauging how many they'll need without having too many left over.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I guess a lot of people had time on their hands to watch YouTube videos and dream, and maybe even more time to ride so took the plunge. It could be the lack of just a few critical components that slows down production, too!

 

[Zimmerframe]

I wonder if sex toy sales reached a climax ...

 

[Jackware]

I wonder if sex toy sales reached a climax ...

Apparently the sales are shooting up;

Sex toy company owners reveal what their best-selling product is

THE OWNERS of a UK-based sex toy company have experienced a surge in sales since the lockdown came into force. WARNING some readers may be offended by the images in this article.

www.express.co.uk

 

[Nicho]

I wonder if sex toy sales reached a climax

I read that the dramatic increase in demand for blow-up sex dolls during lockdown has caused severe inflation in the market!

 

[Philpug]

Bike shops here in the US are pretty much depleated, there is not a bike under $3K to be found. We found this when we were considering getting our ebikes. My wife and i sold our 2018 and 2019 Cannondale Triggers for (what we thought) what was well above market but it turns out, we probably left money on the table too! Being in the industry we have access to special pricing from some brands and the outlay to getting our new Habit Neo 2's was minimal.

I am helping a friend sell some of his personal inventory and now even bikes is the $5-6K (US) range are getting scarce. It is a sellers market.

 

[AlwynM]

Having just ordered a new Turbo Levo 2020 from Specialized, I was a bit disappointed with the three week wait. It seems like years away and yes, there are not many left on their webstore at all.

 

[MartinW148]

New season e-bikes always have a waiting list, especially in the less popular sizes. 2 yrs ago quoted 5 month wait on a canyon spectral.

 

[billwarwick]

I wonder if sex toy sales reached a climax ...

Stand by for a punfest??

 

[steve_sordy]

I can't speak for other countries, but in the UK the bike market has gone mad. In addition to new bikes selling faster than ever before, old bikes have been resurrected from the back of the shed, sometimes from outside the shed and carried in to the LBS for a service. My LBS told me that they have never been busier on servicing but it's mostly the sort of bike they don't like dealing with. A bike worth at most £5 comes in and needs a minimum £50 of parts, plus labour, but the owner will not be dissuaded! New bikes are available, but without discount and mostly it's the ones most good riders don't want anyway,

The good news is that once this current pandemic is over, there will be a lot of hardly used bikes for sale and the used price will crash. Now is the time to sell that spare bike lurking at the back of the shed.

 

[oldmanmx]

Here in Oz all bike sales have increased not just e-bikes. In some places by as much as 70%. Giant usually has a sale this time of year to get rid of any excess stock (that's why I bought mine last year) but this year they could not supply the demand so no discounts. Reason's for this are numerous but the main ones are

1. Organized sports were banned and gyms were shut so families needed something else to do
2. People who still wanted to go to work but wanted to avoid public transport and avoid our congested roads
3. Cycling is a great way to stay active and comply with our social isolation laws at the time

Also unclezz I'm guessing that even though e-bikes are relatively expensive to us that here in Australia and quite a few other places in the world we probably have more disposable income than most of the Eastern European countries so we can quite easily afford them

 

[R120]

This is a good article (albeit from a US perspective) on the bike sales situation at the moment, that gives some good insight into how the increased demand, and how Bike Manufacturers supply chain systems have led to shortages:

We Are Running Out Of Bikes | BIKE Magazine

Two months ago, bike shops were facing the same challenge as every other business: Stay above water when it seems the whole world is drowning.

www.bikemag.com

 

[Akiwi]

Here in Germany during the lockdown, people were allowed to go out for as long as they wanted for sport, as long as they were alone or with only members of their household. That meant that riding bikes was one of the only things you could do. so the sales of bikes went through the roof. Combine that with reduced production and it is no wonder that there are long waiting lists.
I was at my LBS the other day and it was cleaned out. I've never seen it so empty. The owner said he isn't getteng any more bikes this season!
Maybe he should fill the empty space withsex dolls.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Maybe he should fill the empty space withsex dolls.

Too many old blokes coming in and asking for test rides ...

 

[Zimmerframe]

Ex-Demo fleet ?

"Hi, yes, I'm looking for a Hairy Giant 2020, but with less than 12,000 thrusts on the clock. "

"Do you have any of the Trek Nailed in Blonde with FS, no, no, I don't want a hard tail, I need both ways"

Not to mention the service issues he might have to deal with.

"Yes, I know you suggested I buy one which was user serviceable, but my plasginas showing signs of wear and it's a shop change only part"

"Hello, yes, my Sexualized Lena developed a horrible squeak, can I bring it in for you to take a look at"

"I know we measured and we said a 150mm would be fine for me, but I'm really feeling a 200mm would be more comfortable for the rough stuff, the 150's not been used much, can we do a deal on swapping out"

 

[billwarwick]

You’ve got too much time on your hands, Zim!

 

[Akiwi]

Ex-Demo fleet ?

"Hi, yes, I'm looking for a Hairy Giant 2020, but with less than 12,000 thrusts on the clock. "

"Do you have any of the Trek Nailed in Blonde with FS, no, no, I don't want a hard tail, I need both ways"

Not to mention the service issues he might have to deal with.

"Yes, I know you suggested I buy one which was user serviceable, but my plasginas showing signs of wear and it's a shop change only part"

"Hello, yes, my Sexualized Lena developed a horrible squeak, can I bring it in for you to take a look at"

"I know we measured and we said a 150mm would be fine for me, but I'm really feeling a 200mm would be more comfortable for the rough stuff, the 150's not been used much, can we do a deal on swapping out"

For puncture repairs which patches should I use. Park Tool? (Has another meaning)
And if I want to go tubeless, I fill it up with ....??
Off topic?? Naaaa!

 

[Nicho]

Ex-Demo fleet ?

"Hi, yes, I'm looking for a Hairy Giant 2020, but with less than 12,000 thrusts on the clock. "

"Do you have any of the Trek Nailed in Blonde with FS, no, no, I don't want a hard tail, I need both ways"

Not to mention the service issues he might have to deal with.

"Yes, I know you suggested I buy one which was user serviceable, but my plasginas showing signs of wear and it's a shop change only part"

"Hello, yes, my Sexualized Lena developed a horrible squeak, can I bring it in for you to take a look at"

"I know we measured and we said a 150mm would be fine for me, but I'm really feeling a 200mm would be more comfortable for the rough stuff, the 150's not been used much, can we do a deal on swapping out"

Brings a whole new meaning to giving discounts on "shop-soiled" goods!!!

 

[unclezz]

Here in Oz all bike sales have increased not just e-bikes. In some places by as much as 70%. Giant usually has a sale this time of year to get rid of any excess stock (that's why I bought mine last year) but this year they could not supply the demand so no discounts. Reason's for this are numerous but the main ones are

<cut>

Also unclezz I'm guessing that even though e-bikes are relatively expensive to us that here in Australia and quite a few other places in the world we probably have more disposable income than most of the Eastern European countries so we can quite easily afford them

So... yes everything true.
On first point I feel I am lucky as I just bought a super discounted mondraker Foxy R Carbon (not e-bike, I decided that for now I will stick on man-powered-bike).

And also for your last point about prices, I totally agree. In some countries they are much more affordbale than in others. Where I live indeed the bikes that are selling the most are the locally produced ones: cheap and effective (around 2000 euro or less to get a Bafang powered e-bike, front suspension only).

 

[brizi2003]

Time to clear out the garage. I sold 2 bikes via gumtree within 24hrs!

 

[beutelfuchs]

I suddenly sold an used MTB with I was announcing for almost a year as I had time and never wanted to be negotiated. Now the buyer didn't even ask for a discount nor did he mind all the scratches.
Lets see what I can shot for me after season for that money...

 

[OldBean]

Not only bikes but also bike carriers are in short supply........I m in the market for a new one and the one that I fancy is OS at all the retailers I have checked.
BUT I agree there are likely to be a lot of deals on used bikes once we return to nearly normal.
A few of my pals have bought ebikes but I bet none of them keep riding through the winter mud and rain like most peeps on here.......then is the time to strike ...(or will it be the teachers again?)