I’m sort of in the market for a new tri bike. Just curious if there’s a substantial and reliable cost savings during any particular month or season. I’m specifically interested in the QR PRfive Disc…or really any disc tri bike for that matter. Frame or full bike. Thanks!
Late in the season, around the time a new model or colour scheme is released, during TdF (maybe Vuelta & Giro).
I would say in the northern hemisphere that would be during the off-season, so Oct-Dec, maybe Jan and Feb. After that everybody seems to buy their bikes because they realize the race-season is around the corner =) Lots of shops are sold out then. But end of the year seems to be a good time, with lots of rebates and sales for the leftover models from that year.
If you are looking for some cost savings now is the time to shop. This is the time when shops are wanting to clear out inventory, to get ready for fall/winter, and be ready to take receipt on first orders of next year’s bikes, usually in Jan/Feb 2019.
The challenge is that you may not find the size/color you want in a particular brand, and you may have to hunt around a bit. Pickings can and usually are thin at this time of the year. Even more so now, that over the last number of years, with the challenges the whole of the bike/tri business has been facing in North America, shops are trying to carry the MINIMUM amount of inventory that they have to.
Now - the process above is based on the traditional bricks & mortar shop, and shopping/buying there.
Online and direct sellers - the situation regarding availability may be better.
YMMV.
Agree that it’s end of season…you will start seeing discounts on this year/last year models now thru Oct/Nov as shops are trying to move old inventory and make way for new models. I bought my tri bike in Oct when I did and got it on sale and I’ve already seen shops advertising sales on bikes.
In the U.S., I would say the prime buying time is between October 1 and year end. But don’t expect to find the latest and greatest disk brake bike at a bargain price yet. (Unfortunately, I will be selling my Tri bike starting in September, after my last race. It’s that or wait six months for prime time.)
Black Friday is a good time for deals.
Probably mid to late year companies try and off load last year’s models so that’s a savings.
Speaking training wise, unless what you have is a total wreck, I would not suggest a new ride unless you are 3 to 4 weeks out from a long race (sprints to olympics are less impact) in order to get a good fit and get use to the new bike without having issues leading into a race.
There’s enough going on that you don’t need the ins and outs of a new bike thrown in there.
Thanks for all of your input! It almost makes me nauseous to think about how much this is going to cost. I made a deal with myself that I can’t buy anything until my FTP is 4.2 W/kg. But if I find a really great deal, I may buy it and just not ride it until 4.2 W/kg.
I have zero self control 