First of all, before you spend your money, make sure you are getting the right bike for you. Get fitted and know your measurements so you aren't simply sold something off the floor. And get the best bike for you instead of the best deal. I don't agree with this salesman's availability opinion.

It depends on the brand. It is quite common with Scott, Felt, Giant

Not so much with Orbea, though.

ToKnowMore is correct about everything he says except the last statement.

Over the last four years bike distributors and brands in the U.S. had to crawl out from under a glut of rapidly devaluing inventory. Some is still in the pipeline at discount prices.

Every bike manufacturer is being cautious with orders of 2011's, especially in the price categories above $2500. They learned their lesson. As the sales of $2500+ bikes have grown and the number of dealers have grown the only way to maintain pricing has been to tighten supply. They have done that. It means the better dealers with strong credit histories and the ability to check through bikes at full margin get first crack. When they're gone, they're gone.

It is a measureable statistic that triathlon bikes above $2500 at retail are being ordered in more cautious quantities. The product managers and sales managers won't share their numbers here, but the outcome of the selling season in late June, early July will verify it. Now, that said, we'll see some early releases of 2012's provided we get sell through of 2011's.

Additionally, we're already seeing price increases from big brands. They are blaming it on everything from pirates to Korea to currency fluctuation. Regardless of the "reason" it is real- the prices have been adjusted upward. In the time it took me to review a bike recently it's MSRP went up $100. We still haven't received the first shipment.

Inflation, recovery, marketing, pirates, China, Korea- whatever the "reason" the more cautious orders are real. The throttles are being pulled back on supply.

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

Which is sort of odd considering what happened last year, most notably with Felt.

for sure. i just wanted to make sure i'd have options in a few months.

thanks for the insight everyone.