AIBU to be very cross with bike part manufacturer

[KatyMac]

I typed that all in capitals initially oops!

My brother has been building me a super lightweight ebike for nearly 2 years now and he just can't get any parts

At all, his suppliers can't get parts other shosp can't get parts- some ate being made but the manufacturers are hoovering them all up and bike supply is going crazy & small bike people can't get part's

I know its a minor selfish issue, but it's pants!

Could you buy a second hand one while you wait? (Although you may already have multiple bikes.)

It is annoying and frustrating yes.

My 5 year old (in march) is starting to be a bit clunky - I dropped it in for a service today and I'm going to have to start replacing parts....if they can get them

& I don't really want to spend money on it & i want to use my trailer so I'll have to pay to get it fitted on this bike and on the new brand I'm being pathetic

There is a massive shortage of bike parts globally due to factory closures, massive demand for bikes and Brexit.

here

I know

& the bloody bike is being built in Sweden so the Brexit bit doesn't count

But when my brother contacts his suppliers or the manufacturers for 3 or 4 parts they say xyz bike company bought all our production until June (or Oct or in one case mid 2023!)

It's just pants!

I wondered how you were getting on as we'd had no news from you for ages! Sorry to hear about the issues but I'm afraid it's very widespread. A friend of mine who is a bike mechanic is at risk of going under - not because there is a shortage of people wanting his services but because he can't get parts to do the jobs they want. Even big manufacturers are struggling. Waiting times for new bikes at our local bike shops are insane. My DS is about to start this year's race season on a bike that is way too small really, but we have struggled to find a replacement. I very, very nearly gave in and went £2k over budget last week as we found a shop that actually had a bike in his size in stock! But then we found somewhere else who reckon they can get what we actually want in about 3 months so decided to wait. I'm worried though as his seatpost is right on the limit. I think I will have to stop feeding him til the new one arrives! Second hand prices are through the roof too because so many riders are wanting the same few bikes. We've travelled to look at a few only to get a call that someone else has bought them whilst we were en route.
It's all very annoying and I share your frustration but I can see things from the manufacturers' perspective too. I guess if they have limited availability it makes business sense for them to prioritise their biggest customers. It's very tough on small businesses but I suppose from an economic perspective the survival of the big companies is seen as more important. Fingers crossed things look up soon.

It's terrible isn't it that so many small businesses are at risk

My brother has other work now and only builds part-time and is very in demand for wheel building

But imagine if they only get one part in; how does the mechanic chose between a sports cyclist or a disabled leisure cyclist? It must be difficult!

I think the manufacturers should split their supply - even 10% going to smaller companies would help and if the big company dumps them (for whatever reason) they have a market to fall back on! Monopolies are never good