What is the general concensis about buying last years model bike to save some money. Is it worth it? or are you better off waiting and getting a new bike with whatever slight improvements are made on the new model.
For the sake of argument, I’m thinking of the Tequilo (2005 model currently $1500 at all3sports.com). Assuming price points don’t change, the 2006 Kilo would be the same price. I’m sure this can be extrapolated to whatever brand…
So, any opinions, experience, theories?
There’s always a new latest and greatest just ahead. My abilities as a rider have always been surpassed by my bike whether it was this years or last years.
The general consensus in the industry is Jihad against model years. The concept of mdel years is an annoyance within the industry for this reason. Customers perceive some advantage/disadvantage to buying from various model years either later or earlier. The industry hasn’t done a great job of weilding that.
I was on several manfacturer’s websites today that announced the “New '05’s” still. We’ve been selling so-called '06 model bikes from a couple manufacturers for over 60 days now. Customers still call looking for '04’s
I prefer bike companies that do not have model years- then the product can be judged on it’s own merit rather than some ambiguous chronological assignment.
I have yet to find my 2003 Dual to be the limiting factor of my performance. My weekness for super burritos, however, are the limiting factor.
I have yet to find my 2003 Dual to be the limiting factor of my performance. My weekness for super burritos, however, are the limiting factor.
Last year’s super burritos or the latest and greatest super burritos?
I have yet to find my 2003 Dual to be the limiting factor of my performance. My weekness for super burritos, however, are the limiting factor.
Last year’s super burritos or the latest and greatest super burritos?
on my gut right now are last months. with avacodo.
go with new old stock “NOS”
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“ambiguous chronological assignment”
Try saying that five times fast!
Anyways, back to the topic at hand, it all depends on your budget. I have problems with this sometimes- always needing the latest and greatest. Well, WANTING the latest and greatest. I admire those who buy the ‘lesser’ equipment and still know that they’re just as fast as guys like me who buy a custom ti bike with Campy Record…
And…in the interest of incrementally reducing the impact of relentless consumption of durable goods, please take a look at what’s available on the “previously owned” market.
There are so many super bikes out there waiting to get back on the road. You can often get them a substantial discount, tax free in most cases.
Buy used and save the planet!
As long as specs on a particular model change from year to year, we the consumer find the model year to be an important bit of info.
same thing with running shoes.
this years pegasus aint’ last years.
as soon as bike / shoe makers change the name of the bike or shoe when the bike or shoe changes, then I’ll agree with Tom.
to answer the question - it depends.
are you getting a deal on last years model?
do the 'improvements ’ on the new one matter?
in retrospect, I shouda waited on the dual 9 I bought last september and got the 10 speed for the same money a month later.
then I would have had the front end i’m searching ebay for now, and the saddle I paid another fine member of this forum 80 bucks for a while back.
so it depends…there wasn’t that big of a dff between the 2003 and 2004.
the dual 10 was a nice upgrade
Buy used and save the planet!
That would be the ideal, to buy used. I tried to do this with my road bike, but had no luck (apparently guys with long legs don’t sell old bikes). My biggest concern is buying a bike that fits. Buying used, or buying online doesn’t seem to be the best way to find a bike that fits. Given where I live (Sudbury, 4 hours north of Toronto) I don’t have the luxury of having a LBS that does proper tri fitting.
So, how can one be confident with the frame size without trying it out? Or is that impossible without having a detailed fitting session with an expert.
Well the short answer is; if you have your measurements in hand you could do a reasonable job of narrowing your search by using the fit guides published here or at some of the bigger catalogs online.
Assuming you get in the range on a framesize, fitting is a combination of your body’s physical preference and limitations vs. prevailing fit advice. Because of the availability of stem lengths and rise, seatpost setbacks, bar lengths, etc., a person has way more fit options now than when I was in the biz.
After that, you have to decide on the intangibles- must you really ride the bike that X rides? can you absolutely not be caught dead on a red bike? it titanium the bee’s knees or do you care?
Only you can decide what your compromise limit is in terms of your purchases. I just throw the “buy used” thing out there all the time because environmental protection is my line of work; I see a lot of good resources get buried because folks got tired of them or they lacked some minor performance enhancement. That’s just me though.