Road Cycling - When to buy a new road bike

Now that the summer is coming to an end, I'm getting ready to upgrade. Currently have a hybrid, thinking (strongly) of getting a real road bike. However, gotta watch the budget (don't want to spend more than 1200 max, preferably less)

So when? I talked to a guy at performance bike and he said that mid-to-late october is a good time to shop, since the 2005s are coming in and I could pick up an '04 cheap. Another guy told me that Jan/Feb is a good time since it is the dead of winter and not too many people are shopping for bikes when it is -10 degrees (in philly)

What do all of you think?

Get the bike early enough in the fall season so you can enjoy riding it outdoors and get used to the feel before you hit the trainer.

Bike shops around here are all having sales clearling out the '04s and making room for the '05s. So any time between now and spring thaw is a decent time but the longer you wait the less chance of finding a clearance bike in your size will be. Like the other poster said buy sooner to get some riding in this season as well.

I spent months saving for my first bike in 14 years. Then, I finally got it on Christmas when my wife kicked in the final payment as a gift. I rode around the neighborhood that day and went and had it fitted the next. Then, before I could really ride it, the bulk of winter hit. It was 6 weeks before I could get out for anything more that a cruise around the block.

Buy it early enough to enjoy it before you come indoors.

55/Rad

I definitely agree that I want to get it before the winter freeze, but right now I am more concerned about getting a good price since I'm on a tight budget. I figured anytime before the spring rush would be good, but I was thinking if there was a great time. Maybe before christmas, with holiday sales and the '05s coming in!

I bought mine on eBay in December (last year) and paid about 63% of MSRP. Longer you wait, the better the deals should be, but the slimmer the pickings will be. eBay is great for that though, since the audience is huge. Of course, with eBay, you have to know exactly what you want in terms of size etc AND you have to be leery of scams.

If you are going ebay try to look for sellers that live by your area. This way you can check out the bike and avoid any scams. Just a thought.

If you are going ebay try to look for sellers that live by your area. This way you can check out the bike and avoid any scams. Just a thought.

Yeah - in my case, it was easy to figure out what bike shop was selling the bike. I found their number and called them on the phone. Many bike shops off their leftover bikes on eBay.

Determining when you need a new bike is easay, and only really depends on two factors...

1. The ine you have is no longer safe to ride because it is damaged or worn out.

2. You are no long happy riding the one you have. After all, being happy and enjoying the sport is what it is all about, right?

Patriot

Good point with happinness! so true.

I bought mine on eBay in December (last year) and paid about 63% of MSRP. Longer you wait, the better the deals should be, but the slimmer the pickings will be. eBay is great for that though, since the audience is huge. Of course, with eBay, you have to know exactly what you want in terms of size etc AND you have to be leery of scams.

I agree and did the same. Trust me, I found ways to ride it in the cold weather too.

Now that the summer is coming to an end, I'm getting ready to upgrade. Currently have a hybrid, thinking (strongly) of getting a real road bike. However, gotta watch the budget (don't want to spend more than 1200 max, preferably less)

So when? I talked to a guy at performance bike and he said that mid-to-late october is a good time to shop, since the 2005s are coming in and I could pick up an '04 cheap. Another guy told me that Jan/Feb is a good time since it is the dead of winter and not too many people are shopping for bikes when it is -10 degrees (in philly)

What do all of you think?

Buy a new bike every thursday

Buy a new bike every thursday


:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

he would have a bike that will be stored in his garage,

Good deals, are in late September, or in October....

If you shop for a FUJI road bike, it's a good deal all year round, though...

Don't buy anything exotic later in the year :( I can't get my matching colnago clothes till the spring there out of stock !!! Bikes are the same way (but I went with one the LBS had in stock)

Good deals are to be found now! Head out and find a bike you like...the sooner you buy it the sooner you ride it :)

Chad