British bike manufacturers fearing cheap Chinese imports after Brexit

Cheaper bikes are a good thing. Brexit poses a lot of economic problems and I'm sure that the bike industry is one of many industries that will be hurt, but access to cheaper goods/services for cyclists is not one of those problems.

By the way, cheap chinese bikes have had a wonderful effect on developing countries. We're pretty privileged if we're in a position to fret about whether our favourite brand will be able to stay afloat selling £2000 bikes. A much larger number of people in poorer countries would struggle to justify £2000 for a car, and they're lucky they can get a £40 bike fresh out of the container from China, which - although lacking prestigious branding - will still get them from A to B just fine.

Check out the price of Nalini or Castelli in the USA. A stock 35% import tarrif imposed on EU sporting goods. That is on trade pre distributor price which  adds about 45% to the final retail price ABOVE what we pay. Like cv19 im weary of uneducated opinion so listen to the doctors before the politicians. With brexit it seems politicians are telling business what is going to happen to them WITHOUT listening to business. 

Im not political but I, like most plain joes, dont want to be worse off but I cant see how we are not going to be. Harder holidays,  More divided society and Your Gabba could be 1.45 times current retail

At least we've got our "Blue" Passports back!

As a premium product I doubt that Brompton have much to fear: let's face it, they are hardly cheap and they are still flying off the shelves.  Rather bizarrely, the more they seem to cost, the more they fly - I'm looking at you CHPT3 riders.

But generally successive UK governments have been supportive of the cycling industry.  For example, I'd be very interested to see what percentage of Brompton's UK sales come off the back of the RTW scheme.

Mass production - of pretty much anything - is over for the UK - unless it is very high tech and this is the same for bike manufacturers.  That said, there are plenty of highly bespoke, specialist manufacturers / builders - of kids bikes too.  My son is on  his second Early Rider and is ready for a third...or maybe we'll get that US flag-branded Frog racer! 

'Frog also does 50% of its business in the EU, but expects to be hit by tariffs from January. Lawson said that even with a trade deal, EU customers would find it harder to source their bikes because of extra customs measures.'

er, wasn't brexthick supposed to be the best thing ever?

Chinese bikes can be unbelievably cheap. I spent a few weeks in Wuxi, and looked at the bikes in Carrefour. Some of them were effectively under £20--and looked it.

Stuff gets cheaper: Brexit is terrible.
Stuff gets more expensive: Brexit is terrible.

I doubt this will make any difference at the mid to high end part of the market but it should significantly reduce the price for entry level bikes, none of which are currently made anywhere near the UK.

I'll be too busy worrying about hunting enough squirrel meat for winter to notice any cheap Chinese bikes tbh

Hey, this just seems like more from "project fear".

I await with great anticipation the wonder of our glorious Sunny Uplands...

Grayling, Duncan Smith and Rees Mogg told us so, so it must be true...

Ah Brexit the "gift" that keeps on giving.

I for one welcome our new Chinese tat-dumping overlords.

Not sure Brompton are at risk theirs is essentially a luxury product, and somewhat immune.  
Since Frog did the same thing to Islabike as the Chinese are about to do to them - I have a bit less sympathy.  I also presume that since they also have a niche that it is less exposed than some other cycle manufacturers.  I also had no idea they were "British" though I assume only final assembly happens in the UK.

I don't think Brompton or Frog have to worry too much as they are premium quality products.

It'll be interesting if it results in the market being flooded with cheap e-bikes and e-scooters. Could see a lot of take up amongst people just looking for a frugal mode of transport. Might help boost the argument for better infrastructure.