Giant Glory 00 Review - BikeRadar

Not a gripe about this bike as it sounds good, but:

Why are downhill bikes soooo expensive these days (or should i say still expensive!)

Apart from the fork there is nothing on this bike which is obviously more expensive than anything found on an xc full suss. If anything parts are a bit cheaper on dh bike now (no or little carbon etc)

@tomj113

its all about the research and development costs. including the manufacturing methods. To take a bike like the glory to production level it would have undergone many different upgrades, tweaks and versions. Since the last glory was released this has been in the pipeline, so if you think that a pro rider will test the next upgrade, feedback to the designers, they'll read the feedback, work out what needs to be done to fix problems, re-CAD the design, send it to the engineers, they'll work out the forces that'll be put on the frame, see if it is OK, only then can the frame go to the prototype stage, where some guy'll have to make jigs and hydro form tubing then weld it up. Each prototype costs much more than the production bike. Giant are just trying to claw back profit form the development stages.

my theory as to why freeride frames have a much cheaper R+D cost is because they're tested by riders like us. They don't need podium finishers to test the bike to the limit to see if it works well, they can just get anyone to ride it.

@atomlab31

Don't you think that they go through that process with other bikes ? Of course they do !!

A large protion of the price can be attributed to the fact that DH is the glamorous, adrenaline filled, extreme end of MTBing, which of course, attracts the younger crowd. It's basic marketing. They price the bike at a price point which they can get away with.

How often have you seen people at uplift centers etc, on ££££££ bikes which they can't ride or let's be honest, don't need. (how many UK DH courses need 8" of travel ? Not many, but you see loads of people riding such bikes because they want the latest, best kit.

I'm guilty of this, I have XTR and carbon all over my trail bike, I don't need it, but I want it, so the manufacturer capitalises on this and prices accordingly.

Simples...........

surely the price is driven by supply and demand. i guess that these bikes are for the more specialist crowd and that they don't sell nearly as much of them as a hardtail. hence the price...

@Tomj113: I've just ordered one of these babies and whilst bored made a spreadsheet of the spec retail prices - £3245 WITHOUT THE FRAME! The shock alone costs the best part of £600! And the brakes should definitely cost more than the XC equivalents!

@atomlab31: You're right 8 inches is probably too much for most of the UK (unless you're absolutely pinning it obviously!) but it certainly does come in useful when I take my bike out to the Alps! When I get the Glory it may out class my riding skills, but you will at least see me having a go at everything - what annoys me is the guy on the REALLY expensive bike that doesn't even have a go at the easy stuff!

And since I'm getting it on staff discount, I can tell you that the price has very little do with the glamour of DH as the markup is only about £500-600 which is similar to the markup on a £2000 RRP bike!

I did my research :P

this is the greatest bike i have ever owned