Bike industry failing?

Jeremy said:
Everything on YouTube is targeted to you and what you’ve searched or looked at online. Retirement channels have always been there, but they’re just showing up on your feed now.

But to your point, that may be why MTB channels are dying. Nobody is searching for them anymore.
Click to expand...

I haven’t looked into it but it would be nice if youtube had an algorithm option like Instagram offers.
 
The Kalmyk said:
Except for the kids that have bike envy because their parents can’t keep up. That said, it presents a great opportunity to build your kids character
Click to expand...

This was pretty apparent coaching in Highland Park where the most expensive team bike was a Chisel HT, and selling bikes in Madison/Summit where the lowest end team bike is an Epic Pro. There is one kid racing a Chisel FS which I think is the perfect NICA bike at $2,500 before the NICA Deal. Saying that, bike racing is a small investment compared to other school activities. We paid more for my kid's Violin to play in Orchestra than his MTB. And my younger son just raced my old bike because we knew he wasn't interested. Anywho, neither of them ride anymore because college girls are more fun :banana:
 
Norm said:
In reality, NICA demographics would need a solid 20 years of data to say with any certainty. And even then, so many other factors will play into any case study.

From an anecdotal point of view...

1. You do shit with your kids when they are young
2. They get older, and don't want to do said shit with you anymore
3. Then they go to college and no shit gets done, because beer
4. They graduate and get jobs, real money, and they eat more good food
5. Then they get fat
6. Then they look for an activity to help them be less fat, see "do shit" statement from item 1

All you can do is plant the seed. NICA is currently planting a shit-ton of seeds in the environment. Will these grow in time? Logically it would follow. But in reality, it'll take years for us to see what grows from that.

I mean the alternative is that we can cancel NICA and spin up a Burger King & Video Games league.
Click to expand...
ESPN already has the Video Game League.
 
Steve Vai said:
It sort of hits the same I feel. I know lots of dudes that talk about riding/racing BMX as kids and are now looking to get back into bikes. Say up to 18/19 and then coming back in their 40s/50s?
Click to expand...

20’s and 30’s be like…

IMG_8379.jpeg
 
Steve Vai said:
bike racing is a small investment compared to other school activities. We paid more for my kid's Violin to play in Orchestra than his MTB.
Click to expand...
It's definitely all relative. When my son joined NICA (already having a bike) and folks seemed to be tiptoeing around the team and league dues, I laughed. Compared to hockey equipment and travel team annual dues this was a freakin' massive bargain.

That said, there are also WAY cheaper activities to get involved in.
 
The Kalmyk said:
Except for the kids that have bike envy because their parents can’t keep up. That said, it presents a great opportunity to build your kids character
Click to expand...
Yes, this is an expensive sport and the bike is a barrier of entry. Thanks to sponsors and donors, we have nearly 70 bikes loaned out this year, with average retail price north of $1k. Our standard is hydro disc, air fork and 1x.

The perception of needing an expensive ride to participate is an industry issue, but I feel we are making strides in breaking down barriers.
 
NICA has quickly become the center of my daughter's universe. Her closest friends are from her team and not from her school. She is looking forward to her second season and she has personally been working to recruit new riders who might not otherwise come to the sport w/o her support.

It's a blast to watch and of course I am a proud dad.
 
KenS said:
Yes, this is an expensive sport and the bike is a barrier of entry. Thanks to sponsors and donors, we have nearly 70 bikes loaned out this year, with average retail price north of $1k. Our standard is hydro disc, air fork and 1x.

The perception of needing an expensive ride to participate is an industry issue, but I feel we are making strides in breaking down barriers.
Click to expand...

Thats great to hear Ken and a solid effort. Hoping it grows because i understand it’s expensive. Nica cant be responsible for personal perception but it also cant control it either which is why its a great opportunity for some parents to teach their kids perspective.
 
The Kalmyk said:
Thats great to hear Ken and a solid effort. Hoping it grows because i understand it’s expensive. Nica cant be responsible for personal perception but it also cant control it either which is why its a great opportunity for some parents to teach their kids perspective.
Click to expand...
Right on. Coaches play a big part in this too; youth development though cycling. It's a huge part of why I do it.

It was mentioned earlier in the thread that we'll need 20 years to crunch numbers/define impact, and I agree. Maybe more. We're still in NICA's infancy. One fairly undeniable fact though is that NICA is a growth segment in cycling. Swing by a local series race and peep the size of the juniors classes.

There aren't many other growth segments in the industry these days. Ebikes, and what else?

Maybe I see this topic through rose colored glasses, but if more kids are riding bikes, more adults will certainly ride. NICA kids are getting their parents on (or back on) bikes too! There will also come a day when an advocate strikes up a conversation with a land manager, and they will both know mtb from their school days and NICA. This is a foundational reason I am involved.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom