Also WRT the VAT increase, many energy companies have been billing in December instead of January. That means that they have estimated or read the meters in November and all the December usage will fall in the VAT increased billing for the next quarter.
I have been billed on an estimated reading for my gas already and I will be phoning through (or submitting online) a meter reading before the 4th January and requesting an updated bill with pre VAT increased pricing.
If you are buying a bike I would think post Christmas, pre VAT increase sales would be the best time to look.
I think, and I could be wrong, that if you are going to use borrowed finance then it will be calculated on the pre VAT increase amount regardless of when you pay it back. Also I think that applies to any transaction completed before the 4th even if delivery is some time later.