Mountain Biking - Buying a 2003 bike.. or 2004?

Hi, I called my LBS (I'm in Canada btw. -- also all prices will be in canadian dollars now) and they said that the 2004 bikes should start coming in around xmas.

Anyways, right now I own the Iron Horse Desperado. It's a lot like this bike (http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/bikes/warrior_disc.shtml) except it doesn't come with disc breaks. The bike - I got on sale at SportCheck (http://sportcheck.ca/) for $500 down from the advertised $700. Oh yah - I can return my current bike and get a full refund ;)

I like my current bike but I realized that considering the amount of time i spend on the bike, and how much I like the sport, I could go a step up.

Anyways, that is where the Trek 4900 comes in. I think that is the right bike for me. However, should I get the 2004 model (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/4900.jsp), or the 2003 (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2003/mountain/4900.jsp). Right now the 2003 model is $870 and $1100 with disc breaks.

Anyways, I need your help guys. How much will the price drop? Which model should I get?

Thanks for your time/help!

Originally posted by DMulyava
Anyways, that is where the Trek 4900 comes in. I think that is the right bike for me. However, should I get the 2004 model (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/4900.jsp), or the 2003 (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2003/mountain/4900.jsp). Right now the 2003 model is $870 and $1100 with disc breaks.

Anyways, I need your help guys. How much will the price drop? Which model should I get?

Hmmm... 870 CAD = ~625 USD. Trek's webpage lists the 4900 (both 2003 and 2004) at an MSRP of 569.99 USD. Sounds like you need to keep shopping. That said, there doesn't seem to be much difference between the 2003 and 2004 models. Personally, I'd pop for the closeout price if it's cheaper by more than 20%.

khuon,

Thanks for your response.

I've called ALL of the authorized Trek dealers in my town.. and it seems all of them are saying $870-$900. I guess it's what Trek charges them.

That said, do you think if its $700 I should grab it? Same with the disc version.. if it's $900 or so?

Have you called bayview cycle? THey sometimes offer great deals. Also try Bicycle Spokesman (905-737-4343)

Maybe the difference in prices from the Trek website and the places in canada is because of the difference in value of the Canadian dollar... either way, I think the price listed on the website is acceptable, so maybe you should go for it... it certainly looks better quality than the bikes sold on sportcheck...

Hope this info helps!:)

Really...you must not live near a good sportcheck...;)

http://www.sportchek.ca/product_description.jhtml;jsessionid=2DVFDGJ3G2DL3LAQAQCCJBQ?id=prod2650317&fromSpecificCategory=true
http://www.sportchek.ca/product_description.jhtml;jsessionid=2DVFDGJ3G2DL3LAQAQCCJBQ?id=prod2550444&fromSpecificCategory=true
http://www.sportchek.ca/product_description.jhtml;jsessionid=2DVFDGJ3G2DL3LAQAQCCJBQ?id=prod2650315&fromSpecificCategory=true
http://www.sportchek.ca/product_description.jhtml;jsessionid=2DVFDGJ3G2DL3LAQAQCCJBQ?id=prod2650314&fromSpecificCategory=true

I would love one of the sgs bike (pro or expert). Sportcheck has some great contracts but because of their marketting sceme (based on a point system for the average sales of a store) most stores will never see these bikes.

I am willing to bet that will bring up nothing...hmm...anyways they carry the ironhorse sgs and hollowpoint lines haha

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Really...you must not live near a good sportcheck...;)

Maelstrom,

You're right, I don't live near any good bike shops at all... haha... but from what I saw on sportcheck's website around the price he listed, it didn't look too nice.

DMulyava,

Sorry for the mistake, I still think the Trek would be a good buy (as long as you've ridden it and the geometry agrees with you).

Oh I wasn't refering to a bike in his price range. I was just showing they do carry good bikes :D...

There are some phenomonal bike shops in TO...a number of users here live there and could direct you to some good shops. Sportcheck does not carry good low end bikes.

http://www.cycle-solutions.com/html/welcome.html

Alright guys, so I take it the general opinion is the 2003 bike?

Thanks for all of your help and advice ;)

As a teenager it is very hard to make money, and I wanna make sure that I get the best value possible.

if you haven't already checked these places, you should ask them if they got the bike you want before buying from sportchek... these guys might have better prices for you...

- duke's cycle (queen & bathurst) www.dukesonqueen.com

- bayview cycle centre (bayview just south of steeles) www.bayviewcycle.com

- cyclepath (bloor west of dufferin). www.thecyclepath.com (this ain't the bloor&dufferin store's website... but i figured you could check it to see if they might have some prices up...)