linberl

i was going to wait until Spring, thinking people probably don't buy bikes in winter, but then it occurred to me that maybe people are thinking about taxes at that time. So - do you think there is a better time of year to sell folding bikes? I have 2 I can no longer ride
and it's getting depressing to keep looking at them, having finally given up hope of riding them again. I am happily situated on my recumbent trike though, so all is good. I'd like to maximize my returns on the folders since i had to shell out for the trike so am looking to pick the right time, maybe when there aren't
a lot of other bikes in competition, and when folks have disposable income. What do you all think?

Jipe

Globally, bicycle is a seasonal business, spring is the top season for selling a bicycle.

But its different for some folding bikes like the Brompton which are used for commuting and sell also very well after the summer holidays when people go back to work (same for other utility bikes like cargo bikes...)..

PhilFo 

Here in Philly, we have three bike sales seasons: late spring, August (right before/as the college kids are arriving), and christmas. Spring sees the most recreational bicycles sold, August sees the most commuting bikes sold, and christmas the most children's bikes.

bargainguy

Folders are specialty bikes. The market is a little different.

If you're selling in person, biggest limitation is weather for a test ride. SF Bay area, no problem, but for the rest of the country this time of year, hard to do if streets are snow-covered or slippery.

If you're selling online with shipping, you can sell any time of year. I remember selling a Bike Friday in November a few years ago. Owner was thrilled to find a folder that fit him, so time of year didn't matter. People tend to plan trips around their folder purchase, so if the right folder comes along, doesn't matter what time of year, they'll jump on it.

linberl

Some very good points. I think both my bikes would go to folks who commute or use last mile although one could also be for touring (the Bf pakit). With Cal so close by, i might post the Dahon Mu uno for Spring Semester (so now) as it would be a good campus bike and is priced right for that. The BF is kinda pricey because of all the titanium and other stuff i added so probably late Spring for summer trips. hoping not to have to pack and ship either one but obviously will depend on offers locally. Thanks guys!

tcs

Will Butler-Adams lamented that the bike business is seasonal. In his book he says something to the effect of, "Nobody steps out on a cold, sleeting morning and says, 'I'm going to start bike commuting.'"

My bike shop owning friend told me ~80% of his annual sales happened during two spring months and a few weeks before Christmas.

seat_boy

Also keep in mind that the resale value of folders, is, in general, terrible.

linberl

Yeah but the Dahon Mu Uno is kind of a cult bike and mine is in great condiition and I don't want an insane amount for it - just $250. Now my BF pakit is another story. I spent a ton on it and upgraded even more, so it's a matter of finding the right buyer
who knows what they are getting and appreciates a fine folder. While it does make me sad to look at them and not be able to ride them, I feel no pressure to sell quickly so I can be wait for the right buyer.

Velocivixen

I’ve been told it’s best to sell just before a nice weather or sunny weekend, and Not at the end of the month (rent’s due).

linberl

Ahh....good point about end of the month, hadn't thought about that. Maybe right after people get their tax refunds!

2_i 

Considering the possibility that the number of posts on folding bike lists reflects the interest in these bikes at a given time of the year, I went to a British list focused on such bikes, that publishes the number of posts for a given month. Below are the data from the 2001-2022 year bracket and, interestingly, there is no strong variation over the months of the year.

*Jan***Feb**Mar**Apr**May**Jun**Jul***Aug**Sep***Oct**Nov**Dec
10117 8493 9618 9367 10711 10691 10360 9735 10289 10829 8742 7041

linberl

That's cause their weather sucks all year round, lol!