My Take On The Modern Bicycle Industry Right Now

The bicycle industry is having a hell of a time right now. It’s like a washed-up rock band that still plays the hits but no one really shows up.

Shops are closing. Stocks are stacking up. And people just aren’t riding anymore.

What happened to the good old days when a bike was a simple tool for freedom?

Hell, you could get a solid ride for a couple hundred bucks. Now? Now it’s all about the prestige, the carbon fiber, the $10,000 race machines no one will ever race.

So here I am, watching the whole thing crumble, but hey, what else is new? The modern world’s a circus, and the bicycle industry is just another clown trying to stay relevant. But we’ve got to talk about it—there’s no escaping it.

The scene’s shifting, and if you don’t pay attention, you might just miss it.

1. The Golden Age is Over

Remember when bikes were everywhere? You couldn’t walk down the street without tripping over a ten-speed.

But now, it’s like everyone’s forgotten how to ride. I used to see kids tearing up the pavement.

Now, they’re glued to screens, buying into the latest overpriced gadget. Cycling? That’s for the old dudes at the club ride, or the wannabe triathletes. The casual rider? A rare breed.

In 2025, bikes are luxury items.

You want a bike for $300? Forget it.

A decent one will run you a thousand bucks at least. And that’s just the start—add in the components, the accessories, the maintenance…

Hell, a bike is a financial commitment now. And not just any bike—an “experience.”

An identity. Gotta have that carbon frame to prove something, right?

2. The Rise of the E-Bike

But hey, you can’t blame people for wanting something that doesn’t require them to sweat.

E-bikes are the latest craze. Everyone’s hopping on that electric bandwagon like it’s the second coming.

Honestly? I don’t get it. But I guess when your city’s traffic is a nightmare and you’ve got no time to burn, why not plug in and cruise?

But that doesn’t mean the bike industry’s doing better. No, no—e-bikes aren’t a magic fix. They’ve just become the new status symbol, the thing people show off, not because they’re environmentally conscious, but because it’s easier to talk about than actually riding. Not that I blame them. We all like shortcuts.

3. Prices Through The Roof

The price tags are insane. The last time I checked, I could get a decent used car for the same price as a high-end bike. And don’t get me started on custom builds. You want a custom frame? That’ll cost you as much as a down payment on a house.

Materials are expensive. Labor’s a bitch. And the reality is, nobody’s buying them anymore. People aren’t willing to drop $3,000 for a frame when they can’t even afford to fill their gas tank.

The small-time builders are suffering the most. Rent, materials, labor—everything’s inflated. The little guy who’s been making bikes in a small shop for decades?

They’re getting squeezed out. You either go big, or you go home. And even the big players, like Trek and Specialized, are feeling the pinch. Consumers aren’t biting.

4. Bike Shops Dying

The backbone of the industry—local bike shops—are disappearing faster than a cyclist’s sense of humility after they make it up the hill. The pandemic didn’t help, but the real issue is that people just don’t need shops anymore.

You can order a bike online and have it delivered straight to your door. And if something goes wrong? Well, there’s YouTube. Why bother with the overpriced shop when you can do it yourself?

It’s not that bike shops don’t try. Some still manage to stay afloat with repairs, accessories, and small sales. But the bike-buying crowd?

They’ve moved on. The bike shop has become the last stop, not the first. How long before they all just close up and you can’t even find a chain link, let alone a bike?

5. Marketing Overload

Here’s where it gets fun. The industry is drowning in marketing fluff. It’s like everyone’s selling you a bike, not because it’s good, but because it’s exclusive. It’s not about function; it’s about ego. Does anyone actually need a $6,000 carbon frame? No. But it’ll make you look important on the weekend group ride. And that’s what really matters, right?

You’ve got “premium” bike brands touting their high-tech components, their aerodynamics, their weight savings. But for what? So you can win a race you’re not even entering? So you can tell people, “Oh, this bike? It’s a 2025 model, limited edition, only 50 made!” But nobody’s buying that anymore. And when the sales drop, the prices keep climbing. It’s a vicious cycle—one that only benefits the brand, not the rider.

6. The Second-Hand Surge

With the economy teetering on the edge, people are turning to the second-hand market. Used bikes are in high demand, and for good reason. People don’t want to drop serious cash on a new bike when they can pick up a perfectly good one from a few years ago for a fraction of the price. It’s a win for the wallet, but a loss for the new bike market.

And yet, there’s a catch. Because used bikes are becoming so popular, the prices are rising. It’s the same with everything these days—demand makes prices inflate. The second-hand market isn’t the bargain it used to be. So, people are stuck in a cycle where they’re paying more for less, and no one seems to notice.

7. The Climate Crisis and Sustainability

Look, we can’t ignore it—the climate crisis is real. And you’d think the bicycle industry would be at the forefront of promoting sustainable, eco-friendly transportation.

But no, instead of promoting affordable, accessible bikes for the masses, it’s all about pushing carbon fiber frames and high-end gear. The reality? The bike industry is just as unsustainable as any other. Materials are mined. Components are shipped across the globe. And when the bike breaks, it’s hard to recycle.

What’s missing here is the focus on longevity.

Bikes should be for everyone—cheap, durable, sustainable. But that’s not what we’re getting. Instead, we’re bombarded with fancy terms like “aero this” and “electronic shifting that,” while the planet keeps heating up.

Funny how we all like to talk about saving the environment but can’t seem to sell a bike that doesn’t cost a small fortune.

Summary Table

Point	Description
Golden Age is Over	Cycling is no longer a mainstream hobby; it’s become a luxury activity.
The Rise of the E-Bike	E-bikes are taking over as the go-to for urban commuters, but it’s not saving the industry.
Prices Through The Roof	Bike prices are climbing at an unsustainable rate, pushing even passionate cyclists away.
Bike Shops Dying	Local bike shops are struggling to stay open as consumers opt for online shopping and self-servicing.
Marketing Overload	The bike industry is flooded with premium marketing, making cycling seem like an exclusive club.
The Second-Hand Surge	Used bikes are in demand, but the price of second-hand bikes is rising, undermining the bargain aspect.
The Climate Crisis	The bike industry’s sustainability is in question as it focuses on luxury products instead of eco-friendliness.

Conclusion

So, what’s the verdict on all this? The bicycle industry? It’s a joke now. And the punchline’s a bad one.

We’re sold bikes we don’t need, priced out of a hobby we used to love, and told that it’s for the good of the planet.

But it’s all marketing smoke and mirrors. And when the smoke clears?

All we’ve got left is overpriced bikes, empty shops, and a lot of people walking instead of riding.

The truth is, the bicycle industry’s in a death spiral. And maybe it needs to be. Maybe we’re better off with a little less glamour, a little less hype. Because when the wheels stop spinning, the only thing left will be the ride—and who really cares how much it costs if it still gets you there? The future’s a mystery, but damn, it’s going to be a wild ride.