Prices for New Bikes to Drop?

It looks like all of the bicycle shortages which started with the pandemic have ended. In fact, a lot of bike shops now have too much inventory. Or, at least so says this article from Outside Online:

“We’ve been waiting for this inventory for a year or more,” says Nick, the owner of two Utah bike shops, who asked that we not use his real name because he didn’t want to alienate his sales reps and dealers. “And we’re getting it all at once and at the worst possible time. No one is buying bikes or getting their bike serviced in the fall and winter.”

His shops received so much inventory that Nick ran out of space and had to rent 10 storage units.

The result is what’s known as a bull whip effect. As retailers saw demand for bikes surge, they ordered, say, 25 percent more inventory than normal. When the inventory didn’t arrive in time, they ordered the same amount from someone else and started hoarding what parts they did have. Distributors took that 50 percent order and added their own 10 percent bump. Brands did the same, asking factories to make 70 percent above what they would normally need. Two years later the whip is finally snapping. Missing parts arrived, factories caught up with back orders, cargo ships sailed, port strikes ended. Now all the inventory is arriving in warehouses and shops, at the same time that consumer demand is falling, recession and inflation talk is locking up wallets, and the used bike market, particularly online, is overflowing.

So, this might be a good time to buy a new bike.

Jeremy VanGelder wrote:So, this might be a good time to buy a new bike.

Probably--but I still think used is a better option. Maybe this is a sign that there will be a lot of those available at thrift stores soon!

That's great news for anyone looking for a new road bike within a budget of $2000. With the oversupply of bikes, you may be able to find some great deals and discounts on the road bikes you're considering. Brands and bike shops may be more willing to negotiate on price in order to clear out their inventory. It's also a good idea to check out the used bike market, as the article mentioned. You might be able to find a great bike at a lower price. However, make sure to thoroughly inspect the bike and check its condition before buying.

I would recommend checking out these bikes, which are all high-quality and well-suited for recreational and longer rides. You can also look at the other brands, like Giant, Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale, and see if they have other models in that price range.

Don't hesitate to negotiate with the bike shop or seller for a better price, given the current market conditions. Good luck on your search for the perfect road bike!