Best time to purchase a bike

[Pjah]

Hello all new to forums and got the touring bug!

Im not quite sure when the best time to buy a bike is i dont mind hanging on if its soon to get a discount and maybe better quality bike.

Im about to purchase a new bike for touring budget around £500 so aint got much to work with. Plan is to go a tour round scotland 3-7 day trips mostly on the road and offroad the odd time, only bike ive seen so far which fits my criteria is,

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C107&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c002912

 

[chris667]

The best deal is far and away a secondhand bike. You will get something really special for £500.
There's a secondhand Thorn Sherpa for sale on the CTC forum at £495, they cost well over £1000 new.

 

[andym]

Now is probably as good a time as any as most manufacturers ae in the process of changing from their 2009 range to their 2010 range (although Dawes are an exception to this as they change over later in the eyar). Although I have heard that that there aren't a lot of bargains to be had because a lot of manufactuerers are sold out of their 2009 ranges.

For your budget the Edinburgh Bike Co-op bike looks like a good choice and I think you'd struggle to find better. However, you might want to check out:

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p1638

if a 22-inch frame would be right for you and you are OK with flat bars as opposed to drops.

EDIT: I agree with what Chris says about secondhand bikes.