You don’t have to look far these days to find a jersey and bib short combo that costs more than my first road bike, a Trek 1000, circa 2002. I’ve tested winter jackets and thermal skinsuits that now outprice that entire bike. And yet, at the other end of the spectrum, you can still grab a jersey on Temu for less than the price of a sandwich in Manhattan.
At the top end, the pricing is eye-watering. At the bottom, it’s suspiciously cheap. And in between? A mind-boggling mix of Lycra, labels, logos, and lofty marketing claims.
So what are we actually paying for? Is the €250 bib short really stitched with marginal gains, or is it just extra margins? How much of the price goes into chamois and grippers, and how much goes to sponsorships, wind tunnel sessions, and influencer campaigns?
To find out, I sat down with someone who’s been at the heart of this industry for nearly three decades: Steve Smith, Brand Manager at Castelli and Sportful. Smith gave us an insight into the real costs, from fabrics and factory times to tariffs, team deals, and the rise of ultra-budget kit. We also recorded that conversation for a special episode of the Geek Warning podcast.
Ronan Mc Laughlin
This article is a follow-up to our in-depth analysis of why modern bikes are so expensive from last year. Much like that conversation with Rob Gitelis of Factor Bikes, this interview with Smith represents the insight of a single brand. We’ve fact-checked and added context from other sources where possible, but, of course, costs and challenges may vary from one manufacturer to another.
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