JiminOz

@fabwizard: Tell that to Michael Dunlop. He did a 128mph lap of the TT course on a "parade" lap at the manx GP recently. On one of the Marshall's stock Fireblades with road tyres. From a standing start!

The bike industry needs to look more at what things come along and don't leave or see people running all kinds of different types/standards. Dropper posts, disc brakes, through axles - all things that have come along and nobody has looked back for a second. Anybody building bikes with 9mm quick release anymore? Rim brakes anyone? More of those game changers that are beyond question. If the industry comes up with a press fit BB and a decade later people are still crying out for threaded, with many manufacturers going back to them, it was obviously a problem that didn't need solving. Less things like 12 speed cassettes, wireless controls etc.

@andrewbikeguide: Wrong. Maybe not at the 15k mark, but if you took a Honda Fireblade or R1 for example, they come with years of development in an Engine that is a technical feat of the finest engineering. The suspension and chassis are absolutely top notch, as are the brakes, wheels and just about every other part on them. A superstock bike lap times are so close to a factory superbike that the hundreds of thousands of extra dollars to gain just a few tenths is almost unjustifiable. A mountain bike has very few parts, at mostly extortionate costs, with a fraction of the technology in comparison. It's also possible to buy almost the same bike a factory rider would be using, give or take a few prototype parts - not the case with factory superbikes. The reason high end bikes cost so much money is because the manufacturers are taking the piss. Pure and simple.

@chrismac70: I have it on good authority that a Santa Cruz V10 frame is made for less than $100. The mark up is nothing short of scandalous.

@Henchman21: Underrated comment. Noisy minority down voting you.

@jbuzzinco: Mass produced bikes being sold at boutique bike money is a big part of the problem.

The issue is not really with expensive bikes. It's with "better value" bikes from the bigger manufacturers costing boutique bike money. And the massive increase in prices over the last 3 or so years making them even less value.

They can be awesome. Just ditch the battery and motor. What's left is incredible.

@owl-X: I've done all of the things you listed. Didn't need a motor to help me cope. Different kind of work.

I'll tell you what doesn't weigh a shit load - my E bike that doesn't have a battery or a motor. Powered by my energy, hence the E.