Stock FAQs

why are so many bikes out of stock

by Prof. Hortense Bednar Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Industry insiders say the pandemic-fueled bike and component shortage will likely continue for the foreseeable future. With COVID and its ensuing variants forcing people outdoors to recreate, many bike shops have juggled this greater demand with increasingly unreliable inventories.Jan 21, 2022

Full Answer

Can retailers recover bike stocks at distribution level?

Despite the attempt to recover bike stocks at distribution level, retailers that have either left it late or in some cases lack the buying power to get to the front of the queue have been left disappointed and have taken to trade forums to question whether seeking supply directly themselves is a viable alternative.

Is there a material shortage in bike components?

According to bike component manufacturer SRAM spokesman Michael Zellmann, the company has seen some material shortages—carbon, in particular—but they’ve still been able to increase production at their Asian and U.S. factories and meet customer demands.

How do I find out what bikes are in stock?

Bike stock finder: Simply enter your postcode and our bike stock finder will show you the bikes that are in stock near you. Bikes in stock now: This will show you all of the bikes that are currently in stock, regardless of your location.

Do new bikes break in easily?

All bikes break in slightly with initial use, or need a quick drivetrain or brake tune-up. Pretty much all bike shops offer at least one free adjustment for new bikes sold there (some offer longer service plans, for free or for a premium payment).

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Why are all specialized bikes out of stock?

Some overseas factories did shut down for a time, and shipping is way up in general for tons of products, but with the bike shortage, it's mostly a surge in demand that has overwhelmed factories.

Is there still a bike shortage?

According to bike manufacturers and retailers alike, supply chain issues and extended lead times on bike purchases are expected to continue until the end of 2022, if not into mid 2023.

Why is there a shortage of bikes UK?

Buying a bike has been really difficult over the past year or so, as a result of demand far outstripping supply thanks mostly to the effects of Covid-19.

Will bicycle prices decrease in 2021?

And 2021 will likely see retail prices go up another 10-25%, experts say. Through last September the average retail price of bike products was up 22%, compared to the same period in 2019, according to NPD Group.

How long will bikes be out of stock?

Some industry estimates project it will be 2023 before inventory gets back to normal levels. “The demand has exceeded the supply of bicycles on a global level,” said Heather Mason, president of the National Bicycle Dealers Association, a trade group with approximately 700 members.

Why are there no bikes in stores?

Industry insiders say the pandemic-fueled bike and component shortage will likely continue for the foreseeable future. With COVID and its ensuing variants forcing people outdoors to recreate, many bike shops have juggled this greater demand with increasingly unreliable inventories.

Will bicycle prices increase in 2021?

Manufacturers are pricing next year's bikes now, and higher costs for components and supply-chain holdups, combined with still-strong demand, mean increases are coming.

Why are bikes so hard to find?

Demand has almost tripled. In short, while there are lots and lots of bikes flowing into bike shops every day, they are selling even faster.” The shortages are also affecting bike parts, which—with no new stock available—customers are buying up to repair their old bikes. The issues look set to last into 2022.

Why is there a Shimano shortage?

A smorgasbord of covid, Brexit, a massive fire at Shimano's factory, that Evergreen ship getting stuck in the Suez Canal, a worldwide raw material shortage and unprecedented demand combined to create a perfect storm that pretty much broke the bicycle supply chain in 2020 and 2021.

Is the bike boom over?

Two years after the start of the pandemic, the world is returning to “normal.” What is normal these days? It's probably not a labor shortage, record inflation, or skimpy supply.

Why are bicycle prices so high?

One of the biggest factors in the cost of bicycles is materials. Carbon fiber comes in various forms and grades. The higher the quality of carbon, the greater the cost of sourcing from manufacturers.

Why are 2020 bikes so expensive?

This spring, if you are on the hunt for a new bike or a part for an old one, expect to pay more. Demand is sky high, and with shipping slowdowns, bikes and parts could cost 15% to 25% more — if there's even inventory to sell, that is.

What are we doing to help?

As the market leader in cycling, we recognise that the shortage of bike stock is extremely disappointing, so we’re doing everything we can to bring our bikes back into stock as quickly as possible.

How can I find out what bikes are in stock?

Due to the ongoing disruption caused by the pandemic, it remains difficult for us to provide concrete information about future bike stock deliveries. However, we’ve created several new areas on our website to help you stay as up to date as possible with stock deliveries and maximise your chances of getting the bike you want:

When can I reserve a bike for Christmas?

We are planning on opening our bike reservations even earlier this year to make sure you can secure the perfect gift for your loved one. Keep an eye out over the coming months for more details on halfords.com.

The Situation about Mountain Bikes out of Stock

In recent months, mountain bikes have been out of stock at several retailers. The number of production models out of stock has never been higher than it currently is. Many companies have been forced to stop producing the models that they were selling. It is not uncommon for mountain bikes to be out of stock across the board at retailers.

8 Reasons for Mountain Bike Shortage

Mountain bikes are an extremely popular product at the moment. However, The global bike shortage problem is complex and multifaceted.

When are Things Going to Get Back to Normal?

There appears to be no end in sight to the bicycle shortage, at least until the industry fully recovers. This could take years, depending on all of the factors that are currently pressuring it.

The Effect of the Mountain Bike Shortage on Prices in the Future

When demand is high, and supply is low, the price of a product rises according to supply and demand laws. That’s exactly what’s going on in the cycling sector, so it’s no wonder that bike prices have already risen by 10%–15% in the last year. This isn’t the sole cause for the price increase. Freight costs are another important consideration.

FAQs

No, and this term is a bit misleading. There is no global shortage. However, we see a deficit in the U.S. and Western Europe because these two markets account for 50% of the demand for bikes.

What Is Causing the Global Bike Shortage?

The global bike shortage problem is complex and multifaceted. We can say it began in the 1980s when bike companies started moving their production to Asian countries in order to reduce costs.

How Did Bike Availability Change in 2021?

According to the NPD Group, the April 2020 sales of bikes and cycling gear grew a combined 75% to $1 billion compared to the previous year. This was unprecedented growth, but the trend spilled over into 2021.

How Will the Bike Shortage Affect Future Prices?

The rules of supply and demand dictate that the prices of products go up when the demand is high and the supply is low. That’s exactly what’s happening in the cycling industry, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the prices of bike products have already gone up by 10%–15% last year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there is a global shortage of bikes caused by a broken supply chain. The demand for new bikes is far outstripping the supply, so bike manufacturers and retailers cannot keep up with the incoming orders. If you want a new bike, be prepared to wait for months.

What does poor assembly mean on a bike?

Even if there aren’t outright safety issues, poor assembly can mean mis-shifting drivetrains, underinflated tires, loose headsets, wheels that are improperly tensioned and prone to damage, and other problems that will shorten a bike’s lifespan. No knowledgeable bike salespeople.

Can you buy a bike at a department store?

They’re not that much cheaper. Yes, you can still get a department store bike for not much more than $100, and adult bikes for $200 abound. You can even buy a fat bike . But Consumer Reports, not historically a fan of expensive cycling equipment, points out that cheap bikes are heavy and often made with inferior parts.

Do all bikes break in?

All bikes break in slightly with initial use, or need a quick drivetrain or brake tune-up. Pretty much all bike shops offer at least one free adjustment for new bikes sold there (some offer longer service plans, for free or for a premium payment).

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