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Many of the bike shops around me are still running beginning of the year closeout sales on 2016 and 2015 bikes. There are some killer deals on these bikes, up to 35-40% off for 2015 bikes. Now I know that these bikes are two years old but still we’re talking saving several thousand dollars. They recently listed a Trek Session 9.9 DH bike normally priced at $9,999, on sale for $3,999, that’s $6000 saved. Other than maybe different color schemes, adjusted drive train or suspension components, or other minor adjustments, is there a radical difference between the 2015 and 2017 bikes (with the 2017 bikes being at least $1500 more)? Is there a reason for this depreciation that I might not be aware of, or is it just a matter of the shop wanting to get rid of these older bikes as the 2017 models roll in? I feel very compelled to walk right by the 2017 bikes and look into buying an older model year bike that is discounted. Is this a bad idea? I’m not as familiar with bike depreciation (even for a bike that wasn’t previously owned) as I am with that of cars, nor am I familiar with bike retail. Is this too good to be true? Is there a reason for this that I’m not aware of?
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Jump on these deals–you may not see anything like this again.
The industry is in a weird and difficult place right now in terms of inventory and shifting sales channels. The big brands like Trek seem to be slashing prices the most, but it has little to do with the product itself. The bikes are still great!
For some context on the current situation, you might find these items helpful.
New Mountain Bikes Lose About 45% of Their Value After Year One
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Thanks for the info Jeff.
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Yeap def the best time to buy a bike. Crazy to pay the normal price. One of my first really good mountain bikes, I bought at the very end of the season for something like $1500 of normal price.
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By 2015 many bikes had already gone Long, Low and Slack and 27.5 and 29s were already in. So maybe the biggest change since 2015 is the prevalence of plus sized tire designs (i.e. frames designed for plus sized tires and boast axles). Only you can decide if that is so important to you.
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Also, 1×11 drivetrains are more available now and 1x12s are showing up.
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ok, so i’m about to pay full fare for a Trek 29r Fuel ex 8.5 Alloy. if understand correctly i’m overpaying for the ride??
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ok, so i’m about to pay full fare for a Trek 29r Fuel ex 8.5 Alloy. if understand correctly i’m overpaying for the ride??
Excellent question! All of my bikes, my road bikes, my commuter, my first two mountain bikes were last year’s (or the year before) model….I saved thousands and smugly thought of myself as a very frugal, bargain savvy man.
However in 2014 I fell in love with a brand spanking new Trek Remedy and last year a gorgeous Pivot Mach 429SL w/Di2. They were new, shiny,and performed extremely well. ….. I was blinded by lust. 😉
I paid too much (especially for the Pivot), but they are both pure joy to ride. Do I regret what I paid? A little, especially when I read articles like this I get a bit sick to my stomach *BUT* then I hop on the bikes and all seems right with the world.
If you have an opportunity to purchase last year’s Fuel I would strongly advise you to consider it as you could likely save a (huge) chunk of change, but if this current Fuel really speaks to you and you have the funds; well let’s just say I’m certainly in no position to judge you. : )
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mongwolf- Yeah, the shop owner was telling me that plus size bikes have grown significantly in popularity. While they do look cool, I can forgo one for a good deal.
palmerton- The Fuel ex is one of the bikes I’m considering. Right now the 2015 Fuel 8’s (the few left) are going for $1700-$2000 with the sale. 2016’s are between $2500 and $2700. The 2017’s are all above $3200. Depending on what year you’re looking at you might get a better deal buying an older model. You’ll have to weigh the differences yourself. As I think Mongwolf was pointing out- geometry, wheel size, and drivetrain specs would be very similar. To me, saving at least a $1000 on a bike that is a year or so older but is virtually the same is a pretty good deal. Again, you gotta decide what’s best for you.
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>Nick, I’d say go for the best deal you can get. Changes between 2015 and 2017 are so minimal that you won’t feel it on the trail. Every bike requires some time to get used to. Only after that initial adjustment period you can recognize what drivetrain or what shock suits you better.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Those are great bikes that must go from the store to make room for new models.</p> -
It depends on what changes they made from one year to the next. Compare the frame specs, geometry, build kit and components . . 1×11, 2×10, NX1, GX1, XO1, boost hubs, forks, brakes, etc. If everything’s the same or better, get the older model at a lower price. I bought a marked down 2016 in December for a $1000 less than it was in November, the 2017 is basically the same bike in a different color.
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