Pretty sure the industry is killing itself. Bikes costing the same as a car, bike parks charging a small fortune to ride, bike parts costing the same as a couple months rent, local trails catering more and more to the double black diamond crowd. I’ve seen lot of people give the sport up because they can’t afford it
Even with the 30%, it'll still be too expensive! I can't help but smile to see these asshats that think $8000 or $9000 is acceptable for a bicycle, is going under. Even bike parts are ridiculous. You could buy a fork for a full sized motorcycle for less than you would pay for a good mountain bike fork. So to see these overpriced greedy companies going under is okay with me!
I have to imagine the discounts will get heavier with time. They are trying to pay debts I am sure. But yes...the pricing of everything is too expensive right now.
Agree. And “asshats” is being kind. The conspiracy includes UA-cam channels whose moderators normalize the insanity of this pricing instead of calling it out for what it is. Oh, and sponsored influencers paid off with bikes raise the price for everyone else. It’s not like companies are really giving stuff away for free. They pass the costs onto people who are duped by the normalizers.
As long as these investment firms keep buying out legit bicycle companies we will continue to see them immediately sell them off as soon as they don't see the numbers that will make their investors happy. The bicycle industry has always ebbed and flowed. These investment companies buy them when they think they can make a big profit and then dump them as soon as they see a decline. It's sad to see a legacy brand have this happen to it.
More bike companies to follow, they got very greedy during covid. They set bike prices ridiculously high. Now they cant sell their bikes, a lot of bike shops are selling bikes 30-50% off and almost no one wants to buy because they know prices will go further down for sure
@@321bytor here in Finland, most entry to mid level bikes are on sale especially 2020-2022 models, they need to get rid of them. Waiting for the high end bikes to drop prices
Just found your channel. I remember ordering from Colorado Cyclist in the early 90’s. Mostly to upgrade a 1993 Kona Explosif. It was a fun time to ride a MTB. Sorry to see these companies go. Thanks for the video.
It seems that the saturation of bike manufacturers, the perceived imbalance between prices and value, and the evolving standards for bike parts and specifications contribute to this issue. Additionally, I believe that major companies in the cycling industry should actively promote and support cycling infrastructure through advocacy and lobbying efforts, as this approach aligns with their long-term interests. This strategy echoes the early tactics employed by the automobile industry, which proved to be effective. Sad, I owned a few Konas and they were great bikes.
So glad to see that what goes around comes around. The last few years all these brands have gotten away with murder. They’ve treated their customers like shit for the most part! Inexplicable price hikes, abysmal customer service, poor quality and dealer networks that simply didn’t function properly. So far most stores have been able to keep going, but all of these bankruptcies mean that they too will soon get what they are due! Good riddance to bad rubbish! The market is purging itself!
I was at a shop Thursday and heard one of the bike shop guys talking to a new Orbea rep. He was telling her that Scott was the brand he preferred to sell because Scott was selling them bikes so cheap to clear their warehouse that on a $2,200 bike the shop was making $1,000 profit. I don't think I was supposed to hear that.
I used to get a Bike Nashbar catalog back then too. Was the first catalog I ever ordered from. I had to get a money order and wait for it to get there in the mail and then they shipped it. It took almost two weeks to get a rear blinky light
That's a bummer. Kona was a small Canadian company that was in the game when I started mountain biking in the late 80s. I've owned a few Kona's over the years too.
Like you and many here I came of age with the CO Cyclist catalog. I remember doing dream builds from those catalogs when I was a teenager. When I bought my most recent bike it was definitely the kind of bike 14yo me built from those catalogs. I’m sad to see them go.
I live in the UK and have always built my own MTBs .. I usually swap parts from the previous build , replace some and buy a frame. Last build including a Cotic BFe frame and lots of Hope parts and a mix of XT and SLX cost me £1600 and its still going 3 years later , expect it to last another 7/8 years
I used to get the Colorado Cyclist catalog like thirty plus years ago and they used to have a bike shop in Colorado Springs back then in the two times I was in that town
Between Colorado Cyclist and SuperGo those were mainstays in the early bike mail order business. In the late 80's to early 90's I would go to LA once a month to surf. I always stopped off at SuperGo.
Sad to see Colorado Cyclist going down. When I was in high school in the early 90’s I couldn’t wait for the new catalogs to show up. I saved up all summer one year for a wheel set for my Stumpjumper and I remember calling and speaking to a human being about building my custom wheel set. That being said, I did order a set of brakes, crankset, and bottom bracket for a new build and got deep discounts on them at Planet Cyclery.
Got to know Kona in Inland PNW...Hayden.....before Kent days. As an old schooler hard tail guy, I bought my first full-suspension here in Summit CO CO. Got Process 134 29 M for $2700, which was best buy out there for something decent. Now $1800 on sale brand new. OUch. Like anything else in US, corporate greed take-overs which will increase prices as competition goes bye bye.
I wanted to buy a Kona Rove. I ordered it, it came defective. Returned it. Same issues with the second, third and forth bike, so I got my cash back in the end. I am not ok with poor quality for a 1500 EUR bike. I own an old Kona Paddy Wagon, this one is much more reliable.
Saying it’s a result of a post covid slump ignores the fact that bikes and cycling paraphernalia is insanely priced. It’s slumped because people can’t afford it. It’s been that way since well before Covid. The cycling industry priced itself into serious trouble. It’s like Ferrari wondering why average people don’t buy Ferrari’s.
Price gouge your customers then refuse to lower prices and people are surprised when they go out of business? I'm not sad about this happening, they did it to themselves and I welcome it! I just got a high end, full XT build, MTB at $1200 off. I think it was a "good" deal and I really didn't want to wait much longer since we're heading into summer and I wanted to start riding ASAP. Could I have gotten a better deal from one of these smaller companies going out of business? Sure, but I wanted the bike I wanted and got it at a good price. Now for my wife, I'll wait for the crazy sale and get an "amazing" price because she's fine with waiting a while for the perfect combo of price and quality.
Considering the cost in new tech for mtb it’s not surprising. Components alone are outrageous in cost; fork, shock, brakes, drivetrain, etc; all of which the market is requesting but unaffordable especially with selling complete builds at your local shop. Maybe manufacturers should keep it “frame only” and retailers customize their builds made-to-order? Idk, but something needs to serve actual “bike shops” vs boutique bike dealerships. My last 2 builds I did from the ground up and it saved me thousands.
Kent Outdoors announced their desire to sell Kona at the same time as they announced that they received a capital investment of $100 million, so the sale of their bike division was certainly a condition of the investment terms, with the investors wanting KO to focus on what they know how to do: water sports, NOT bikes. KO bought a bike company without knowing what to do with it, and they had to admit that in the face of a big investment opportunity. That's all.
@@samd6405 Yeah they have been around since 1977. It was a staple in the industry for a long time. I don't think they did the online transition as well as other brands.
@@Bike198 agreed…their online presence, web interface, search functionality was a bit 2nd rate compared to the leading online sites. However, my experience shopping from them was always solid.
Here me out. Just maybe just maybe, stop marketing 5 grand plus bikes down our throats and follow the polygons model of offering solid bikes that are majority of their lineup under 3500 dollers US. These greedy board members and owners really thought we would continue to buy these overpriced pieces of crap in a major recession. Ok. Good on them. Don't feel sorry for bike shops either. Stop with the overpriced bikes in stock. One of my local shops is going strong because the most expansive bike on display is 3500 Canadian. Want higher end model that will sit on there floor if customer flakes. They will order it for you on 50% deposit. They have been busy and going strong. Shops that have huge high-end inventory are dieing because they have a shit business model.
Cycling has gone in about 30 years from a niche Eurosport to a world wide big business part of the leisure industry - ie just another part of capitalism where the only rule is give as little as possible to make as much as possible. If you’re a global super brand..Giant, Trek, Canyon Specialzed..you’re fine. If you’re a premium Euro Niche brand..Orbea, Pinarello, Lapierre…you’re fine. If you’re super niche high quality you’re probably ok. But quirky brands like Kona and internet sites relying on a constant flow of sales to move overstocked inventories..forget it. Cycling has become a sport/ pass time for the affluent. Anyone who bought a 2-5 k bike in the last few years won’t be buying another unless they win a lottery or find an old master in the loft. For my money cycling has outpriced itself.
Such a drama are creating the youtubers, who cares if they go or not to a show. Wanna see a bike log in to their webpage and check it out, but what a youtubers only do is going to the booth ask stupit cuestion and wait for likes there at the show
Pretty sure the industry is killing itself. Bikes costing the same as a car, bike parks charging a small fortune to ride, bike parts costing the same as a couple months rent, local trails catering more and more to the double black diamond crowd. I’ve seen lot of people give the sport up because they can’t afford it
Even with the 30%, it'll still be too expensive! I can't help but smile to see these asshats that think $8000 or $9000 is acceptable for a bicycle, is going under. Even bike parts are ridiculous. You could buy a fork for a full sized motorcycle for less than you would pay for a good mountain bike fork. So to see these overpriced greedy companies going under is okay with me!
I have to imagine the discounts will get heavier with time. They are trying to pay debts I am sure. But yes...the pricing of everything is too expensive right now.
Agree. And “asshats” is being kind.
The conspiracy includes UA-cam channels whose moderators normalize the insanity of this pricing instead of calling it out for what it is.
Oh, and sponsored influencers paid off with bikes raise the price for everyone else. It’s not like companies are really giving stuff away for free. They pass the costs onto people who are duped by the normalizers.
Which ones were saying this pricing was ok?
If only pivot would go under. Their pricing is ridiculous.
@@Bike198 Every bike company has their $8000-9000 bikes, so they must think it's okay!
As long as these investment firms keep buying out legit bicycle companies we will continue to see them immediately sell them off as soon as they don't see the numbers that will make their investors happy. The bicycle industry has always ebbed and flowed. These investment companies buy them when they think they can make a big profit and then dump them as soon as they see a decline. It's sad to see a legacy brand have this happen to it.
100%. I call it spreadsheet management. Buy the company. Skinny it down. Sell
It off.
Exactly, After 20yrs Scot sold Ibis to them and they ran it in the ground in 20 months, they bought it back and saved it but it's just like you said.
Yep! You think these brands would learn by now.
The investors are more like suckers. Ruining an industry and losing a bunch of money.
More bike companies to follow, they got very greedy during covid. They set bike prices ridiculously high. Now they cant sell their bikes, a lot of bike shops are selling bikes 30-50% off and almost no one wants to buy because they know prices will go further down for sure
It is a mess for sure. Especially these larger companies/ones held by holding companies...they really messed it up.
Where are you seeing 'bikes 30-50% off'? Everywhere I seem look it says 'no stock'
So true! I’ve heard the higher end bikes are doing okay (4k+) - go figure.
@@321bytor here in Finland, most entry to mid level bikes are on sale especially 2020-2022 models, they need to get rid of them. Waiting for the high end bikes to drop prices
@@SophiaGailecruz-pr8ooAre these bikes available elsewhere? I'm in the UK - there's nothing here that's discounted like that
Just found your channel. I remember ordering from Colorado Cyclist in the early 90’s. Mostly to upgrade a 1993 Kona Explosif. It was a fun time to ride a MTB. Sorry to see these companies go. Thanks for the video.
It seems that the saturation of bike manufacturers, the perceived imbalance between prices and value, and the evolving standards for bike parts and specifications contribute to this issue. Additionally, I believe that major companies in the cycling industry should actively promote and support cycling infrastructure through advocacy and lobbying efforts, as this approach aligns with their long-term interests. This strategy echoes the early tactics employed by the automobile industry, which proved to be effective. Sad, I owned a few Konas and they were great bikes.
So glad to see that what goes around comes around. The last few years all these brands have gotten away with murder. They’ve treated their customers like shit for the most part! Inexplicable price hikes, abysmal customer service, poor quality and dealer networks that simply didn’t function properly. So far most stores have been able to keep going, but all of these bankruptcies mean that they too will soon get what they are due! Good riddance to bad rubbish! The market is purging itself!
Old school 90s mtb ftw!!
I was at a shop Thursday and heard one of the bike shop guys talking to a new Orbea rep. He was telling her that Scott was the brand he preferred to sell because Scott was selling them bikes so cheap to clear their warehouse that on a $2,200 bike the shop was making $1,000 profit. I don't think I was supposed to hear that.
I used to get a Bike Nashbar catalog back then too. Was the first catalog I ever ordered from. I had to get a money order and wait for it to get there in the mail and then they shipped it. It took almost two weeks to get a rear blinky light
I used to get those in too.
That's a bummer. Kona was a small Canadian company that was in the game when I started mountain biking in the late 80s. I've owned a few Kona's over the years too.
Like you and many here I came of age with the CO Cyclist catalog. I remember doing dream builds from those catalogs when I was a teenager. When I bought my most recent bike it was definitely the kind of bike 14yo me built from those catalogs. I’m sad to see them go.
I live in the UK and have always built my own MTBs .. I usually swap parts from the previous build , replace some and buy a frame. Last build including a Cotic BFe frame and lots of Hope parts and a mix of XT and SLX cost me £1600 and its still going 3 years later , expect it to last another 7/8 years
I used to get the Colorado Cyclist catalog like thirty plus years ago and they used to have a bike shop in Colorado Springs back then in the two times I was in that town
Between Colorado Cyclist and SuperGo those were mainstays in the early bike mail order business. In the late 80's to early 90's I would go to LA once a month to surf. I always stopped off at SuperGo.
Not surprised, my local dealer hasn't had a bike on the floor in (3) years..
Sad to see Colorado Cyclist going down. When I was in high school in the early 90’s I couldn’t wait for the new catalogs to show up. I saved up all summer one year for a wheel set for my Stumpjumper and I remember calling and speaking to a human being about building my custom wheel set.
That being said, I did order a set of brakes, crankset, and bottom bracket for a new build and got deep discounts on them at Planet Cyclery.
I was doing the same thing back then!
Got to know Kona in Inland PNW...Hayden.....before Kent days. As an old schooler hard tail guy, I bought my first full-suspension here in Summit CO CO. Got Process 134 29 M for $2700, which was best buy out there for something decent. Now $1800 on sale brand new. OUch. Like anything else in US, corporate greed take-overs which will increase prices as competition goes bye bye.
Be good to hit the rest button these inflated bike prices. Even used bike prices are nuts.
I wanted to buy a Kona Rove. I ordered it, it came defective. Returned it. Same issues with the second, third and forth bike, so I got my cash back in the end.
I am not ok with poor quality for a 1500 EUR bike.
I own an old Kona Paddy Wagon, this one is much more reliable.
Bought a Kona Honzo ESD in November 23. Guess my lifetime warranty refers to butterfly lifetime...at least i bought it at 35% sale
Saying it’s a result of a post covid slump ignores the fact that bikes and cycling paraphernalia is insanely priced. It’s slumped because people can’t afford it. It’s been that way since well before Covid. The cycling industry priced itself into serious trouble. It’s like Ferrari wondering why average people don’t buy Ferrari’s.
Price gouge your customers then refuse to lower prices and people are surprised when they go out of business? I'm not sad about this happening, they did it to themselves and I welcome it! I just got a high end, full XT build, MTB at $1200 off. I think it was a "good" deal and I really didn't want to wait much longer since we're heading into summer and I wanted to start riding ASAP. Could I have gotten a better deal from one of these smaller companies going out of business? Sure, but I wanted the bike I wanted and got it at a good price.
Now for my wife, I'll wait for the crazy sale and get an "amazing" price because she's fine with waiting a while for the perfect combo of price and quality.
Considering the cost in new tech for mtb it’s not surprising. Components alone are outrageous in cost; fork, shock, brakes, drivetrain, etc; all of which the market is requesting but unaffordable especially with selling complete builds at your local shop.
Maybe manufacturers should keep it “frame only” and retailers customize their builds made-to-order? Idk, but something needs to serve actual “bike shops” vs boutique bike dealerships. My last 2 builds I did from the ground up and it saved me thousands.
Remember Supergo ?
Supergo was the best! Then performance bought them....
Closing sale!? Gimme some of that!
Still just mind-boggling that the bike industry has tanked so bad after covid. Consumers are hurting and funds going elsewhere?
Unfortunately the average person cannot afford the price of bike and bike parts. Even the clothing is expensive
You heard about POLE cycles, they're done too... Sadly.
Yeah I just saw that yesterday. Sad.
Kent Outdoors announced their desire to sell Kona at the same time as they announced that they received a capital investment of $100 million, so the sale of their bike division was certainly a condition of the investment terms, with the investors wanting KO to focus on what they know how to do: water sports, NOT bikes. KO bought a bike company without knowing what to do with it, and they had to admit that in the face of a big investment opportunity. That's all.
I thought planet cyclery bought out Colorado cyclist a while back, so just a consolidation of the two competing online sites into one storefront?
They did and they are closing down that site as well. Looks like the entire company is closing.
Makes more sense now…didn’t realize Colorado Cyclist was around for that long.
@@samd6405 Yeah they have been around since 1977. It was a staple in the industry for a long time. I don't think they did the online transition as well as other brands.
@@Bike198 agreed…their online presence, web interface, search functionality was a bit 2nd rate compared to the leading online sites. However, my experience shopping from them was always solid.
I also drooled over that catalogue as a kid. Pretty sad that they didn't kept up, they had the most choice for rural kids like me..
This is old news....
They tried to join the price gouging fun just like the automakers. Its not working out right now for any of them.
in my opinion kona is more better what trek or Giant or orbea this bikes are so solid and strong and the wheight is perfect
Price Point....
Sounds like a coffee lovers company.
If your closing up to 30% off is not any good. At least 50% off or more.
Here me out. Just maybe just maybe, stop marketing 5 grand plus bikes down our throats and follow the polygons model of offering solid bikes that are majority of their lineup under 3500 dollers US.
These greedy board members and owners really thought we would continue to buy these overpriced pieces of crap in a major recession. Ok. Good on them.
Don't feel sorry for bike shops either. Stop with the overpriced bikes in stock. One of my local shops is going strong because the most expansive bike on display is 3500 Canadian. Want higher end model that will sit on there floor if customer flakes. They will order it for you on 50% deposit. They have been busy and going strong.
Shops that have huge high-end inventory are dieing because they have a shit business model.
Cycling has gone in about 30 years from a niche Eurosport to a world wide big business part of the leisure industry - ie just another part of capitalism where the only rule is give as little as possible to make as much as possible. If you’re a global super brand..Giant, Trek, Canyon Specialzed..you’re fine. If you’re a premium Euro Niche brand..Orbea, Pinarello, Lapierre…you’re fine. If you’re super niche high quality you’re probably ok. But quirky brands like Kona and internet sites relying on a constant flow of sales to move overstocked inventories..forget it. Cycling has become a sport/ pass time for the affluent. Anyone who bought a 2-5 k bike in the last few years won’t be buying another unless they win a lottery or find an old master in the loft. For my money cycling has outpriced itself.
Bidenomics
I remember having a LOT more money to throw around under Trump...........
Such a drama are creating the youtubers, who cares if they go or not to a show. Wanna see a bike log in to their webpage and check it out, but what a youtubers only do is going to the booth ask stupit cuestion and wait for likes there at the show
Kona bikes are heavy, stiff, and made in Cambodia. Yuk
Mine kona libre cr made in Taiwan and is lighter then trek domane sl5.