A new analysis of the pricing swings in the cycling world reveals that electric bikes have the largest seasonal price difference.
Price comparison engine Idealo produced the data, and while it didn’t differentiate between electric bike styles, which could skew the findings, it is nonetheless interesting from a shopper’s perspective to know that prices are generally at their cheapest in March and most expensive by August. This somewhat follows the model year cycles that have been historically normal, though these are less reliable than they used to be and some brands no longer produce in this way.
According to the data, the average price of an electric bike listed on the price comparison engine sits at £2,894 in March and £3,378 by August, the latter aligning to a refresh of more current stock. Alongside each listing on the website is a historic price tracking chart.
For comparison, road bikes are the lowest in March at an average of £2,529 and peak much sooner in May at £2,858. March likewise offers the greatest value for mountain bikes and August the worst. City bikes are cheapest in August and worst in October, so says the dataset.
Nike Herzog-Osikominu, Country Manager at Idealo and an expert in consumer pricing trends, comments: ‘Timing your purchases throughout the year can make a big difference to your wallet. From seasonal sales to product cycles, knowing when to buy can help you get the best value.
‘Certain products naturally fluctuate in price depending on the time of year. Bikes are a great example of this. Prices for premium bikes, like electric, road, and mountain models, often drop in March because retailers are clearing out stock ahead of the new cycling season. Planning your purchase for this month can put hundreds of pounds back in your pocket, especially on high-end bikes.‘
Cycling Electric advises caution when using mass marketplaces for shopping for an electric bike as, very often, listings can include non road legal items, as Idealo’s site shows a few instances of. To know how to shop for a road legal e-bike, head to our explainer.
Generally speaking, to maximise the most from your spend you can deploy tools like the cycle to work scheme if you are a PAYE employee, which can return an up to 42% saving overall. This scheme is rumoured to be on the Chancellor’s radar for either a chop, or a strong adaptation; however, so be quick.
