What is it about bicycles that push the cost so high?

With the ten grand psychological barrier well and truly smashed in the last couple of years, areo-bike brands are taking off into the financial stratosphere. What is it about bicycles that push the costs so high? 

Aside from the latest ultra-high-tech frames and electronic shifting there are many factors that go into a bicycle’s cost, from materials, manufacturing costs, and research and development. 

Materials. 

You have to go back to 1998 to find the last non-carbon bike used to win the Tour de France.  It can be said that carbon is not as durable as steel, alloy or titanium and is liable to be unrepairable after a crash. Nonetheless, the watts needed to gain speed through an aerodynamic lightweight frame is what makes carbon the choice of pro-riders. Generating 200w of pedalling power on an aero carbon bike is 1.7kph faster than on a lightweight carbon bike. As materials like carbon fibre become more difficult to shape into aero styles so manufacturing costs increase. 

Aerodynamics 

There is a lot of science out there on aerodynamics and wind resistance and rightly so.  Over 80% of the force holding you back on a bike is wind resistance rather than weight but these aero bike designs are only slicing away at 20% of the force as the rest of the drag is caused by the rider. Nevertheless, holding an aerodynamic position for as long as possible often leads to the cyclist being unable to hold this position on the bike without pain. This is why correct riding position on the bike – taking into account your anatomy, ergonomics and biomechanics – is so important to optimize the power transmission to the pedal for improved efficiency and performance. With cycling aerodynamics, there’s a big range of how much money you can spend and how much time it will save you. 

Customisation. 

With all this information at hand you go to search for a premium engineer aerodynamic bike with expensive materials, high-end tires, wheels, suspension, mounts, frame, saddle, and gears all of which compounded together makes the price range of the aerodynamic bikes a little steep. Bike part companies such as Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM offer different tiers of components.  

The more expensive Shimano Dura Ace group-set will offer smooth shifting, will help you power up hills, and pedal faster than ever before. Ultegra is next and is very similar to Dura-Ace in terms of performance. These will be a feature on the bikes costing thousands. But if cost is key then Shimano’s first performance group-set the 105 is the best option in combining performance, value and longevity and is normally a feature on bikes costing upwards of £1000.  

It’s no secret that wheels have gotten considerably more expensive in recent years. We’re reminded of it every time an article goes up on a wheel that costs anywhere from £600 all the way to £3,000+.  But you have to question if you’re paying for a decal sticker rather than the actual value of the product. Luckly wheels is a very competitive market and this is one item you are going to have to do your homework for best value for money. Remember wheels have been around a long time so any claims of a new wheel innovation are often gimmicky.  

Research and Development  
 
The bigger cycling companies spend a great deal of money researching, designing and getting creative with their new bikes. They’re looking for innovative ways to push bikes to the next level and be on the cutting edge of the market. All of this costs money as they pay for the software, prototypes, materials, and employee costs. The more research and development that goes into a product will increase the cost of the bikes. They make a return of investment for the R&D by passing the costs onto the customer. 

Branding & Marketing. 

Beware of the branding and marketing of bicycles – it matters. Some companies will brand themselves as an elite product even if they are no better than their competitors. All new bike manufactures release new products at top dollar prices at the outset to see if the customer is willing to pay the price for their claims of having the newest technology and innovation. You may have noted that over time many of these bikes come down in price. This is because the bike has not sold as well as thought and sitting in the inventory does not make the company a return on investment, so they market them at a cheaper price to maximize profit rather than declare a loss. 

Also, be alert to where a bike company makes their bicycles. This affects the price. Companies that make their bicycles in China can sell their bikes at a lower cost due to cheaper labour and other outlays whereas bike manufactured in the USA or Italy will be more expensive on a like-for-like basis due to the cost of labour and taxes being higher. 

Aero Cycling Apparel 
 

Anything you wear that flaps like a hummingbird’s wings has to go. Lose everything that creates drag even to the point of shaving your leg (yes, hairy legs create drag but will save that story for another day). Expect to pay up to £500 for a decent snug fit cycling outfit. Then there is the aerodynamic helmet like the Giro Vanquish that is close as you get to a traditional full aero sail lid that will put you back another £200.  

And finally, cycling shoes.  The only contact cyclists make with a bike is in three places: the handlebar, seat, and pedals. Comfort matters in all of these areas, but only one of them is directly involved in propelling the bike forward. That makes cycling shoes one of the most important accessories you can buy. Expect to pay in the tune of £200 plus for a balance of stiffness, support, and comfort. 

In Summary 

Is there a way to go aero but not to have an argument with your bank manager or have a costly divorce? 

 An aerodynamic bike does help to some degree, particularly for pro riders who regularly discuss marginal gains. But for a keen recretional triathlete who does not intend or cannot generate 200w of power over a distance of say 20km, purchasing the most expensive aerodynamic bike on the market is not going to make that much of a difference compared to changing body position.   

So, gaze your eyes away from the same old platitudes that all top brand areo-bikes are described with and listen to the good news – there is no need to secure that home equity loan.  

There is a huge range of fantastic high-quality aero bikes out there at very affordable prices and coupled with a proper bike fitting will keep your legs feeling fresher for longer in order to shave a few seconds of your PB. 

Whilst the choosing of a bike is a personal choice the question still remains – What on earth makes a £15,000 bike worth more than a £5,000 bike?  Is it really to do with innovation and technology or is it more about some people having more money than sense?