Triathlon - Msrp?

Is MSRP different than what bike stores usually price at? The reason I ask is that I recently got sponsored and I can get a new bike at 15% below MSRP (I get a lot of other gear, the bike thing is just extra if I want it). My question, is that really worth it? Would I be better just waiting for the bike I want to go on sale (assuming that would be more than 15% off)?

I currently ride a Madone, which I love, but I think eventually I'll want to move to a Tri bike.

Thoughts?

Seeing a tri bike discounted up to 40% off is fairly common. However, discounts depend on a lot of things including but not limited to sizes, popularity, the time of the year, how much the bike store likes the bikes, stock levels, etc...

For instance, Felt's popular B2 and B12 were sold out last year in a lot of places by August, probably never went on sale.

However, Quintana Roo had a rough year, and I see a lot of their 2008 bikes around 20% off when I just took a quick look around. By spring when all of the sales models are on the floor, they might go to 25-30% off.

Wow! The Kestrel guy offered you a sponsorship that quickly? Awesome!!! Maybe I should have asked too :)

When I bought my tri bike I got the same deal but it was the exact bike that I wanted so it was a no brainer. I don't think I could have done better for that model because they sold out pretty quickly.

Wow! The Kestrel guy offered you a sponsorship that quickly? Awesome!!! Maybe I should have asked too :)

Ha, yeah, well it was worth a shot. He never wrote back, BUT I recently got another sponsor. Still no bike though :-(
Gotta work on that. Too bad though, I like Kestrel!

If you really want sponsorships, I suggest applying in the fall, through the contact listed on their website with the following:

1. race resume
2. results list
3. a one page letter outlining why you want to ride their product and what you have to offer
4. current sponsor contacts if you have them

Frankly, working with/shopping at a local bike store will open a lot more doors than the internet in my opinion. I have tried doing things locally and through the internet, and though doing things locally takes more courage, and more evidence of what you can do for them, it'll pay off more in the end.

If you really want sponsorships, I suggest applying in the fall, through the contact listed on their website with the following:

1. race resume
2. results list
3. a one page letter outlining why you want to ride their product and what you have to offer
4. current sponsor contacts if you have them

Frankly, working with/shopping at a local bike store will open a lot more doors than the internet in my opinion. I have tried doing things locally and through the internet, and though doing things locally takes more courage, and more evidence of what you can do for them, it'll pay off more in the end.


Oh I agree, those are very valid points. I should point out that I am sponsored already, all of my gear and Powerbar products, etc, but just not a bike yet. I've found that sponsorships sometimes come from the least likely places (like the net or these websites, etc). I posted something on facebook recently and got an offer for another sponsor (a local restaurant here in NYC). Working on that now and it looks like something will come of it.
I really need a bike sponsor though :-) I'll get there eventually.