All quiet on the Western Front
- Thread starter Matttymm
- Start date
pw_pw_la
Senior Retro Guru
Prices still seem high to me, honestly. Sold things for a lot more than I expected to. Seen things shift for a lot more than they did a year ago.
But chatter and excitement and build threads, Etc., those all seem much quieter, for sure.
A slow-spell? A quiet patch? Interest waning? Real life catching up with everybody?
I just hope everyone is still riding and enjoying their bikes!
But chatter and excitement and build threads, Etc., those all seem much quieter, for sure.
A slow-spell? A quiet patch? Interest waning? Real life catching up with everybody?
I just hope everyone is still riding and enjoying their bikes!
MattiThundrrr
Kona Fan
When the weather is good, I'd rather be wrenching or riding than posting. Bike related activities increase, forum activities decrease
Prices are too high.
I understand that people who have been on the forum a couple of years might think that prices are low but the truth is that they’re considerably higher than 5 years ago.
Global cost of living crisis is kicking in, new bikes and components are more readily available again and as a result, old bike part prices are returning back to where they should be.
I understand that people who have been on the forum a couple of years might think that prices are low but the truth is that they’re considerably higher than 5 years ago.
Global cost of living crisis is kicking in, new bikes and components are more readily available again and as a result, old bike part prices are returning back to where they should be.
I’ve spoke to quite a few people who have simply lost interest in the hobby after many years of it. Prices went high so it forced many out and now they are returning back to normal they’ve lost any interest.
High end bits still sell easily. Most selling without even needing an advert I find.
It certainly was busier during / after Covid but many have likely lost interest again and returned to work/life etc
I’ve actually toyed with the idea of selling everything and moving onto another hobby recently actually. No idea why.
High end bits still sell easily. Most selling without even needing an advert I find.
It certainly was busier during / after Covid but many have likely lost interest again and returned to work/life etc
I’ve actually toyed with the idea of selling everything and moving onto another hobby recently actually. No idea why.
Luke26mhz
Retro Guru
Obviously with the height of lockdown people cashed in on what was in their sheds and made lots of money doing so.
I have been watching the market a lot and I have noticed the prices on most items going down, but like Dom said, the more sought after items still command a high price tag.
A lot of people probably wanted to re live their youth during lockdown and build an old bike (or get into whatever hobby they used to do) and that buzz has ended for a lot of people now and they have moved on. That’s just an observation I’ve seen.
I have been watching the market a lot and I have noticed the prices on most items going down, but like Dom said, the more sought after items still command a high price tag.
A lot of people probably wanted to re live their youth during lockdown and build an old bike (or get into whatever hobby they used to do) and that buzz has ended for a lot of people now and they have moved on. That’s just an observation I’ve seen.
As is always the case, two motivated buyers is all it takes to push a price high. I have seen this in a couple of high parts I have bid (and lost on) recently. Prices went above what I considered to be “market”.. because I was bidding to win (and hence top of market).. but I still lost, and it wasn’t close!
On the other hand, I see a ‘96 Marin Team Ti frameset sold yesterday for £250. I don’t care what anyone says - that is not expensive. I didn’t bid on it btw, though now experiencing some slight remorse
I feel the market is definitely soft at the minute.. but.. People pay for quality and rarity, in any asset class, regardless of general market conditions. Hence mint US trick bits hold firm, everything else weakens.
The only irony for us, in our own peculiar little hobby, is that flight to quality is kinda backwards.. you can buy a decent set of m730 cranks for next to nothing, but cosmetically mint Kookas will cost you £650.. and we all know where the quality equation balances out there..
On the other hand, I see a ‘96 Marin Team Ti frameset sold yesterday for £250. I don’t care what anyone says - that is not expensive. I didn’t bid on it btw, though now experiencing some slight remorse
I feel the market is definitely soft at the minute.. but.. People pay for quality and rarity, in any asset class, regardless of general market conditions. Hence mint US trick bits hold firm, everything else weakens.
The only irony for us, in our own peculiar little hobby, is that flight to quality is kinda backwards.. you can buy a decent set of m730 cranks for next to nothing, but cosmetically mint Kookas will cost you £650.. and we all know where the quality equation balances out there..
I also think that many high end parts are now hoarded. Keeping prices high as there’s not much out there. All the common , mid range stuff is cheap again.
You can also tell the new lockdown builders who paid fortunes when prices were high as they now try to sell their £150 bike for £700-800 as that what it cost to build.
I think going forward there will be a massive split between higher end and mid/low. High end will continue to rise and other stuff will just become old.
You can also tell the new lockdown builders who paid fortunes when prices were high as they now try to sell their £150 bike for £700-800 as that what it cost to build.
I think going forward there will be a massive split between higher end and mid/low. High end will continue to rise and other stuff will just become old.
