Buying in the UK - why so expensive?

Jim Ley said:

So after my girlfriend dropped me with ease cycling round Richmond
park on her 40 euro mountain bike with knobbly tires with me on my
galaxy, I've decided I need to get a decent road bike. (either that or
a lot fitter, or a different girlfriend) Actually I've just been
enjoying riding more espeically on a borrowed road bike in holland, so
want to keep doing it on something fun.

Whilst not seriously looking I've recently spent some time in two
excellent bike shops (actually tri-athlon ones, but they're still
bikes right) The stores are Sigma Sport in Hampton Wick, and Swim
Bike Run in New York

https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/app/secure/Bike.aspx?SubCatId=118&BID=3&View=N

Quoted message said:

and
http://www.sbrshop.com/store/product.php?pyid=cb-0147

The same frame available in both stores, the US one USD 1095.95, the
UK one 999 UKP - The US store is not a particularly cheap one (the
1095.99 is RRP I believe) and the Sigma Sport price seems to be pretty
typical look around on the web.

Part of the answer is that it's a Canadian-made frame. You'll find that
British made frames are more expensive in the US than here.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; When all else fails, read the distractions.

Simon Brooke said:

Jim Ley said:

The same frame available in both stores, the US one USD 1095.95, the
UK one 999 UKP - The US store is not a particularly cheap one (the
1095.99 is RRP I believe) and the Sigma Sport price seems to be pretty
typical look around on the web.

Part of the answer is that it's a Canadian-made frame. You'll find that
British made frames are more expensive in the US than here.

and it's even cheaper in Toronto for sure (where I imagine if I do get
one I'll pick one up when there in the summer), but it wasn't just the
cervelo's that had similar differences, it was just the example I used
as it's one I'm actually interested in.

If anyone has suggestions for a similar performing bike with a UK
frame, then I'm happy to hear them - maybe I should stop hanging out
with canadians.

Jim.

Jim Ley said:

Simon Brooke said:

Jim Ley said:

The same frame available in both stores, the US one USD 1095.95, the
UK one 999 UKP - The US store is not a particularly cheap one (the
1095.99 is RRP I believe) and the Sigma Sport price seems to be pretty
typical look around on the web.

Part of the answer is that it's a Canadian-made frame. You'll find that
British made frames are more expensive in the US than here.

and it's even cheaper in Toronto for sure (where I imagine if I do get
one I'll pick one up when there in the summer), but it wasn't just the
cervelo's that had similar differences, it was just the example I used
as it's one I'm actually interested in.

If anyone has suggestions for a similar performing bike with a UK
frame, then I'm happy to hear them - maybe I should stop hanging out
with canadians.

http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/

Here's mine:

http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/album/kitchenpr0n/

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; First they came for the asylum seekers,
;; and I did not speak out because I was not an asylum seeker.
;; Then they came for the gypsies,
;; and I did not speak out because I was not a gypsy...
;; Pastor Martin Niemöller, translated by Michael Howard.

(Jim Ley) said:

Hi,

So after my girlfriend dropped me with ease cycling round Richmond
park on her 40 euro mountain bike with knobbly tires with me on my
galaxy, I've decided I need to get a decent road bike. (either that or
a lot fitter, or a different girlfriend) Actually I've just been
enjoying riding more espeically on a borrowed road bike in holland, so
want to keep doing it on something fun.

Whilst not seriously looking I've recently spent some time in two
excellent bike shops (actually tri-athlon ones, but they're still
bikes right) The stores are Sigma Sport in Hampton Wick, and Swim
Bike Run in New York

https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/app/secure/Bike.aspx?SubCatId=118&BID=3&...
andhttp://www.sbrshop.com/store/product.php?pyid=cb-0147

The same frame available in both stores, the US one USD 1095.95, the
UK one 999 UKP - The US store is not a particularly cheap one (the
1095.99 is RRP I believe) and the Sigma Sport price seems to be pretty
typical look around on the web.

Ho Hum... try down here in Oz.

The same bike is about AU$3200.. which are current exchange rates, is
over US$2900.

duncan

"Simon Brooke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Part of the answer is that it's a Canadian-made frame. You'll find that
British made frames are more expensive in the US than here.

These days they are made in China. At least that's what the box on Nathan's
Cervelo P2C says.

Jim Ley said:

so why exactly should someone use the LBS?

I would love to stand up to defend the local bike shops, I used to work in
the trade after all, but I won't. Some shops operate in a normal
competitive manner, and other shops use cartel arrangements to screw the
customers. Its time they will go under and they only have themselves to
blame.

Steve

Jim Ley said the following on 25/03/2008 22:48:

Quoted message said:

The same frame available in both stores, the US one USD 1095.95, the
UK one 999 UKP - The US store is not a particularly cheap one (the
1095.99 is RRP I believe) and the Sigma Sport price seems to be pretty
typical look around on the web.

There are many things that are the same in dollars as they are in
pounds, if you see what I mean. This is why I'll often import stuff
from the USA or Australia (not necessarily cycling stuff), especially
with the weak USD at the moment. Even with shipping, import duties, VAT
and the exorbitant Royal Mail/Parcelforce handling fee it more often
than not works out cheaper. For more expensive cycling stuff, Germany
often seems to be a good bet.

I'd like to support UK industry, but like for most people the cost of
living is outstripping wages so I need to look after the pennies.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Paul Boyd said:

For more expensive cycling stuff, Germany
often seems to be a good bet.

Even that is looking unattractive at the moment, with the GBP:EUR at
around EUR1.25.

renum said the following on 26/03/2008 10:13:

Quoted message said:

Paul Boyd said:

For more expensive cycling stuff, Germany often seems to be a good bet.

Even that is looking unattractive at the moment, with the GBP:EUR at
around EUR1.25.

Ah - I must admit I didn't realise the pound had dropped that much
against the Euro.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

writtificated

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The same frame available in both stores, the US one USD 1095.95, the
UK one 999 UKP - The US store is not a particularly cheap one (the
1095.99 is RRP I believe) and the Sigma Sport price seems to be pretty
typical look around on the web.

Ho Hum... try down here in Oz.

The same bike is about AU$3200.. which are current exchange rates, is
over US$2900.

Is that bike or frame?

Paul Boyd said:

renum said the following on 26/03/2008 10:13:

Quoted message said:

Paul Boyd said:

For more expensive cycling stuff, Germany often seems to be a good bet.

Even that is looking unattractive at the moment, with the GBP:EUR at
around EUR1.25.

Ah - I must admit I didn't realise the pound had dropped that much
against the Euro.

Well it had been hushed up until people had left for their Easter breaks.
16% devaluation two days ago.
It used to be easily convertible 66/100- fairly close to miles/km
62/100

Steve writtificated

Quoted message said:

I would love to stand up to defend the local bike shops, I used to
work in the trade after all, but I won't. Some shops operate in a
normal competitive manner, and other shops use cartel arrangements to
screw the customers. Its time they will go under and they only have
themselves to blame.

Margins are around 40% in the big retail outlets like Edinburgh cycles.
Outside of sales and last years stock prices at different chains are all at
the RRP. The greatest to benefit from this are the smaller shops with
little buying power - should the market become competitive[1] on price
it'll be the smaller one-premise shops that go under.

The bigger chains get round the price restrictions by having their own
brands. Decathlon have Btwin, Edinburgh has Revolution etc. Their margins
are lower on these, by a few percent for Edinburgh, by oodles for
Decathlon.

[1] Note that's 'competitive', not 'more competitive'.

Jim Ley said:

Hi,

So after my girlfriend dropped me with ease cycling round Richmond
park on her 40 euro mountain bike with knobbly tires with me on my
galaxy, I've decided I need to get a decent road bike. (either that or
a lot fitter, or a different girlfriend) Actually I've just been
enjoying riding more espeically on a borrowed road bike in holland, so
want to keep doing it on something fun.

well it could of been worse, while trying out a old racer from the 80's
around richmound i over took a suprised mountain biker along the gravel
tack between richmound and sheen gate.

Quoted message said:

Whilst not seriously looking I've recently spent some time in two
excellent bike shops (actually tri-athlon ones, but they're still
bikes right) The stores are Sigma Sport in Hampton Wick, and Swim
Bike Run in New York

https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/app/secure/Bike.aspx?SubCatId=118&BID=3&View=N
and
http://www.sbrshop.com/store/product.php?pyid=cb-0147

The same frame available in both stores, the US one USD 1095.95, the
UK one 999 UKP - The US store is not a particularly cheap one (the
1095.99 is RRP I believe) and the Sigma Sport price seems to be pretty
typical look around on the web.

The tarif for importing bicycles is 14% and VAT is 17.5% so the 1095
USD converts to less than 750 UKP - or 250 quid less than buying
locally, even if you pay all the tax, given that if you just box it up
and fly in with it, you'll have very little chance of having to pay
for it at all - which means it's more like 450 quid saved - assuming
the difference on the rest of the kit is of a similar order, you're
saving over 500 quid on the bike even if you pay the tax, that covers
the cost of the flight over to the shop.

Okay, so you don't get any after care with the US (L)BS, but you get
all the same initial service in setting it up, and assuming a flight
to NY is 300 UKP, you've got 200 quid to spend on servicing before you
break even, so why exactly should someone use the LBS?

for me service though i don't think sigma sport are particaly intrested
in that as such.

i use my local bike shop in hampton as it's close, and they are
friendly.

ie i can call around and say "the thingy doesn't seem to be connecting
to the whatit right, how do i fix that" mostly i just get them to do it
unless it, i have little intrest in fixing bikes as such.
puntures/brakes/gears i do my self.

but they seem to mostly fix rather than sell bikes so thats their
target.

Quoted message said:

Jim.

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com

Simon Brooke said:

Jim Ley wrote:
You'll find that British made frames are more expensive in the US than here.

Not from what I've seen. For example a Brompton S2L-X in the UK from
Evans is 995 GBP (1986 USD) whereas I can find one in the US ffrom
foldabikes.com or 1904 USD. Not enough difference to be worth shipping
back to the UK, but still a bit cheaper.

Even with the dollar being so weak I still shop both sides of the pond
and always check prices here in the US against ChainReactionCycles
where I can get free shipping to the US and not pay tax.

(Jim Ley) said:

Hi,

So after my girlfriend dropped me with ease cycling round Richmond
park on her 40 euro mountain bike with knobbly tires with me on my
galaxy, I've decided I need to get a decent road bike. (either that or
a lot fitter, or a different girlfriend)

OT to the original question, but I assume by galaxy you mean Dawes
Galaxy. While you probably won't win a TT on one of these, they're not
that slow, and should easily beat a cheap MTB. It shouldn't be any
heavier, and should have faster tyres and larger wheels.

If you get the road bike, practice a bit on it first before going out
with your girlfriend. It would be rather embarassing if she can still
drop you.

Rob

Quoted message said:

(Jim Ley) said:

Hi,

So after my girlfriend dropped me with ease cycling round Richmond
park on her 40 euro mountain bike with knobbly tires with me on my
galaxy, I've decided I need to get a decent road bike. (either that or
a lot fitter, or a different girlfriend)

OT to the original question, but I assume by galaxy you mean Dawes
Galaxy. While you probably won't win a TT on one of these, they're not
that slow, and should easily beat a cheap MTB. It shouldn't be any
heavier, and should have faster tyres and larger wheels.

assuming they where on the road? could of been on the shared gravel
track which would even things up a fair bit, though it's fairly smooth,
i didn't have any problems with slick 20mm tires the other day.

Quoted message said:

If you get the road bike, practice a bit on it first before going out
with your girlfriend. It would be rather embarassing if she can still
drop you.

heh indeed.

Quoted message said:

Rob

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com

On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:46:03 +0000, [email hidden] (Roger

Merriman) said:

Quoted message said:

(Jim Ley) said:

Hi,

So after my girlfriend dropped me with ease cycling round Richmond
park on her 40 euro mountain bike with knobbly tires with me on my
galaxy, I've decided I need to get a decent road bike. (either that or
a lot fitter, or a different girlfriend)

OT to the original question, but I assume by galaxy you mean Dawes
Galaxy. While you probably won't win a TT on one of these, they're not
that slow, and should easily beat a cheap MTB. It shouldn't be any
heavier, and should have faster tyres and larger wheels.

Yep, a Dawes Galaxy, and no, not slow, it's just me that's slow - it
is heavier than hers though, and she's a lot lighter than me.

Quoted message said:

assuming they where on the road? could of been on the shared gravel
track which would even things up a fair bit, though it's fairly smooth,
i didn't have any problems with slick 20mm tires the other day.

Oh no, it was the road...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you get the road bike, practice a bit on it first before going out
with your girlfriend. It would be rather embarassing if she can still
drop you.

heh indeed.

I suspect she'll be able to drop me for some time to come even if I
get a faster bike and she doesn't bring one of her good bikes over -
she's a pretty serious triathlete training for her first Iron man, I'm
built for shorter stuff, and have just about got to within 3 minutes
of her on a 10km run now where I'm much more suited. The road bike is
really 'cos I've had fun on a borrowed one when visiting her in
holland, rather than any hope that it will actually even us up.

Cheers,

Jim.

Jim Ley said:

On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:46:03 +0000, [email hidden] (Roger

Merriman) said:

Quoted message said:

On Mar 25, 10:48 pm, [email hidden] (Jim Ley) wrote:
> Hi,
>
> So after my girlfriend dropped me with ease cycling round Richmond
> park on her 40 euro mountain bike with knobbly tires with me on my
> galaxy, I've decided I need to get a decent road bike. (either that or
> a lot fitter, or a different girlfriend)

OT to the original question, but I assume by galaxy you mean Dawes
Galaxy. While you probably won't win a TT on one of these, they're not
that slow, and should easily beat a cheap MTB. It shouldn't be any
heavier, and should have faster tyres and larger wheels.

Yep, a Dawes Galaxy, and no, not slow, it's just me that's slow - it
is heavier than hers though, and she's a lot lighter than me.

yes that would make a differnce, though a cheap mtb should be heaver,
most weigh a ton, (or more!) unless 2nd hand?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

assuming they where on the road? could of been on the shared gravel
track which would even things up a fair bit, though it's fairly smooth,
i didn't have any problems with slick 20mm tires the other day.

Oh no, it was the road...

mind you they are digging up one section of that at the mo, between
richmound and sheen gate, only a short section so you can just nip past
it.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you get the road bike, practice a bit on it first before going out
with your girlfriend. It would be rather embarassing if she can still
drop you.

heh indeed.

I suspect she'll be able to drop me for some time to come even if I
get a faster bike and she doesn't bring one of her good bikes over -
she's a pretty serious triathlete training for her first Iron man, I'm
built for shorter stuff, and have just about got to within 3 minutes
of her on a 10km run now where I'm much more suited. The road bike is
really 'cos I've had fun on a borrowed one when visiting her in
holland, rather than any hope that it will actually even us up.

ah heh, well got some lovely rides around this area, get a map or two
and head off into the hills some lovely piture box landsape.

Quoted message said:

Cheers,

Jim.

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com

(Jim Ley) said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> So after my girlfriend dropped me with ease cycling round Richmond
> park on her 40 euro mountain bike with knobbly tires with me on my
> galaxy, I've decided I need to get a decent road bike. (either that or
> a lot fitter, or a different girlfriend)

I suspect she'll be able to drop me for some time to come even if I
get a faster bike and she doesn't bring one of her good bikes over -
she's a pretty serious triathlete training for her first Iron man

You didn't mention that bit. I recommend the heaviest nastiest full
sus MTB with the knobliest tyres for her and some ultra light carbon
steed for you, that should put you on a par. Or get a tandem and put
your feet up while she does the hard work, tell her it's really good
training (which it is).

Rob