Beating the Tariff Blues
Many of Soigneur’s customers live in the United States, and it’s no secret that US consumers are now facing higher prices for bikes and bike equipment. If that’s you, condolences.
There is some good news though - the tariffs being charged against imports from New Zealand are unchanged at a comparatively low 10%, and the imposition of tariffs on goods less than $800 doesn’t apply to New Zealand.
So at time of writing, Soigneur’s US prices remain unchanged. Good to see some silver lining!
But what this has highlighted to us (and everyone else in the world) is just how much bike industry production comes from China and neighbouring countries. Sure there are boutique outfits manufacturing elsewhere, but as new bikes increasingly have bespoke parts that are incompatible with anything else, many of us will have little choice in what we buy and from where.
All this reminds us of a GCN post from some years back, citing the bikes of 2010-2015 as being the peak in terms of both high performance and easy maintenance. Back in the good old days of interchangeable stems and handlebars, round seatposts, quick-release skewers, mechanical shifting and rim-brakes. Being a home mechanic was never easier.
Those times have long-gone, but there is an alternative for those of us feeling the incessant need to collect more bikes that most of us fall prey to.
Behold retro bikes, used bikes of the past that are often works of art and real head-turners. Nothing beats a hand-built steel frame with curving lugs and a glittering chrome Campagnolo, Zeus or Simplex groupset. Slower and heavier perhaps, but a darn sight sexier.
We know many Soigneur customers love old bikes, and frequently ask us to make custom designs for them – defunct brands like Holdsworth, Claud Butler, Hetchins, Baines and Flying Scot, or even modern classics like Pashley, Bianchi and Colnago.
We’re told the rule of collectors is that if your bike is steel, you need to wear wool! Who are we to argue.
So if you’re in the US checking out the websites of your favourite bike brands and despairing at their increasing prices, may we recommend Ebay, Madison’s Budget Bicycle Centre, or perhaps BuyCycle.com. Get yourself a bargain on a 70s or 80’s Bianchi or Pinarello and there’ll be plenty left over for a matching Soigneur jersey.
If you’re not in the US – we still recommend the retro bike route if you’re yet to pursue that path anyway. Not only do you get a good-looking classic ride, you get another excuse to buy a Soigneur jersey. Everyone wins!
Posted: Tue 20 May 2025