Several cyclists followed the slogan in order to get around the traffic jam at the start of the season, observed the retailers who spoke with The sun.
“It was from February that the traffic was felt. People did the switch from alpine sports to cycling quite quickly,” noted Pascal Fiset, sales manager at Mathieu Performance.
Pascal Fiset, sales manager at Mathieu Performance, and Philippe Desgagnés, president and co-owner. (Jocelyn Riendeau/Le Soleil)
One thing is certain, the mild weather of recent months has had a lot to do with it.
If a “small slowdown” in sales was initially announced, the teams on the floor were surprised to see the opposite scenario occur. “We expected a curve that would flatten, but the curve continues to rise,” Mr. Fiset is surprised.
Supply during the pandemic having been more difficult, it is clear that several enthusiasts have not found “the bike of their dreams”.
For six months, reservations for electrically assisted, gravel or hybrid bikes have been accumulating at both the Quebec branch and the Lévis branch. Those arriving at short notice should expect delays for the most popular models, he warns.
Moreover, shortages are already being felt on the ground, while certain suppliers have decided to limit their production for fear of ending the season with surpluses as was the case in 2023.
This is the observation made by Zachary Tremblay-Girard, manager of Lessard Bicycles, where part of the inventory intended for younger cyclists also disappeared with the arrival of mild weather.
“At the start of the season, we broke our record for junior bikes sold compared to previous years. It’s never been seen before,” he rejoices.
A jump in prices
To equip themselves, consumers will have to expect to face a new price range.
In fact, it is more difficult to find a quality bike under the $1000 mark as it was a few years ago.
Expectations must change, says Mr. Tremblay-Girard.
He estimates that carbon road bikes have seen their prices rise from around $2,000 to $4,000. As for high-end products, most of the time they exceed $10,000.
With rising bills on one side and more money-conscious consumers on the other, Lessard Bicycles is looking for the happy medium.
“I was able to find suppliers to fill this gap, but it is certain that the world is also resigning itself to going to the user,” says the manager who wants to meet the needs of both insiders and novices.
Founded in 1955, Lessard Bicycles is located on Boulevard du Versant Nord in Quebec. (Jocelyn Riendeau/Le Soleil)
The same story is heard at Optimum – the cycling station on the Lévis side.
“People no longer have a choice. Now, with inflation and pieces that are rarer on the market, it has increased a little,” says owner Alexandre Tardif.
Those who specialize in high-end bicycles also estimate that prices have increased by more or less 5% since the pandemic.
If the manager of Mathieu Performance saw the invoice increased for certain products, the price of some bikes followed the opposite movement.
“During the pandemic, there was an increase of around 10 to 15% as a general rule. From 2023, we have seen that certain prices have been adjusted downwards to follow the market and be competitive,” he adds.
A waiting list for the interview
During this time, the crowds at the repair workshops of each banner do not slow down.
Lessard Bicycles has set up a waiting list, since it is full. Mathieu Performance has decided to prioritize the store’s customers during the high season.
Unless it is a repair of less than 15 minutes, specifies Mr. Fiset.
To reduce the pressure on its two addresses, Mathieu Performance opened a new store, Giant Québec, in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, a little over a month ago. For the moment, only maintenance is carried out on bicycles from the Giant, Liv and Momentum brands.
“We’re talking about a week’s wait. If it’s a big operation to do on a bike, it may take a little longer,” points out assistant manager Félix Desrochers-Arsenault.
Charles Falardeau, manager of Giant Québec, and Félix Desrochers-Arsenault, assistant manager of the new store. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
Those who live on the south shore of Quebec can turn to Optimum – The cycling station, which can meet demand within approximately three weeks.
WHAT THEY OBSERVED
- The year 2024 is marked by a renewed interest in road cycling which had run out of steam in recent years.
- If the purchase of electrically assisted bicycles constitutes more than 50% of sales in Germany, the wave is arriving quietly, but surely in Quebec as well.
- We are seeing more electric bikes purchased on the Amazons and Walmarts of this world, an option for those who want to get started at a lower price.
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