Looking to upgrade from a cheap Canyon Grand Canyon to something in the $3 to 4K range for east Coast trails.
When is the best time to buy?
Figured this was as good a topic as any for the new sub forum.
I’m not sure there’s any specific time of year. From my experience, the best deals are when a new model is coming out and the manufacturer wants to clear out the old stock. That often coincides with a big event like the Olympics, but not always. For example, Specialized just released the new Stumpjumper which is a completely different bike than the outgoing version. If you look around you might be able to find a really good deal on the previous version (which is a pretty solid option for east coast trails), although it seems like stock is getting pretty low.
Locally, stores ought to be putting things on sale in the next month or two. These are typically only modest discounts as the margin on bikes is relatively low.
With a $3 to 4k budget, you may be best served by looking at used (but well maintained) bikes on Facebook Marketplace. At retail, that amount can buy you middle of the road hardtails and lower-end full suspension bikes. By going used you’re getting lighter components, more durable wheels, and better performing suspension which is beneficial for control (again, if you go the full-suspension route).