A view of the bike shortage in Europe

[ChezCheese:)]

Countries really need to diversify their manufacturing base. It isn't fair when China subsidizes industries, and it is important to recognize that workers there are being exploited. It is also up to customers to choose where they spend their money.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Poland's being fourth European bike producer?

Now, the real situation. I ordered a skid-plate for my Giant Trance E+ on July 2nd, 2020. The plate appeared at the LBS on January 14th, 2021.

 

[Dallant]

I ordered my 625wh Bosch battery months ago and still can’t even get an estimated date of arrival.

 

[steve mercier]

I spoke to a local dealer who said some parts are back ordered until summer 2022! So I have started hoarding cassettes and chains and rings like they were toilet paper ! (-:

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So I have started hoarding cassettes and chains and rings like they were toilet paper ! (-:

Same with small cassette cogs, chains, brake pads, chainrings...

 

[steve mercier]

Same with small cassette cogs, chains, brake pads, chainrings...

you mean you have started hoarding too or you are facing shortages of the same parts?

 

[ruffruff]

I was in the LBS today talking to the store manager. He said if you aren't already on the sheets for inventory, you won't be getting any bikes in 2021!

 

[Dallant]

you mean you have started hoarding too or you are facing shortages of the same parts?

I wouldn’t call it hoarding, just getting a spare chain, brake pads, battery, etc.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

you mean you have started hoarding too or you are facing shortages of the same parts?

Hoarding One @TS25 taught me doing that

Let me tell you something. I still can find spare parts in European online stores. What is more funny, it is still doable to buy Specialized Turbo e-bikes in the Specialized Brand Store in Warsaw... I'm trying to explain my friend she should buy a Como for herself now, not after that's too late...

 

[john peck]

Poland's being fourth European bike producer?

Now, the real situation. I ordered a skid-plate for my Giant Trance E+ on July 2nd, 2020. The plate appeared at the LBS on January 14th, 2021.

The other side of the coin is that Chinese stuff is more affordable to consumers,& most bike makers
around the globe are using at least some Chinese components. I ride a ´German´ bike with parts
from at least 4 countries, the frame is Chinese. Taiwan & the mainland have dominated frame
manufacture for decades.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The other side of the coin is that Chinese stuff is more affordable to consumers,& most bike makers
around the globe are using at least some Chinese components. I ride a ´German´ bike with parts
from at least 4 countries, the frame is Chinese. Taiwan & the mainland have dominated frame
manufacture for decades.

John, if a bike company is listed as "manufacturing in Poland" (for instance) it means frames are made in such a country. Poland has at least two big bike brands (Kross and Romet) with Ecobike coming next. As far as I know, Kross e-bikes sell well in the EU. Of course you are right saying the bike components mostly come from SE Asia.

EBIKE - bikes and accessories | Kross.eu

EBIKE

kross.eu

 

[Cowlitz]

I have friends who walked into a Trek dealer and were able to buy two ebikes that were in the store. This was a month ago.

My favorite bike is Dutch made.

 

[steve mercier]

I have friends who walked into a Trek dealer and were able to buy two ebikes that were in the store. This was a month ago.

My favorite bike is Dutch made.

Yes the local Trek dealer has plenty of assembled Ebikes in stock here too as does the Specialized dealer. It is the parts supply that is of concern. I go through approx 1.5 cassettes and front rings per year and perhaps 3.5 chains (based on 12,000 km per year). I want Shimano cassettes (not Sunrace or generic which are still plentiful on Amazon but do not last long). The same goes for chains. Some chains wear much faster on my bike so I only want Sram XX1. These are parts I am hoarding because they are used by many bikes not just Ebikes.

 

[john peck]

The other side of the coin is that Chinese stuff is more affordable to consumers,& most bike makers
around the globe are using at least some Chinese components. I ride a ´German´ bike with parts
from at least 4 countries, the frame is Chinese. Taiwan & the mainland have dominated frame
manufacture for decades.

John, if a bike company is listed as "manufacturing in Poland" (for instance) it means frames are made in such a country. Poland has at least two big bike brands (Kross and Romet) with Ecobike coming next. As far as I know, Kross e-bikes sell well in the EU. Of course you are right saying the bike components mostly come from SE Asia.

EBIKE - bikes and accessories | Kross.eu

EBIKE

kross.eu

So if I order a Kross 3.0 630, I´ll get it when? I looked at the specs. Seems to have an awful lot
of asian components, but not quite as many as my ´German´ bike. I don´t think bikes have been
made in the USA since the 60ś, ....maybe Huffy?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So if I order a Kross 3.0 630, I´ll get it when?

I wouldn't buy e-bikes differently than from an LBS...

 

[john peck]

I wouldn't buy e-bikes differently than from an LBS...

Well at least that way they may have been assembled by someone who knows what they´er doing.
Then again, most US bike shops are not that acquainted with ebikes yet. I have, however learned
much from my mistakes. I may go back to the gas bike I built, less hassle.

 

[Dallant]

Well at least that way they may have been assembled by someone who knows what they´er doing.
Then again, most US bike shops are not that acquainted with ebikes yet. I have, however learned
much from my mistakes. I may go back to the gas bike I built, less hassle.

I knew before I bought that my local Trek guy had been through a lot of specific Trek ebike training. He has thus far done a great job with everything I’ve asked of him. Could I have put it together correctly? Probably, but I sure wouldn’t have had the confidence in my Allant+7 that I do now.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I have friends who walked into a Trek dealer and were able to buy two ebikes that were in the store. This was a month ago.

On the one hand, there are maddening shortages of a lot of outdoor gear, not just bikes and bike parts. Nordic skis and associated gear is in short supply and your options are poor. If you want/need a specific ski in a specific size (and you definitely want them sized correctly) you might well be out of luck.

On the other hand, I've noticed that some well-connected shops seem to still be doing a good job getting both parts and bikes. So it isn't one hundred percent consistent. I've noticed that less expensive bikes and e-bikes are harder to come by, but it hasn't really (yet) made much of a dent in getting a high-end bike. Part of that is that the lead time for a custom high-end bike is already 6-12 weeks in the best of times.

 

[Asher]

Countries really need to diversify their manufacturing base. It isn't fair when China subsidizes industries, and it is important to recognize that workers there are being exploited. It is also up to customers to choose where they spend their money.

I suggest you marshal evidence that poor working conditions are common in China's export bike industry before claiming they are.

The problem isn't so much what China is doing, it's that every other government don't take bikes seriously as an integral part of transport and public health, otherwise they'd take moves to ensure a sufficient supply of bikes and parts, just as say, the US government does with its oil supply. If there were supply disruptions to cars like we're seeing with bikes, we would see far more government action. (I don't have any specific policies in mind but repair vouchers are a good answer to bike shortages, to mend what we already have.)

It's also silly to tout protectionism as a short term solution when the crisis has already hit. When countries were short of N95 masks, their answer wasn't "hey let's ban imports of N95 masks to fix our lack of supply!"