From what I’ve been reading lately, it’s looking like the coming tariffs are going to hammer imported goods. Sounds like if we want something, now is the time to grab it, provided we can still get it. Some people are freaking out about price increases, so it could be an interesting couple of month, and a wild few years.
People have no idea what is coming……stuff is gonna get either real scarce or real expensive, real quick.
I am currently ordering a year’s worth of product to get produced at our factory between now and mid-April. Tariffs on our goods (25%) are scheduled to take effect June 1. Shipment by mid-April is the latest I can safely get goods here before the tariffs.
Many other companies are doing the same. Even leaving the tariffs out of this, finding containers and then finding space on vessels is going to be no-holds-barred knuckle fight. Expect peak-COVID shipping rates (which were 5x pre-COVID rates).
But no one knows what is going to happen after January 20….tariffs could be implemented immediately, which will throw everything into a total chaos.
I am currently at a trade show in Germany and THE major topic of discussion is how to get goods to the US as fast as possible.
It will be an interesting time. Some first term tariff prices increases then had COVID increases, and we may have further tariffs. I am probably being priced out of some types of riding (I.e. full sus mtb).
I’m currently looking for 3 sets of tires before the prices go up even more next year. (One set per bike, not planning to store four years worth of tires).
Most corrections from the first-term tariffs have been corrected. A lot of bike production shifted from China to Taiwan, etc. I don’t think you’ll see much change in those areas.
The issue now is for products that have not yet had tariffs…either they have been delayed or not yet subject to tariffs.
A smaller, third category will be goods that has smaller first-term tariffs (less than 10%) that were absorbed and could now face higher tariffs.
Thanks, this thread just inspired me to pick up a pair of Thunder Burts for my gravel bike while they’re in stock and on sale. Now to figure out what else I need before the trade wars start. Ugh.
But even things not directly affected by tariffs will likely have price increases.
What got me thinking was when someone on the box said tariffs aren’t going to be a big deal. Sure, 60% to 100% price hikes are NBD, IF you don’t want/need those products.
I was thinking of upgrading to GRX Di2 on the gravel bike, and now it’s really unlikely to be able to pull it off without some price hike(s) kicking in. shrug ‘First world problems’?
Yes, the future is very uncertain right now, and if the tariffs come on Jac 21st, the world is going to be shaken. Hold on, it seems like it’ll be a bumpy ride.
Yeah, finding parts during the pandemic was just crazy. I found a pair of Dura Ace rotors by chance (not counterfeit either), but tubes and chains! Who would have thought that chains would be so hard to get. I should probably go out shopping for some tubes and some backup tires, sounds like… Unless Mr Apple gets a deal, Macs are going to be expensive, heck MOST IT stuff is going to go through the roof 
Ride on!!
They usually announce the code right before Thanksgiving. Make sure auto renew is off so you don’t renew at your current price. Stick with normal until the code is released.
I think everyone can agree there is a lot of uncertainty, but also that no current plans look like they’ll bring down the cost of imported bicycle parts (except for such an economic downturn that everyone is dumping their stock to stay afloat). So I personally think it is prudent to look at least as far as summer 2025, and if anything you might need is available now, and maybe is even on sale, and you can afford it, then I would buy.
So no ordering a pallet of XTR chains, but if I have new tires on all bikes in the spring, a couple chains each bike, maybe a cassette for the mtb, and maybe maybe some carbon rims from China, then I can ride out the initial shock of the tariffs.
Has anyone found good deals on Reserve wheels? Best I’ve seen is 15% off the 52|63 DT350 set at biketiresdirect and most places won’t let you use a coupon on these. Worth waiting for Black Friday?
i want a set of 77/88 and they never seem to be on sale
I’ve only seen one discount on reserve wheels over a year or so. It was on one particular model, I don’t remember which one but not what I was looking for.
Carbon wheelsets are like guac at subway. Too high a profit to let go on a discount, and the market is quite small with relatively inelastic demand.
The French (?) shop alltricks.com has had nice discounts on Reserve 34/37 during the autumn. The dt 350 just over 1k € and dt 240 just below 1.5k €. Not sure about the availability now.
For my normal consumables like tires, chains, cassettes, I always like to stock up with end season sales anyway. If I was in the market for a new bike, I’d definitely consider buying sooner rather than later.
I tried making this point to my wife… N+1 and the upcoming Tariffs…
Her point was… the best way to save on the Tariffs… is to not buy another bike… haha
Black Friday sales seem to kick off around Nov 15. Might be worth it to wait and see.
7mesh Black Friday sale just dropped - Some great prices. I just ordered the MK3 bib tights for $100 (reg $250). Good size selections right now too.
Men’s | 7mesh. Sorry ladies, you have to click either men’s or women’s to get a link.
Mike’s Bikes had them on sale during their last couple store wide sales. Their sales aren’t often though.
77/88s with 240s are 20% off at BTD for Gold members.
I know, I just can’t bring myself to do it with so much uncertainty on the horizon (I have been looking at Epic 8’s, but Epic 8 + flight attendant and wheels, is like $8-9k … ouch). With no new bike, I can still do all my targeted events the next few years.
I feel the same way, I have been on the verge of pulling the trigger on a new Scott Foil for a few weeks but like I told my wife the other night - a new bike will be nice and motivating but at the end of the day its not really making me any faster (training does that).