When do the "end of season" and big sales happen?

[Ana]

I'm waiting for a big sale to purchase a few accessories. I'm unclear: when are the "big sale" times? I know the 2010 bikes and groupsets just came out but when do the accessories generally turn over?

Thanks!

[Grog]

I've never really seen a 'big sale' in cycling accessories. Sometimes there will be a rack of heavily discounted stuff but it's never things I'm really accessories. Panniers, lights, and other utilitarian things never really get on sale, as far as I know; you may be a little more lucky with clothing but the cycling clothes I buy also are those that come back year after year, so no deep discounts there.

I hope others have more helpful answers!

[kelownagirl]

Sugoi has a big sale on today (and maybe tomorrow?) at their warehouse in Vancouver. I'd go if I lived closer.

[blackhillsbiker]

Shebeest SSS shorts were 49.99 at our local Scheels. Not my size, though.

Deb

[shootingstar]

I forgot about the Sugoi warehouse sale this weekend. Oh well. Got enough stuff piling up in closet. Have to continue to manage my budget tightly anyway.

Other option is if your area has a major annual bike show.

[Grog]

My best catch at the sale was $10 pairs of wool liners. LOTS of "Brand Champion" stuff: their jerseys with the red first-nation pattern on front, and some RS shorts, but the latter don't fit me well so I didn't get a pair. (At $20, it would have been a deal though.) For $17.50 I thought the jersey was a good buy so I got one for myself and one for my husband (don't tell him just yet). I snatched the only pair of booties in the building ($20) and some gloves for my husband ($15, also with the pattern, also a secret). No tights. Not a lot of winter-riding gear overall.

At the end of the day, I don't know if it was worth the wait to get in + chaos in there + wait to pay. Sort of funny though to see LOTS of the riders I normally see on the road with their club walking around in there in their civilian clothes.

But that won't help the original poster, unfortunately.

[RolliePollie]

I've never really found very good retail cycling gear sales either. However I've had good luck with Sierra Trading Post ( www.sierratradingpost.com ) and the online REI outlet ( www.rei.com/outlet ).

[ny biker]

I've gotten coupons from a couple of local shops recently. The one I go to most often had a 20% off accessories sale earlier this month. Now they're doing a sale on tune ups.

[Grits]

I have gotten some things from Nashbar when they have had some sales (and it seems like they are always having a sale!). I also wait for the REI sales and the occasional 20% off one item coupon I get in the mail from them. There probably is a schedule for REI, but I have no idea when it is. It is always just a happy surprise when I get their sale flier!

[BikeShopGirl]

Most local bike shops have some sort of discount during the season. Also, many shops are starting rewards programs as well.

[nscrbug]

I just received a flier in the mail yesterday from Performance Bike...gearing up for their "After Thanksgiving Day" sale. There were a bunch of coupons on the front...can't remember what the discount was. Check their site, as they too...seem to always be having a sale.