In this week’s Tech Show, Alex Paton and Ollie Bridgewood tackle a topic that most of us can agree on – that the cost of bikes and gear is becoming a huge problem. Has it gotten so bad that it’s actually killing the sport? Elsewhere on the show, we take a look at the hottest tech from the last seven days and visit the Bike Vault to take a look at your latest entries.
Are the costs of cycling destroying our sport?
If you’ve been cycling for more than a decade, you’ll have noticed a pretty dramatic change in the landscape in that time. The bikes we ride today are almost unrecognizable compared to those of 10 or 15 years ago. And what has become very clear during this time is the significant increase in the cost of bicycles. A quick look at the flagship bikes from the major brands shows that a price above £/$/€10,000 is almost unanimous.
Now, the premium prices may not be something that bothers the average driver too much. As amazing as these superbikes are, most people don’t have them in their garage. What is crucial is the impact of this top price on the models below it. Meanwhile, the price of an entry-level bike is around £/$/€2,000, while a mid-range bike can be around £/$/€5,000, which is quite expensive.
This becomes particularly important for those who want to take part in cycling races and events. In this scenario, what really matters is the quality and therefore the cost of the bike technology and components. Ten years ago it was possible to ride to a local criterium or road race and be competitive on an aluminum framed bike with flat box rims. The unfortunate reality is that this is no longer the case. Aero bikes, deep section bikes and skinsuits offer such a huge advantage that if you don’t have access to them, you’re not on a level playing field to begin with.
This is particularly a problem when it comes to junior racing. With some now able to race with the latest top-of-the-line equipment, competitive racing is becoming more restrictive for those who cannot afford the equipment. So ultimately we don’t see the same talent emerging.
The CTT (Cycling Time Trials) is the British governing body for time trials. They have shared with us some data regarding attendance at their events which clearly shows that attendance has been declining year on year. Time trialing is perhaps one of the disciplines most influenced by equipment, offering real advantages for those with the biggest wallets. Where does that leave those who can’t afford to keep up? This is evident not only in the time trial, but also in similar reports from other governing bodies such as British Cycling.
Things are undoubtedly looking bleak, but don’t despair! There is some positive news from this. The CTT introduced a road bike category at all events this year, which has its own regulations, including a maximum wheel depth. This eliminates some of the greatest technical advantages offered by those with the largest budgets, resulting in a higher level of competition that requires far less investment to compete.
This has increased the number of participants, but all of the growth has occurred within this new racing bike category. Of the 1,000 new registrations for 2023, 83% were in the road bike category, showing that this is an area that most people see as more attainable from a cost perspective.
Do you find that the cost of cycling limits your participation – either in a competitive sense or perhaps in general? Let us know in the comments below.
Hot and spicy technique
Even though the road season is over, it hasn’t been a quiet week in the world of bike technology. Here are some of the top stories from the last seven days.
Decathlon becomes co-title sponsor of AG2R La Mondiale
French sports retailer Decathlon has returned to the WorldTour with a five-year deal as co-title sponsor of French WorldTour team AG2R La Mondiale. This partnership brings new bikes, helmets and glasses from Decathlon’s premium brand Van Rysel. The bikes they will be riding is the newly released RCR, which costs £8,500 for a Dura-ace Di2 equipped WorldTour race bike.
The Bike to Work program is being updated
Here in the UK, the Cycle to Work scheme allows employees to purchase a bike as part of a salary sacrifice scheme where monthly payments are deducted before tax. The changes to the provider’s bike system will impact retailers as they will no longer be able to charge the fees the system costs to set up in addition to the cost of the bike. Instead, it now has to be paid out of the profit the retailer makes from the sale.
UCI revises its fines for non-compliant clothing
The UCI has revised its rules for non-compliant clothing that deviates from the regulations. Things that can violate these rules include sock length, skinsuit material, and incorrect placement of former national or world championship ribbons. This action comes with an increase in the penalties that teams and drivers can be penalized with, with the maximum fine for the driver being £1,800.
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