June/July - bad time to buy?

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2pies

Veteran
Location
Brighton
Sadly, my beloved road bike was stolen yesterday. I did the London to Brighton ride and left it locked outside a pizza place that I had a quick lunch in. It was literally 5 metres away from me and despite glancing sideways every couple of mouthfuls, some charmer was able to cut the lock and be off in a matter of seconds. A witness saw it all and the police, who were just 100m away, took all the details immediately.

Fortunately, I had the sense to extend my home insurance to bike theft away from home and Aviva has started the claim process. I expect that will drag on for a few weeks and plenty of arguments about how much the bike was really worth will ensue.

So, new bike time. Looking at the usual sites, however, I can't help but think there's rather slim pickings, some bikes being out of stock, especially in my size (61cm).

Without being too familiar with the bike industry, would it best to keep searching until I find something or wait a bit until the 2020 bikes come out. When is that, or does it vary by brand? I can ride my MTB to work (this is why we have N+1) but it is a bit of a pain/slow etc.
 

rugby bloke

Veteran
Location
Northamptonshire
Really sorry to hear about the theft of your bike. Last August I bought a Giant Defy from Rutland Cycles - they are usually looking to shift the remaining stock at this time of year and start to mark down prices. Having said that, being a shorty there were plenty of frames available.
 

SkipdiverJohn

Deplorable Brexiteer
Location
London
The bike industry is like the car industry; if you must have the latest model, you pay a premium compared with outgoing models or used examples. You pays your money and takes your choice.
Personally, I'd go for a secondhand one every time and save a big chunk of cash. Less attractive to bike thieves too.
 
OP
OP
2pies

2pies

Veteran
Location
Brighton
The bike industry is like the car industry; if you must have the latest model, you pay a premium compared with outgoing models or used examples. You pays your money and takes your choice.
Personally, I'd go for a secondhand one every time and save a big chunk of cash. Less attractive to bike thieves too.

The advantage of buying new is that you get what you want. Trying to find a bike in a large size is very difficult. I'm talking £1,000 here, not mega-bucks, for something that will be my primary mode of transport. Saving a few hundred £ but risking durability doesn't present good value to me. But I can see why it would make sense for others.

Look for last year's models as this year comes out. Always a bargain to be found.

Yeah, I got lucky last time (3yrs ago). Got a 2016 bike about this time of year at 25% from Evans. They don't seem to be doing that this year.

......

That said, just found this which is pretty tasty:

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/CAADX-SE-105-Cyclocross-Bike-2019/JF0O
 
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slowmotion

Quite dreadful
Location
lost somewhere
I've only ever bought two new bikes. I wait until November and then buy the current year's model, not the next. Next year's model will certainly have a new paint job. It will also have an inferior group set and a 15% price hike. It also won't be on 25% discount.
 

I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
Been through a similar situation myself.

I bought a 2016 bike right at the end of 2016 and got it with a good discount. Rode it through 2017 and then in Feb 2018 I was knocked off my bike which resulted in it being written off. By now the 2018 bikes were on the market and spec had changed pretty massively to a 1x drivetrain plus other features I definitely didn't want. Insurance paid out for the bike at the list price, less depreciation, which left me pretty much with the sum I had paid for the discounted bike, but no bike and the market flooded with equivalent bikes I didn't want :sad:
By sheer luck I found a supplier stuck with the 2017 bike in my size and a slightly better groupset. The down side was that the colour scheme wasn't what I would have chosen and the price was slightly above the settlement figure so I did end up putting in some of my own cash to get back on the road on a similar bike, but over time the colours have grown on me and the upgrade in groupset has offset the loss of the overall inconspicuous black look.

My advice is to hold out for the right bike rather than just buying something because you have to. It might mean a small financial adjustment in either direction but it is important you end up on the bike you want. Your forced bike replacement is not your fault so don't compromise.
 

swee'pea99

Legendary Member
The advantage of buying new is that you get what you want.
The advantage of buying second hand is you get a lot more for your money. You don't 'risk durability' - bikes last for ever if they're looked after. Why not get yourself that '£1000 bike' for £340 instead - and spend a reasonable chunk of the change on a really good lock.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
The advantage of buying new is that you get what you want. Trying to find a bike in a large size is very difficult. I'm talking £1,000 here, not mega-bucks, for something that will be my primary mode of transport. Saving a few hundred £ but risking durability doesn't present good value to me. But I can see why it would make sense for others.


Yeah, I got lucky last time (3yrs ago). Got a 2016 bike about this time of year at 25% from Evans. They don't seem to be doing that this year.

......

That said, just found this which is pretty tasty:

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/CAADX-SE-105-Cyclocross-Bike-2019/JF0O
And pretty local so you can try it out.
Is there a specific model or brand you want?
There are always deals around.

Ashcycles often have good reductions on older Giant models
 
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If you need a bike now, pick up something used just to get on the road. This will give you time to search for the right bike at the right price.
Suggest you pick a used bike that can act as your backup or alt bike for eg utility and shopping or touring if your primary bike is too racy.
 

Justinitus

Warning: May Contain Pie
Location
Wiltshire
Sorry to hear about the theft of your bike, especially after such an enjoyable ride.

Not long ago I had a bike stolen from our shed, along with other stuff. It was a secondhand mtb mainly used for when friends visit. Insurance was new for old cover and they paid full new list price on the bike as they couldn’t source a new one through their approved suppliers, plus they paid “Tredz prices” on all the accessories that were fitted to it - pump, saddlebag, multitool, lights, mudguards, upgraded pedals. I was surprised how much those bits added up to, so don’t forget to claim for them also - and the lock!

Had the money within 10 days. That was Aviva also, although they passed it to a specialist 3rd party to deal with. Hope you get a similar speedy result and find something else suitable.
 
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