Where are we buying our groupsets from now then?
- Thread starter lejogger
- Start date
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Grant Fondo
Guru
- Location
- Cheshire
Merlin were generally well priced although stock patchy at times.
I've not seen anything cheap enough anywhere to make any purchases since Christmas. I usually, no actually - ALWAYS, buy stuff when it's cheap, not when I need it. So I generally have a stockpile of my favourite tyres, cassettes and chains, but the supply is dwindling. I also buy cycle clothing in the same way, usually buy winter kit in summer and vice versa.
Maybe it's the end of the line for cheap kit for a while, hopefully some firms will figure out the logistics at some point, but not holding my breath.
Maybe it's the end of the line for cheap kit for a while, hopefully some firms will figure out the logistics at some point, but not holding my breath.
I do similar with some bits, I.e. chains/cassettes/Look cleats etc.
This is looking more likely to be a full gruppo purchase though.
Starting to look like I should have stopped procrastinating and pressed the button last year.
DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
Stock of some groupsets is poor currently; my son's having to wait until June for his Ridley as they're out of Ultegra mechanical ones.
I picked up a lot of items last year - I've at least a year's worth of chains, cassettes, brake pads and groupset components spare. We've run through tyres quite quickly though so I've bought 10-12 Continental GP5000's from various places this month to cover us plus several other bits.
Supply is variable for many things, except the 7-8 speed kit, imo. I'd guessed it would be due to Brexit but Covid's also caused supply issues. We've only got one 7 speed bike however, with everything else either single, 10 or 11 speed - and now all our road bikes except one are 11 speed.
I picked up a lot of items last year - I've at least a year's worth of chains, cassettes, brake pads and groupset components spare. We've run through tyres quite quickly though so I've bought 10-12 Continental GP5000's from various places this month to cover us plus several other bits.
Supply is variable for many things, except the 7-8 speed kit, imo. I'd guessed it would be due to Brexit but Covid's also caused supply issues. We've only got one 7 speed bike however, with everything else either single, 10 or 11 speed - and now all our road bikes except one are 11 speed.
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Groupsets used to be common at a 40% discount from RRP, even just a few months after release. I don’t think we are going to see those days again for a few years. I have quite a few consumables stored up, but an short on 10 speed for a couple of bikes. I keep holding back because I am used to paying a lot less, but it seems it will take a year or so before supplies and prices return.
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Chains have roughly doubled in price during Covid. A typical KMC chain that could be had for £9-12 at the start are now difficult to find in stock for less than £20-25 
I usually had a couple in the spares box but mostly gone now and holding out for replacements in the hope that prices will return to my preferred level soon.
I usually had a couple in the spares box but mostly gone now and holding out for replacements in the hope that prices will return to my preferred level soon.
- Location
- London
I have lots of spares of drive-train stuff, including lots of chain-rings, a fair bit from Rose.
Hoping I'm not going to have to rely on Wiggle/Chain Reaction in future.
Have getting on for ten bikes but none are above 9 speed.
Wiggle Reaction has little interest in my stuff.
Hoping I'm not going to have to rely on Wiggle/Chain Reaction in future.
Have getting on for ten bikes but none are above 9 speed.
Wiggle Reaction has little interest in my stuff.
Tom B
Guru
- Location
- Lancashire
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Not sure about that. Some of that has been hard to come by and has doubled in price. Hg41 cassettes could have been had easily for £9 and are now £16+. Z8s chains were around a fiver now getting on for a tenner.
I've found eBay of all places has been the cheapest recently.
Struggling to find a sensibly priced 32h 700c rim at the moment.
I know a couple who have a business in the supply chain and they tell me there is a supply backlog, they're being asked to give orders through to the end of year now, normally it's 4-8weeks.
My wheeling and dealing of cut price stuff has taken a bit of a hit too.
Not sure about that. Some of that has been hard to come by and has doubled in price. Hg41 cassettes could have been had easily for £9 and are now £16+. Z8s chains were around a fiver now getting on for a tenner.
I've found eBay of all places has been the cheapest recently.
Struggling to find a sensibly priced 32h 700c rim at the moment.
I know a couple who have a business in the supply chain and they tell me there is a supply backlog, they're being asked to give orders through to the end of year now, normally it's 4-8weeks.
My wheeling and dealing of cut price stuff has taken a bit of a hit too.
SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
Christ almighty, how few miles are you getting out of a set to be using them at that rate??
I don't think I've bought a new Schwalbe for getting on two years, and I haven't even started using a couple of good used ones that came with a parts donor bike yet. I've worn out a couple of secondhand cheapo knobbly MTB jobs, but all my decent quality road tyres are refusing to show any wear at all and I rode more miles than normal last year, and am clocking up road miles again now the weather is improving.
DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
@SkipdiverJohn - as @vickster 's put they're for me and my son.
I get about 1500 (rear) 2500 (front) miles out of a set, he gets a bit more from them as he's lighter. However, he's also using GP5000's this year for racing, moving from GP4000 tubulars due to a new disc-brake bike, and a set might only last 500 miles in racing.
I get about 1500 (rear) 2500 (front) miles out of a set, he gets a bit more from them as he's lighter. However, he's also using GP5000's this year for racing, moving from GP4000 tubulars due to a new disc-brake bike, and a set might only last 500 miles in racing.
SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
I realised that, but even so that seems a hell of a lot of tyres to be getting through. I'd have to ride all day every day to wear out tyres at that rate. I wouldn't have enough time to do things like going to work!
Now I see from @DCLane's reply that the Conti's seem to be relatively fast wearing. I haven't even managed to wear the factory moulding marks off the centre line of the tread on any of my front Schwalbes yet. I can see them lasting for 10k miles at the current rate.
vickster
Legendary Member
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
The GP5000 is a light weight race tyre, it's way different to what you usually put on your bikes !
You'd also cry at the price. They are fast though.PS I just threw out some lightly used expensive Michelin Pro4 condom tyres as they cracked (6 plus years old) and replaced with two £12 Zaffiro Pro's - I don't need the fast stuff, and these were cheap. The basic £4.99 Zafiro's on my Ribble I just fitted are as good, but wired not folding like the pro.
