What time to buy a new bike?
I'm planning on getting a new bike for 2010, but in these parts good riding weather doesn't start until late April at best, so I'm not in a hurry to rush out and buy one. Besides, our LBSes don't start stocking new models until early March.
The thing is, I want to be sure to get exactly what I want and am not sure how the mfrs stock enough bikes to supply everyone without a lot of leftovers. For example, in the Cannondale Synapse line there are 9 different models (varying in frame material, control groups, etc.). Each of those models comes in 6 different sizes and most are available in 2 color schemes. That's 108 variations in that one model line!
So how do they build the right quantities (or do they build to demand during the season)? Should I put my money down ASAP to make sure that I get the one I'm looking for? It's hard to take a test ride in 6" of snow and ice, but I've been looking forward to my first (and probably last) serious road bike for a long time now.