Brand new bikes come with a crank based power meter and electronic shifting? And the "special order" will be if you want mechanical and non-power for basically the same price?
I know that neither is necessary, but I get the sense that more people in the "Ultegra/Force" level and up want those features if they can afford it. So lets say the manufacturing costs continue to drop...$80 more to add power to a crank, and $200 more for electronic shifting at the Ultegra/Force level. Even when you add a markup, who's going to buy a mechanical/non power bike for $2500 when the electronic/power version is $3000?
This is already the market where people are spending a little more for nice to haves. The 105/Rival market can still serve well for those just getting into riding and want ultimate value. The Ultegra/Force level is also the market who are likely to invest in a Garmin type tool to capture data.
SRAM buying Quarq a while back and releasing their "quara prime" is already a step in that direction. They are a bit behind with trickling down their electronic shifting. Shimano has good trickle down with their electronic shifting, but is only in the infant stages of releasing power meters with their cranks. I have to imagine in the near future they will meet in the middle. And the only way to compete once that happens is to lower price to the point where it gets close to the price of non power and mechanical.
Thoughts?
I know that neither is necessary, but I get the sense that more people in the "Ultegra/Force" level and up want those features if they can afford it. So lets say the manufacturing costs continue to drop...$80 more to add power to a crank, and $200 more for electronic shifting at the Ultegra/Force level. Even when you add a markup, who's going to buy a mechanical/non power bike for $2500 when the electronic/power version is $3000?
This is already the market where people are spending a little more for nice to haves. The 105/Rival market can still serve well for those just getting into riding and want ultimate value. The Ultegra/Force level is also the market who are likely to invest in a Garmin type tool to capture data.
SRAM buying Quarq a while back and releasing their "quara prime" is already a step in that direction. They are a bit behind with trickling down their electronic shifting. Shimano has good trickle down with their electronic shifting, but is only in the infant stages of releasing power meters with their cranks. I have to imagine in the near future they will meet in the middle. And the only way to compete once that happens is to lower price to the point where it gets close to the price of non power and mechanical.
Thoughts?