What Is the Best Time to Buy Bikes? – What Time of the Year Should You Go Shopping for Bikes?

After reading this shopping guide, you'll know the ins and outs of purchasing a bike at the best deals possible.
By
John Watson
John Watson
Writer
John is an experienced cycling enthusiast and a great asset when it comes to writing skills. He's a Bachelor of Arts and a talented journalist. John is in charge of our blog read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Jessica Kingston
Jessica Kingston
Expert Consultant
Jessica is our expert consultant on all things connected to biking - gear, technique, you name it. Being a pro cyclist in the past, she knows exactly how things work in and read more
Last updated: August 22, 2023
Bike The Site is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Bicycles are an investment for a healthy lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean that they should break the bank. Nor should you settle for inferior quality merely to save some money. Finding the best time to buy bikes is one way to find a balance between quality and cost. 

Few beginners know when the best time is to buy a bike. Often, they end up spending much more than they should get a bike when there are other options available. Buying a bike doesn’t need to break the bank. Buying a bike provides many great opportunities. Not only is it a cheap alternative form of transportation, but it’s a fun, effortless way to get exercise. Biking is one of the popular forms of exercise throughout North America. 

What Is the Best Time of the Year to Buy a Bike? 

This article is here to help you choose when to buy a bicycle. The timing of buying a bike can save you money. Depending on the season, there are sales on bicycles that make investing in your health a lot less daunting. Finding a bike that satisfies your needs, wants, aesthetics, lifestyle, and budget is a considerable feat. Read on to find out which month is best to buy a bike. 

Season Sales

The best time of year to buy any type of bike (even electric ones) is Christmas, one of the most wonderful times of the year. Christmas holidays bring you Christmas cheer and cycling sales. 

What Is the Best Time to Buy Bikes? – What Time of the Year Should You Go Shopping for Bikes?
A bike can be a perfect gift on Christmas for your close ones.

Retailers during the holiday season are very keen on offering sales. Some of the biggest sales of the year are during the Christmas season. Both black Friday and boxing day are known for their outrageous sales on everything from cookware to vehicles to nails, to boats, and so much more. Get in the mood for giving with these fantastic deals and get yourself a nice vehicle on black Friday bike sales.

Spring Sales

Early spring is an exciting time to do shopping as it’s just starting to move away from winter weather. Spring weather is a wonderful time to do some biking, and retailers know that. That’s why bike prices often drop in spring. They’ll draw you in with sales. Make sure to keep an eye on what’s a deal and what’s just fantastic advertising. 

Spring comes with it a tradition of spring cleaning. Many people are cleaning out their sheds and garages. This means that many of them are going to be donating or selling bikes.

Summer Sales 

When it comes to summer, shopping for deals may be a bit more difficult; some consider summertime the best time to buy a bicycle. For some retailers, they’re right. For others, they’ll have a rough time finding stock. However, this is the height of bike season. It means that there aren’t very many sales currently. This is a fun time to find used bikes through thrift shops and online sales. 

Early Fall Sales

Back-to-school sales are bountiful in the fall. But that’s not why early fall is one of the best times to buy a new or used bicycle. In September, big brands send out their new models for the year. When new bicycle models come out, the older ones are put on sale. So early fall is the end of the biking season and the time when you should buy a bike on sale. 

Year-End Sales

This time of year tends to coincide a lot with the holiday sales. However, this is more than just the bustle of the Christmas shopping season. Winter is the time of year when retailers are attempting to get rid of some of their old stock so you can see how bike prices drop right before the holidays. Making room for the new year and updated merchandise means year-end discounts on bikes. The end of the year is one of the best times bikes are on sale. After the Christmas holidays are over, you still have a huge chance of buying a bike on sale as big-box retailers still have a lot in stock that they need to get rid of!

Where to Buy a Bike on Sale?

Choosing where to shop is as important as when to shop. However, there isn’t a clear-cut answer for you, the reader. Instead, it’s more about personal preference. The three primary places to buy bicycles include big retailers, local bike shops, and online e-commerce retailers. Each one has its merit depending on your lifestyle and shopping preferences. 

Purchasing a bicycle should be simple. Take this 26 Inch Micargi Mustang GTS for example. There are many ways to figure out the best deal for this bike. Reaching out to the manufacturer, Micargi is one great option. Going on the other side, you may be able to find this model through online retailers that provide lifetime technical support, fast nationwide shipping, and smooth customer service. 

Big Retailer Stores

Large-scale retailers such as REI or Walmart provide a fantastic range of options at reasonable prices. Retailers like Walmart may not offer the same level of quality as buying online or at a local specialty bike shop, but it provides reasonably priced bikes for those just starting. 

What Is the Best Time to Buy Bikes? – What Time of the Year Should You Go Shopping for Bikes?
While the upfront cost in local shops may be higher than buying a bike from an online retailer, it usually comes with limited free maintenance.

The drawbacks of buying from a large-scale retailer are that they aren’t always knowledgeable about the bikes they’re selling. Typically, it won’t have a servicing station either. This means you’ll have to find another place to provide maintenance and repairs when the bike inevitably needs it. 

Local Bike Shops

Local bike shops provide a local American option for finding your next bike. The benefits of buying local are an extensive list. Not only are you supporting local business owners in your neighborhood, but you’re also supporting the local economy. When you support local, you’re supporting the dreams of a family in your very town. Local bike shops are the best place for expert service since they’re local to you and thus easily accessible; this is a feature that the other retailers don’t have as easily available.

Intuit Mint Life surveyed Americans about their shopping habits Trusted Source Buying Local Statistics for 2021: Survey Finds 70% of Americans Shop Small | Intuit Mint Life There’s value in supporting local creators, especially after the financial hardships of 2020. We’ve covered the buying local statistics going into 2021 to help guide your shopping. mint.intuit.com . During the 2020 global Covid-19 pandemic, citizens are more likely (70%) to shop at local stores, with an increase of 3 million Trusted Source Nearly $20 billion spent by Americans this Small Business Saturday | The U.S. Small Business Administration | SBA American consumers spent $19.6 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday, according to data released yesterday from the 2019 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey. www.sba.gov spent at local stores instead of department stores. 

Online Ecommerce Retailers

Online retailers make shopping ever so easy. With a simple click of your mouse, you can choose a bicycle to your specifications and have it shipped right to your home. Shopping has never been easier with the help of e-commerce sites. Even local businesses are following the online hype, with 20 percent working on building e-commerce storefronts as well as local physical stores.

How to Find the Best Deal on a Bike?

The best time to buy a bicycle is often a combination of awareness and luck. Finding a great deal takes time. Don’t rush into any of your options without giving each one proper thought. Right here, we’ve listed all the ways to find the best deal on a bike.

1. Negotiate on a Bike’s Price

Many local retailers, used retailers, and manufacturers allow a degree of negotiating or haggling. Even if you’re not able to get a price reduction, you may be able to get a potential deal or longer warranty. It never hurts to reach out and ask. There are many great options for bikes that are well under $500 even.

2. Buy a Used Bike on a Website

There are many different options to purchase a used bike online. This includes secondhand thrift stores as well as directly from the previous user. Platforms such as eBay, Kijiji, Facebook, and many others have made it simple to provide consumer-to-consumer transactions. 

3. Utilize Discount Codes

Each retailer, whether they’re a brand name, box store, charity thrift store, or online retailer, there are always chances for discount codes. 

Check out their websites, comment sections, contests, and social media for potential codes and discounts. Here you’ll also learn about upcoming sales.

4. Be Aware of the Sales

Look out for sales, whether these are ads on social media or word of mouth from a forum for families that bike. Earlier, we discussed some of the major seasons for sales and what they could mean for your wallet. Keep that in mind. 

Don’t discount retailer newsletters. Often, you’ll be able to get a discount code for signing up via email to many retailers. Sign up for them. You’ll not only get the sign-up bonus but also have direct access to upcoming sales.

5. Purchase a Demo Bike

Demonstration bicycles or demo bikes are bikes that are used for display for test driving. Either way, they lose value once they’re used by other customers before purchase. This bike will have more miles on it than a new bike but will be much cheaper.

6. Build It Yourself

This is one of the easiest ways to get a deal but also the hardest. Building your bike means that there’s a high degree of customizability. For an advanced rider, this means improved traction, heightened aerodynamics, and more speed. For a beginner, this may be more effort and frustration than it’s worth. 

Is It Smart to Buy a Bike in Coronavirus Times?

Adrienne Bernhard of the BBC Trusted Source The great bicycle boom of 2020 | BBC Throughout lockdown, rusty bikes were dusted off in garages around the world and sales of new bikes surged. The question is now: can it last? www.bbc.com and John Mazerolle of the CBC Trusted Source Great COVID-19 bicycle boom expected to keep bike industry on its toes for years to come | CBC Some bicycle shops across Canada are so busy with a pandemic-triggered boom in sales and its subsequent backlog that even answering phone calls is a struggle. www.cbc.ca have seen a huge boom in the popularity of cycling throughout 2020. In an article, she explains that there is a dramatic increase specifically in bicycle sales in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic. This is for a range of several reasons. 

Bicycles provide more social distance than other forms of transportation. Buying a bike also offers greater independence from other forms of transportation such as cars, vans, taxis, or public transit. It allows for greater social distancing. 

In a time of financially struggling Americans, cycling is cheaper. It’s also more affordable overall. Utilizing a bike instead of driving or taking public transit is more reasonable, thus saving you money every month. 

FAQ 

When is the best time of the year to buy mountain bikes?  

Mountain bikes are typically considered in season in the summer months. Buying them out of season can provide decent discounts and sales. Add to that, September is when new models come out. This means that the older models are typically cheaper as retailers want to get rid of older stock. Fall is the best time to buy mountain bikes (MTB) as they go on sale in fall. 

When do new bike models come out? 

Although this is different for each bike brand, new models typically come out around September or early fall. This means that new models are prepared and ready for the upcoming season. So it’s better to buy a bike in the first days of September. 

Models such as the 24” Micargi Women’s M40 are constantly being updated with the newest bells and whistles. This modern model has impressive features like hi-ten steel frames, a 6-speed freewheel, and a steel 28/38/48t crankset. Every fall, more models are being created and updated. Purchasing last year’s model provides a chance for fantastic quality at a lower price. 

Where can I get a demo bike to go on a test ride?

Did you know that you can test-drive bikes? Many retailers understand that you need to be able to feel the bike before you know if it’s the bike for you. Demo bikes provide that. Whether you’re looking for a gravel bike, a commuter bike, a road bike, or a speedster, or a triathlon bike, there’s a range of options for you to try.

Is it a good day to buy a new bike on Saturday?

People usually go shopping on weekends, so we recommend that you avoid bike shopping at busy local stores. However, if you shop online, nothing can stop you from buying a bike on Saturday.

Final Thoughts

Purchasing a bicycle can be a daunting task with an overwhelming number of options. In addition to the price tags, it may not seem easy to find a balance. We all want to find a fantastic bike at an amazing price. There are options for purchasing a quality bike at a low price. The best time to buy bikes is typically in September or the holiday season when older stock is at its cheapest. 

Bicycling is an excellent form of exercise. Not only is this a physical activity that increases circulation, lung capacity, strength training, and muscle creation, but it’s also used as a form of mindfulness and stress relief. Make sure you’re able to get the best bang for your buck and your health. 

References

1.
Buying Local Statistics for 2021: Survey Finds 70% of Americans Shop Small | Intuit Mint Life
There’s value in supporting local creators, especially after the financial hardships of 2020. We’ve covered the buying local statistics going into 2021 to help guide your shopping.
2.
Nearly $20 billion spent by Americans this Small Business Saturday | The U.S. Small Business Administration | SBA
American consumers spent $19.6 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday, according to data released yesterday from the 2019 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey.
3.
The great bicycle boom of 2020 | BBC
Throughout lockdown, rusty bikes were dusted off in garages around the world and sales of new bikes surged. The question is now: can it last?
4.
Great COVID-19 bicycle boom expected to keep bike industry on its toes for years to come | CBC
Some bicycle shops across Canada are so busy with a pandemic-triggered boom in sales and its subsequent backlog that even answering phone calls is a struggle.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *