Bikes are evolving into Motorcycles with a designer price tag with all the electric motors, disk brakes, shocks, etc..
Based on the price of some of these bikes, you would think they have more technology than my CRF450RL.

A top shelf mountain bikes cost as much if not more than a decent dirt bike. The ebikes are expensive but the top tier XC and trail bikes are just crazy money now.

The bicycle market has gone insane when it comes to how it prices their bikes. Sure there is a lot of neat tech on the latest mountain bikes which is truly surprising to experience but when an “entry level” Scott Spark XC bike costs $3k out the door the industry is losing its mind.

My newest mountain bike cost more new than my pre owned Suzuki SV1000. The bike industry needs to put down the crack pipe and realize they are selling bicycles.

If you get v brakes, you may as well just change your oil every 3,000 miles because "it's cheap insurance." Outdated and there's something better out there.

It's 2022, get with the times.

quote:

Originally posted by Hound Dog:
I don't know, but I did notice today that it took me about 100 feet to stop from only 20mph going down hill. That is WAYYYY too far in case somebody opens a car door in my path or an SUV pulls out in front of me. Not to mention deer that are pretty common on my route.

I will just have to practice and find out the hard way. I rarely use my front brakes now, as that is typically the best way to go sailing over the handlebars.

Hound Dog, you need to learn how to brake. The front brake has at least twice the stopping power of the rear brake. You have to learn how to modulate your front brake under stress and how to shift your weight backwards to keep from endo-ing (i.e., flipping over your handlebars). I was thinking before that perhaps the lower end Tektro V-brakes on your Trek were worn out, but now I think it's more likely that their inadequate stopping ability is due to your reluctance to use your front brake.

The way you apply your brakes now won't be improved by better brakes. In fact, discs are likely to exacerbate poor technique. They're easier to lock up under panic braking, so you'll either fish-tail more or be more likely to endo.

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
I have ridden down this hill decades ago at Mammoth, never raced it. These guys are going 45-55 MPH using V brakes, hell Tomac is on a hardtail with a front fork that maybe travels 1". Of course you're not doing this type of riding, but V brakes have worked for years. I'm not putting down disc brakes at all, I think they're great, but my point is they are not the end-all product in bicycling. The other stuff works fine too, especially outside of the extreme type of rides.

V-brakes were introduced c. 1996. In 1993, MTB-ers were still using cantilever brakes w/ straddle cables like the following.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
The bicycle market has gone insane when it comes to how it prices their bikes.....The bike industry needs to put down the crack pipe and realize they are selling bicycles.

Unfortunately, it's not going to happen anytime soon. The covid-caused supply shortages are still very real in the bike industry and show no signs of easing. First, everyone bought up all the bikes during the lockdowns. Add in the factory closures at the time and it sent the industry into a tailspin from which they have been unable to recover. It seems that there is now a supply of WalMart-style bikes along with some low-tier and mountain bikes from some manufacturers. However, mid-to-upper level road bikes are a highly-prized treasure and I have experienced this myself.

I had been looking for a BMC Roadmachine THREE since early March. I finally managed to get my hands on one just a few weeks ago and I was damn lucky to find it when I did. A large chain of bike stores had received an allocation of BMC bikes right before I decided to try another online search. They said that once these bikes were gone, they would not receive any more BMCs until sometime in 2023. My own local shop is in the same boat. The only new road bikes they have seen in the last couple of years have been ones that had been ordered by customers. For the last year, they have told customers that, depending on the model they wanted, it could be 8-12 months wait or even longer! I was talking to the employees after I found my bike and they said that they are now looking at 2023 before receiving any extra new bikes. When I put in my request back in March, I was simply told, "I'll tell my rep and we'll see what happens". It's a good thing that I was actively trying to search on my own. Five months seemed like an eternity. I can't imagine what a year would have been like. Plus, it would then be a 2023 model so the price would be higher and the bike might not be a color I want.

That was the beauty of finding it now. The manufacturers seem to have held the line on their original 2022 pricing so I didn't pay any extra. However, with worldwide inflation and the continued parts shortages, prices are only going to go up.

And don't forget, Taiwan manufactures 70% of the world's mid-to-upper level road bikes. If China decides to make a move on Taiwan, the bike industry will be in a world of hurt for quite some time. I'm really glad I got my bike when I did.

I am seeing some cracks in the high end bike pricing. I pay more attention to mountain bikes than road. 20% off sale recently on $7,000 to $9,000 Yeti mountain bikes. I have seen a few other models go on sale for 20% off. Rockshox came out with new '23 model forks and sold off the '22 models (which were really good) at 20 to 30% off. You couldn't find anything on sale the past couple of years. Parts like tires, brakes and drivetrains are easier to get than they were the past two years. I don't think they can keep raising prices like they have been, I think we'll see a market correction.

Shortage, spiking prices, and demographic implosion are a bad combination.

quote:

Originally posted by Mboroman:
...the bike might not be a color I want.

...The manufacturers seem to have held the line on their original 2022 pricing so I didn't pay any extra.

Specialized isn't holding the line on prices, not that I can fault them much. I bought a 2022 Stumpjumper in March and the price increased by 5.6% in July. Glad I got mine when I did, but it's light blue (because it was that or nothing).

I'm thinking there's going to be a glut of used bikes not too far down the road when average people are having trouble with their grocery/gas/etc. bills.

quote:

Originally posted by shikemd:
I'm thinking there's going to be a glut of used bikes not too far down the road when average people are having trouble with their grocery/gas/etc. bills.

A lot of cyclists have been waiting for this all year long but it hasn't happened yet. At some point, all those people that bought good bikes just to have something to do during Covid will realize that they are now stuck with very expensive clothes hangers. I think you may be right and things will change when the bills come due.

quote:

Originally posted by iron
Hound Dog, you need to learn how to brake. The front brake has at least twice the stopping power of the rear brake.

To a casual bicyclist, at first glance this statement may seem absurd. It isn’t.

The brakes are the same, the wheels are the same, how could the front brake be any more powerful?

Well, if you’re just braking a little, sure, it isn’t.

When you brake hard, the rearward braking force at the interface between tires and ground produces a rotational force that puts more of your weight on the front wheel and less on the rear (even if your body doesn’t move at all - although the braking force tends to want to move your body forward, too, which just makes things worse). Ever notice how the front of your car dives when you brake hard?

The amount of friction (braking force) each tire can generate is directly proportional to the weight on the tire. When weight balance shifts forward, you lose braking power on the rear wheel and get more braking power on the front wheel.

quote:

Originally posted by iron
You have to learn how to modulate your front brake under stress and how to shift your weight backwards to keep from endo-ing (i.e., flipping over your handlebars).

Yep, to stop fast, no matter what kind of brakes you have, you have to use both brakes and move your weight back on the bike. To brake HARD, you pretty much slide back off the saddle and almost sit on the rear tire.

If it is wet, you might have trouble generating a ton of braking power with rim brakes, but when things are dry, unless you have very limited hand strength or the bike is in very poor condition, generating enough braking power is not a problem.

iron, maladat,

Thanks for the info.

I noticed my biggest braking problems were when the rims were wet.

quote:

Originally posted by Hound Dog:
iron, maladat,

Thanks for the info.

I noticed my biggest braking problems were when the rims were wet.

Wet performance is probably the single biggest advantage of disc brakes. There are other advantages, but that one is pretty significant.

I took it around the block, but it's too hot for a real ride (we live in Texas, and I don't want to have to take another shower today). Gonna take it on a normal ride monday. Will post results then.

Congrats on the new bike.

Very Nice!

I have those grips on my bike too. And maybe the same Cateye?

I like the bag - I'd like to get one to carry stuff - first aid, tools, water, munchies. Currently using a backpack and it gets hot.

That looks like the perfect bike to open carry with an all black kit and helmet.

The shape reminds me of a late riding buddy's Salsa Vaya that has disc brakes forever. I never heard the end of how rim brakes are inferior.

Ride in Good Health.

YES! I am a Luddite in many things especially bikes. My last new bike (Lynskey GR 300) I caved, Thayer are way better, especially in the wet.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Very Nice!

I have those grips on my bike too. And maybe the same Cateye?

I like the bag - I'd like to get one to carry stuff - first aid, tools, water, munchies. Currently using a backpack and it gets hot.

The grips are Ergon GS2 grips. I LOVE them. They help keep my wrists straight, and therefore keep my hands from going numb (as much as they used to). I moved them over from the old bike, along with the saddle. It's a Bontrager Fluid, and is MUCH better than the factory saddle I had on there for 11 years (I just got the new one this year). It vastly improves my circulation 'down there,' which is a huge plus.

I have a Cateye on my old bike, but this one is a Bontrager RIDEtime.

I actually like the Cateye better in one key regard - the trip meter keeps track of distance to two decimal places, whereas the new Bontrager only does 10ths. The Bontrager is bigger and easier to read, and I really like it so far. It has more potential. Apparently, I can pair it with other devices (heart rate monitor, etc). For now, I just want the speed, trip, and odometer. I do like the timer, though. I can set it to reset ride data after 1/3/6/12/24 hrs, so I won't have to zero it out for every ride. I really only rode the bike a mile so far, so I haven't had a chance to really test it in 'combat conditions.'

The pack and the luggage rack is from my old bike. I simply moved them to the new one (I think the brand is 'Ecorack?'). I suppose it looks dorky, but I am not racing. I use it to keep my glass case (I always ride with clear safety glasses - it only takes ONE bug flying into your eye to ruin your day). I also keep a cable and padlock, riding gloves, a multi-tool, tire gauge, hex wrenches, and my asp baton back there (in case of loose dogs). I also have a pouch on the side. I routinely pick up nails and screws from the road. Typically, I pick up 3-4 on average per ride. I use the pouch to store all the debris I pick up (there are no pockets on my riding shorts for some stupid reason).

There is a lot of construction on my route. Oh, I found a socket the other day. Sure enough, it was a 10mm socket. So, for those of you wondering, that is where the 10mm goes.

quote:

Originally posted by SigSentry:

That looks like the perfect bike to open carry with an all black kit and helmet.

I just need to add plate carriers that can absorb multiple .308 rounds to the back. . .

I didn't consider this aspect at the time, but I suppose my bike does look 'tactical.'

I wasn't in love with the color. The FX3 has a REALLY nice blue/black two tone paint job, but it was $250 more and had stuff I didn't really need, so I couldn't justify the price. The FX1 had a nice maroon color, but I wanted the upgrades of the -2 (mostly, two extra gears and hydraulic vs mechanical disc brakes). They had red FX2s there, but it was just such a horrible shade of red that I really came to like the grey.

Well, took the new bike on 3 rides, totalling about 45 miles. So far, I love it. Brakes allow me to stop in half the distance compared to the old bike.

The first day, two separate cars tried to run me off the road. . .