What’s So Special About a $30,000 Bike?
KGS Bikes Redefines the High End
It’s not every day that most people walk into a bicycle boutique and pick up a bike that costs as much as a car. But to Kevin Saunders, the reality is that there are people who can and do just that at his studio, KGS Bikes. As such, the question often arises: What is so special about a KGS bicycle that could cost ten times as much as a nice $1,000-3,000 bike? The answer is complicated, but it’s one that seems to work. Clients from San Antonio to Scotland are tracking down this custom bicycle builder because they know what Saunders knows: to be the best, you have to pursue the best.
Every bicycle we sell is a direct result of our fitting process which works for people of all ages and fitness levels. No longer do you have to ride a bike that was designed for a 20 year old professional bicycle racer while you are considerably more mature and wise! We take the fitting technology that took 25 years to develop and apply it to your special bike and regardless of the type of bicycle you get, it will be YOUR bike, designed and built for YOU.
Three Tiers of KGS Bikes
KGS bicycles can be grouped into three general price point tiers: around $10,000; around $20,000; and around $30,000. These are broad categories, and there is overlap in the ranges.
Tier 1:
• $8,000 - $14,000
• High-end custom custom frames
• Factory paint scheme
• Major brand components and wheels (Campagnolo, Shimano, SRAM)
• A sturdy, high performance “work horse” bike with definable sizing and geometry from a custom fitting
Tier 2:
• $14,000 - $22,000
• Detailed and creative custom paint scheme. Upper end Tier 2 bikes have a one of a kind paint scheme from Dave Sem of Sem Custom Paint, the nation’s premiere bicycle painter
• Lightweight climbing wheels and power meter plus other special components
• Upper-end Tier 2 bikes are truly one-of-a-kind projects
Tier 3:
• $22,000 - $32,000
• A major commission that is a one-off work of rolling art
• Exotic, difficult-to-obtain components of specialized R&D boutiques from around the world
• Custom detailed and painted components to match custom paint
• Exclusivity determines that capacity to build more than a few per year is limited
Price Points in the Cycling Industry
The bicycle industry is very competitive. By far, the highest percentage of bikes sell in the $200 to $400 range. Other price points exist between $500 to $8,000, but because such high volumes are required from the distributor and a volume business model is needed, bicycles in this category are mutually exclusive to the types of bicycles that KGS can support. We only focus on what we do well and then work hard to be the best in the world.
Who Buys a KGS Bicycle?
"Not everyone buys a Lamborghini, Rolls Royce or Bugatti automobile," says Saunders. " Not everyone buys a KGS bicycle. After decades of working with high-end bicycles I have discovered that the typical client shares certain traits."
The KGS client could be a woman or man, is usually over 40 and has had success in life. This success is attributed to hard work, perseverance and the ability to recognize value over time. A KGS bicycle is more expensive than most production bikes just as a very nice car, home or any other consumer product is priced at a premium.
The KGS client appreciates nice things and wants services done right the first time. He or she is sensitive to being "ripped off" and as such will seek out recommendations and endorsements from others who have bought at KGS.
The KGS client is driven to stay young and vibrant and to keep a competitive edge no matter what happens in the world or the local economy. The importance of an active lifestyle is acknowledged and rather than talk about it our client will act in a positive manner.
Finally, our client would rather have one bike and keep it for a longer period of time than have multiple, lesser bikes to do the same job. That said, the KGS client may have many bikes to perform the specialized jobs that specialized bicycles can do, or just to appreciate the ownership of the best bicycle imaginable.
Bicycles for a Lifetime
Saunders states, "I am constantly amazed at the transformations of people who discover that a custom KGS bicycle can be so comfortable, so fun and so beneficial to staying young. Clients who have ridden for twenty years state that this was the first time they were comfortable on a bike. I am so thankful that enough people exist in the world who are discriminating enough to demand the best and seek KGS out to perform for them. Without our incredible clients we would not be driven to push the boundaries of excellence. "
About KGS Bikes
KGS Bikes is the world's premiere high end bicycle fitting studio and boutique. Kevin Saunders has over 25 years experience in fitting bicycles to riders, technique consulting and bespoke bicycle design and building. The KGS Bikes website is at kgsbikes.com and the blog is at blog.kgsbikes.com. Saunders can be reached at info@kgsbikes.com or 210-849-2501.