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Why aren't bikes more like toilets?
Speaking of London and toilets, I have a far-out thought I want to throw out there. We had to buy a new toilet a month or so ago and, par usual, I checked with Consumer Reports [subscribers only] to get the best buy. Turns out that toilets more efficient and better constructed than those 20 years ago can be purchased for a remarkably low cost: about $250.*
Around the same time, I was also looking into buying a bike for a birthday present. With a little research (and a lot of help from co-blogger Matt Ransford), I discovered that the only way to get a decent, durable new bike is to spend at least $1,000, which strikes me as sort of ridiculous. I bought my bike -- a Specialized hybrid -- about 16 years ago and it's still in good shape. Indexed for inflation, it would cost about $300 today.** So why the huge price increase?
Honestly, I have no idea. But one important difference between toilets and bikes -- at least here in the United States -- is that toilets are used every day and represent a huge commercial market, whereas bikes are used only recreationally, by a relatively meager segment of the population.
In countries that support and promote biking as a form of transportation, the market for bikes is bound to be more competitive. Indeed, in London, where congestion pricing is now in effect, bike manufacturers are falling all over themselves to expand the market there... which is at least part of the reason why you see swank, relatively cheap rides like the A-bike -- which can fold and fit into a backpack! -- coming from across the Atlantic.
- - -
* I got the highest rated, the Eljer Titan, and am very happy with it. Gerber Ultra Flush was also highly rated. American Standard's "Champion" was a "best buy." Toto toilets, which are popular among fashionistas here, didn't rate particularly well. Kohler's were a disaster (like Totos, they look nice, but have a weak flush and are hard to clean).
** Ended up buying a vintage Raleigh cruiser for $175 on Craigslist.
Posted by Carrie McLaren on 02/19/2007 | Permalink
Comments
Actually, you can get some decently-priced, well-made bikes in the US... I don't have one, but I'm considering getting a Dahon sometime soon - and they start at a very affordable price. (Dahon)
I guess "decent" and "durable" are relative terms, but you can get a decent new bike for $300-400 - I bought a hybrid for around $350 and it's held up like a champ and shows no signs of going south anytime soon. You can get a very good new bike for $1000, but it's mostly icing after the $500 mark (not that it doesn't help, just that you're paying to make it lighter, or more aerodynamic, or whatever...).
Posted by: Nicholas | Feb 19, 2007 10:04:53 PM
I want that A-bike. Oh yes.
Damn you, internet, for stimulating my consumer impulses!
Posted by: Nina P | Feb 20, 2007 1:01:58 PM
Hey Carrie. You can get great bikes in the $300 range, much better than the $300 bikes of 10 or 20 years ago, I think. Just to start with, brakes are much better than they used to be and flat tires are much less common.
Posted by: Andrew | Feb 22, 2007 5:55:09 PM
I agree with the above posters - you can definitely get a good bike for under $500. Any decent bike shop will be able to supply you with a perfectly acceptable bike for a few hundred bucks.
Posted by: Tom | Feb 25, 2007 9:25:46 AM
