jaretj wrote:
My guess is that the stock wheels and tires are worth about $100-$150 to the manufacturer and taking that off the retail price of $3000 or more is not much of a savings or selling point to deal with.
It depends what you mean by "stock". The aggravating part for me is that manufacturers are trying to clear an additional 50% margin on wheels that none of us need. My guess is 90% of the people who are in the market for a new very high end superbike already have race wheels. Sure, we can turn around and sell them, but we get boned for that margin.
From a business context of course it makes sense if you believe it doesn't hamper demand too much.
Let's walk through this
Speed Concept module costs $4500
Zipp 404 wheelset goes for sub $1500 right now on PBK (probably close to wholesale)
Dura Ace Di2 (no brakes) group can be had for about $1500 from UK (again, close to wholesale)
Hilo RXL saddle is <$200
Speed Concept 9.9 costs $11,000
You figure a shop build and fit runs you $300, and you just saved $3k by simply understanding the above, but you also managed to erode some serious margin from Trek by not buying the full package.