Buy now or wait?

RedTen

RedTen

RedTen

Associate
Joined
23 Jun 2007
Posts
552
Location
South East
I've watched the price of bikes and components continue to rise and I'm not sure when to pull the trigger. I want to get out this summer and I'm not particularly keen on waiting 3+ months for something to come back into stock.

The problem is the only bike near me in stock, and in my size, is the Giant TCR Advanced Disc 3 at £2,100 which feels strong given the spec. I'd hoped to get into 105 at that sort of money but it's so thin on the ground at the moment.

So - what say the OCUK collective? Suck it up, pay the premium and enjoy it while I can, or wait it out and see if things return to 'normal'?

Linky to the bike for those interested.
 
I think I’d rather have a bike for summer rather than worry about the price assuming I could afford it.

Is second hand not an option?
 
MM-Seat said:
I think I’d rather have a bike for summer rather than worry about the price assuming I could afford it.

Is second hand not an option?
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Yeah, I’ve been leaning that way but I’m trying not to get carried away! I also don’t want to get too hung up on group set or spec if in reality the latest Tiagra is reasonable.

Re. second hand, I’ve looked but I’d rather pay more for the warranty and comfort tbh. Especially with a carbon frame.
 
How keen a cyclist are you? Could get a relatively cheap one now to tide you over, and if prices drop £500 later in the year you'll end up with two bikes for the same price. I've put over 2000km onto my Triban rc500 and it's not missed a beat yet. Obviously it's far from fancy, but it's done the job
 
manic111 said:
How keen a cyclist are you? Could get a relatively cheap one now to tide you over, and if prices drop £500 later in the year you'll end up with two bikes for the same price. I've put over 2000km onto my Triban rc500 and it's not missed a beat yet. Obviously it's far from fancy, but it's done the job
Click to expand...

I'm a keen amateur but the social side is one of the biggest draws for me. Summer rides are typically around 50-75km with friends and some social drinks or coffees in between.

I'm generally not out in the rain or bitter cold and I'm definitely not a turbo warrior. Fitness is done via weights, running, and a rower.

I've been riding on a bit of a stop gap bike for a couple of years (cheapie Specialized Allez w/ Claris groupset) but I've since invested some decent money in kit and accessories and I think I look a bit silly riding around on a £300 bike. There's definitely some vanity involved here...
 
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RedTen said:
I'm a keen amateur but the social side is one of the biggest draws for me. Summer rides are typically around 50-75km with friends and some social drinks or coffees in between.

I'm generally not out in the rain or bitter cold and I'm definitely not a turbo warrior. Fitness is done via weights, running, and a rower.

I've been riding on a bit of a stop gap bike for a couple of years (cheapie Specialized Allez w/ Claris groupset) but I've since invested some decent money in kit and accessories and I think I look a bit silly riding around on a £300 bike. There's definitely some vanity involved here...
Click to expand...

So as you have a really good bike anyway, the question is can you afford to spend the cash now or are you prepared to wait till prices MIGHT reduce in the future.
 
Why do we think bike prices will fall? The TCR frame is fantastic. Buy, use it, love it. Tiagra is great now and besides, you will probably want to upgrade the wheels at some point so at that time you can put 11 speed 105/ultegra etc on it :cool:
 
Thanks, it’s good to get others views. I thought a few might suggest it’s a mad purchase but it’s good to hear positives about the frame and spec.

I’m going to the store in the morning so we’ll see what happens...
 
Are you able to get on the cycle 2 work scheme? Depending on your tax band it can be a really great deal and will see you with extra money which would go a long way towards new wheelset / group set upgrade. The again, I bet you'd be hard pushed to find much of a difference moving to 105 / ultegra. I also don't see prices dropping, i remember i paid 1000 for a 105 cannondale caad a number of years ago brand new... be lucky to get close to the same bike for 2000 now
 
I think we won’t know how prices will be until COVID has passed and the market settles with supply/demand.

At the moment we have unprecedented demand which could reduce once the world reopens. Also, We have a period of massive shortage of components due to the same pandemic.
 
I can't see prices coming down once they are up to be honest.

2023 should see a return to some sort of normality on stock and the new normal should be busier than usual. Madison are limiting shops to 10 105 cassettes a month....demand is crazy.

As above £1000 uses to get you 105 on a good alloy frame, £1200 is getting tiagra mechanical disc brakes on alloy frame. Cube are £1599 for 105 Attain SL models. We sell basso and they seem to be able to put out a Venta carbon frame with 105 hydraulics for £2200.
 
I went to see it this morning and ended up buying it! The guys at Giant were great and threw £100 worth of pedals into the deal so that made me feel a bit better. I managed to get out for a quick 35k this afternoon and it’s a lovely machine.

My backside is sore after being off a bike for so long and I’m sure the new seat isn’t helping! I think I’ll get a proper bike fit booked in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for all your views.
 
Nice one, if I had to pick a race bike it would be the TCR. I’m waiting for Giant to come back to me with a frame replacement claim (you get a lifetime warranty on the frame with Giant). I’m praying for a disc replacement.
 
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