Hey guys, I'd appreciate any input you could give me. I decided to get into cycling this year and am purchasing my first road bike. The goal is to do a century with a group of friends at the end of the summer and get into better shape, as well as have fun throughout.
Anyway, I found a bike that I believe was a good deal, and was just hoping for some confirmation or information to the contrary. The bike is a new 2012 Trek 2.3 at my local bike shop. It's marked down to $1050 out the door.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
If it fits, it would be a fine bike for you. The 2012 frame is dated, though. Tell them that hanging onto a 2-year-old bike is making their floor look shabby and offer them an even grand. They'll still make money on it.
Originally Posted by oldbobcat If it fits, it would be a fine bike for you. The 2012 frame is dated, though. Tell them that hanging onto a 2-year-old bike is making their floor look shabby and offer them an even grand. They'll still make money on it.
Thanks for the tip! I'm a 52, so it seems like finding decent deals is hit or miss unless it's a year or two old, as I can then find it in stores' '"Spring blow out" at the moment.
A 2012 bike is not a dated bike, if that were the case we all would have to buy a new bike every year! I have bikes I still ride that are almost 30 years old and work fine! Although I do have a 2013 bike but next year it will be dated...geez there goes my hobby budget. Another bike to consider is the Felt F5, this bike is probably the best equipped bike for the money on the market, note I said probably, there may another hidden gem out there somewhere. But you should be able to find a 2013 Felt F5 for the same money as the Trek and the Felt, like the Trek, will have Shimano 105 components but a carbon frame instead of aluminum like the Trek.
Originally Posted by oldbobcat I didn't mean too dated to ride, I meant too dated for the dealer to keep on his showroom floor. I was suggesting a bargaining chip.
You're right, it's dumb to buy new bikes just because they're "improved."
Oooh, now I understand what you meant, sorry for the confusion. In that context then you would be correct, a 2012 would be dated in a showroom but that could work out to be a very good thing for the OP if he can get the price down significantly because it sat there going on 2 model years. The bike sold new for around $1450 in 2012, when those model years closed out the LBS where I lived dumped them for $1,050, now the OP's LBS is not even dropping off that discounted price of a 2 year old model that has probably been test road a bunch of times? It seems a bit too much in my opinion, but it's just my opinion which doesn't mean a whole lot, but I would be closer to saying go for it to the OP if the LBS sold it to him for $850...again it's just my opinion.
I wound up getting it for $1000 even out the door; the store was not very interested in lowering the price on its clearance bikes. Picked it up Saturday morning, and went for a twelve mile ride that afternoon. I'm loving it so far and look forward to riding it much more in the next few months!
Originally Posted by gco211 I wound up getting it for $1000 even out the door; the store was not very interested in lowering the price on its clearance bikes. Picked it up Saturday morning, and went for a twelve mile ride that afternoon. I'm loving it so far and look forward to riding it much more in the next few months!
There you go, smart shopper. And you're already riding it like you stole it. Buena sera, friend.
Originally Posted by oldbobcat Oh. And be sure to show your appreciation of this great deal by making this shop your first stop for service, parts, and accessories.
Haha, two hours after the ride, I literally went to the shop to pick up a pair of gloves. As I said, this is my first year of cycling and I had no idea about the pounding my hands would take on that ride. I knew to wear padded pants, but my hands were screaming during the ride! Picked up a pair that the guy recommended and found a shorter ride yesterday much more enjoyable as a result of the gloves. Both were good rides though.
I'll need to buy another few things over the next few months (pedals and shoes, for instance), but at least for basic servicing I should be good. I got their unlimited tune up package for $60 for five years, which is obviously mainly a way to get people to come to the shop to buy other things, but if I go in there once per year at the beginning or end of season, I'll be golden.
