Still, bikes, unlike diamonds, aren’t forever, and you need to upgrade your two-wheeled friend from time to time. So, here are a few practical pieces of advice on saving up to several hundred euros on a new bicycle when the time comes.
Ask yourself, what do you need
Buying the best bike on the market sounds awesome but it’s not always the best bike for your needs. So before you go and throw several thousand euros at the bike shop counter, you need to ask yourself three questions.
What do you need the bike for?
If it’s for recreation and you want a new bike just to spend your weekends at the park with your family, then you definitely won’t need the newest model, and instead of paying 7,000 or more euros for a bike, you can easily go with something in the range of 700-1,000 euros.
If your bike is only for commuting, you can even go lower, as those bikes are typically left outside, and let’s say that bicycles are not the most theft-protected vehicles out there. However, if you are an avid rider and you want to conquer new peaks, new heights and new records, you will need something a bit more expensive.
What terrain is it for?
Generally, there are three types of bikes: mountain, road and city. Still, there are about a dozen sub-genres of each type of bike, so depending on your preferred terrain and activities, you need to choose the best kind of bike for your needs.
How often am I going to ride?
If you are a first-time buyer, you need to know that cycling is addictive. You might think that you will just ride every other weekend and end up riding 50+ km every day, just so you can relax after work. If, however, you already have established riding habits, you might want to keep them into consideration when choosing a bike.
Do your research
Impulsive purchases, in general, are not a great idea. They often lead to buyer’s remorse, and often you find a better deal right after you finish the purchase. When doing the same with a bicycle, you are just inviting all sorts of trouble. There are so many things that might go wrong. You might get the wrong size, configuration, wheels, and so much more.
Getting a new bike is a serious investment, so before you break your piggy bank, do your research. Make sure you know everything there is to know about the frame, suspension, wheels, and all other components of the bike you want. Learn the weak points and if they will need an upgrade in the future.
Wait till autumn to buy your bike
At the end of the active season, bike manufacturers, dealers and shops are typically trying to make some space for the upcoming new models. This means there are usually some very lucrative deals if you are not fixed on having the latest model. Moreover, after the season, many cyclists decide to sell their bikes so they can buy a newer model, which is another great way to save several hundred euros. Naturally, for the latter, you will need to know a bit more about the bike to determine the problems and whether the asked price is good or bad.
If you are not in a rush, wait till the end of November when the infamous Black Friday takes place. Depending on your country, that’s the time of the year when the best deals are offered.
Be prepared for the deals
So before this time of the year comes, make sure you’ve done all your research. Know what you want and make sure you’ve chosen 3-4 bikes and brands. After that, you must wait for promotions, deals, second-hand offers or Black Friday. After all, what do you have to lose? It’s just a couple of months, and you can still enjoy your previous bike in that time.
