After we published this guide on how to get a cheap yet affordable dirk bike we got a a few emails from readers asking for some more tip. As always ,we are ready to oblige so read on 🙂
Road bikes are a growing segment of the market, regaining popularity after mountain bikes took a big chunk of their market in the last 20 years. Now, biking enthusiasts are trading in their mountain bikes or storing them in favor of road bikes that offer greater utility, more places to ride, more competitions, and easier access to exercise. In this road bikes guide, you’ll discover tips for saving money on your next purchase of a road bike. Your total savings can be as high as 25% to 40% in many cases.
Tip #1: Buy Online, Not from a Local Dealer
The best deals are online because the marketplace is so much more competitive. In a large city, bike shop owners may be competing against 2 or 3 other shops that may not even carry the same brands. Online, they are competing against everyone. You’ll save 10% to 15% with this tip alone.
Tip #2: Don’t Overbuy
Set your budget and stick to it. Getting a Cannondale SuperSix 3 for $2,500 would be a great deal ($600 under list) if you were in the market for mid-grade road bikes. However, if you are perusing very good entry level bikes, that would be overspending. You’d be better off with a $900 Trek 1.2 or an $1,100 Giant Defy. Don’t be sold on low prices if the total is more than you intended to spend.
Tip #3: Don’t Pay for Features you Don’t Need
If you are looking at high-quality road bikes for recreational rad biking and a Jamis Ventura or Scott Speedster S20 for $1,400 has the features you want, stick with them, or road bikes like them. Don’t pay more for upgrades like a superlight frame, advanced carbon wheels and enhanced breaking system. Don’t spend the extra to get a Cannondale CAAD 10 Dura-Ace for $3,200 or an Eddy Merckx EMX-7 for $6,200. There’s always an urge to get the best bike in its class. That’s a great way to blow the budget and experience buyer’s remorse.
Tip #4: Know the Type of Road Biking You’ll Do
Shop road bikes of the type that suits your purposes. Getting a “great deal” on a bike that doesn’t fit the biking you have planned as well as another type is really a waste of money. Be sure you know beforehand exactly what kind of biking you will do and which type of road bikes are designed for that purpose. Here are the general categories, with a few sample road bikes to give you an idea of the market segment:
Entry Level Road Bikes: Specialized Allez Sport Compact, $920; Fuji Roubaix, $950; Trek Ion Super, $1,700.
Commuter Road Bikes: Electra Delivery 3i, $800; Scattante Americano Three, $600; Independent Fabrication Super Commuter, $3,900.
Recreational Road Bikes: Felt F75, $1,500, Diamondback Podium, $2,200; Specialized Tarmac Elite Apex, $2,200.
Travel Road Bikes: Ritchey Breakaway, $1,500; Dahon Tournado, $2,600; Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, $3,000.
Road Enthusiast Bikes: Focus Culebro 1.0 $2,200; GT GTR Carbon Sport, $2,700; Trek Madone 5.2, $3,300; Pinarello FPQuattro Force/Rival $3,450.
Triathlon Road Bikes: Trek Speed Concept, $3,100; Specialized Transition Expert, $3,300.
XC Road Bikes: Niner Air 9 Carbon, $4,400; Jamis D29 Pro, $3,100.
Tip #5: Buy Off-season or Last Year’s Model
If you have to have a 2016, then you have to have a 201. Shop only the new road bikes. If you want to save a bundle of cash, look for a leftover 2015 or something gently used. If you can wait till the season slows down, you might also save a good chunk of money on your purchase.
Summary
All biking enthusiasts will get a better deal if they follow these tips. You’ll end up with a road bike you really love and one that didn’t cost you more than it should. There’s a ton of great road bikes out there, but make sure you get the right bike for you at the right price.