…to catch last year’s models on clearance, that is.
I’ve been huffing around on my mountain bike on the local paved trails for too long, and I feel like I’m missing something. So I’ve started thinking recently about moving up to a real road bike. I don’t want anything fancy (read: overly expensive). So I’ve been eyeing things in the range of a TREK 1000 or 1200, or a Giant OCR 3 or OCR 2. These choices are based on the inventory of a couple of the reputable bike shops in the area. In any case, $600-800 ought to keep me happy for a long time.
I’m not in a hurry to get this machine, especially since there are only a couple more months of good riding weather around here this season. Besides, I should probably resist the urge to splurge and take some time to set some cash aside the responsible way.
It also occurred to me that if I wait until mid-winter, there would probably be the added bonus of decent deals at the local bike shops. Surely their inventory isn’t flying off the shelves in February. But I want to know if my suspicion is correct.
Also, I wondered when most companies introduce their new models. I figured that the period right after the 2006 models come out would be prime time to snatch up an '05.
So, Dopers, what advice can you give this road bike newbie?
If you are not overly picky about the brand and particular model, and it sounds like you are not, then waiting until winter is not a bad idea. There will be a number of bikes on the racks and you’ll have your pick for a reasonable price. I’d venture as far as saying you can wait until early next spring when the '06 models are out and the '05 are deeply discounted. Keep in mind, available frame sizes may be an issue as time goes by.
Also add Cannondale to your list of bikes to consider.
Well, around here (Madison, WI) there’s always a giant overstock clearance sale/swap meet at the Alliant Energy Center (our big arena type facility) in January.
You might try asking at the local bike shops or on local biking message boards/organizations’ websites for something along those lines. I’ve seen these type of events in quite a few markets, especially in more northern places where all the riders really start jonesing for anything bike related around mid-January.
I just bought a 2006 Specialized Sirrus, so the '06 models are out.
You may be able to get a deal on '05s now, but your model and size choice may be affected (the main reason I bought an '06 is because there were no mediums in stock).
In the past, I’ve bought a year-old model in the spring and saved about $100.
Well, I’m in Dayton, OH. I’m sure there’s something like that reasonably close. Bikes are big here, and even though I don’t know any better, I’d be shocked if there weren’t anything along those lines.
The shop I visited that had the Giants was also a big Cannondale dealer. They didn’t seem to have much in my price range though. Cannondales seem to run a little more, maybe because they’re “handbuilt.” But i’ll certainly keep my eye out when i’m bargain hunting this winter.