Bargain 08 bike now, or 09 bike next year?

supertwisted

Firstly, since I'm new, hello everyone!
Made a couple of posts but haven't done a newbie intro post yet.

I've recently gotten back into cycling after saving my old Scott Purgatory from it's exile in the garage.
I'm not that talented, or fit, but I enjoy myself while out on the bike and like experimenting. There's a local club who ride a few trails in Northants and I intend to go out with them a couple of times a week once I get some new tires (got semi-slicks at the mo, it was a ill informed buy!)

Being a typical bloke, I've been ogling all the shiny new bikes on the market, with no real intention of buying anything for another year or so. But by all accounts, it sounds like the 08 bikes are generally better specced than their credit-crunched 09 replacements, or at very good prices compared to the newer models.

So that's led me to seriously considering spending some money on a new steed. That way I can leave the semi-slicks on my Scott and use it as a road hack.

The 08 Rockhopper and Commencal Combi Deluxe have peaked my interest at the moment. The Commencal looks massively reduced from it's RRP, though the spec doesn't look far ahead of the other 5-600 bikes.

So, buy now and grab a bargain, or be sensible and gain a little more experience before spending any money?

I've had some advice in some brand specific threads (thanks to those who replied), but thought I'd throw this out as a general question as it seems a popular topic.

If I buy now, it seems I'm guaranteed a bargain. If I decide to get something in 6 months time, I'll only be able to choose from the 09 range and may not get such a good spec/price. And (providing I choose the right bike) I'll enjoy my riding a whole lot more on a newer bike.

On the flip side however, something better always comes along. I should probably use what I've got before I spend more money, and I may regret a hasty purchase later on and wish I'd bought a different kind of bike.

Any thoughts? I don't expect anyone to make my mind up for me, but would be interested to here other peoples thoughts or experiences.

Cheers all.

supersonic

Buying an 08 bike is the way to go for a bargain - but don't get something that you might not like. See what the local shops have, and Halfords, and sit on a few.

For 500 quid the Carrera Fury, Spesh Rockhopper and GT Avalanche are all good bikes, and might find some 6-700 quid examples at 500.

cupoftea

I recently got an 08 stumpjumper with quite a bit price cut, as i found the 09 will have £500 on top of the full list price and exactly the same components fitted. So for me it was a real no brainer.

supertwisted

supersonic wrote:

Buying an 08 bike is the way to go for a bargain - but don't get something that you might not like. See what the local shops have, and Halfords, and sit on a few.

For 500 quid the Carrera Fury, Spesh Rockhopper and GT Avalanche are all good bikes, and might find some 6-700 quid examples at 500.

Yeah I intend to do plenty of test rides before committing. My Scott is a little too big for me (even though I did a test ride, but listened to the seller and not my instincts), so I'm not making that mistake again.

The Merlin Malt 4 was quite high on my list, but I can't test one without going to Lancs. Seems a phenomenal bargain at £475 though.
Carrera and the GT are possibles, but I've read reports of build quality issues on the Carrera and I'm not keen on the looks of the GT (I know, I'm a tart, but I'll ride it more if looking at it makes me smile!). That said, I'll test them both for completeness sake.

supertwisted

cupoftea wrote:

I recently got an 08 stumpjumper with quite a bit price cut, as i found the 09 will have £500 on top of the full list price and exactly the same components fitted. So for me it was a real no brainer.

Same with the Rockhopper it seems, 08 bike better than the 09 by some margin. The 09 Rockhopper Comp is the same spec as the 08 Disc, but about £200 more!

Edit:
Went to try a Rockhopper today, but my local Evans don't stock Specialized as they are unwilling to compete with another LBS who do. Annoying.
Did try a GT Avalanche in medium and while the reach was about right, the top tube was eye wateringly high.
Think I need to focus my search on bikes with a sharper slope on the top tube so I can get a little extra standover clearance.

Curse my freakishly short 27" inside leg.

Th3 Firestarter

How much money are you looking to spend on your bike? The credit crunch is obviously a big factor in the pricing of the 09 bikes so I'd say an 08 is the way to go as they are being discounted all over the place. Marin have replaced the rock springs for 09 with the wolf ridge 6.7, same spec as my 08 rock springs, but a different colour and an £150 or so for the privelige. The 08 wolf ridge has £300 off at cycle surgery, now £1599. Grab a bargain while you can.

supertwisted

£500ish is my budget, which seems to buy me a lot of 08 bike.

They're running out quick so I'll have to decide soon, just need to fit some test rides in. Most shops close before I get in from work and I can't make it in a lunch break!

streako

Dude- how tall are you? I'm thinking with a 27" inside leg you must be around 5'5" or less?
I think you should be looking at a small frame of around 16".

If so, you may have to look around more for a discounted '08 model as most shops have medium as their main show models.

For what its worth I am riding a 16" Scandal and I have an inside leg of about 31". Plenty stand over and nicely stretched.

supertwisted

streako wrote:

Dude- how tall are you? I'm thinking with a 27" inside leg you must be around 5'5" or less?
I think you should be looking at a small frame of around 16".

If so, you may have to look around more for a discounted '08 model as most shops have medium as their main show models.

For what its worth I am riding a 16" Scandal and I have an inside leg of about 31". Plenty stand over and nicely stretched.

Would you believe I'm 5'10". Crazy isn't it. Perhaps my mother smoking while pregnant stunted the growth of my legs.

I think anything smaller than 17" (I use that in general terms since there doesn't seem to be any rule between manufacturers) will be a bit cramped for me in terms of reach.