# When's the best time to buy a new bike? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 12, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-buy-a-new-bike/553516 "2010-09-12T16:29:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-buy-a-new-bike/553516/1 "2010-09-12T16:29:04Z")
I’m looking to buy a new road bike to get something that fits me better, has index shifting, is lighter, and converts more of the force I generate into actual movement. I assume with summer ending, we must be moving into sales season for bikes, but if I wait too long, selection may dry up. But I’m somewhat new to biking this season, so I’m not sure when the optimal time is. Any thoughts? (I’m in Seattle, if it makes a difference.) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-buy-a-new-bike/553516/2 "2010-09-12T16:33:56Z")
Right about now. Stores are trying to get rid of their inventory to be ready for the new bikes. I bought a new bike 2 years ago and saved a bundle by buying l last year’s model. Bike technology doesn’t change much from year to year, except on rare occasions. If your bike doesn’t have index shifting, it’s probably more than 20 years old. Go get that new bike and stimulate the economy! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-buy-a-new-bike/553516/3 "2010-09-12T16:48:22Z")
Thanks, John. You wouldn’t expect sales to be any better in a month? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-buy-a-new-bike/553516/4 "2010-09-12T17:39:12Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > Thanks, John. You wouldn’t expect sales to be any better in a month? Could be. It’s going to vary by store, but the problem you run into if you wait too long is that your choices narrow. I got lucky and found the perfect bike in November. But it was the last one my size that anyone had near where I live. And it’s hard to say if your better off if you’re average size (more bikes, but more people after them) or odd sized. I’m pretty tall, so I need a larger bike than average. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-buy-a-new-bike/553516/5 "2010-09-12T18:41:52Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Could be. It’s going to vary by store, but the problem you run into if you wait too long is that your choices narrow. I got lucky and found the perfect bike in November. But it was the last one my size that anyone had near where I live. And it’s hard to say if your better off if you’re average size (more bikes, but more people after them) or odd sized. I’m pretty tall, so I need a larger bike than average. Yeah, I’m in the same boat as you. Thanks for the advice. I’ll get off my butt and start looking this afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-buy-a-new-bike/553516/6 "2010-09-12T19:46:22Z")
Don’t forget Craigslist or garage sales – I’ve found great bikes that people (or students 🙂 ) need to get rid of (riding a $400 bike that I got for $80 that way). ---
**Author:** ![Pantani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/87869e/32.png) [@Pantani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantani)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-best-time-to-buy-a-new-bike/553516/7 "2010-09-12T20:36:52Z")
Next few months are always a great time for specials as the 2011 bikes are coming out. I’d be even looking for a 2009 or 2008 bike, somtimes bike shops will sell them for a steal or put them on ebay as unused. A lot of people buy a super expensive bike, ride it for a few hundred k and then find it’s not for then so look out for bikes like this on ebay, quite often you’ll get some nice shoes and helmet thrown in. My major piece of advice is not to be tempted by a super cheap bike that looks amazing but is the wrong size for you, it just won’t work. The right fit is more important than any other thing. Also be aware that if you buy from a shop you’ll also get all the support and advice that comes with it. Expect a free fit and at least a few free gear tune ups.