Buying a 2011 bike?

[James1760]

Been waiting for the 2012 bargains to come along (and also my C2W voucher!) but yesterday i came across Chain Reaction cycles who are having a massive blowout sale which includes 2011 and even 2010 bikes.

Just wondering what everyones views are on buying a bike that is 2 years old (In bike years). Does technology really move on that much over 1 year?

[CoolC]

You'll generally find that the older model has a better spec than the current incarnation.

Technology doesn't move that quickly but an accountant's bottom line does

[village idiot]

google 'pauls cycles' and shop away.......

[gary71]

village idiot said:

google 'pauls cycles' and shop away.......

This is where I picked up my 11MY road bike just as the 12MY came out. Great service and very well built.

edit for poor spelling

Edited by gary71 on Wednesday 5th September 12:46

[clonmult]

CoolC said:

You'll generally find that the older model has a better spec than the current incarnation.

Technology doesn't move that quickly but an accountant's bottom line does

Not sure about better spec on the older model, but you either get similar spec to this years model a lot cheaper, or get the one "up" in last years range for similar price to the lower spec models.

Did this a few years back when I first did the C2W scheme, definitely do it - there are some real bargains to be had.

[wiggy001]

Last week I picked up a 2012 Specialized Sirrus Elite (through c2w scheme). RRP £600 but most places (including where I got it from) have been selling them for £500 for quite a while.

I'm new to all this, but the 2013 model doesn't appear to be much higher spec (if at all) yet is being priced at £650.

Not a conclusive survey but makes me think you get more bike/£ on an older model.

[yellowjack]

What usually happens with a bike is that it is built to a 'price point', to fit the market. When costs go up, manufacturers will either move a particular model up into the next price bracket, and introduce a lower spec model to replace it, or they will build it down to remain at, or close to, it's current price. If they do it this way, they often swap out parts of the groupset, especially the brakes and, on a MTB, the front mech, for lower grade, often own brand items. Another area where it's easy for the big players to downgrade is wheels, and other savings can be made on saddle/seatpost/stem/bar. The end result will be that you still get the shifters and rear mech of last year's bike, and that's the headline item when they write their advertising copy.

I'm not saying that no-one makes improvements year on year, and some manufacturers will swallow small cost increases, or spread them across their ranges, but the likelihood is that, unless they are selling their bike on an improved frameset claim, it's unlikely that the frame is any better than last year's model. Importers and retailers don't really like older stock, so will chop prices to shift them. Ultimately, so long as you are buying a good quality machine, I reckon you would be safe with anything up to a 3/4 year old bike, with regards to technology. Whatever you do, make sure that you are buying a bike that fits you. A bargain bike that's uncomfortable to ride, or doesn't suit it's purpose, will do you no favours, and you'll end up not riding it. Good luck shopping around.

[Bacon Is Proof]

James1760 said:

Does technology really move on that much over 1 year?

No.
Get yourself a bargain.