Cycling became popular during the onset of the epidemic. But bike stores quickly ran out of supply for many bikes and parts.

Customers have been waiting for their orders for more than a year, according to bike store employees.

The problem stems from a lack of both parts and raw materials. These include materials such as aluminum and carbon, as well as shipment delays.

This means if a frame is being built and a chain can’t be located the bike is then delayed.

Shipping has lagged as demand has increased, and frequent pandemic shutdowns haven’t helped

Shipping can’t keep up with delivering products here. And production overseas can’t keep up with demand to get back to normal.

As a result, bike stores have experienced extraordinary waits.

If an order is put in now the wait can be up to a year to 18 months in some cycle stores.

Many have decided to already order all the bikes they require for next year.

Prior to COVID, a bike shop owner might anticipate orders to arrive in two to three weeks. This was for bikes that are built with parts from a variety of suppliers.

If you take a typical, full-suspension mountain bike, every component on there takes roughly 30 to 45 separate manufacturing factories to create just one bike. As tires come from one plant, wheels from another, seats from another, frame from another, hub bearings from another, and suspension components from another; this is why there is such a large spillover effect following COVID.

The delays are impacting all types of bikes. But most notably bikes in the $500 to $5,000 price range, including e-bikes.

Most of the things produced in Canada are usually created elsewhere. This is to keep the pricing down and the volumes high. But even with high-end, bespoke, American manufactured titanium or steel bikes the problem is still prevalent.

Cycling has grown in popularity throughout the epidemic, resulting in a scarcity of supply – not just for bikes, but also for their components. The scarcity is projected to persist until the summer of 2021.
It is recommended that people planning a summer of riding next year should pre-order their gear now.

If there’s a certain bike you like you can also pre-order for 2022. It is expected those bikes should arrive within four to eight months.

There’s also the option of buying used bikes, with many customers resorting to internet listing sites like pinkbike and Kijiji to find their next pair of wheels.

The delays are inconvenient for customers who are accustomed to receiving their orders within three to five days. Some stores have had people accuse them of ruining their summer.

Most consumers understand that shipping and production are beyond the control of any bike store however

That patience may have to be maintained as growth in the industry will remain for the next two years until the bubble bursts and demand and supply balance out.

The post Delays for new bikes due to covid appeared first on bikedump.com.

The Greystone family of five has experienced a rough year as Braxton underwent two brain operations, radiation and chemotherapy. He began a new immunotherapy treatment in early August.

His symptoms have deteriorated as the cancer has advanced. But the Weidmans say they have been thrilled by the outpouring of love from neighbors, celebrities, and people from all over Canada.

In August, Jarrod Russell from Lloydminster, Canada, a city that borders Alberta and Saskatchewan, set out to pedal 1,200 kilometers on his recumbent trike for Braxton and other children facing cancer.

Jarrod learned about Braxton’s cancer struggle after seeing an ESPN article about how Alabama Coach Nick Saban and several Alabama football players rallied behind Braxton after realizing he was a passionate Alabama fan.

Russell related to Braxton’s tale since he was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was four years old. He underwent three major operations as a kid and has been cancer-free for several years. But scar tissue from his surgeries has left him largely paralyzed on his right side. He also has language difficulties and epilepsy. Russell said that he felt connected to Braxton, with whom he communicated via email owing to linguistic barriers.

Despite the fact that they were over 2,200 miles away, Russell wanted to do something to attract attention to Braxton’s tale and to assist the Weidman family financially.

Russell has competed in the Canadian Great Cycle Challenge for the past six years, raising funds for the Sick Kids Foundation. This foundation helps children and families affected by pediatric cancer. He raised more than $147,000 in the first five years. Now he wants to send some of the money he raised this year to the Weidmans to assist with the medical costs or other bills related to Braxton’s care.

He had raised more than $10,000 this year as of early August. All funds received directly through Russell’s Great Cycle Challenge page will benefit the Sick Kids Foundation. But Russell plans to donate a part of funds raised through other fundraisers to the Weidmans.

Russell fell and broke his collarbone in April, but was determined to finish the Great Cycle Challenge, said Lane. To accomplish his objective, he had to travel 39 kilometers each day. This is difficult for someone who is partially paralyzed, she added.

Russell has been in close contact with Braxton’s parents, Brandie and Chris Weidman. He gave him one of his jerseys, which he wore to one of his treatment sessions.

Russell is a genuinely kind guy, according to Chris Weidman, and the Weidmans appreciate what he’s doing.

When the Weidmans went deep sea fishing around Labor Day 2020, they sensed something was amiss with Braxton. Braxton was too tired and was ill in the car on the way back home from the beach.

His lack of energy persisted, which was unusual for him because he loved being outside. His mother said that Braxton was sleeping the whole time and that they couldn’t work out what was happening.

They had taken him to the doctor for a series of tests that yielded no results. Then, on September 15, Braxton suffered a seizure while sleeping. His parents rushed him to Children’s of Alabama. An MRI and CT scan revealed a disconcerting image of his brain, according to his mother.

His father that the cancer was covering the majority of his brain, some of which was operable but not all.

Braxton underwent his first surgery at Children’s. This alleviated some of the pressure on his head that was causing his tiredness and resulting in the seizure. The Weidmans, however, felt that the initial operation was insufficiently aggressive and sought out Dr. Frederick Boop, chairman of the pediatric neurosurgery section at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, who conducted a second operation two weeks later.

They tried to remove as much of the tumor without causing a loss of capacity to his functionality and it worked out.

Braxton still required medical attention though. The Weidmans searched the country for the optimum solution. They put him in a study for six to seven months. But in late June, an MRI revealed a tiny area in Braxton’s cerebellum that had not previously existed, suggesting that his therapy was not working.
Braxton’s balance, coordination, and walking have all suffered as a result of his illness. His mother explained that it was obvious that the tumour had not totally gone.
Braxton began a new immunotherapy medication treatment in early August, in addition to chemotherapy and radiation. Braxton’s father believes it is his greatest shot at a longer life.
The Weidmans were first informed by doctors that Braxton had 12 to 18 months to live. His father said that It has been close a year, and that they are trying to beat this.

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