£1,000 for a Racing Bicycle

The Bike Shed at the top of Fore Street, Exeter, want an incredible 1,000 minimum for a mens racing bike. Pathetic.

In the old days, you could pick up a Raleigh mens racing bike for about 200 in today's money. Yet, now, you can't get one for less than 1,000 except in Halfords, Sidwell Street, who have one for 199.99 (called, I believe, Apollo).

The excuse is all of the lightweight metals, making a super-light bicycle. Fine if you're a semi-professional cyclist, going on marathon 100 mile tours every weekend. Not much good, though, if you just want to cycle 6 miles to work and back each day, just for saving money on the train - don't get me started on that - and acquiring basic fitness.

There is surely a gap in the market for a mens racing bike retailing at, say, 200-300. Even if you pay 1,000 for a great bike, it's bound to get stolen the first time you leave it locked in the street.