Should I buy a road bike now or wait for the 2013 models?
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a road bike and have narrowed down my choices to 3 or 4, but now i'm wondering if it's worth waiting till the end of the month when i believe the 2013 models will be released.
Will there be any great difference, or will it be mainly cosmetic? I've been advised that the Sora shifters will have been amended so they are positioned the same as the Tiagra ones (which might open up more options), but apart from that is it likely just to be different colours?
Will there be any great difference, or will it be mainly cosmetic? I've been advised that the Sora shifters will have been amended so they are positioned the same as the Tiagra ones (which might open up more options), but apart from that is it likely just to be different colours?
there is no point narrowing your choices at the start of the sale season, keep an open mind and look for the bargains, it might be a bike you havent heard of or not previously considered but could be better spec and cheaper than the ones you are looking at today. the biggest savings on 2012 bikes will be around january or february but by then the popular sizes are in short supply so i wouldnt get excited by the current discounts.
the 2013 models wont be any better spec than 2012 models, the trend over the last few years has seen prices go up and spec go down or at least remain the same. nothing makes me think that 2013 will be any different.
the 2013 models wont be any better spec than 2012 models, the trend over the last few years has seen prices go up and spec go down or at least remain the same. nothing makes me think that 2013 will be any different.
Big Worm 1 said:
I just don't want to leave it too long and try to enjoy what little good weather we have.
Am i right in thinking that the 2013 bikes will be out around the end of this month? So it will be around the same time i should try and grab a bargain?
As has been said, the "end of (model) year bargains" are often oddball sizes, so if you don't move quickly, you'll lose out. I suspect that should the sun come out (ha!), bike sales will jump again on the back of the Olympic and TDF results, so things will be even worse.Am i right in thinking that the 2013 bikes will be out around the end of this month? So it will be around the same time i should try and grab a bargain?
Just buy what you want now and start enjoy it, else you'll be waiting for the 2013 models, and before you know it...it'll be winter.
Well i'm going to get the bike through the C2W scheme, and if i've been advised correctly today, i can't buy already discounted bikes on the scheme. That means i can't benefit from price drops on the 2012 bikes and may as well just get a 2013 model at the end of this month.
Or is that just the guy at the bike shop trying to get more money out of me?
Or is that just the guy at the bike shop trying to get more money out of me?
I have been told by 3 different bike shops that they cannot do the C2W scheme on discounted bikes.
Like some 0% offers cannot be had on sales bikes, they basically loose their margin out of it I think. If it's anything like a car 0% promotion then it's the dealer that pays the finance fees (or there abouts)
Like some 0% offers cannot be had on sales bikes, they basically loose their margin out of it I think. If it's anything like a car 0% promotion then it's the dealer that pays the finance fees (or there abouts)
2012 bikes have already been on sale for the last 2 months where dealers are moving existing stock on to make way for 2013 models. The discounts get better when they are down to the last few odd sizes so if you ride a 48cm or 63cm frame you can normally pick up a bargain the longer you leave it. For everyone else, just buy the best you can afford whether it's in the sale or not.
most places had stock of 2011 bikes in all sizes through to about February this year. It just depends if you want the bike asap, if you are happy to wait and get a better deal, or have to go through C2W and thus its largely irrelevant if places will only sell at rrp - though i suspect this is them not wanting to lose their enormous mark up rather than any policy.
to be honest, you can get close to the same saving as C2W if you bide your time and remain flexible on brand and model unless you are already fixated on something in particular....
to be honest, you can get close to the same saving as C2W if you bide your time and remain flexible on brand and model unless you are already fixated on something in particular....
Big Worm 1 said:
Or is that just the guy at the bike shop trying to get more money out of me?
The rules of the scheme[s] is pretty clear and [relatively] simple. The rules do not allow for sale bikes to be purchased or for additional money over the upper limit to be paid to get a 'better' bike. That's not to say it doesn't happen but is unlikely if you're not known / a friend to the shop. The scheme[s] rules also state that complete bikes are to be bought but it's not unheard of for frames and forks to be the purchase.I'm in the same situation and will more than likely be buying a 2012 model once 2013 models come out since the money saved will be perfect for another set of wheels and I'm not too bothered about the latest colour scheme since the spec will be virtually identical.
In your situation, I'd be tempted to wait for 2013 models to come out since you won't be allowed to stick a discounted bike through the C2W scheme.
In your situation, I'd be tempted to wait for 2013 models to come out since you won't be allowed to stick a discounted bike through the C2W scheme.
No, it's down to the retailer to decide if they want to 'break the rules' and whether the 'employer' is prepared to risk it to purchase their 'asset'.
For example, when the schemes first appeared the 'final payment' to purchase the bike off the employer was pretty much ignored by employers and HMRC but this has recently started to be enforced by HMRC (looking to maximise revenue income).
Remember, the bike remains an asset to the employer until you buy it off them.
For example, when the schemes first appeared the 'final payment' to purchase the bike off the employer was pretty much ignored by employers and HMRC but this has recently started to be enforced by HMRC (looking to maximise revenue income).
Remember, the bike remains an asset to the employer until you buy it off them.
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