TAIPEI, Taiwan – Bikes will become more expensive. That’s what this year’s Taipei Int’l Cycle Show that closed its doors last Sunday was all about. It’s expected that retail prices for bicycles will rise between 8 and 10% this year.

Such price increases are inevitable due to components that have become considerably more expensive. Next to that, there’s also a lot of uncertainty about parts prices which is the result of a lack in raw materials like steel, butyl and rubber.

Currently there’s a shortage in butyl; even so much so that prices for this inner tube base material have gone up 42%! There’s talk about day-prices; stretched lead times and tube price increases of at least 15%. Prices for tyres are on the whole rising (per manufacturer) between 7 and 15%. At the Taipei Show some tyre suppliers said that they could hang a sign ‘Sold Out’ on their booth!

Also taking into account the current rands performance in international markets show a even further rise in bicycles & components.

There has never been a better time to buy a bike... it might be the last time you can afford the bike yout really want!