I need a new bike. Currently riding (or not really riding it now as it needs some work) a older Huffy Savannah which has been mostly fine for years. I want something lighter that fits me better that would allow me longer distances. I mostly ride road and paved trails, occasionally hard packed beach and some off-road (beach and off road I use my daughters cheap mountain bike for but would like to use the new bike for all). I am looking at a Diamondback Clarity 2 that's on sale today for $230 which I can buy now. However the bike I would really like is a Liv Rove 2 but that I can't afford for a few months. So question is, is there that much difference between the two and what I'll need it for that I should wait until I can get the Rove or do I get what I can afford now?

The Diamondback appears to be a great value at that sale price, but the components are indeed much better on the Giant.
If you've ridden and like them both, it may be best to go with what you said here "the bike I would really like is..."

Clarity 2 (Road)
Rove 2 (2015) (2014) | Giant Bicycles | United States

No, once up and riding there won't be much of a difference, except for the suspension fork (which you likely don't need) on the much more expensive bike.

That Clarity is a fine bike, and a great deal. I'd get that and start hitting the road.

Thanks for linking the bikes, FB.

A budget is a budget, but if you really want the Live Rove 2, figure out a way to make it happen.

the answer to your question is always "buy it now"

I went by the local shop today to see if they could get the 2015 Rove 2 instead of the 2016 simply for the color since I like the black/purple better than the white. They actually had one in stock, in my size (XS) and with 10% off. So I got to test ride that. Like it a lot. I'm haven't been able to see or ride the Clarity so would be blind buying that one. I would prefer to buy from a local shop rather than a sporting goods store, so I think I need to find a way to make that happen.

Your shop will let you pay it off over time and give you store credit for any upgrades, reducing your cost.

Talk about it with the shop owner. You never know if a deal is possible until you ask.

Good luck.

I say wait...not because of budget but because spring opens up more selection. Even the local DSG will have more selection! "There is always a deal" out there! The LBS will most likely mark down last years models. You could always wheel and deal between the LBS's. Diamondback makes a good product but waiting will not hurt. What is the weather like out your way? 8-)

I'm in central Florida, so the next few months are the best to be out there riding, imo. The weather is beautiful, the light off road trails dry up so aren't a swamp. I've been looking for a bike since spring, but at that time I was looking mostly at road bikes but have since decided I wanted something more versatile. Checking craigslist but never see anything in my size (5'2" on a tall day). With the 10% off the price which is already below the price listed on the website, the Rove 2 is probably a pretty good deal. I think the one I'm looking at is technically last years model.

Model years on a lot of bikes are sort of like model years on furniture. Once you get it home, it doesn't matter.
You can't beat Giant for value.

Thanks guys. I decided to get the Rove 2 today. Glad I did as the shop guy said that he looked into ordering more of the 2015 small and xs this morning and all Giant has left are the mediums so any they order in the future would have to be the 2016. I wanted the 2015 just because I liked the color better. So happy I didn't wait and let someone else get the one they had in the store.

Of course it was raining all day but I had to take it out on a 8 mile ride anyway. Really happy with it so far. And those disc brakes are real nice in the wet.

Congrats, everything fell into place for U.

Ohhhh, 8 miles in the rain, I think that equals about 15 in the sunshine.

Congratulations! Enjoy the bike!

First rides in the rain are so awesome! You are so lucky! Congrats.

But you wiped your new bike down and lubed the chain, right?

Always best to get the one you want - Congrats!