Bike prices likely to jump as threat of tariffs loom

Jeff Young, the Sales Manager of Bike Tech in downtown Macon, says store owners are expecting a 25-30% increase in bikes and other materials.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – If you plan to bike ride this summer and don’t already own one, you may want to act fast.

“Most of bike manufacturing takes place overseas in places like Cambodia, Taiwan, Japan, China,” said Jeff Young, the Sales Manager of Bike Tech in downtown Macon. “So, the tariffs are definitely going to be affecting us.”

Bike Tech’s manufacturer, Specialized Bicycle Components, recently announced it would raise prices to offset the tariffs. While Bike Tech hasn’t raised prices yet, Young says Specialized will communicate the change with customers.

“They’re going to be adding an extra line to the sale to cover the tariff cost,” Young said. “So that way it will be visible to the customer to understand where the cost increase is coming from.” 

According to Young, store owners are expecting a 25-30% increase in bikes and other materials. But Young says he doesn’t expect those price changes until after the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs the Trump administration announced on April 9. Last week, Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, encouraged small businesses strictly supplied from China to use that 90-day pause to explore other supply chains.

“You should look at domestic suppliers, maybe even other companies that are securing trade agreements like our friends in India are,” Clark said. 

Young says those wanting to take home a new bike should get it soon. And if prices jump, he recommends taking home a gently used bike as they won’t be impacted. He says Bike Tech is acting fast as well.

“The uncertainty is definitely hard for us right now,” Young said. “But we’re still doing our best to try and get people on a bike. We’re just sort of getting our inventory built up and making sure we have bikes available that people want to ride.”