I think everyone can agree there is a lot of uncertainty, but also that no current plans look like they’ll bring down the cost of imported bicycle parts (except for such an economic downturn that everyone is dumping their stock to stay afloat). So I personally think it is prudent to look at least as far as summer 2025, and if anything you might need is available now, and maybe is even on sale, and you can afford it, then I would buy.
So no ordering a pallet of XTR chains, but if I have new tires on all bikes in the spring, a couple chains each bike, maybe a cassette for the mtb, and maybe maybe some carbon rims from China, then I can ride out the initial shock of the tariffs.
Has anyone found good deals on Reserve wheels? Best I’ve seen is 15% off the 52|63 DT350 set at biketiresdirect and most places won’t let you use a coupon on these. Worth waiting for Black Friday?
I’ve only seen one discount on reserve wheels over a year or so. It was on one particular model, I don’t remember which one but not what I was looking for.
Carbon wheelsets are like guac at subway. Too high a profit to let go on a discount, and the market is quite small with relatively inelastic demand.
The French (?) shop alltricks.com has had nice discounts on Reserve 34/37 during the autumn. The dt 350 just over 1k € and dt 240 just below 1.5k €. Not sure about the availability now.
For my normal consumables like tires, chains, cassettes, I always like to stock up with end season sales anyway. If I was in the market for a new bike, I’d definitely consider buying sooner rather than later.
7mesh Black Friday sale just dropped - Some great prices. I just ordered the MK3 bib tights for $100 (reg $250). Good size selections right now too. Men’s | 7mesh. Sorry ladies, you have to click either men’s or women’s to get a link.
I know, I just can’t bring myself to do it with so much uncertainty on the horizon (I have been looking at Epic 8’s, but Epic 8 + flight attendant and wheels, is like $8-9k … ouch). With no new bike, I can still do all my targeted events the next few years.
I feel the same way, I have been on the verge of pulling the trigger on a new Scott Foil for a few weeks but like I told my wife the other night - a new bike will be nice and motivating but at the end of the day its not really making me any faster (training does that).
An extra $10,000 in the investment account does wonderful things for happiness, though. And being happier will help you train better, which WILL make you faster.
Back to the topic at hand:
Starting seeing some Black Friday discounts for training apps:
Kinomap: 25% off annual subscription.
AI Endurance: 23% off annual subscription.
