I'd say the lower cost bikes also are typically first timer or entry level bikes (typically). With these bikes, a rider probably 1. doesn't know much about the myriad of tire options (casings, durometers, constructions, widths etc) and 2. probably won't actually benefit much or push the tire hard enough to benefit much from an upgraded tire... say from that standard 2.3 dual compound EXO to a 2.4 or 2.5 3C EXO+ or DD. Give them 6 months to a year (those dual compounds last!) to wear out those tires, gain some skill, speed and knowledge, and then they can upgrade. Also, I'd say the lower price point is pretty cut throat, lots of great options... but if a manufacturer bumps the bike price by $100 to $150 over the next competitor and then that new consumer that has no idea why.. they will move on.
Bikes at higher price points I would think are typically being shopped by a more seasoned rider that knows their tires. But even here... those seasoned riders also typically have become very serious about the tire they ride (and are dicks about it), the casing, the durometer, the widths etc... and I'd say typically most riders are still switching tires out at the shop and/or selling them and buying the tires they actually want.
I'm fine with lower cost bikes speccing the tires they do for the reasons I've mentioned. But I'd like to see higher end bikes offer choices? Maybe even sell them without tires and you use your own or pick them out in the shop... like pedals.
July 15, 2019, 9:14 a.m. - IslandLife
I'd say the lower cost bikes also are typically first timer or entry level bikes (typically). With these bikes, a rider probably 1. doesn't know much about the myriad of tire options (casings, durometers, constructions, widths etc) and 2. probably won't actually benefit much or push the tire hard enough to benefit much from an upgraded tire... say from that standard 2.3 dual compound EXO to a 2.4 or 2.5 3C EXO+ or DD. Give them 6 months to a year (those dual compounds last!) to wear out those tires, gain some skill, speed and knowledge, and then they can upgrade. Also, I'd say the lower price point is pretty cut throat, lots of great options... but if a manufacturer bumps the bike price by $100 to $150 over the next competitor and then that new consumer that has no idea why.. they will move on. Bikes at higher price points I would think are typically being shopped by a more seasoned rider that knows their tires. But even here... those seasoned riders also typically have become very serious about the tire they ride (and are dicks about it), the casing, the durometer, the widths etc... and I'd say typically most riders are still switching tires out at the shop and/or selling them and buying the tires they actually want. I'm fine with lower cost bikes speccing the tires they do for the reasons I've mentioned. But I'd like to see higher end bikes offer choices? Maybe even sell them without tires and you use your own or pick them out in the shop... like pedals.