So, when’s the best time to buy a new bike? Kind of an open ended question, but I have 2 points in mind.
Price - Bike stores (at least here) never really seem to have sales, but when 08 models come in I guess 07 ones will be reduced. So Oct/Nov could be the best time.
Fit - I’m planning to make a concerted effort to get more aero, this will be a gradual process. So, waiting until Feb/March probably isn’t a great idea as I could have the winter on the turbo trainer.
As an aside, I was thinking P3C (hopefully the colour is changed to that of the current track version - red/white :-). However I just saw the 08 Ti Lucero. They both seem steep bikes (~78degrees), so is Ti better in any way? For example a carbon bike if it cracks will just disintegrate mid-ride whereas you might get prior warning like on say an aluminium bike (conjecture here)?
JackL,
When you can afford one! Go for it! Pull the trigger, as they say.
JackL,
I get what you are going for and I hate to say it but bicycles are not like cars in that their is a peak or ideal time to buy. I have worked in 4 different shops which combined sold the big name brands and what I learned is this. The markup on bikes is ridiculously low. In some cases a $500 bike can net a shop almost as much profit as a $2000 bike. Im not as familiar with Roo’s or Cervelo as I have not worked in a shop that sold that brand but I cant imagine they are that different. Anyway thats the reason you dont really see shops dropping the prices that drastically. I have a shop near me (Wheelie Fun Multisport) that has an annual sale in I think Feb. Where they have killer deals but in general Most shops are not able to buy bikes at the volume required to get the really good discounts and so their profit margin is very very small. Then when you think of the fact that the shop has to pay someone to build the bike and then the space it takes up in the shop till it sells that cuts the margin down even more. SO I guess what I am saying is if you have the cash and want a bike go get it now. If you have a LBS that has Roo’s and Cervelo on the floor thats a shop worth supporting.
January 2 - Feb 28 … nobody’s thinking about buying a bike, but bike stores are concerned about clearing out old stock for new.
also, awesome deals on ebay around this time as people just got all their new “wish list” stuff for x-mas, so they dump their 2 year old zipp wheels that DON’T have dimples (oh ma god)
if you’re a tough fit … well … your results may vary
Hit the ebays and the phone in nov-feb - there are some great deals. It’s ridiculous to see what people are unloading after a year or two if you’re willing to go used. I picked up an '05 QR tequilo (1800 or 1900 msrp for that model) in dec of '05 for $1000 brand new stock from a shop that just couldn’t move it. and it’s not like I’m an odd size… I also noticed that some of the big online shops (trisports, etc) seem to have deep cuts around that time too.
What size of bike do you need? The more popular sizes would be sold by Oct/Nov time period. I would not wait since bike fit is more important.
All food for thought, thanks folks!
I’m 6ft and currently have a 57cm 2004 Caliente, basically yes I’ll need a “popular” size 
HiI JackL,
Cool username.
I think your first statement about October/november has some validity. Most bike companies are trying to disassociate themselves from the model year cycle of bikes being at higher prices in April-September and then being forced to discount in the fall months. This cycle “trained” consumers to wait until fall to buy at a discount. It cost companies sales during the best selling months and erroded margin. As a result of this bike companies have started to change when they do a model year changeover or get away from the concept of model years altogether.
Now, bike shops are another story. I would certainly suggest you are more likely to get a little better deal- maybe a lot better- if you visit a midwest retailer in October and November.
As for the assertion that titanium is more durable than carbon, JackL, you might want to do some more research on that My Friend. I think you’ll find very differently if you delve into it deeply.
As for the assertion that titanium is more durable than carbon, JackL, you might want to do some more research on that My Friend. I think you’ll find very differently if you delve into it deeply.
Tom
I/wife have several combo’s of bikes Alm, Ti, carbon. The carbon might do better or as good in crash tests. But the clear coat is a different story…in MHO.
There is never a good time to buy an expensive bike if you can’t afford it. You’ll know this time period because you’ll have to ask “how much it costs”. If you don’t have to ask this question, then anytime is a good time to buy a new bike.
You can often find good deals in late Oct/early Nov, as bike shops clear inventory for the winter. No owner likes a flat (sales) month, and they are often willing to work with you to get exactly what you want - especially if what you want is taking up floorspace! It’s also a great time because they have lots of time to figure out stuff like the build, fit, and actually do the build.
I’ve picked up a couple of screaming deals shopping in Nov, and I’ve never once asked for a discount.
The best time to buy a bike is when you have cash in your pocket and it usually is meant to be spent on something else. You ditch that something else (in my case a laptop) and buy a bike. Your family thinks you are stupid for a little while until your work gives you a free laptop and then you look like a super hero to them 
You’re right about that. In terms of finish nothing is more durable than Ti.
incidentally, you can get the 07 P3 with the black and red paint job. They market it as the CSC team edition.
who rides a p3…jokers
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Suparuki is correct that the mark-up on bikes is low for the dealer on models bought from the manufacturer at full wholesale. At the end of the season (Oct/Nov) the manufacturers will dump their excess at a big discount off of wholesale. A shop I worked at when I was a student made much of their profits on selling these bikes at a big discount off of retail, but actually at a greater profit (margin and absolute) than many bikes that were sold at full list at the peak of the season. Not all shops do business this way, though. It kind of depends on the market and clientele they serve. One downside for the consumer is that size range, color, and model availability is more limited.
Personally, I think that if you are interested in saving money, then used is the way to go. Of course buying used requires knowing what you want/need and being able to forgo the support that a shop provides with a new bike.
On your last point, all materials are sufficient durable. Frame breakage is rare, and all materials can have minor or catastrophic failures.
Ok…this is a great question. I am a die hard QR fan. I currently want the 07’ Lucero in a bad way. However, I don’t need it and my QR Seduza is beautiful and fast. But I have been dreaming about a QR Tiphoon or QR Lucero. Are you sure you are not talking about the 07’ Lucero. Where can I view the 08’. The 07" is the one with some light green writing on it. If I were you, I would begin looking to buy around Nov.-Jan. I bought my Seduza in Nov. or Dec. for $800 below MSRP (which was 2999.00). Speak with Alex at all3sports.com and he will tell you exactly when the time to buy a QR is. They are in the top 3 dealers of QR nationwide. Personally, I want that Lucery frameset and when it gets to 1200.00 or 1000.00 I will jump on it!